NOT QUITE STRIPES



This post has been hanging out in my drafts for almost a year now, and I have no clue why! I got this shirt (almost a year ago) because a friend picked it out. Seeing it on the hanger, it wasn't something that I would have picked out for myself, but with a little bit of prodding I tried it on and  never took it off.  While that last bit over-exaggerates my affinity for it, the shirt is something I now really enjoy. The black and white pattern aren't quite stripes, but as you can see above almost like hand sketched lines with different thicknesses.

Trends are hard to avoid, mainly because as consumers we are limited to the retail selection set out for us, so I try and purchase things that can still be relevant in the future. This shirt is one of those that I pull out every time it gets warm enough for short sleeves, and because it's black and white with a print that closely resembles stripes, I haven't had a problem with it yet.


WEARING: TOPMAN SHIRT // LEVI 511 JEANS // UNIQLO SOCKS //  J.D. FISK MONK SHOES //


BKLYN



"What nicer thing can you do for somebody than make them breakfast?"
Anthony Bourdain

So of course that's what I did for my friends that came and visited NYC last weekend. That's actually probably the reason they decided to stay with me over the handful of other friends we have in the area; they were using me for my delicious pancakes! My last weekend in New York City and I actually only stayed in Brooklyn. It has my favorite pizza place (seriously, Roberta's is damn good), and enough bars and brunch spots to occupy us for a lifetime. I hope they had as good of a time as I did! 

I managed to meet up with the elusive ex-blogger Anastasia before I headed out, and we caught up over donuts. We killed time by picking out a new pair of Warby Parker glasses for myself and having an impromptu photo shoot in front of some amazing Bushwick street art. 

In New York, you're really never alone. And that's pretty great.  

COUNTDOWN




Tickets have been bought for 16 days from now, and I'm so ready to be back to Seattle! Over the past two years, I've probably spent a total of 5 weeks at there, the majority of them for my winter break. I've lost my sense of humor and I can't remember what a pine tree smells like. Here's a list of things I've been wanting to do in good ol' Seattle that I've been waiting (basically) two years to do:

Go paddleboarding – Maybe it’s just a Seattle (thing because we are literally surrounded by bodies of water) but apparently propelling yourself forwards using a large using a large stick while standing on what resembles a surfboard has become ridiculously popular and I want to see what if it’s worth the hype.

Take a yoga class – I’ve been meaning to do this for years.

Sign up for a 10k run – Last summer I was training for a run that never happened, so this summer I’d like to commit to an event.

Go to more art museums – The Frye, S.A.M., Chihuly Glass Garden, EMP, Henrey Art Gallery, Bellevue Art Museum, etc.  

Freeway Park – In my architecture history courses a few iconic pieces of Seattle architecture have made guest appearances, mostly the Seattle public library (which I must admit, is a feat of architectural grandeur). However, one that I have not been to which keeps appearing is this park.

Eat more international food – Every time I leave the northwest I also leave amazing, authentic international food. New York definitely has a lot of this, but at an unreasonably high price to pay. This time while I’m home I plan on going to a few of these restaurants and getting my fill of great food.

Visit the University of Washington School of Architecture – Since I still plan on going to grad school at some point, I’d like to get a feel for what programs have to offer. What better place to start than in my own backyard!

Attend networking events – Since I’ll actually be at home this summer, and have an architectural experience, I feel confident in engaging in the architectural community of the Pacific Northwest. There’s a great local magazine called ARCADE that holds events, and PRI alumni throw sporadic gatherings as well. No time like the present!

Learn a new creative skill – Since my internship is a 9 to 5 type of deal that gives me evenings and weekends to do little bit of self-improvement. I’ve wanted to learn how to “make” in the broadest sense, and there is a tutorial for everything nowadays.

Learn how to ride a motorcycle – I guess it’s a thing that runs on the male side of my family. I kid you not; every male relative on my dad’s side has owned a motorcycle at some point. 

Travel to Vancouver with my sister – This is something that I personally have been wanting to do for a while, and since my sister and I rarely see each other it seems like one of those sibling bonding trips. I trust the city guides that Design Sponge puts together, and I also want to see a Frank & Oak store in person.

Walkin’ in a Portland Wonderland – For our third annual meetup I am so excited to spend time in the hippest part of the Pacific Northwest with the amazing group of individuals I call my blogger family. Kaylie is doing an awesome job planning the whole thing and honestly I’m glad that Natalie is finally 21. Portland is such a fun, youthful, and creative city where us bloggers (especially Nicola) will go crazy for. 
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