The gray skies and wind of Seattle have inevitably returned. When the weather is dismal, it’s fun to hole-up indoors and catch up on some crafts with a mug of tea. So, this Sunday, I brewed some peach black tea, pulled up my favorite Sasquatch & Cochella playlists on Spotify, threw my hair into a top knot (see my how-to here), and brought out my sewing machine. I had that itch to make something festival-inspired and here’s what I came up with:
These little pennants are made from some leftover Charcoal yarn and mustard-colored Duck Cloth I picked up at Joann’s Fabrics. Duck Cloth is a sturdy, canvas-like fabric that is perfect for making pennants. Why? It doesn’t curl or fray like your average cotton. These look perfect hanging in my window, right? Plus, they’re easy as 1-2-3:
1. Fold fabric in half & cut out triangles with the short end along the fold . 2. Put yarn/string/twine in the fold of your pennant. 3. Sew up the long sides, making sure to catch the yarn in the beginning/end. BOOM! done.
They add the perfect touch of whimsy to my living room and were a great Sunday project. Did you make anything fun today?
After a long day at work, I NEED something filling and delicious. STAT! I’m not embarrassed to admit that I’m one of those people who gets grumpy when they haven’t eaten in a while…. and yes, grumpy is an understatement. I often get sucked into the vortex of Thai take-out, Cheese-its, or Chipotle as a last-minute dinner (and it doesn’t help that the Chipotle is right by my bus stop Downtown).
So, the question is: How do I make something quick, delicious, and healthy??
I am happy to report that I HAVE FOUND IT!
As a lover of asparagus and cheese, this was like a little slice of heaven at the end of my day. I am happy to share it with all of you in hopes that it’s a quick & cheap dinner option.
Baked Asparagus Parmesan
Here’s what you need:
1. one bundle of Asparagus
2. Salt & Pepper
3. 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
4. Parmesan Cheese
(that’s it! woo-hoo!)
Here’s how you make it:
1. Pre-heat oven to 425F.
2. Snap off the hard ends of the asparagus with your hands.
Arrange in a single layer on a medium-sized baking sheet.
3. Drizzle olive oil over asparagus. Toss the stalks around a bit to coat.
4. Once coated, add as much salt & pepper as you like (I always opt for more). Toss around again.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
6. Cover with 1/4 cup – 1 cup of cheese. Seriously, it depends on how much cheese you want. Mine had roughly 1/2 cup. Then, put ‘em back in the oven for another 2 minutes.
ALL DONE! Look at how delicious that is. MMMMMMM.
It takes about 2 minutes to prepare and 12-15 bake. Plus, if you take it easy with the cheese, it’s relatively healthy. The asparagus is mostly soft with a crispy cheese layer.
I paired mine with an Amber Cider and enjoyed the evening sun peeking through my blinds. I am relaxed, I am full, and (for once) not feeling guilty about what I had for dinner. Here’s to a great week! Cheers!
On Thursday night, my best friend from high school and I went to see the movie event of the summer: The Great Gatsby. As an avid lover of the book, I was twitching with anticipation to see the movie. Having read The Great Gatsby at least 6 times, I have always been enamored with Fitzgerald and his poetic critique of the 1920’s. Few understand the obsessive relationship I have with Mr. F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald uses nuance and style to reveal the shallowness of wealth, while writing an engaging and soul-wrenching story. Swoon.
Can a movie possibly live up to this?
Well, not really. As outlined in scathing reviews, Baz Luhrmann tries to capture the whole of Fitzgerald’s greatest work and he misses some big opportunities. The film fumbles around in the first 20 minutes, but gains its bearings and does pack a real punch by the final scene. I mean, the last 10-15 minutes are are knock-out. He really wins in the smaller, more intimate scenes when DiCaprio, Maguire, and Mulligan are given an opportunity to shine. When he scales back on the in-your-face effects or “razzle dazzle,” the actors capture the audience and Luhrmann really does justice to an exceptional novel.
The Acting: Carrie Mulligan enters the film with a light, airy laugh that instantly reminds the viewer of the ethereal Daisy in the novel. Her voice and flighty mannerisms are true to Fitzgerald’s character. Mulligan artistically captures Daisy’s vapid carelessness. She floats around the screen and the viewer falls hopelessly in love with her just as Gatsby does. Perfection. She is absoute perfection.
Speaking of Gatsby, Leonardo DiCaprio is the perfect actor for the role. He has the stunning and magnetic “Gatsby smile” and creates an accessible and loveable version of Gatsby. He is the mysterious lost boy, whose only hope in the world is winning his Daisy. Just as if you were reading the novel, your heart breaks for Leo’s rendering of Gatsby. His performance is Oscar-worthy. No doubt. He skillfully manages an iconic character full of hope and desperate longing. It’s a little hard to describe, I must admit. Just go watch it. You’ll understand what I’m talking about.
I was initially apprehensive about Toby Maguire playing Nick Carraway, but was pleasantly surprised. Carraway is often understood to be Fitzgerald writing himself into the novel, which Luhrmann clearly emphasizes. In his sweaters, brown 3-piece suits, and bow ties, Maguire is the spitting image of Fitzgerald himself. He shines as the level-headed Nick opposite Gatsby’s flamboyance and baffling hopefulness.
Music: The soundtrack is exceptionally well-crafted and a great collaboration when heard independent of the film. However, it’s clumsily integrated and feels out of place in a movie about the iconic “Jazz Age.” I was caught off-guard by characters doing the Charleston to will.i.am’s “Bang Bang,” a catchy hip-hop tune with a few brass horns. Definitely a modern interpretation there. However, the ballads on the soundtrack genuinely capture some of the book’s main themes. Florence + the Machine’s “Over the Love” is a heartbreaking ballad that is grossly misused in the film. The song captures the very essence of the novel, but is mainly used in the movie’s trailers. Humph. Instead, Luhrmann focuses on Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful” as his centerpiece for the film. The song speaks to themes in the novel, and even some of Fitzgerald’s other works (ie. Tender is the Night and The Beautiful and Damned), which I did appreciate.
Costumes: The collaboration with Brooks Brothers was a resounding success, in my opinion. I’ve really enjoyed walking by the window displays at the Brooks Brothers in Seattle for the last few weeks, heightening my anticipation. Gatsby’s white linen suit made me catch my breath. Nick’s green sweater made my heart skip a beat. The boater hats had me smiling. The costumes in the movie transported the viewer straight to the 1920’s. Every piece was loyal to the period and original novel, while creating visual character distinctions that dazzle and please the viewer. Plus, Gatsby’s pink suit…no words.
Art Direction: Luhrmann does an exceptional job transitioning from a first half of opulence and carefree drunkenness to a finale of tragedy, desperation, and loss of hope. It was an over-the-top period of American history, which helps to justify some of the in-your-face effects and party scenes. Luhrmann does a good job bringing the “razzle dazzle” of the 1920’s to life. There are some moments when I felt like I was reeling on some kitschy roller coaster at Disneyland. But that’s probably how people felt during a party at Gatsby’s? Or during the 1920′s? Who knows.
Luhrmann also latches onto a few key images from Fitzgerald’s novel. As someone who has read the book, I felt a bit clobbered by Lurhmann’s representation of the imagery that was so subtly weaved throughout the original novel. However, I appreciated the loyalty to the book. And, he does masterfully weave Fitzgerald’s original text throughout the movie, narrated by Maguire.
This is the most accurate review of the movie that I have read: “Those who love the book (I’m one of them) will spot moments of missed opportunity, but will also hear plenty of Fitzgerald’s words in the screenplay, and may well leave the movie feeling that something approaching justice has been done. Where ‘Gatsby’ fails, it at least does so with imagination and verve; where it succeeds, it find poetry.” -Moira Macdonald, The Seattle Times
Overall, the movie was an over-the-top artistic spectacle that is redeemed through stellar acting and breathtaking costume design. I will DEFINITELY be seeing it again soon, and I recommend you do too, old sport!
This California girl’s prayers have been answered: SUN IN SEATTLE!
The last few days have been beautifully sunny and warm. Seattle-ites are shedding their Northface jackets and wool tights for thrifted skirts and breezy pastel button-ups. Downside? The sun actually makes me a touch homesick and reminds me of a former season of life spent at sun-soaked APU.
I’m reminded that, exactly one year ago, I graduated from college. I can’t believe it. A year ago, I sat next to my very best friends and said goodbye to a place that had been my home for 4 years. I look back on that day with so much joy and nostalgia and know a lot has changed in a year.
The past year feels like it’s been one season of change after another. Few things in my life are constant or predictable anymore. However, I’ve learned that whole-heartedly embracing new seasons in life can make the transition periods more joyous and, well, sunny.
Thankfully, spring is here!! To celebrate the sun and the arrival of a new season, a friend and I ventured to Volunteer Park for KNDD, 107.7 The END’s “Cuatro de Mayo Party.” With taco trucks, live music, and stunning scenery, the whole thing was a blast! Check it out:
Isn’t Seattle beautiful when the sun’s out? So, while I may be far away from a lot of my favorite people today, I think life is all about adding new favorites and graciously adapting to new and changing seasons. The only answer is optimism.
“Here we come to a turning of the season / Witness to the arc towards the sun / A neighbor’s blessed burden within reason / Becomes a burden borne of all and one.
And nobody, nobody knows / Let the yoke fall from our shoulders / Don’t carry it all, don’t carry it all / We are all our hands and holders / Beneath this bold and brilliant sun / And this I swear to all”
Let me start with this: My apologies all.
I’ve been completely forgetting about this blog. My best friend got married, things started picking up at work, and m– who am I kidding? There’s no excuse. Thankfully, spring is a time for re-birth and revival. So, this weekend I sat down with a Mason jar full of cold Diet Coke and got back into blogging. Now that spring is here, there’s inspiration everywhere and I can’t wait to share what I find with all of you.
Here are some fun photos and thoughts from my weekend:
This morning, I started with an artistic latte from Espresso Vivace in South Lake Union. Not only was it delicious and flavorful, but the cafe is tucked under a friend’s apartment building. Good friends and good espresso? Yes, please!
on another note, one of the fun things about moving to a new city is the thrill of discovering what’s just around the corner. I’ve walked down Highland Drive dozens of times since I moved to Seattle, but today I went out for a walk/jog and stumbled into a scene from The Secret Garden. It’s as if the city itself is shaking off the chills of winter to reveal beautiful bits of scenery. There’s something beautifully intriguing in rediscovering or reintroducing yourself to something you thought you knew.
This last shot is one of my favorites.
What instantly pops into my head when I look back on it is a verse from Psalm 46:
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.”
this weekend was all about a little interior decorating. my first stop? joann’s. there’s an enormous fabric selection at the one in Ballard. I mean, check out this printed burlap! Here’s a peek into some of the small touches I’ve added recently:
when your walls are made of some sort of impenetrable stone, canvas art is much easier to hang than picture frames and shelves. canvas is light, accepts any medium, and is generally on sale at your local craft store. i chose these tape paintings because they looked super easy and fun!! plus, they have a urban/modern look. I found them on pinterest here.
these pretty lights are from Cost Plus World Market. i always read before falling asleep, so i needed a functional and cute reading light. i wrapped them around the top of the bed frame for some softer lighting when i’m reading. pretty, right?
for the entry, i needed a small table to throw all my stuff on when i walk in. hello, craigslist!! with a framed print from urban outfitters, an ikea lamp, and some vintage books, this little hutch becomes a perfect, homey piece.
i think that interior design is another form of self-expression, similar to fashion. there’s a fusion of functionality and style in decorating your place. you have to choose a “look” and expand on it as you spend more time in that place. then, your little home will become a reflection of you.
i decided that i want my place to be a collaboration of goodwill/used pieces, D.I.Y. flair, and urban chic.
remember: sometimes the smallest touches make the biggest statements. &.
figuring out what to wear at work can be a bit of a challenge. you want to look professional, but youthful and stylish. after watching What Not to Wear for yearssssss, i think clothing can set the tone for your work performance. why? if you’re feeling good in what you’re wearing, you’ll feel more confident, and that will permeate into every other aspect of your day (thank you Stacy London). also, i apologize for the “myspace” photos. i have yet to get a full-length mirror or a real camera. #movingproblems.
here’s what i wore this week, along with tips and tricks to being the next office fashionista.
Menswear Monday
okay, the key to wearing “menswear” is to add some girly touches. easy, right? so, to balance out my gray slacks and oxfords, i curled my hair and threw on some statement jewelry. the whole outfit is neutral tones and needed a pop of color. that’s what keeps menswear from looking too waiter-ish.
i absolutely LOVE pencil skirts. their Mad Men flair is perfect for the office, or a weekend of browsing used bookstores. i paired mine with a ruffled blouse, also in a neutral shade, and then kicked it up a notch with a fun-colored cardi. i have too many cardigans, but they come in handy to take an outfit from boring to “omg. cute outfit!” for more on pencil skirts, check out my post here.
this is probably the most versatile business casual tip: invest in a fun patterned blouse. i picked this one because of the fun colors that help it go with ANYTHING. i’m wearing it with some basic black slacks and a coordinating cardi here, but i could later wear it with tuesday’s pencil skirt, the slacks or vest from monday, etc etc. when building a work wardrobe, you want to have a bunch of interchangeable separates, rather than a matchy-matchy set of outfits. plus, prints are fun!!
the slacks i’m wearing here are TO DIE FOR. they’re a beautiful wine color that fit like a dream. they’re tapered at the ankle so, to lengthen my legs, i added some wedge pumps. to highlight the color, i went with more neutrals. i have a thing for ruffles, and they look great with a structured pant. it may be a little daring, but don’t be afraid to try a pant in hunter green, plum, royal blue, or even mustard. just pair them with something neutral to keep your outfit professional. it’s a youthful spin on workwear.
outfit details: pants, banana republic / blouse & cardigan, nordstroms rack / pumps, nine west
Casual Friday
i’m not one to wear jeans to work, even on casual friday. i would rather go with a fun dress and some patterned tights. this dress is pretty summery, but a cardigan, sweater tights, and boots make it wearable in january.
i’ve been trying to write this blog for about a week, but i don’t know where to begin. moving somewhere new is a little overwhelming and there’s so much I could write about. here are the basics: seattle is chily, hip, and all-around wonderful. i love my new job and exploring downtown and my queen anne neighborhood. trying to sort through the moving boxes is pretty daunting, but i’m making progress…slowly. the photos above are from kerry park. it’s a sweet outlook that’s only a few blocks from my front door. it’s my favorite place to read and unwind on the weekends.
here are a few more photos from my first week(ish) :
the queen anne neighborhood is speckled with victorian houses, tree-lined steets, and brick buildings. the majority of the neighborhood is at the top of an exceptionally steep hill. but, that makes for stunning views of the city and a quiet neighborhood of boutique salons, trader joes, and yummy restaurants. LOVE IT. it’s not the youngest neighborhood in seattle, but that’s only a quick bus ride away.
interior design tip: fresh flowers are a perfect pop of color in the bathroom. these daffs look perfect in a ball jar on the sink. it’s like spring in my bathroom!
last weekend, my dear friends took me to ikea so i could get some key pieces. one of them was a sweet glass-top table that seats two. a silver elephant, flowers from the boy, candles, and a picture from oxford really make my living area feel cozy.
what’s been so wonderful about this move is how supportive and kind my friends and family have been. from thoughtful emails, flowers, trips to ikea…they’re a great reminder that i’m not alone in this big city, and i think that’s what’s most important.
I graduated from college, turned 22, got a raging eye infection, started this blog, saw Coldplay at the Hollywood Bowl, adopted a little bunny, went camping in Big Sur, got my first tattoo, quit my job with a company I had been a part of for yearsssss, and my best friend got engaged, and my boyfriend left for South Korea. Whew!! And, that’s just the basics. I know I’m not the only one who becomes profoundly reflective around New Years, but there’s something encouraging about this collective introspection. Whether it’s joining a gym, being nicer to people at work, spending less money on frivolous purchases, or cursing less, everyone is longing for self-improvement. As I sit here, in Barnes & Noble in downtown Seattle, I can’t believe how much has changed, or how much I’ve changed, just in the last year. And yes, you read that right: Seattle. How symbolic is it that I move to a new city to start a new career in 2013?
Yesterday, as I was walking through the airport and out into the cold air with my pair of 50 lb. suitcases, I was reminded of when I adventured over to Oxford. This feeling of adventure and the unexpected makes you feel like you’re going to puke, but is an incomparable adrenaline rush. There is something so freeing and exciting about striking out on your own and trying something new. Doing something completely new is undeniably terrifying. Sort of like flying, which I hate. I hate flying. Hate it. Did I mention, I hate flying? But, big decisions take big commitment. It took a lot of goodbyes and tears to get here, but I’m excited for the future!!
I am starting 2013 as Office Assistant 3 for Washington State’s Office of Administrative Hearings (yay!). I will always remember the gut-punching feeling of not getting this job, because I was not initially chosen for the position. I was the runner-up, came in second, didn’t make the cut. I can’t really describe the range of emotions I felt that day, but it was defeating to say the least. However, they called me a week later, informing me that I had, in fact, been selected for the position after all! Who could have seen that one coming? I mean, my confidence was crushed and I was struggling to be optimistic. This just proves the value of perseverance and positivity. With the love and support of my friends and family, I quit my job at Beverly’s and went on a full-fledged apartment hunt.
I used Livelovely.com. It’s a wonderful little site that complies listings from Craigslist, Apartments.com, and other rental sites. With a little help from Tyler (my leasing agent), and my friends in the area, I landed on a cute little “studio” in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood. The studio on a hill. It’s essentially a 450 sqf. hourglass with basic white walls and honey-colored hardwood floors. It’s right next to a bus I can take to work (one of the main selling points) and boasts a pretty impressive view of the water. It’s quaint, central, and everything I need (except the closet could be a bit bigger….).
One plane flight, a signed lease, a few cab rides, and a dozen shipping boxes later, I have landed in gray, wonderful Seattle. I’m eager to start decorating and turning this little place into a home. But, for now, I have to focus all my attention on my new job. Keep your eyes out for posts on interior decorating and pictures of Seattle.
one of my favorite parts about christmas is making ornaments. they are as unique as their creator, and just a whole lot of fun. here’s an easy christmas tutorial:
Bookworm Ornaments
Supplies:
Most important? A good cup of tea. But, you’ll need some old books, mod podge, a brush, some glass pens for decorating, and (of course) ornaments. Stop by your local Beverly’s Fabrics or Michael’s and pick up some plain glass ornaments in any shape or size of your choosing!
These could not be more simple. Mod Podge is your glue and your sealer. Use it to adhere pieces of your book pages to your surface, then brush one coat over the whole surface when you’re done. That part takes about 5 minutes. Allow a few hours to fully dry.
Once they’re completely dry, decorate with your paint pen. i used mine to make a subtle gold accent around the rim.
i’m a HUGE bookworm so i’m partial to book pages. but, this concept would work wonderfully with fabric, maps, scrapbooking paper, tissue paper, or photos!
