Hipstamatic

Just to be clear, before I start raving about my favorite new app, let it be known that I will always love ShakeItPhoto, because you actually get to shake it.  That said, I feel like it's Christmas having newly discovered Hipstamatic.  I am pretty much completely in love with this thing.  It's cute (very important), easy to use (good) and it delivers (awesome).  See how exciting it is?  You better hit the app store pronto and get it yourself!  At $1.99 can you really come up with a valid reason not to?  I didn't think so.

Spring Smells

photo courtesy of sephora.com

When I was living in Switzerland a few years ago, I got this perfume, Insolence by Guerlain, just after spring had sprung.  I chose it because it reminded me of some Sanrio perfume I had as a little girl with Little Twin Stars on the front of the tiny little bottle.  I have no idea where I got that Little Twin Stars perfume, but I loved it and when I smelled Insolence it immediately took me back to a really delightful childhood state of mind.  I was sold on Insolence immediately and I adored wearing it with skirts and summery tops and feeling flowery and fresh.  I wore it on many hikes through the gorgeous Jura Mountain range with the sun shining on my face and birdsong all around.  Since that time in Switzerland, when I wear it, I feel childlike, flowery, sunny and fresh and I can almost hear the birdsong.  All at once!  It has been great to wear on dreary grey days in the Northwest and today I'm wearing it on a lovely, sunny, birdsong filled day in Portland.  It's simultaneously taking me back to joyful childhood days, sunny days in Switzerland and brightening this perfect day in Portland.  Yum.

Small Stuff

It's always the little things that make me the most delighted.  Like this glass front cabinet with all of the brightly colored cookware within.  This really makes me smile.  I love the black and white floor contrasting with the colorful pots.  And I love thinking of all the wonderful things I cook in said pots.  Mmmm.  Another little thing that's making me happy is the lovely, soft spring rain we're having in Portland and that my husband just finished vacuuming and mopping our apartment.  Lovely.  Little.  Things.

Le Pigeon

As far as restaurants in Portland go, I'd have to say this is one of my favorites.  Just look at that duck with chard and chestnuts.  Heavenly.  I have been going through a giant life-changing decision making process so I haven't posted for the last month.  I've been too busy freaking out and going back and forth.  What I should be doing is going back and forth to Le Pigeon for glasses of wine and profiteroles with foie gras and caramel sauce.  Who cares what you're deliberating when you're eating something that wonderful.  In fact it was so delectable and I was so caught up in savoring it, I didn't even think to take a picture!