Let's Talk about Fall

Rain or Shine



I think it's no secret that I am absolutely ecstatic for fall. I talk about it non stop and the idea of the leaves changing and the crisper air makes me positively giddy. I haven't experienced a real fall in 4 years so I am long overdue.  I thought I would throw together two outfits that could easily be worn in the fall. I'm on a bit of a Madewell kick so most of these items are from there. When the fall hits, the weather can go from rainy to sunny at the drop of a hat so having two kinds of outfits ready to go is key. This entire weekend consisted of off and on rain, which made me glad I had my lightweight rain jacket to throw on periodically.
What are you favorite kinds of fall clothes?

This weekend I drove down to Bend, Oregon to visit with my parents and their longtime friend and it was a blast! Bend is beautiful and, being a fan of Deschutes Brewery, it was cool to see where it all began. We then adventured around Portland and ate as much delicious food as possible. Now today is my first day of graduate school so if you're feeling like sending out any prayers, I would be more than grateful!!

Happy Monday!

So it's been two weeks...


 In some ways, it feels like I've been here two weeks and in other ways it feels like I've been here way longer. I've packed my days with adventures and the desire to meet new people and also try out as many new things as possible. I know once school starts my reality will be quite a bit different, but for now I am trying to soak up all that Portland has to offer. 

There is something about this move that is entirely affirming. Every day I wake up entirely unsure of what is going to happen but 100% sure I will enjoy the day. God has placed me in this city, with these people and this speech program for a reason. I know and feel confident in this because a) I didn't get in anywhere else so there really wasn't much of a decision on my part and b) there's always been a magnetic pull pushing me towards the Pacific Northwest. 

Every time I meet someone and they ask me why I moved up here, instead of jumping to "Oh, I'm getting my masters here" (which, by the way, still a crazy thing for me to say!) I usually feel more inclined to say, "It always felt like I would end up here at some point. This feels like home." 

And it's true. 

Sure, I haven't experienced the winter yet and I'm sure there are some debbie downers out there who are waiting for the emotional rain posts, but within these two weeks, I have never felt more at ease. And do you want to know what excites me the most? Everyone I've met says it only gets better. I'll only fall more in love. That's a pretty neat thing to hear when you just moved to a new place. 

I have no doubt that there will be hard times to come but that's all part of the process. Every day I thank God that He placed me here surrounded by these people and these trees. He has blessed me tremendously. Every time I see Mount Hood I call it a little present. It honestly feels like one. My heart beats a little faster and I get the butterflies in my stomach like I just ran into the guy I like. It seems silly because it's a mountain but it's little (or technically, big, in this case) gifts like Mount Hood and the feeling of awe associated with it that remind me I'm exactly where I need to be.

And that's the ultimate gift. 

Saturday Morning Farmers Market


 Portland is incredible in so many ways but one of the coolest things are the farmers market's every day of the week throughout the city. The one closet to my apartment happens to be at the Portland State campus and so we decided to explore this past weekend!


There was folk music everywhere, which made my heart very happy. These guys were awesome.


 I have to actively stop myself from eating Pinestate Biscuits constantly. I've been on a biscuit kick lately and these guys have the best ones.


Everything is currently lavender flavored in the city. From the ice cream to the coffee, it's every where. I, for one, have no problem with that because I've been on a lavender kick for a couple years now so I'm soaking it all up. I picked up some dried lavender at one of the stands and can't wait to hang it up.


I wore my favorite combo of stripes and flowers with my new Stella & Dot necklace and I felt very Portland-y. The Portland State campus has brick and trees everywhere so it was a prime spot to snap a few pics. 

I can't wait to make the farmers market a consistent event and to get all of my produce there. I was eyeing the heirloom tomatoes pretty intensely. ;) I sense a caprese salad in my future! 

Hope you had a great weekend!! What did you explore?

Crossed off the List

See Mumford & Sons in concert

Sky dive

Road trip up the California coast

Get into graduate school

Go to a major music festival

Go to a film festival

Find fulfillment in my career

Visit Alaska and Canada

Drive cross country (and not get sick)

Listen to someone's life story

Visit Charleston

Learn some southern hospitality

Live in the south for some time.

Live in Europe for some time

Learn to be a better cook

Fall in love and get married

Mission trip to Africa or wherever I'm called

Earn my degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences

Live in a "big" city

Find happiness everywhere

Put a smile on someone's face everyday

Help a complete stranger 

Travel to London


Study Abroad


Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Visit Niagara Falls

Ice skate in Rockefeller Center

Travel to Australia

Visit the Grand Canyon

Visit Prince Edward Island

Travel to Ireland

to be continued...
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One of my favorite things to do is to cross off items on any kind of list I've made. It makes matters even better when I'm crossing off items on my life goals list! The list above is in my Life Goals page but I thought it would help to show it above before I explain which ones I've recently crossed off. :)
First off:
 
I finally saw Mumford & Sons in concert!! It was unlike anything I've ever experienced and I doubt I'll ever be able to top that kind of concert experience again. I was jumping up and down, screaming the lyrics and waves of nostalgia washed over me as I relived some high school moments. It was such an incredible moment and everyone deserves to see them live someday. 
I GOT INTO GRAD SCHOOL! 
I don't know how I didn't cross this one off earlier but somehow it slipped past me! This one is a biggie as it made me move to my current city of Portland! Everything about this school and this city feels right and each day that I'm here makes me more and more sure of that. I'm constantly in awe of Oregon's beauty and I can't wait to experience more and more. 
I moved to a pretty big city!! It's not New York, San Francisco or Chicago, but it's my kind of city. It's the perfect size, has the best food and drinks and there is nature all around. I never feel trapped with all of the thousands of trees around and the Colombia River Gorge a quick 30 minute drive away. Also can I talk about the people I've met so far!!? They are incredible! And the pace of the city can't be beat. This is a slow city on the weekends and every where you go, even waiting in line, people aren't feeling too rushed. 
Do you keep some kind of bucket list? It's so fun to set goals, even lofty ones, and watch as you cross one off. :)

Hey there!


Hi. Hello. Is this thing on? 

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram (if not, why {k}not start now??), then you may not 
know that I moved to Portland, Oregon a week ago! Today is my one week anniversary! You best believe it will be spent drinking some kind of delicious coffee or craft beer! ;)



I've missed this space to vent my thoughts and share pretty things so very much! But in July, it just wasn't cut out for me. My mind was elsewhere and I wanted to soak up as much home and family time as I could. That month and a half off was preeeeeetty nice. I was able to recharge and figure out what direction I want this little ole blog to take. 

So! I am turning this blog into an adventure blog! I will chronicle my days that will consist of grad school among other things like walks through the many parks of Portland, the beautiful coffee shops, the amazing food places etc. etc. All of this is a secret, but not so secret, ploy to get all of my loved ones up here with me. ;)


Already, within a week, I have explored so much and I can't wait to share it all with you! I've made new friends, decorated my apartment (pics soon I promise!!), and done every cliche thing of Portland. This new move felt so right and like I had just been waiting to get up north all of my life. (#sappy) But it's true! 

And I can't wait to share it all with YOU! 

SO! Any suggestions? What is your favorite thing about Portland? Making a trip up here? Come see me!! 

Dang it feels good to be back! :)