Keep It Local: Feast

Do you have plans September 21st and 22nd?? If not, Feast Portland is happening in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Do you like to eat? Do you like your state? Do you feel indifferent to great about attending festivals?? If you answered yes to all of these questions, you should check Feast out. If you hate food, Oregon, and festivals...then you're a freak. Oh also, the mission of the festival is to end childhood hunger in Oregon and the rest of the country. Another excellent reason to stop by.

"Oregon's soil produces amazing fruits and vegetables. Our vineyards grow grapes that make award-winning wines. Our hops are the reason Portland has more breweries than any other city in the world. Our ocean provides sustainably caught salmon, Dungeness crab and tuna. And our beef, pork and chicken are organic and raised to the highest standards. We grow much of the country's hazelnuts, marionberries and green beans. And our forests are home to so many exotic mushrooms the Japanese have us on speed dial. Best of all, we have marvelous chefs who know what to do with all this abundance. So we decided it's high time we had our own world-class celebration of food, drink and everything else that makes Portland awesome. We're calling it Feast Portland."

image and video via: Feast 

Keep It Local: Swifts

Tonight we are going to see watch the swifts. "What are the swifts," you ask? They are birds. Obviously.

In NW Portland there is an old elementary school with a tall and circular chimney where the migrating swifts hunker down each night. It's really spectacular to watch them come in as the sun sets. Thousands or birds swirl around the sky in a hypnotic and beautiful way. In addition, a bird of prey always swoops in to turn one of the tiny birds into dinner. It's sad, but I guess they have to eat too. It's fun to listen to the crowds response to the hunt.

The hillside around the school is packed with families who want to catch the show; but don't worry, it usually last most of September, so there is plenty of time for everyone to check it out. Bring a picnic and blanket to lay on and enjoy natures show.

photo via

Keep It Local - Leather Lifting Strap

Although biking is awesome and living in the city is usually pretty awesome too, carrying a bike up the stairs to an apartment is not awesome. It's weird, especially for small people like myself. Luckily, I have an elevator and a bike room - but for those thousands of city dwellers that do not - here is a great tool for you. If you would rather not get grease all over your best threads, get a Bicycle Frame Handle from Walnut Studiolo. I have written about Geoffrey and Valerie Franklin in the past - and have even bought some of their great leather bike accessories. I have not been disappointed. This 7.5" strap of leather, also called the "Little Lifter," connects to the frame via adjustable buckles, above the derailleur, making the bike easy to lift and carry.

The Frame Handle lowers the bike's center of gravity, reducing strain on the elbow and making it easier to control the bike as you head into the subway or up the stairs in your ancient apartment building. (That is probably full of character.) The handles are made in....wait for it....Portland! With leather from the USA.

photos: walnut studiolo

Plywerk

I have been looking for a place to print some of my work on canvas and then I stumbled across PLYWERK. They are kind of awesome. Instead of canvas, they print on wood. It's an eco-friendly option and made right here in Portland, OR. PLYWERK blank panels are made from sustainably harvested wood and you have the option of mounting your images with or without adhesive. Cool right?

photo: Oh Snap!

design crush

Clever Cycle

If you are looking for a bicycle shop devoted exclusively to bicycling as a primary mode of transportation, Clever Cycles is your place Portlanders. For families and businesses seeking to avoid dependence on cars with stylish, practical bikes stop by their shop on SE Hawthorne. Open since June 2007 they are striving to make Portland an even better place to live and work, breathe, slow down in, and ride in.

"We are not motivated by the rising costs of motoring, ecological guilt, or a body-sculpting regimen. Bicycling is not a sacrifice or a statement. We ride instead of drive because it is pleasurable and convenient, simply the best way to get around Portland."

So if you have seen the cool Dutch looking bicycle contraptions around town - you know, the ones that have little wagons on the front or the ones with little trailers attached to the back - chances are they are from Clever Cycles. They create bikes for family transport, cargo, and folding bikes that are all equipped for comfort, safety, and reliability. 

Or hey, if you get a Dutch Tub, you can haul that around!

photos: ecovelo

This Is Oregon

I love my state. We really live in a beautiful country, and Oregon is definitely the most magical. Sorry other states. This Is Oregon is a little film that was put together exploring places that are within 90 minutes of Portland, Oregon. If you have a couple minutes it's beautiful to watch. Around 2:30 in, you see my favorite place in the entire world. Adventure is closer than you think! Start exploring!

Keeping it Local: Jamison Square

 

We have had a fantastic week of sunshine in Portland. A place in my neighborhood I often frequent on warm days, is Jamison Square Park on NW Johnson and 12th. It's fun to watch the little kids play in the fountain, listen to musicians who show up to serenade the public, and catch a little sun. 

I would recommend bringing a towel or blanket if you want to sit on the grass though. In the early morning hours, people use the little grassy plot as a bathroom for their dogs, and then as the day goes on that same grass fills up with sprawled out families... Ew? Kinda. 

The fountain is fun for kids because the water rushes out of the rocks, creates a pool, and after a while sucks the water back in and does it all over again. You hear the squeals of excitement every time. From me of course. I love it.

 

At Jamison there is a cafe called Cloud Seven. I hate the name, but it's a great little cafe none the less. I mean, it's in the park.. They have lots of outdoor seating and good food.

The park is lovely at night too. People watching can be fantastic.

Portland Bites - Yuki

 

Guys.. I keep forgetting what I have written about in the past and what I haven't. Oh, the trials and tribulations of blogging. There probably isn't anything worse in the world...

Do you go somewhere where everyone knows your name? For example, do you frequent a coffee shop and they have your drink made before you even get to the front of the line to pay? If not, come to the coffee shop I moonlight at we will know your crazy ass drink by heart almost instantly.
Back on track. Yuki is a sushi restaurant on NW 23rd, and this is my place where everyone knows my name. There is a reason for that, they have good food.

photo via

Keeping It Local: Portlandia

Do you watch Portlandia? It makes my heart so happy every time I watch it. The ironic thing is that most people in Portland don't have IFC, the channel it airs on. So for people that want to watch it the night an episode airs, there are a few theaters that hold free viewing parties - such as Mission Theater in NW. Otherwise, we watch the skits on the internet and wait till full episodes come out on Netflix.

I Vote Portland

Via: The Portland Hipster

Keeping it Local: PRTLND

 Happy Leap Day! Are you supposed to do something special on leap day that I don't know about??  I didn't post a Keeping it Local post yesterday so here it is today instead.
We are PRTLND is a website devoted to creative professionals that work free lance. If you are a creative professional, check it out and add your face to the board. If you are looking for a creative pro to help you with something in your life that needs a little artist pixie dust, maybe you could find them here???

Portland Bites: Portland City Grill

I know it's a bit late for this, but what did you do for Valentines? I went to see The Iron Lady with two of my girlfriends and then we went to Portland City Grill for late night happy hour. I can definitely say that it was the best Valentines Day ever.
Iron Lady was phenomenal - go see it- and Portland City Grill was delicious but weird. I had never been there, even though it's a Portland 'hot spot'. Maybe it was because it was February 14th, but a large portion of the guests there looked like they had just hopped off a plane from Vegas. Let's just say that they were not in typical Portland attire. While the food was good and the view phenomenal (it's on top of big pink), the crowd was extremely stare worthy.

photo: bikes, beer and adventures

Keeping it Local: Favor Jewelry

 

 

Monika Reed, the founder of Favor Jewelry Design creates handmade, delicate, timeless, and sentimental jewelry. I have one of her rings and love it. In fact I often use it as my wedding ring decoy. When I don't feel like getting hit on it goes on my left hand. It's usually on my left hand. 

Her designs are simple and classic with just enough sparkle in the metals. If you live in Portland - you are buying local! If you don't, you are still buying something cool.

Portland Bites: St Honoré Boulangerie

 

St Honoré Boulangerie in NW Portland (also in Lake Oswego) is so effing delicious. In case you couldn't tell by the name, it's a French bakery. There is a french flag outside just to remind you. You can find French breads and savory and sweet pastries galore. Although their savory pastries are a little expensive, they are well worth it. My mouth is watering thinking about it. The interior is also pretty fabulous because it looks like a bakery you might find in the French countryside. 

Keeping it Local: Steven Smith Teamaker

 

Steven Smith Teamaker is located on NW Thurman and 17th and is the sweetest little tea shop/factory ever. I finally went inside this past week and was surprised by what was hiding inside. It's a little tasting room complete with big windows so you can watch the tea makers making and packaging tea!

The packaging is adorable too. I love when packaging has personal and playful instructions, and these packages have just that. For example, the Lord Bergamot, (an Earl-Greyish tea) says: "Bring filtered water to a rolling boil.  Steep 5 minutes, while pondering the Earl's affair with the Duchess of Devonshire."

Steven Smith is also the founder of Tazo Tea and Stash, two other Portland based tea companies. I would highly recommend stopping by, tasting some tea, and watching the tea people work their magic.

 

 

photos via: the kitchn

Keeping it Local: Poetry Posts

 

So have you heard of Poetry Posts? Poetry Post are little glass front boxes on a post where people hang, you guessed it, a poem outside their house. Okay, it's not only poems.. You can also find jokes, stories, words of wisdom, a picture, or random deep thoughts to entertain passerby's. There is even a map that shows you where they are located! It's a little bit weird and a little bit marvelous. Would you put up a poetry post? What would you put inside?

buy your own

Keeping it Local: Pendelton

I recently bought my first Pendleton throw blanket and it's maybe the best thing ever. Pendleton has a 100-year heritage as an American brand and it's based right here in Portland. Awesome right? They are committed to making "green" decisions and participate in local events to help our community. Pendleton has been featured in everything from Vogue, to Country Home, to Playboy. 

I can't wait for summer time so I can take my blanket to outdoor concerts and picnics!

Keeping it Local: Photographer

Fancy that.. I post about The English Department and then stumble across one of their photographers, Lisa Warninger. 
I think her photos are beautiful and love seeing them set in some of my favorite Portland locations. The top photo was taken two blocks away from my home.

 

 

 

Snow!

 

It snowed in the city last night! I love the snow and wish we would get more of it downtown. It's fun to watch the city turn a little chaotic when the snow starts sticking. 

Shilo was having fun even though she looks possessed. 

Top photo - Matt Blanchards facebook. 

Keeping it Local: English Department

 
One of my favorite people is getting married and today we are going to look at some wedding dresses. I'm not actually sure where we are going just yet, but the English Dept. is one great little Portland wedding dress shop.