Travel Guide: Portland

I went to Portland, Oregon to visit my childhood friend Claire this past weekend and fell in love with it! We explored a lot of downtown, drank so many local beers, ate at amazing local eateries and caught up on the past year and half of us both living on the west coast post-bars on her back porch drinking wine by the fire. Unexpectedly, I ended up seeing some family and friends that I didn't plan to, which was also wonderful. In leaving, I knew I would be planning my next trip back there soon. There's so much to do and we didn't get to half of it.

Claire would laugh at these images. Why? Because we did NOT go hiking, and we definitely did not go camping (although those are two things she enjoys and does frequently). I, on the other hand, do not! Still, these images conjure the spirit of how beautiful Portland felt to me.

*images via bippity boppity boo

Travel Guide: Katikies Hotel, Santorini

Nestled in the Santorini mountainside, the recently renovated luxury hotel Katikies Hotel mixes contemporary design with the preserved Aegean architecture. The suites are furnished with local antiques and are upholstered in bright stripes and bold, clean colors---and it's right in line with my all-white obsession. Putting this one on the bucket list.

*images via knstrct

Travel Guide: Seattle + Portland

I'm in need of a good road trip. Getting into the nitty gritty of a new place, walking around and into places that you might oversee in your hometown, talking to the locals- it's all how you get to know somewhere for the first time. I'm heading up to the Pacific Northwest in a couple of weeks to visit a friend in Portland and then driving up to Seattle. I haven't yet been to either city so I'm super excited to check out the people, food, farmer's markets, restaurants, bars and to take some great pictures. Best of all, I get to see a very good friend and do some long-overdue catching up. 

In the meantime, I'm off to explore the east side of L.A. that I've been so rude in neglecting lately. I'll be sure to report back on both trips! p.s. - why didn't i get this car when i moved here?

*image via discoveries of glory