Curiously Colorful

Portland on a rainy Thursday with Megan & James

chloe — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:09:34 +0000

Living relatively close to Portland, one would think we would make the trek down more often for some of it’s more enjoyable rarities, including the swelling number of hipster sightings. But it took my friends Megan & James coming down from Alaska for us to make the journey this past week for a grand day of eating and driving. We partook in some food frivolities of the taco, doughnut, ice cream and popcorn varieties. Head down to Portland hungry and you won’t leave disappointed, unless you count the fact I couldn’t manage to find the entrance to the fancy white bridge that makes Megan feel like “she won the Oregon Trail” when she crosses it.

Our day started at Por Que No Taqueria for some delicious lunch.

Next we headed over to Salt & Straw to inquire about the ingenious flavor combinations it is so famous for.

They had a great option called the "Tasting Flight of Four" where you get 4 scoops of your choice of icecream in small tasting bowls.

Mind bending delicious flavors as follows : Honey Balsamic Strawberry with Cracked Black Pepper, Salted Caramel Cupcake, Pear with Blue Cheese, Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache, Black Current Sorbet, and many more seasonal offerings.

They had this fantastic owl ice cream scoop shirt, but a certain un-named husband reminded me I have too many shirts.

Leaving the scene of the tasty treat crime, and they have a water bowl out for pups!

Non- stop pouring rain?? Why not fight the ludicrous line at Voodoo Doughnut

The rotating doughnut showcase show down is true torture as you try to find room to stand without molesting strangers.

Let's play hopscotch while we wait

Way too many flavors to list but I will enlighten you with our choices : Tango Mango , Cotton Candy, Grape Ape, Lemon Chiffon Crueller (YUM) and Aint That a Peach Fritter. Can you tell we are fruity fans?

Planning a doughnut party? Get their coffin full of donuts for $100! And you get to keep the coffin, would make a great yard prop for Halloween...

Good things come in pink boxes! Especially after you have driven all the way home from Portland in the rain waiting to eat it.

The great find of the trip was the school turned hotel/ theater/restaurant of amazingness. Thanks MEGAN!

The only give away that the school building is a business is the sign. McMenamins has turned Kennedy School into a full service hotel, including outdoor warming pool, on site brewery, restaurant, outdoor courtyard, theater and event hosting.

Too bad it was raining so hard, the courtyard looked perfect for enjoying the beauty of Portland.

The hallways are decorated with local art, and guide you all the way to the full service bar connected to the theater.

BEST movie theater ever, outfitted with large comfortable love seats and tables for your food and drinks.

The theater is located in the old gymnasium where they were playing "The Secret World of Arrietty" the latest Ghibli film to be released in theaters. Did I mention that the movie tickets were only $3 for an adult? At 5:30 at night no less, BOOM.

rainbow house

chloe — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:55:56 +0000

Benefits of a rainbow – good luck, cheerfulness, pot of gold, wishes come true, and beauty to name a few. Why not bring the joy of the spectrum of shades to your home ?? Oh some may say it’s color gone over the top, but psssssshhhhh. I like what I like! And if you wanna smile any time you walk in your front door, add a little rainbow to your house. Enjoy.

The Rainbow House, London from Ab Rogers Design on Vimeo.

Okay, so these floors aren't as bright as the traditional rainbow... but they are made from rainbow wood, who knew!

DIY rainbow outdoor bench, looks pretty easy and you can customize your own color choices!

My Fair Lady – Film Style

chloe — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:12:37 +0000

If I’m having a gloomy day, a classic musical is a sure way to pick up my mood. This last weekend the 1964 movie on the menu was “My Fair Lady” starring the timeless icon Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle and Rex Harrison as Professor Higgins. The quality of the sets, the costumes, the props are something that we don’t see so much nowadays. Every detail was perfected, specifically arranged and well cared for… nothing was haphazard or accidental when it came to the background in each scene. Eliza’s well maintained makeover in romantic, feminine frocks is a beauty to behold. On the opposite side of the spectrum you find Professor Higgins’ library in masculine leather, dark wood, shades of green, and eccentric anatomical accents. Watch the lengthy film from bed and sing along through the curious transformation.

Yvonne Ellen – Hand Illustrated Homeware – Handmade Pick Of The Week

chloe — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:39:44 +0000

My Handmade Pick Of The Week post has turned in to more of a bi-annual article since I went back to work this past fall, embarrassingly enough. But it is still one of my favorite past times to scour through all the beautiful handmade goods out there; so when I find a gem like Yvonne Ellen’s hand illustrated dishware I have to share it. I love the look that hand painting gives to the sterile looking plates and cups, it creates a contrast showcasing warmth and human handed imperfections. With a cost ranging from $18 for a mug to $44 for a teapot, her prices are affordable for hand painted art indeed.

A Valentine’s Day For Everyone

chloe — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:11:52 +0000

I’ve had many great days celebrating Valentine’s festivities during my youth, to dating years, into married life. One year getting a bottle of Chanel nail polish from my parents when I was 12 or so, a Valentine in the mail from my grandparents as a wee one, and my first ever bouquet of flowers arriving at the door as a teenager. There are so many fun ways to make the day memorable, even if it means taking the time to watch a cheesy romance, eating a chocolate cupcake, or cutting out a paper heart. Let everyone you love know it, make your heart full and not forgotten this year.

A DIY Valentine online tutorial fit for creative Queens

His and her gold necklaces

A lady can always use a scarf

A red soled dapper shoe for your soul mate

A personalized lovely daily reminder of when it all began

Take a photo on Valentine's day to mark the occasion, and remember it in the coming years

Get her a pretty ring box to store the rings you have already given her

Keeping your specs in loving care

A Valentine's morning breakfast treat for the kids!

Treat yourself to a manicure for your Valentine's date night, in ombre style!

Leg love

Hunt down your Valentine to give them this card

Red velvet milkshake, dangerous goodness!

A wooden teether for Baby's first Valentine's day

Square queen of hearts pillow for the girl in your life!

Grown up, gourmet treats for your sweetheart

Double heart ring

Tutorial to make your own Valentine arrows, Cupid doesn't have anything on these cute love notes

A subtle sweet hint for your honey to be

Make art out of the little things you already have, cheap and easy! Print it out and make it a card

Heart cut out trim, how cute!

If Stevie Wonder's song won't cut it, send a similar sentiment through the post

Use Candy buttons to make your own super cute Valentine's, even enough for the entire classroom at school

Bathroom Medicine Cabinet Makeover

chloe — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:43:31 +0000

We’ve had our bathroom medicine cabinet since we got married 8 years ago, and let’s just say it has seen better days. The paint was chipping, it had a towel bar on the bottom that was never used, and it just lacked any interest at all. So when we decided to re-do our master bathroom, the cabinet was the first thing on my list. I decided that we should remove the towel bar, paint the cabinet frame red, and update the bubbled glass inserts. Once I found the mushroom poster, I knew that decoupaging over the glass would be perfect. Kevin wasn’t so hot on the idea, but once it was done he praised my abilities yet again.

The boring blah bland before

Find a good craft paint brush, clear decoupage glue, some wax paper to protect the table top and you are ready to go.

We cut directly around our glass door inserts to get the sizing as exact as possible

Double check that your paper is cut to the same size as the material you are covering

Paint on a light amount of decoupage glue on to the backside of your paper

Gently place the paper onto the glass, move it into place and make any adjusments before smoothing

Smooth out any bubbles or bumps without moving the placement too much

Let the glue dry for at least an hour before applying your first layer of glue on top. Make sure the entire area is completely coated, but do not make each layer too thick. Let each layer dry throughly before applying next, and apply as many layers as desired for coverage.

FINISHED and fantastic.... we replaced the cabinet knobs with some we had around the house, and with the paint and the mushroom poster the project cost around $20 in total.

My First Piece of Ink – by Katie at House of Tattoo, Tacoma

chloe — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 06:14:11 +0000

Here is the long and short of it when it comes to tattoos for me, the majority of my family and friends would probably encourage me to stay away from permanent body art. But I’ve known since the tender age of 11 that I would eventually get my candy colored ink wishes. My long un-met dreams of inkage have been held at bay by the cost of getting the work I wanted done. Very happy I waited this long to get my first piece though, it gave me plenty of time to make the right decision. Saying I LOVE and adore the work my artist Katie Williams of House of Tattoo did would be a gross injustice since I am so enamored with how amazing it turned out. She is professional , wicked talented , a total joy to speak to and I can’t wait for her to finish my planned sleeves so I can continue to gush about her skills. The inspiration for my first tattoo is an oil on wood painting by Audrey Kawasaki called “Lydia” , eat your heart out cause she is a beauty!

Look at ALL the pretty colors!

audrey kawasaki's "lydia" picture on katie's work station ready to inspire

Last look at my naked arm!

outlined and ready to go

Pink gloves for the lady of house of tattoo

that is my pure joy face if you have never seen it before

are you serious.... just LOOK at that face... perfection

Holiday Gift Guide 2011 – Top Notch Giving

chloe — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 06:33:54 +0000

Every year the Holiday season arrives more quickly than the year before, and with family gatherings, parties with friends, and work it can become more hectic than fun to find the right presents for your loved ones. I look at gift giving as a way to express the affection and caring I feel for my friends and family all year round. Hand made gifts are some of my absolute favorites when I look at received gifts of the past. While putting up all my Christmas decorations this year, it was easy to remember who had taken the time to create each self-made item. However, if you do not have the time or the skills to make gifts, the lovely internet and I are here to help. Enjoy.

THE ELUSIVE GIFT FOR DAD

High quality watch for a high class guy - $95

Cause no one wants to see an older gentleman's bare feet, AND they are comfy - $50

For the iPad outfitted Dad, now you can utilize the fridge for more than just snacking - $55

Cufflinks to keep your fancy suit from looking too fancy - $45

wood inspired keyboard for manly fingertips - $80

Cozy fleece lined robe for couch-ing in comfort and style - $80

For fishing trip neccessities - $40

In case your home and office are not equipped with a shoe shine boy - $25

FOR YOUR QUIRKY FRIEND

A mis-matched silverware set fit for a hodge podge queen - $30

AMAZING - I would actually cry tears of joy if I got this cookie jar for Christmas - $98

The combination of belt and textured detail is perfection -$50

THE cutest iphone case a friend could ask for - $13

Having tea with little to no class is far more interesting, admit it - $55

It would be a splurge, but WOW - $278

Silhouette black and white cuffs - $110

KIDS AND BABY

Catching spit up and excess chewed food with a flair of dignity - $10

Children's toothbrush sanitizers?? MOST excellent - $35

The choice between "ginger" and "nose-picker" is a tough one - $20

Classic child's record player for kids who have never heard of a record player - $30

An attractive alternative to boring night lights - $27

Adorable romper for wee ones - $30

Elephant wall easel that allows your kids to "color on the wall" - $41

THE FOODIE AND BAKER

Gettin fancy rolling some dough - $18

Ravioli mold with roller for the creative kitchen guru - $26

Reuseable storage for when you get your fresh goods home from the market - $14

Clever cookie cutters for customized baked messages - $19

Modjeska marshmallows that will melt your stress away with buttery goodness - $27

FOR COLLEGE GOING LOVED ONES

Helpful pencils never hurt while studying - $10

A bag to tote books, laptops and supplies that will have everyone green with envy - $185

A customizable stamp that will keep your books from growing legs and walking away - $19

Classic college prep worthy dress - $295

Silicone covered glass water bottle to get your Mom's prescribed "8 glasses of water a day" - $28

Write it, type it, make things happen when pen goes to paper -$12

THE BOYFRIEND / HUSBAND

Perfect for the trophy husband -$32

All shined up, so figure out somewhere nice to take him - $65

Once your man gets over the fact that it's a "cardigan" he'll realize how great he looks - $88

Man grooming - $50

An updated version to replace the gross old plaid coat he has lying around - $122

There's nothing better than a well fitted suit - $253

PROUD TO BE AN ANIMAL LOVER

Faux fur the cool way - $28

Here birdy birdy birdy - $16

I think the front cover speaks for itself.... $13

As cute as a fox wearing a bowler... $18

a round raccoon mouse pad - $15

FOR THE SHOPPING ADDICT LADY IN YOUR LIFE

If I had short chic french lady hair, these would be on my face day and night - $290

Glitzy statement ring in gold and crystal - $50

A simple canvas hobo with "dock" rope accent - $58

Green onyx earrings for a lucky girl - $58

Little black dress with a dash of the un-expected - $90

Bangle for your buck - $62

BUYING FOR A BEAUTY QUEEN

Jeweled color eyeliner set to show off your eyes - $55

A pretty brush for some prettier hair - $90

"Bad Romance" a perfect gaga inspired shade - $18

Tweeze away - $15

Curl dem lashes good - $16

GENIUS - $8

The season of scarves

chloe — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:45:21 +0000

I adore neck wear, I’ve decided necks are just too boring without …. jewelry, bow ties, high collared shirts & jackets , and most of all scarves. Winter warm scarves, fall chill scarves, light and airy scarves, knit by your Mom scarves and even just for looks scarves. Ya know, those days you put on a scarf just because…. and end up paying dearly by sweating your way through the mall. Take advantage of scarf season by adding to your collection, starting one, or learning new ways to wear your old pieces.

Robots on silk..... duh

men can jump on the scarf train too.... just don't over do it

the original part necklace part scarf...necklush

one more thing... an ode to the original gangsters of traditional scarvery

Maria Cristinia Bellucci Jewelry – recycling colored pencils the Italian way

chloe — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:40:02 +0000

Graphic, architectural , recycled modern jewelry by Maria Cristina Bellucci from Italy, ready to be oogled and adored by one and all. There are so many unique ways to incorporate recycled goods into your everyday life, why not make it eye catching and chic too.