the weekend. by orange

This weekend was a-mazing.  Blue skys, 75 degrees, enough said.  It was one of those weekends where you forget about how we've just had 20-odd days of rain in a row and feel the promise of a fantastic summer ahead.  The weekend was filled with the following:

- seeing Get Him to the Greek: I'd recommend it
- running with Violet: man those 2 miles kicked my ass
- some walking lunges: ouch...the backs of my legs hurt even when I sit down...not a good sign.
- stop at Crabtree & Evelyn for this fantastic hand lotion
- some oggling at Banana Republic at their new items
- a stop at Metropolitan Market for a picnic dinner
- taking in the sun at Seward park while eatting some yummy food
- playing some catch, because the husband and I are sometimes 5 year olds together
- sleeping in
- dual birthday party
- catching up with some of my favorites at Cactus on Alki

All in all...a perfect weekend.

How was yours?


orange

Book Love. by violet

It is official; Jen Lancaster now tops the list of living authors I would like to have a drink (or three) with. It’s like she’s taken the thoughts in my head and chewed them up and spit them out in a much, much funnier way.

I had heard about her books but it wasn’t until this year that I read anything of hers. J.P.’s parents bought me "Pretty in Plaid" this past Christmas. I don’t laugh out loud at books. I tend to find a person’s tone and delivery the funny part of the joke but this book has me laughing out loud for the first time ever. "Pretty in Plaid" is about Jen growing up basically from elementary school through her extended college years. In particular, I found Jen’s adventures as sorority rush chair utterly, devastatingly hilarious. Funny is true and this was dead on – right down to the memos to other members filled with exclamation points, smiley faces and passive aggressive orders.

After that, I went back a found her first book, "Bitter is the New Black." This follows Jen’s fall from the top of the corporate ladder and the beginnings of her writing career. Although, it was written about her bout with unemployment when the dot com burst at the end of the 1990s/early 2000s, it rang true for this later economic crisis. The great thing about Jen is that not only does she find humor in situations but she finds more humor in herself. This book is basically a mea culpa for all the wreckage she left in her wake for way too long. Karma is a bitch and totally hilarious.

Her latest book "My Fair Lazy" had me laughing out loud on the plane ride home from New York. I hadn’t planned on reading it in hard back but when I spied it at the airport bookstore; I knew it had to be mine, despite the airport mark up. This book finds Jen trying to expand her cultural horizons from the barrage of reality TV that she’s been addicted to. Jen’s adventures into the world of high culture provided even more fodder than her childhood. She has great insights into popular culture – I particularly loved her Pretty in Pink- Jake Ryan theories that lead to some embarrassing moments at an artsy cocktail party.

Jen Lancaster, in my mind, cements the old adage, if you don’t have anything nice to say, come sit next to me. And I would love to sit next to Ms. Lancaster.

Violet in Jessica Simpson "Jessica" pump in ivory patent

coverlet vs. duvet cover. by orange

I've talked a lot about duvet covers on this blog (here, here, here and here).  For my birthday back in April the husband treated me to a fantastic duvet cover - Hotel Collection - Silver Links.  The grey color, the mix in materials (rayon, linen, cotton and polyester), the pattern - I loved it all. 

But then...I started to realize that my dogs loved it too.  As our dogs basically each have a set of talons and one of them always snuggles up on our bed at night, our amazing duvet cover quickly became full of wrinkles and some snags.  As I'm very anal retentive about wrinkles and do not have the patience (nor the want) to iron the duvet cover once a week, I thought, crap - what am I doing to do?

So, I went back to Macy's and came across the coverlet in the collection.  For some reason...coverlet seemed...umm...old to me.  Not sure why - maybe because it reminds me of a quilt.  However, it won me over.  It is thicker material then the duvet, basically wrinkle-resistant and is enough fabric to cover the entire down duvet underneath. 

So here we are in June, and the coverlet still looks like the day I brought it home.

Woo hoo!

Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte. by violet

Like many young women my age, I’ve watched EVERY episode of SATC. There was a time in my life, when I spent many lovely and wasted hours in my room curled up on the futon with friends watching the adventures of these four ladies. While they were attending art gallery openings in designer clothes in New York, I was going to fraternity parties in mostly American Eagle. But there was something about this show that seemed to catch fire with women my age. I think, much like the characters, we were all trying to find our way in a complicated world and deciding what kind of life we wanted to build for ourselves. That it was hilarious.

I agree with the critics that the series has turned a corner and is not longer a compelling look at four women in New York but instead contrived story lines to get caricatures into more and more ridiculous outfits. However, there must still be some power left in the series when the movie can get 9 out 10 of my best friends in Seattle together on a Saturday night for dinner and drinks.

A week after it premiered we found ourselves at Branzino for a little pre-movie nosh. I had never been but I knew it was frequented by a few of the ladies so it comes with serious credentials. Saturday was a stunning day in Seattle so the city was bustling with people trying to take advantage. Branzino is on a great corner in Belltown and had the feel of the charming bistro that you want just down the street from you. I had a wonderful glass of Elk Cove rose paired with gnocchi with mushroom and rabbit that was delicious.

However, we ran into some service issues. This is always tough situation, at what point do you say something? And what exactly do you say? When our group hit that point, one of our members tackled the task with incredible grace. The manger responded amazingly well - bringing us a round of champagne (pink no less!) and a partial comp on our bill. Both of their actions took a frustrating and awkward situation into a positive one for all. So cheers to both Leah and Branzino for handling it so well.

As for the movie, the clothes were fabulous, the plot was predictable and missing some of that sparkle that Carrie kept talking about. Much like Carrie’s relationship with Big, my relationship with the show has changed, it's settled into a pattern that might be much different than those early days but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still love.

Violet in Caged Steve Madden in nude

between the lines. by orange

Last week I came across this little gem on Pandora.  Then I went to the website of this artist - and fell kind of in love with all the pink/seashell glitter on the site.

I'm not exactly sure why I can't get this song out of my head, perhaps the piano, perhaps the lyrics - but whatever it is - I'm hooked.  And happy to hear another song from this artist other than Love Song.

Between The Lines by Sara Bareilles




Lyrics:

Time to tell me the truth
To burden your mouth for what you say
No pieces of paper in the way
Cause I can’t continue pretending to choose
The opposite sides on which we fall
The loving you laters if at all
No right minds could wrong be this many times.

My memory is cruel
I’m queen of attention to details
Defending intentions if he fails
Until now, he told me her name
It sounded familiar in a way
I could have sworn I’d heard him say it ten thousand times
If only I had been listening.

CHORUS
Leave unsaid unspoken
Eyes wide shut unopened

You and me
Always between the lines
Between the lines

I thought I was ready to bleed
That we’d move from the shadows on the wall
And stand in the center of it all.
Too late two choices to stay or to leave

Mine was so easy to uncover
He’d already left with the other.
So I’ve learned to listen through silence.

CHORUS
Leave unsaid unspoken
Eyes wide shut unopened

You and me
Always between the lines
Between the lines

I tell myself all the words he surely meant to say
I’ll talk until the conversation doesn’t stay on
Wait for me I’m almost ready
When he meant let go.

CHORUS
Leave unsaid unspoken
Eyes wide shut unopened

You and me
Always be
You and me
Always between the lines.

Business Travel. by violet

Those of you who live on the west coast, know and love the freeway of many names that runs up and down the best three states a girl could ever live in. Depending on where you reside, you might call it “I-5,” “the 5” or simply “5.” But you cannot live in Oregon, Washington or California without spending a great amount of time on said freeway.

And I did just that this week. I was down in Portland again on business, this was a pretty quick trip but I got to spend the night at the Hotel Monaco. Kimpton Hotels does a good job of adding little touches to give their places some personality.

In fact, I had a little friend waiting for me when I arrived.

The drive home was a little gnarly with the rainy weather and a large accident right before I got home. But there’s nothing like some time away to make you appreciate coming home.

Violet in green, peep-toe Paolo pumps

why hello polyvore - again. by orange

I think I might be improving my polyvore skillz.  Check it out...just a little something I dreamed up.

Day shine sequin top vintage white, 1.295 DKK
Jeffrey Campbell Roby, $116
Fossil - Color Shimmer Bird Earrings (Silver) - Jewelry, $26
Park avenue pearl cuff, $195
dusty rose throwback scarf, $12

Like?  Have you played around on polyvore? 


orange in Tory Burch Channing Sneaker - Navy