Spring in CO


Could she be any cuter? Miss this little bug. Can’t wait to see her in June when I’m home to visit!


Could she be any cuter? Miss this little bug. Can’t wait to see her in June when I’m home to visit!

Its hard to believe it, but Indy is 9 years old! Seems like just yesterday we got him as a little, wild pup and now he’s a mellow, sweet old man. Love him!
January

Started the year off getting used to my new Mac and becoming an Apple fan almost overnight.
February

Trip to Hawaii for my best friend Meghann’s 30th birthday. So amazing. Can’t wait to go back.
March

First trip to Seattle.
April

One day in London.

Trip to Italy for Ian’s 30th birthday. We went to Venice, Verona, Florence and Cinque Terre. This was my first international trip, the first time I used my passport. Italy is beyond beautiful.
May

A visit to North Carolina and the Outer Banks for Samantha and Jim’s wedding. So happy we got to be a part of it.
June

Ian’s all-time favorite in Vegas. He was A-Mazing.

Mom came out for a quick summer visit.
July

Headed to Boston for Cassidy, Ian’s niece, who turned one.

Hiked Pikes Peak with my family and my awesome friend, Jeff.

Officially hiked a 14er with this crazy crew.
August

I was obsessed with this spider who lived on my patio. Every day he’d be out there making these amazing, elaborate webs. Did I mention I live on the 13th floor? How did he get up here?
September

Quick weekend trip to San Francisco. We went to the SFMOMA and saw the Dieter Rams exhibit.
October

My first runway show. We saw some great local fashion designers as well as a handful of Project Runway alumni. It was awesome! Definitely the ignited my new fashion obsession.
November

Headed out to California City to spend Thanksgiving with Ian’s mom and sister.

19lbs of turkey goodness.
December

Portland had a beautiful Christmas tree in the courthouse square.

I had a birthday.

Got to visit my family and little love, Izzy.
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My Aunt Lin found a Christmas card I made her and my uncle back in the day. I wish I knew the date on this baby.

This month went by so fast it feels like it didn’t even happen. Oddly enough, a ton of fun stuff actually did happen!
Here’s my attempt to remember it all:
Sewing Class
(I just realized I don’t have a photo to go along with this one, but I’ll snap one when I get home.)
I signed up for a beginning sewing class from the amazing people at Portland Sewing. This establishment is perfect for someone like me - someone with out-there dreams and the desire to learn in a classroom environment without the hefty price tag of actual schools like the Art Institute.
In my “Learn to Sew” class, we worked on making an apron over the span of four weeks. While mine didn’t turn out as perfect as I hoped, I could see the improvement in my skills as we went along and I absolutely loved the process!
Fashion Shows


This month I went to not one, but two different fashion shows here in Portland. I blogged a little bit about Portland Fashion Week, but a few weekends ago Ian and I went to Portland Garment Factory for their 3-year anniversary party/launch of their first in-house clothing line. It was great to check out their space and see where clothing designs actually come to life to be distributed and sold. I’d love to work there to learn the ropes of patterns and production.
More Classes

A few weeks ago I was back at Portland Sewing, this time for a fashion sketching workshop. Two days of non-stop sketching to learn how to draw a proper fashion figure. Needless to say, I LOVED it. I can’t wait to take the second part of the workshop next year when you actually get to put clothes on her! (I could have taken part two this month but I decided to wait and save some $$).
I’m also taking a jQuery class at Portland Community College, which is more for work than for fun. I’m learning more programming so that I can be a better web developer. JavaScript is something I have been trying to learn for awhile now and this class is finally helping me break through that wall I’ve been struggling with. I’m excited to apply my new skills into my everyday work. The class goes through November so I still have four more weeks to get my learn on.
Other Random Fun Stuff


Two different design lectures, Invisible Creature and Kate Bingaman-Burt.

Playing and watching volleyball.
I’m playing volleyball two nights a week with a women’s team and our usual co-ed team. It has been so much fun.
I don’t know what is in store for me in November, but if its anything like this month it will be a total whirlwind!
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Miss this little munchkin head! Glad she’s having so much with Grandma :)
Saturday Smile

I went to my first-ever runway show tonight. I LOVED it. Ian and I hung out for a little bit before the show started and just watched everyone. There were some very stylish people running around and I was captivated by the whole scene.


There were a few Project Runway cast members of note that I saw if you’re a fan like me:
I’ve been taking sewing classes (and loving them) and I’m taking a fashion sketching workshop next weekend. I’m really excited by this new hobby/interest I’ve been slowly developing. It feels like something I could really get into.
Portland is a great place to be inspired.
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This is the closest I’ve been to the drawbridge on Burnside while it’s been going up. Totally looks (and felt!) like the scene from Inception when the streets turn sideways.