In the early days of fall my favorite thing to do is go in search of crisp, ripe apples. 

Found some!!!

 They had pumpkins too!

So enough of posting pictures, I need to make some applesauce!! 

Kitchen Favorites Linky Party!!!

Today I'm linking up with Sarah from Modern Country Style for her Kitchen Linky Party....
My favorite spot in my kitchen has yet to be determined...see I'm move-in on...SATURDAY!! So as of right now my favorite thing is the change of color. It has gone from an out-dated and dull beige to a dark smokey slate. The whole place is now a nice cool grey...
It's just a little space, but it's my space.
I can't wait to get all my lovely things arranged, sorted, and make it home!!!


So here is the before picture of the kitchen.
It's is small but so darn cute!
But wait till you see what a little paint can do...

So what do you think? Big difference, eh? Looks empty now, but that will all change this weekend!!

And this is what I'd be wearing...Modern and Classic...

(borrowed from Pinterest)

min galna resa till IKEA!!!

Did a quick trip to IKEA to grab some essentials for the new digs...

While checking out the "As Is" section first, I found the kitchen cart I really wanted! There it was, waiting for me to take it home. So I tossed it on a cart and I held on to it for dear life, I didn't want anybody to get their hands on my amazing find!! Best part was the price!!

I don't know why things are better when you find them for cheap!!

Besides the kitchen cart, I needed some basics for the digs. I got a set of pots and pans, sheets, kitchen storage containers. 

All of my lovely things had to fit in my car. Well my car in not a big car. Lola is only a Corolla. 

With a bit of help to lift it up and some string we got it secure to the roof...

 

All tied down...

 

Three big bags full of goodies...

I carry a bag everywhere with color samples, pillows, and pictures of  materials wanted and needed for the digs.

Glad nobody needed to sit in the backseat on this trip!!

I see me...

 

Somewhere in there is the yummy golden yellow velvet lampshade I picked up in the As Is bins for only $10!!!!













This weekend is all about the painting!! The Kitchen Cart will get some paint too. The top bit will be kept natural with a nice waxing, but the bottom half will be grey like the rest of the place.


I will be posting pics of the painting process...

New Digs...

Finally found a perfect place!! 
Its just 2 blocks off the trendy NW 23rd/Nob Hill District in Portland.

I will be posting before and after pics through the process. 
I'm so excited to get painting this weekend!

Here is the first peek...

The building is full of charm and character...

 

Knock, knock!!

 

This is the entryway...

The studio has these two lovely bright windows. 

The light filters through two large redwood trees.

Here is the view with your back to the window.

You can see the paint I will be using there on the right.

Its called Classic Silver from Behr. 

The light reflects beautifully off the walls with this color.

A look back to the hall. See how the color changes!

I love it!!!

Now the view to the kitchen. 

I know its really small but its just me. 

I have space to cook and event entertain. 

Can't wait to get this place painted...

A closer look at the kitchen.

I'm going to paint the back inset walls a darker slate color.

Hopefully it will make it look set back and deeper.

Here is a peek of the amount of storage it has.

Not too bad for the size...

One of the big selling renting points was the closet space.

There are 2 of them!!

This is the "Little Closet." It will house the steamer, vacuum, mop, 

and any other little things I will use often.

This is the "Big Closet."

Its massive for the space.

Im going to add extra rails for all my clothes.

Against the wall in the back will be space for storage.

                                  

A very basic bathroom with very pink tile.

I'm going to try and tone down the pinkness by carrying the grey theme into the bathroom. I have a gorgeous white shower curtain from Antro that will help!

       
Nice white sink with storage...         
                 

 

Mirror, mirror, on the wall...

So that is the first peek into the studio.

I have some fun pictures from a trip to Ikea. 

Think I bought everything but a bed!

Guess I need to add bed to the list...

Spring has sprung here in Portland, and that means when the sun shines you get out and enjoy it - because the rain is not far off!!!

I went adventuring in the trendy neighborhoods of

NW 23rd and N Mississippi.

  

Trees in full bloom...

I have some favorite shops along 23rd. A must see is Zucari, they do not have a website but they are on Facebook. There are the ever popular Potterybarn and Restoration Hardware. Most of the shops are unique and independently owned.

  



 
Somebody even rode in on a         horse...

  
Followed by lunch at Prost!! Great food, beer, and atmosphere. Can't wait to sit in the beer garden this summer...

Best lunch!! , Pâté, apples, and toast...

Pour Les Japonais

Beautiful morning of snow

We had just enough to make the entire city come to a standstill. A full 3inches!

I kinda like the way we react to snow in Portland. I enjoy watching the news-peeps stand at the highest hill and relay to the viewers that it really is indeed...snow. Each station tries to come up with a catchy name of this storm.

In honor of the IFC Channel hit TV show, Portlandia.

This is my pick....

A Rose is a rose....

"If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I'd be picking roses for a lifetime."
                                             -an old Swedish Proverb

You are beautiful, but you are empty. One could not die for you. To be sure, an ordinary passerby would think that my rose looked just like you - the rose that belongs to me. But in herself alone she is more important than all the hundreds of you other roses because it is she that I have watered.

                                     - The Little Prince

A winter walk

I went for a lovely little stroll today with Mr. Eiffel....

We walked around this darling little pond and fed the ducks....

climbed a tree and watched a flock of geese soar high above...

we sat and watched the world go by....