Our New Apartment

These pictures were taken in April, but with all the hoopla of waiting two months for our work permits to be approved, finishing up school, giving notice to stop managing our current building and so on, this is the first chance I've had to post them.  So exciting!  

Front entrance to the building.  Not a total beauty, but not hideously ugly either.

Back of the building.  

Our street.

Foyer.

Bedroom.

Bathroom I.

Bathroom II.  Eco-flushing toilet and radiator to warm towels.  Alright!

Kitchen from living room.

Living room.

Kitchen up-close.  Very modern and clean!

Ceramic top stove might take some getting used to, but the dishwasher won't!

Living room balcony view to the left.

Living room balcony view to the right.

View from kitchen balcony.

And the other direction.

The departing tenant has left the couch for us and from some expats getting ready to leave Switzerland we got a bedroom set.  Other than that, it's going to be lots of furniture and setting up house.  It's going to be so much fun!

Letting Go {Moving Forward}

I become very attached to the space I live in.  Sadly for me, the time has come to let go of this incredible apartment.  It's not easy.  

When we left our last apartment to come to this one, it was literally a gut wrenching experience for me.  It made me sick to dismantle that home and move out of that space.  This time around won't be quite so dramatic, partly because I've had ample time to prepare mentally and partly because I am very excited about our new life in Switzerland.  But still.  

When we left the Olympic in Northwest, I made it bearable by cleaning the apartment from top to bottom and taking photos so I could remember it just like that.  The funny thing is, I didn't really miss it at all once I was gone.  These are the photos I took.  I do remember it just like that.

So, I plan to do the same thing here.  Tonight I'll get the place all cleaned up, take photos and remember it just like that.  Hopefully, though it seems ridiculously impossible, I won't miss it at all!

Sweet Sweet Sweet

I have never tasted strawberries as wonderful as these.  I bought half a flat at one of those fruit stands out in The Gorge and the car ride home smelled heavenly.  As my mom said, these taste the way strawberries are supposed to taste.  Today, I'm going to try my hand at freezer jam.  The past few days, I've enjoyed many a bowl of these strawberries with fresh whipped cream.  Perfection doesn't last for long.

French Stripes

I am a fool for love.  And I love french stripes this summer.  Look at these fabulous picks from France and beyond.  

For chic children who want to look bold against the waves from Melijoe

Shapely with neat decorative buttons from Petit Bateau

Add a little neon for fun and sequins for glamour at J.Crew

And the original from Saint James, official clothier to the French Navy!

Orchid Love

Since when does a drink come with a fashion accessory?  Last night I went with my amazing friend Beth to Silk in The Pearl.  I had a really fabulous cocktail with Lychee purée and vodka and some raspberries and other wonderful things.  It was tasty, but best of all it came with a gorgeous orchid perched atop the loveliness.  I believe that orchids are poisonous, but I didn't eat it.  Oh no.  I placed the delicate bloom on the table and then Beth suggested told me I should put it in my hair.  Of course!  Why didn't I think of that?  Thank you, Beth!  I just happened to have some fancy pearl hairpins in my purse that I carry with me for exactly this type of situation.  30 seconds later, tropical glamour was mine and I was loving my dark hair more than ever.  Happily, we head on down the street to Vino Paradiso to do an Oregon wine flight, so I got take my blossom out on the town for a bit.  Best of all, I lovingly placed it in a small dish of water overnight and wore it again today.  I have a new place in my heart for the beautiful, delicate, decidedly strong orchid bloom.  

Moving Sale

As we prepare to move to Switzerland, it pains us to sell many of our beloved belongings, but we've had to adopt the attitude: if we can't shove it in a suitcase, it's not going with us. 

In addition to household items, also up for sale will be our 2005 Volkswagen Golf TDI.  We average 45-55 miles per gallon, depending on where we're driving.  It is manual transmission, white, four doors, moon roof, CD player, heated seats and much more.  51,790 miles.  Be on the lookout for a post about that soon or email me if you're interested.  

We have some things for sale.  Please email me to let me know if you're interested in any of it.  

AVAILABLE NOW

Kitchen Cart from IKEA.  Excellent condition.  Pots and pans, toaster etc not included.  $100

Awesome dish drying rack.  You wouldn't believe how much this thing can hold.  $15
No longer available!

Two Therm-a-Rest camping pads.  Lightweight.
$10 each or two for $15
No longer available!

Basic tent.  *Free*  
No longer available!

Coleman sleeping bag with stuff sack.  Very warm.  $10
No longer available!

Women's The North Face sleeping bag.  Used three times.  Perfect condition.  Includes stuff sack.  $50 No longer available!

Canon EOS 5 SLR Camera with lens, grip, filters, manuals, bag and other stuff.  

*Not digital*  This camera uses film.  $250

Volkswagen Cabrio Boot Cover.  

For 1995-02 models.  Gives a very neat appearance when the top is down and protects the top.  $125

No longer available!

Overhead projector.  Mint condition.  $40

Lots of art supplies.  Some new, some used once or twice.  Acrylic paints, canvas frames (2) charcoals, pastels, markers, colored pencils, brushes, palettes, etc.  More not pictured.  $40 for the lot.

No longer available!

Isaac Mizrahi for Target Butterfly Bedding.  Queen size duvet cover and two shams.  Used only a couple of times.  $20

No longer available!

Authentic Shaker dining chairs.  Set of six for $375

  

Martha Stewart Collection arm chair.  Sensible clean lines.  Good condition.  $30

No longer available!

AVAILABLE MID-JULY

Bed and nightstand.  $325.  Scroll down for detailed pics.

Sealy Posture Premier Regale Blue.  Includes queen sized mattress, box spring and hollywood frame.  Bought new three years ago, has been covered with an allergy barrier since.  Excellent condition.  $300

Quaint Simply Shabby Chic nightstand from Target.  Good condition.  $25

Striped rug from west elm.  1 year old.  Very good condition.  $75

White Lack coffee table from IKEA *free*

Tillary Sofa from west elm.  Includes Sofa with 2 back supports, Ottoman and Corner Cushion.

Versatile and modern.  See more here.  One year old, excellent condition.  Paid $1400 new.  Attractive Saddle color has been discontinued.  $850

Please feel free to make an offer on any item.

More pictures available upon request. 

We will be adding more furniture and household items over the next couple of weeks. 

If there is something you're interested in, please feel free to send me an email with questions or to see more pictures!  Thanks.  Yodel-ay-hee-hooo!

l'Amour

While I was not the one to introduce Phoenix's phenomenal third album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, to our home, I can claim that I am duly obsessed with its wonder.  This is it when it comes to music.  When I say I am obsessed I mean that I want to listen to this album all the time and the only thing that stops me from listening to it over and over again is the fact that I want to savor it rather than play it out and grow tired of it prematurely.  In the past ten years I have only been this in love with two other albums.  One, four years ago, was And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead's Worlds Apart.  The other, 12 years ago, was Texas is the Reason's Do You Know Who You Are which will probably always be my favorite album of all time so let's not even go there.  

The funny thing is that Trail of Dead is from Austin, Texas and Texas is the Reason is from New York and Phoenix is from Versailles.  WTF?  Weirder still is that Thomas Mars, Phoenix's frontman, has a child with Sofia Coppola, director of my absolute favorite movie, Marie Antoinette, which is set in Versailles where Mars is from.  Could this get any more synchronistic?  Probably.  But who cares?  I am going to revel in it anyway.

All of that aside, it is wonderful music in the truest sense of the word.  And you can believe me when I say that, because I am extremely picky and I simply do not say an album is spectacular unless it is.

So get yourself over to the iTunes store and buy Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix straight away.  You will not be sorry. Right now, I just cannot get enough Phoenix.  I am in love.  Vive l'amour!

Adventure

Joel and I are moving away from our beloved City of Roses at the end of July.  It's strange because it's hard to describe just how much I love Portland, but we have a dream to follow and Portland will still be here when we get back.  Since we first starting dating in Eugene, Joel and I have wanted to live and work abroad together in Europe.  Not just anywhere in Europe, but in Switzerland.  How's that for specific?  Amazingly we have set up our lives and education and careers so we can do just that and we're leaving at the end of July!  It's so completely bizarre that sometimes it doesn't seem real.  But it is real and while I'm ecstatic about going, I'm distraught over leaving. How could I not feel sad leaving Portland? It's just so perfect.  And what's not to love about going to Zürich knowing it is considered by some to be the world's most livable city?  Over the next six weeks, I am going to appreciate Portland as much as I can.  Then our wonderful Swiss adventure shall begin.  This is quite a lovely time indeed!

Lilac in a Bottle

I was born in the Lilac City so I know the smell of a good lilac.  Being rather finicky and preferring a very alkaline soil, the lilac is not easy to grow in many places.  When the conditions are right and the lilac flourishes, the scent is positively intoxicating.  So imagine my surprise when I discovered Pacifica's French Lilac perfume.  It's like the real thing.  In a bottle!  Best of all, it rings in at just over $20.  This will definitely be my fragrance addiction this summer.  

photo from pacificaperfume.com

Pacifica Perfumes, candles and soaps are available at Whole Foods Markets in the Portland area.  Shop Pacifica online at www.pacificaperfume.com

Baby Bunny

If you're having a rough day, or maybe just want a dose of cute overload, simply Google "baby bunny" on Google Images.  Here's a little taste of what you'll get.  

photo from seehere.blogspot.com

Are you saying 'awwww' right now?  I thought so.

Smallest Park in the World

As if Portland isn't wonderful enough, it is home to Mill Ends Park, officially the smallest park in the world. The park is said to be the ideal location for leprechaun watching and snail races. It really is small. Joel and I actually couldn't be in the park together on account of its diminutive proportions. You can learn more about Mill Ends Park here.

Heavenly & Blissful

Yesterday I had the most relaxing, peaceful facial at the Aveda Institute in The Pearl.  I must admit that I was a little nervous about going to the Aveda Institute this time around.  The majority of my visits to Aveda have been really positive, but from time to time when you have students doing your services, you wind up with someone who really does not have the knack.  Sorry to be rude, but seriously, the last pedicure I got at Aveda was hell.  I was literally scalded with paraffin wax and left with nail polish not just on my toe nails, but all over my toes, too.  It's one thing to get through an uncomfortable pedicure, but a facial is quite different.  It was a serious relief to have a very skilled student giving me my facial yesterday and as an added bonus, she didn't talk at all.  No one wants to talk when they're getting a facial.  Still, there are those times when you get a chatty esthetician.  Anyway, whoever came up with the facial was a genius.  It is so wonderful to have your face massaged with luxurious smelling beauty products, get hot towel treatment and that lovely steam they blow in your face.  It is the best.  I almost fell asleep at one point.  If you live in Portland and you have not been to the Aveda Institute, you should go.  Chances are you'll get someone really great to do your services.  I think I'm going to go every other week until summer starts.  Seriously.  At $25 per facial, it's a worthy investment in stress reduction and peace of mind.  La.

photo from avedainstitutes.com