11.27.2013

Thanks, Seattle

If Seattle and I were married, this would be the year we took our relationship to counseling. Maybe it’s the reality shock of post-graduate life, maybe I miss the friends who’ve moved away, or maybe it’s an indication that ultimately we aren't meant to be, but whatever I’m running up against has put me in unfortunate tension with this city.

If I’m sad and moody, it’s because of the rain. When I’m not connecting with anyone, I blame the passive-aggressive, I-can’t-see-you-because-my-laptop-screen-slash-umbrella-is-in-front-of-you social norm. On the days I feel passionless, directionless, and zapped, I seethe at the Space Needle: METROPOLITAN POSER! You call yourself a city?! Pfshaa!

And then there are days when I’m driving home from work and I catch sight of the lake sparking against maple trees and Mount Rainier. I work on a film set for a day and feel a warm energy at having at last discovered “my people.” I snuggle up at the end of the night with the best roommate anyone could ask for and –

– and I still find reason to complain.

So today, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’m going to take stock of all the wonderful things I often fail to acknowledge about Seattle. The things that, for me, make it a wonderful place to be.

1) The Yuppie Buzz of Downtown

I'm in earnest here. I love how the main part of downtown Seattle is a total Wall Street. Not that you don't get your standard vagrants, tourist families, and middle-class commuters as well, but most of the energy around the Nordstrom/Pike Place/Westlake Center/Four Seasons Hotel zone centers around people who make money there, then go right outside and spend it. Maybe it's because it gives me space to dream, but I love how as soon as I go downtown I feel like I'm getting away with something -- like Kevin McCallister in the Plaza hotel or Ferris Bueller at the stuffy French restaurant ("You're Abe Froman? The Sausage King of Chicago?") It's the only time that not belonging makes me feel thrilled instead of miserable.

2) The Love Triangle of Queen Anne

This is definitely subjective to my own experiences, but I have three great loves in Queen Anne, and I recently realized they form a triangle. The first is (was) Easy Street Records. It has since shut down (Thank god there's another in West Seattle), but whenever I pass the corner near Metro Market, I think of all the fun I had freshman and sophomore year browsing through LPs. At that point in my Seattle timeline, I had zero concept of the city layout, and Queen Anne might as well have been a different town. That's what reading on the bus will do to you.
Second point of the love triangle is McMenamins restaurant and Valley St, behind it. McMenamins was introduced to me by J around this time last year. It came after a couple months of toying with vegetarianism, so the burger I had there was out of this world. Next came the rediscovery of Ruby beer, which I first fell in love with on my beloved Portland spring break trip two years ago. On one McMenamins outing, J gave me a beautiful amber necklace, which quickly became one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. That same night I promptly lost the velvet box it came in and we drove all over Seattle to figure out where it had tumbled out of the car door. (We did find it in the end, on Capitol Hill.) Anyway, between this and the various post-show late night happy hours with theatre friends, this part of town always makes me giddy with adventure.
The third and final point of this somewhat oblong triangle is the Seattle Center Armory. What looks like a useless rectangle of brick represents all sorts of emotion to this girl, for it is where the majority of my auditions have been held. It's also where I got to perform at Book-It around Christmastime. I've walked in and out of the Armory doors bubbling with happiness, holding back tears, buzzing with nervous energy, brimming with confidence, and fuming with regret, but I know however I'm feeling I'll step outside and hear the fountain... see the Space Needle lit up... pass PNB and watch the dancers leaving class... and my world will become more beautiful.

3) My Work Commute

Although I could sing loudly, wear sunglasses, and crack the skylight of my car in just about any commuter city, there's something splendid about doing all three at once whist driving the curving boulevard along Lake Washington on a sunny day. With the lake sparkling, Bellevue glitzing across the water, and sometimes Mount Rainier popping out to say hello, an 8-hour office shift doesn't feel so bad.

4) Friends All Over

 One of the nice things about staying in the same town where you attended college is you're bound to have friends that stick around too. Since moving out of the U-District, I've found I can visit just about anywhere under the reasoning of seeing a friend -- Queen Anne, Wallingford, Greenlake, Eastlake, Capitol Hill, Ravenna, Mercer Island, Port Townsend, Kirkland, Sammamish, Tacoma, Bellingham... and then of course there's always Spokane and Portland -- my favorite getaway cities. It's nice to be able to count on a change of scenery every once in a while.

5) Really Amazing Seafood

I always forget about this until I'm somewhere inland. Seattle has awesome fish. Everywhere. A few nights ago J and I treated ourselves to a pricier meal at le Zinc, and the steelhead dish I ordered would've brought a French chef to his knees. Wherever you choose to eat here, you can typically count on an opportunity for good prawns or salmon. Fresh sushi was a regular meal option on the UW campus. It doesn't get much better than that.

6) Summers

 I can't bring myself to praise its rain or the "temperate"-but-actually-freezing-to-the-bone winters, but Seattle really has summer figured out. Scarcely soaring above 80 degrees, the sun is beautiful but survivable. You can go for a run without wanting to die, but still take a dip on the shores of Lake Washington without freezing. There are beaches, even if you'd be mad to swim in their waters, and there's always shade to be had for our vampire skin.

7) ... and Winters

Yes, there are aspects I loathe about winter over here -- the damp cold that soaks to the skin and stays there for six months, the depressing lack of snow -- but one of Seattle's winter fallbacks is actually also one of my favorite aspects: the city's inability to handle snow.
Now, sometimes this totally blows: if you have a job or class to get to and your boss/teacher is being a stubborn asshole (aka: not giving you the day off), there's no where I'd rather not be than on a Seattle freeway. If, however, the snow becomes so out of control that even transit shuts down (and yes, this happens) you have a metropolitan winter wonderland with no idea how to control itself. A Snopacalypse!
This is the stuff that clears the hills of cars and allows for sledding on greased cookie sheets after too many peppermint hot schnaplets. It provides you and your college friends a week off school (but not rehearsal, because we're ARTISTS, dammit) to celebrate the postponement of your final essays. It also closes down restaurants, drug stores, and movie theaters, but it will reawaken you to ugly sweaters, board games, and the real meaning of "Baby, It's Cold Outside." In Spokane, it's a miracle if you're granted a Snow Day. Here, it's a way of life I agree with 100%.

Well, Seattle, I hope this proves that deep down inside I still love you. We're may be in the throws of a not-quite-seven-year itch, but I think with proper communication, we can work it out.

And a few more snow days.

What do you love about Seattle? Share below!


11.22.2013

Nordstrom Fall Fashion Inspiration

J and I celebrated our anniversary this past weekend, and he was kind enough to get me a gift certificate to Nordstrom! It's hard to believe the man currently watching Looney Toones in his sweats beside me could think up such a sophisticated gift, but I'm happy to have both sides of this coin.

This has permitted unbridled daydreaming for me. Flipping through my dog-ears from earlier this fall, I'm struck with the fact I could actually make some of my magazine wishlist a reality. That said, I know me, and I'll probably sit on it like Sophie's choice for the next few months. Regardless, here are some of my picks from the Nordstrom fall collection.


I'm all about military-inspired gear. There is something especially great about these glammed-out badges.
 
Classic Simplicity, with a pop of color.

My favorite fall shades (oxblood, pumpkin, denim) and *shades* -- haha!

More color pops for gloomy days.

Another look at these fabulous Brit Hunter boots. Plus some adorable Fryes.


I love fall fashion!

11.18.2013

Monday Muse: Jennifer Aniston

I know it's nothing new, but I love Jennifer Aniston. She's been an icon of mine for as long as I can remember -- a superb blend of sophisticated and casual, she always dresses to impress and seems to know exactly who/where she stands. There's a casual confidence about her I truly admire. Not to mention her always-amazing hair! Best of all, she defined an air of Rachelness which, for better or worse, I connect with full-heartedly.



"I mean, isn't that just kick-you-in-the-crotch, spit-on-your-neck fantastic?"



"You know what? I figure if I can do laundry, there's nothing I can't do." 




"I always say, don't make plans, make options."

11.13.2013

Nails: The Deep Blue Sea



I've never been big on painting my nails -- namely because I'm impatient when it comes to the drying part -- but this summer I couldn't help but fall in love with the jade polish trend that seemed to complement every clutch from here to NYC.

Since jade is more of a warm-season tone, I winterized things a bit by framing it in a deep sapphire blue. I'm quite fond of the result -- it perfectly captures my renewed love for all things 80s, and inspired me to rediscover some of my favorite cool-toned accessories!







11.11.2013

Monday Muse: Anna Sophia Robb


Okay, I feel like I can finally bring this confession into full light, because with the recent success of The Carrie Diaries, it's liable to get a lot more trendy. I have had a girl crush on Anna Sophia Robb probably since that Samantha American Girl Christmas movie came out. It increased about tenfold when I discovered Bridge to Terabithia. (Perhaps this might just turn into a post where I admit to all the kiddie movies I secretly watched and adored over the age of fourteen...) Seriously, though: I cared maybe 10% about the characters in that book when I read it in fifth grade, and somehow Anna Sophia had me sobbing over Leslie nearly 20 minutes after the credits rolled. It was then I knew this young actress was going places.

And then, this past weekend, in an attempt to forget a very long work week, I pulled up The Carrie Diaries on Netflix -- and now I'm hooked.

Besides her perfect-as-a-porcelain-doll face, fantastically styled Carrie curls, and incredible New Wave wardrobe, Anna Sophia admirably carries (haha) an previously developed, much-beloved character with tremendous strength and attention to detail. Right from the pilot episode, it was evident the actress had done her work on studying Sarah Jessica Parker's iconic mannerisms and channeling them into her own version of Carrie Bradshaw. And much to her credit, Anna Sophia's Carrie is already a million times more likeable. She doesn't wax cynical about her perfect little life, nor does she spend her day drinking and whining about bad sex. She acts like a normal (albeit impossibly beautiful) sixteen-year-old girl, with an innocent charm akin to that of (dare I compare?) the great Molly Ringwald.

Mark my words: Anna Sophia Robb is going places. Meanwhile, I will continue to obsessively screen-shot every last 80s-inspired outfit that graces the screen in this new guilty pleasure:



Patterns!




Dat purse.



Some seriously great sweaters happening in this show...

Loving Larissa's fierce accessories and patterns. These eyelashes are totally absurd.

I even have a soft spot in my heart for this raccoon-eyed Cure fan.

 

11.10.2013

Weekender

Weekender


Even though the above outfit was directly inspired, I don’t have an inspiration picture to share with you... because it would make me a total creeper.

Last weekend at the gym, there was a whole passel of kids scrambling around the locker room. As I twiddled the dial on my locker, I caught a pair of brown eyes staring curiously up at me, beneath a crop of straight-cut flaxen bangs. She looked both shy and fixated. She could’ve been a seven-year-old version of me.

I smiled and she smiled slowly back, as children are wont to do. Finally, she took her her mother’s hand and exited down the hall. And that’s when I noticed her totally hip outfit.

She wore a light gray cable-knit sweater and a pair of denim leggings, which she'd tucked into a pair of brown cowboy boots. The best part was that they looked totally authentic -- as if this girl actually lived on a ranch. They had a slight gloss to them, with indented designs, and they were somehow lovingly worn-in (even though at this age the girl's feet were no doubt zooming through sizes on a monthly basis.)

Thanks to Polyvore, I was able to recreate this fabulous get-up in adult-size, and I added a few accessories to complete the look. Cowboy boots scream for a saddle bag. A neutral lipstick seemed fitting for my inspiration source. The Julep nail polish is called "Candy Corn," cause I haven't quite knocked out my craving for the October treat!

I wish you the very best of weekends.

11.08.2013

Bookhemian


I'm not sure whether it's all the Joni Mitchell I've been listening to or the fact that I've reached the 70s in She's Come Undone, but lately I've been really feeling the bohemian look.

I went positively crazy for all things boho (along with everybody else) in 2006. It started when I found a pair of high-waisted bell-bottom jeans at a thrift store, then gradually erupted into brightly colored gypsy skirts, low slung belts, and tunic tops. All through high school, I fancied myself quite the hippie. What a laugh!

Since my hair already screams "love child," I tried to sophisticate this whimsical charm necklace and my crochet vest with a crisp button-down and heels. How did I do? Would you let this hippie into your library??









Blouse: thrifted

Vest: American Rag

Jeans: Lucky Brand

Necklace: Lucky Brand

Booties: thrifted

11.04.2013

Monday Muse: Joni Mitchell


I only just started listening to Joni Mitchell, but I've been told before that I have her kind of vibe going on. Not because I can play guitar or anything (I wish!) -- I think it must the hair: long, straight, and fine like mine.

Whatever the case, I'm totally flattered. Joni also has unique features, an eclectic fashion sense, and tremendous talent to boot. Sorting through these pictures made me wish I had a reason to carry a guitar around instead of a purse!