PDX

Usually for the May long weekend the Amis rough it up with a bit of camping but this year there was only a few of us available so decided to switch it up and head south to Portland.

I have really fond memories of Portland from my childhood so I was beyond excited to revisit this fun, quirky city. Here are just a few highlights:

We stayed at TheAce which I would highly recommend, full of fun corners to lounge in, the lobby was always bustling with people flowing through from the adjoining StumptownCoffee and ClydeCommon and the retro music was always playing. Perfectly situated in the Pearl District close to oodles of shops, restaurants and the always magical Powells.

Portland is known for its abundance of micro breweries and what better way to see them then on a 15 person 100% green party machine! The young couple that runs Brewcycle are great fun and definitely know how to have a good time.

The food cart experience in Portland is truly something to behold, the fact that they had blocks fully dedicated to food carts bogled my mind, but I knew right away which one I wanted to hit up. The EuroTrash food cart was featured on one of my favorite food network shows so I veered straight to it and got myself one of their Squid Fana sandwiches, messiest, most delicious thing!

Ending the trip with a visit to Pastaworks on Hawthorne St. truly brings me back to my childhood, owned by family friends I have been visiting this place since before I could walk. Thought to be one of the pioneers of the slow food movement, here you can find all sorts of Mediterranean treats and not to mention all that freshly made pasta!

xo J

Fine finds on the Crawl

Last weekend I made my first visit to the annual East Side Culture Crawl in Vancouver, after some initial distractions from a random sample sale we happened across we finally made our way down Parker Street and got to see some of the amazing local artists show off what they do best.

I was particulalry fond of the unique and beautiful ceramics on show. Two of may favorites were CuldeSacDesign and Dahlhaus .

I was really drawn to the lace on this plate by Cul de Sac

This is a real conversation piece by Cul de Sac

Love the light colours used by Dahlhaus

I wouldn't say no to a set of these by Dahlhaus

P.S. you can find some Dahlhaus of your own at Vancouver's OneofaKind Show

Images via here and here

xo J

Just put a pin on it

Yes I have joined the Pinterest movement and yes I see how it is an all consuming addictive passtime!

Follow me HERE!

xo J

It's an arm party!

Who's at your party?

xo J

image via designscouting

Good Morning World!

Yes, it is Friday and I am in a cheery mood! Wish I could start every morning this way...I also wish I could start every morning with maybe my most favorite breakfast:

A perfectly poached egg on top of avocado toast with sweet little cherry tomatoes with a most satisfying cup of coffee on the side. When my Dad's cherry tomatoes were in full force a few weeks back this was my meal of choice.

I'll just have to pretend that is what I had this morning.

Besides it being Friday (and pay day I may add, always a plus) I am really excited to be heading to Anthropologie tomorrow (Can you believe I have not gone to check out their new store since they opened in May!) to attend the DesignSponge Book Signing event and celebration.

Being that Design Sponge is a must read for me on a daily basis I was thrilled that a spot on the waitlist came up. Expect a post on all the details next week!

Happy Friday! xo J

P.S. Playing silly pranks on co-workers always makes Friday awesome, lets just say desktop screensavers have been tampered with.

The Hot List

Here are a few newbies to my reading list:


TheBeautyDepartment - Lauren Conrad and friends dish up lots of easy and fun beauty tips and tutorials.

racheleats - moving to Italy was obviously inspirational for this foodtastic lady, lucky enough to live in one of my favorite areas of Rome she cooks up some mouthwatering dishes.

DesignCrush - Instant inspiration!

AngelaMatina - A local gal with an easy, breezy lovely style. Check out her travels, style, photography and she even throws in some easy recipes.

Happy Friday

xo J

Summertime Slaw and a whole lotta pig!

This past weekend the Amis took part in an epic day of Pig! Yes the first annual Pigfest was a raging success. ..a spit roasted pig, four full racks of ribs, a pile of sausage and a keg of course! Thanks to Jenny and her guy for hosting an unforgettable day!

mmmmmmm....Pig!!!

Beer me!

My contribution was this really delicious slaw! Smitten Kitchen has become my go-to whenever I need a recipe, she has it all!

Crunchy slaw goodness!

xo J

Street fest + street meat = happy me!

While the clouds have returned this Tuesday morning, I am still radiating the lovely sun from the weekend, and what better way to soak it up than enjoying a street festival. West 4th was closed from Burrard Street all the way to McDonald and the crowds came out to enjoy.

There were five stages, one huge garage sale, and endless goodies in between.

The Tacofino truck looked too good to pass by without trying out.

Maybe the best steak taco I ever had, the mango salsa was a great addition.

xo J

Hello you fool

If I walked into my house to these lovelies it would make any bad day better...

Found here... www.blackliststudioprints.com/prints

Have the loveliest of Fridays!

xo J

Wine me up

I really need to buy this...

So I have a place to put these!

Find it for yourself @ www.quirky.com

Happy Friday!

xo J

Feel Good Friday: Baby Penguin and Double Dream Hands

Hi Mes Amis,

Here's a couple cute videos to make you smile... the first features a baby penguin getting tickled.

If you just died from the cuteness of that statement, I totally get it. I did too. Just wait, the video is even better. The penguin (named Cookie for god sake... seriously, I'm going to die from the cuteness) starts getting tickled about a minute into this clip. Soooooo cute! Cute coma taking over!



This second video is called "Double Dream Hands" and it's been around a while, but man is this guy's enthusiasm infectious - even though it's corny, you gotta give the dude props for putting himself out there.  The last video features "double dream hands" reset to the song "soldja boy". Ah what did we ever do before YouTube?





What are you gonna do to make yourself smile this weekend? Don't forgot - Mother's Day is on Sunday - so make your Mom smile too.
xo
Jenny C

You Give Love A Bad Name!

Yeah, that's right! This is where I'll be tonight. Singing along to all the classic Bon Jovi hits! I honestly hope they stick to their old stuff because I don't know anything else.

And yeah, I wore my "liquid leggings" today specifically to feel a bit more rocker.

Happy Friday!




xo J

AWESOME!

"High- fiving babies -

because they don't usually leave you hanging. AWESOME!" - Neil Pasricha

If you ever have one of those days that just make you go "ugghhhhh", you know the ones, your cranky, irritable and you just can't shake off that bad mood. Those are the days that you need to pick up your trusty copy of The Book of Awesome, open to a random page and take a moment to smile about the little things in life.

Neil Pasricha started 1000 Awesome Things (http://www.1000awesomethings.com/) back in 2008, a countdown of 1000 things that honour the little joys in life, like getting served breakfast in bed, seeing a cop on the side of the road and realizing you're going the speed limit anyway, wearing underwear just out from the dryer, or a long hug when you really need it. 1000 Awesome Things has now been compiled in to a book, with The Book of (even more) Awesome to be launched in April 2011.

It is full of nostalgic anecdotes that will have you reminscing with every page, it is laugh-out-loud funny at times, and simply sweet and charming at others. A perfect pick-me-up for those rainy days! AWESOME!

xo J

A lasting impression

Some websites you just happen to stumble across and they immediately suck you in, then two hours later you realize that you should probably get back to work. I think that is what happened to me when I first came across Tattoologist. I have one itty-bitty tattoo and I’m always playing around with the idea of getting a second and this simple site offers endless inspiration. Even if you have no desire to ink yourself, it is always interesting to see how people find new and creative ways to express themselves.



Some of my favorites:

Simple words in a lovely font

Hearts


A constant obession of mine, sparrows

Birds of a feather

Infinity

Images via Tattoologist

xo J

Une Belle Nuit

Thank you Jenny for kick starting me out of my haze of procrastination, all week I have been staring at my camera thinking I should really upload those pictures but never fully having enough motivation to do so hence I’ve been a very bad blogger.

Jenny did indeed out do herself with the Beef Bourguignon, it was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, she out did herself on the whole night actually, to the subtle décor, the music and the indulgent French butter slathered on perfect slices of baguette. Bravo Jenny, bravo!

Salad with proscuitto, fennel and pomegranate seeds and the BEEF!

La Belle Patate

My contribution was the French style accordion potatoes, possibly one of the easiest potatoe dishes. Simply pick out some lovely little new potatoes, slice them down one side (but not all the way through) stuff and slather them with garlic, olive oil, and your favorite fresh and/or dry herbs and then bake at 350 degrees for 30 – 45 minutes (depending on their size). As they cook they begin to open up and by the time they are done they have fanned out like and accordion.

Girl talk and the decadent cheese course

xo J

Imaginative, Compassionate and Devoted

That’s what I am as a Pisces, at least according to BCBG. As I was browsing the shops I came across this darling little ring at BCBG, one side has your astrological constellation and the other side says the name of your sign, with a delicate gold link band and since my birthday is fast approaching I couldn’t say no, the $24 price tag also made it an easy buy.

They also had bead bracelets with the same astrology charms, both would make a perfect little birthday gift.

xo J

5 Year Old Needs A Job First

Hey Everyone!

Happy Wednesday

Here's a video to make you smile - this five year old firecracker knows what she wants! Look out fellas :)




And as a little bonus the oldie but goodie, "Kittens Inspired By Kittens"



xo
Jenny C

Flying Solo - New Starts

Bonjour amis!

Happy Friday! This week has been a busy one - my internship at a local radio station is all kinds of awesome. I got to write some fun copy this week, and give some deserving kids instruments that our listeners donated - heart warming stuff.

Tonight's plans are yummy Indian fare and a wicked concert. If you're in the Vancouver area - come out and do the same! Burnaby's Bombay Bhel is understated and tasty - but it's changing hands next week - which might be okay considering this is one of 4 locations, but why risk it - for guaranteed excellence, go in before then if you can.

If you feel like some Friday night rocking out - Shore 104.3 (shameless plug) is presenting Leeroy Stagger & The Wilflowers with Zaac Pick at St. James Hall tonight at 8pm. Tix are only $20 and it'll be fun!

Other possible plans on the weekend agenda include further exploring of Granville Island (industrial zone turned food/craft wonderland) and maybe testing a Giada De Laurentiis recipe - I'll post it next week if all turns out well.

What are your plans for the weekend?
Maybe try seeing a familiar place in a new light - you might catch some fun surprises!

Here's to surprises, and love - because why not?

Bon weekend
xo
Jenny C

Baby Trashes Bar in Las Palmas

Hi Peeps!

Cute, funny, maybe a little wrong - what's not to love about this video? Check it out below :)

xo
Jenny C

A taste of paradise in February

San Diego has become somewhat of a meeting place for my Dad's side of he family since everyone is spread out all over, this year it was the biggest turn out ever. Since my Dad was born and raised in California I always consider myself somewhat of a "California Girl" and this city in particular will always hold special meaning.

Here are some of my favorite places and images from my little escape to the sunny sands of San Diego:

If you want an old school beach experience stay at The Beach Cottages, they've been around since 1948 and the location can not be beat, right on Mission Beach.

Walking along Pacific Beach

Surfs up at Pacific Beach

Ocean Beach at sunrise, well worth the early wake up call, and a place with alot of meaning for my family.

Classic diner breakfast in Ocean Beach

Munchkins in cute toques

Afternoon family beer pong tournament

As featured on the food network's Diners, Drive In's & Dives (possibly one of my favorite shows), El Indio, since 1940

Carnitas tacos with fresh homemade tortillas....Vanouver just doesn't have stuff this good!

Another amazing sunset, with a heart shaped cloud just for valentine's day!

xo J