Loved It: That's a Wrap

Jacket: Forever 21; Dress: ECI New York; Shoes: Michael by Michael Kors; Bracelets and Watch: Forever 21; Ring: Nordstrom 

Loved It: Gloss of the Month

Welcome to a new segment: Gloss of the month. I love lipgloss!! It's my favorite thing in the world of makeup. At any given time I could be carrying between 2 and 12 lipglosses. And I love them all equally. Lately though I've been into a sort of Brigitte Bardot mood with big hair, black eyeliner and a perfect pale pinky-beige lipgloss. I think I found the perfect gloss. Now if only my hair wouldn't fall flat after 20 minutes. 

chihuahua lipgloss by Nars.

Loved It: Parachute Pants

It's Hammertime.

Jacket: H&M; T-Shirt: Frenchi; Pants: Forever 21; Shoes: Forever 21

Loved It: Bamboo Sushi

Bamboo Sushi is the best sushi in Portland.  I'm not kidding around.  Of course, it's no secret. Bamboo has been featured many times over, from Sunset magazine to GQ. If you go order the green machine. That's an order. I told our sushi chef it's our favorite and he replied, "it's everyone's favorite."  I don't mind being part of the crowd on this one. The sauce is magic.

The famed Green Machine

Our sushi chef: Deru working on his sushi artwork.

Here's a link: 

http://www.bamboosushipdx.com

Loved It: Last Days of Autumn

To me autumn doesn't hold a candle to summer. However, nothing beats the beauty of autumn leaves. They are so mesmerizing they almost make me forget the dropping temperatures and rainy weather. The trees look like they are lit from within. It's so sad to see the leaves thining, yet I can't help but get excited for blossoms in the spring. I guess a girl can only dream of snow on the bare limbs during the months in between. The changing of seasons are a true gift.

Loved It: Zooey Deschanel in 500 Days of Summer

Zooey Deschanel is adorable all of the time. And so it's sort of hard to differentiate her style in real life from her character in 500 Days of Summer. Either way she looks fly! Love the outfits, love the hair, love the makeup, love everything. 

...I think I need sailor shorts! 

Loved It: Derby Hat and Bows

Jacket, skirt, belt and scarf: Forever 21; Hat: Nordstrom Brand; Shoes: Clarks; Wallet:  Kimchi Blue

Loved It: Sweet and Spicy Salmon

This dish is not only delicious- it's super easy! With only 5 ingredients total it makes for a quick and easy dinner. (not to mention healthy!) I'm sure you'll love it as much as me! (although no one loves it as much as my husband) Feel free to adjust the amount of ingredients depending on how saucy you like things. (I'm very saucy- or so I've been told) I serve mine with a side of rice (cooked in coconut milk) and sauteed broccoli. Serve yours with whatever you want. 

Recipe for Sweet and Spicy Salmon:

• 1/2 cup mae ploy chile sauce
• 1/2 cup apricot jam
• 1-3 Tbsp siracha sauce (depending on how spicy you like it)
• 3-4 green onions chopped     
• 1-1/12 lb salmon 

Pre-heat the oven to 475. Combine the first 3 ingredients in a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Stir and cook until it's combined. (about 5 to 10 minutes) Add in the onions and let them cook for only a minute or two. Spread sauce over salmon (reserving a few tablespoons of sauce) and bake for about 12 minutes or until done. Enjoy!

word to the wise:  Salmon cooks best for a short time at a high temperature. A chef once told me to bake my salmon at home at 500 degrees for 6 or 7 minutes. So I went home to my tiny 1 bedroom apartment and turned on my very old oven to 500 degrees. I opened the oven to put the salmon in and found my oven on fire!!! Subsequently i began running around yelling "fire! fire!". Thankfully my husband remained calm and took care of the situation. Turns out if you just keep the oven closed the fire dies out. I guess I was freaking out over nothing. Also turns out I needed to clean my oven! What I'm trying to get at is if you feel comfortable cooking your salmon at 500 degrees for a shorter amount of time, then please by all means do! You'll just never catch me doing that again!

Loved It: Piglets

I didn't realize when I started this blog that the pull would be so strong to post pictures of cute animals. But it's there, and I can't ignore it.  I saw this picture on Pineterest and I just had to show all of you!  And so, without further ado: Piglets.

Loved It: Cheese Bar!

Mmmmmm! Cheese!!! Isn't cheese wonderful!?!?! I think we can all agree on that! Well there is a little gem on upper Belmont that is the place to go for a cheese lover. The owner, Steve Jones, is an actual world class cheesemonger. Color me impressed! Not only do they serve up delicious cheese, cured meats, wine and sandwiches, but it's all served with a side of friendliness. Stand at the counter and ask about cheese, and you will be treated with little bites of whatever you want to try. I was truly in heaven. Cheese heaven. Mmmmm.

Here's a link to their website: http://cheese-bar.com/

Loved It: Giada's Chicken Marsala

This is easily my favorite dish. I make it usually once a week. (hence why I'm not on my way to looking smokin in a bikini) If you like sweet and savory you will love this! Do yourself a favor and pour a glass of red wine and get cookin!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, each breast cut crosswise into 3 pieces
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 tablespoons butter, divided
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 cup dry Marsala wine
• 1 cup (8 ounces) mascarpone cheese
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves, plus whole sprigs, for garnish
• 12 ounces dried fettuccine

Directions

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over high heat. Add the chicken and cook just until brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cool slightly.

While the chicken cools, melt 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet over medium-high heat, then add the onion and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and garlic and saute until the mushrooms are tender and the juices evaporate, about 12 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until it is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Stir in the mascarpone and mustard. Cut the chicken breasts crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Simmer, uncovered, over medium-low heat until the chicken is just cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chopped parsley. Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain. Toss the fettuccine with 3 tablespoons of butter and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Swirl the fettuccine onto serving plates. Spoon the chicken mixture over top. Garnish with parsley sprigs and serve.

Thanks Giada DeLaurentiis!

Loved It: Shades of Blue

dress: Plenty by Tracey Reece; cardigan: Forever 21; Jacket:  elevenses; shoes: Amanda  Smith

Loved It: Forts

As a child I enjoyed playing with dolls, my mother's makeup and shoes, climbing trees and riding bikes. But my favorite was building forts. Oh the joy! I guess we don't ever really grow out of liking certain things. I mean, I still love makeup and shoes. Instead of playing with dolls I like to hold actual babies. Riding my bike is still a lot of fun. And I would climb trees if I had the agility. (sounds like a good workout, doesn't it? look out rock climbing! tree climing is coming!) So I guess it's not surprising that I'm still enchanted with forts! If my husband would let me, our entire bedroom would be one glorious fort! Here are a few pictures for inspiration.

Loved It: Party Decorations

My girlfriend Jessica is a genius when it comes to decorating for a party. She doesn't just decorate, she transforms! And so when I attended the bridal shower she put together for her sister this weekend, it was no different. The house was a wonderland! My favorite part was the designated seating area where the bride-to-be (there's no way she can get out of the embarrassing and tedious tradition) opens her presents for all to see. 

Congratulations Felicia and Jacob!

Loved It: Skin that Glows and Leopard Print

Laura Mercier just launched a new primer this week and I'm obsessed! I'm always after that J-Lo glow without looking like a grease ball- it's a very thin line. The new radiance primer by Laura Mercier sits perfectly on that line. You can wear it under or over makeup. And if you're like me you'll do both! 

Loved It: The Portland Bazaar

Exciting news! On Dec 10th and 11th Portland will host a Bazaar put on by Grace Bonney of Design Sponge!

Here's a link to the info: http://portlandbazaar.com/

So excited!!!

Loved It: Red Beans and Rice

I know it's been made a million times a million ways but just thought I'd share my way with you, cause, well, it's de-lish-ous! I like to slow-cook pork at the beginning of the week and use it for various meals- this is one of them. (I cook my pork in root beer- makes the most tender pork!) 

Recipe For Red Beans and Rice:

• 1 cup jasmin rice
• 1 can kidney beans
• 3 strips of bacon
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• about 1/2 to 1 cup of pulled pork
• 1 avocado
• cilantro
• sour cream (optional) 

Cook bacon until crispy over medium low. Cool bacon on paper towels and reserve bacon grease. Cook onion in bacon fat over medium heat until translusent, or for 3 or 4 minutes. Add can of beans. (remember to  drain liquid of course) Add pulled pork. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. In the meantime cook rice according to directions on package. Crumble bacon and add to pork mixture. Slice up avocado, chop up cilantro,put on top of beans and rice and serve all together in one glorious heap. Add sour cream if desired of course. Enjoy! 

Loved it: Rachel McAdams in Sherlock Holmes

Not usually a huge fan of heavy eye makeup and bold lips together but not only does Rachel pull it off in this movie- she makes me want to do this look every day. Hat n all. ...Ok, Ok, full disclosure: when this movie came out I was so into this look I died my hair dark chestnut brown. I guess I thought I would look just like McAdams. Instead I looked washed out and washed up. (why is being "washed" a bad thing? I mean, you're clean so that's good right?)

Loved It: Puppy

Today I visited a friend who just adopted the most adorable westie puppy! His name is Tobey and I think I'm in love. I just wanted to  share the happiness with all of you. Here is a picture of a westie puppy- not quite as good as the real thing but I know it will make you smile! 

Loved it: Butter Nail Polish

I don't really have anything special to say. I just love these nail polishes.

Loved It: Dressing like a Lady

I can't resist polka dots! A polka dot umbrella almost makes me glad it's raining. ALMOST.

Loved it: Cool

If ever there was a music video I wish I could live inside it would be this one. The clothes! The hair! The makeup! The two Gwens! 

I want to be on a boat floating on that lake behind the doomed couple!

...and I don't know about you but after watching this video again I'm left wondering WHY do I not own a leopard print cardigan?!