pumpkin spice

I have off today.

so I'm planning on making it a good day.

the weather is just too beautiful to be indoors.

sending you all sunshine and cupcakes.

ooohhhh and about cupcakes - 

the local cupcake shop just brought out their fall special:

the pumpkinator!!

pumpkin cupcake with cream cheese frosting.

I'm so treating myself to one!  

sweet dreams

so I've been aching to revamp the bedroom.

while talking to a friend earlier, we calculated that

 I've had my bedding for six years... 

that isn't including the coverlet which was my mothers'.  

so it's time for a change.

OR

at least it's time to dream...

{ you can click on the image to make it larger to see all the details}

I will be sprucing up the furniture we already have in the bedroom:

two antique nightstands

a rattan chair

and an antique vanity

I plan on painting them (not the chair) - just haven't decided on a color(s) yet.

I'll keep you all updated on the progress!!

any home projects you guys are working on lately?

when the weather starts to turn cooler, 

I always find a reason to start "nesting."

mmm and still thinking about pumpkin spice lattes!

lost lake

 Lost Lake, Mt. Hood National Forest.

we've had some lovely weather the past couple of days.

crisp, cool mornings with temperatures dipping into the fifties at night.

pumpkin spice lattes here I come!

over the river...

and through the woods...

Along Tamanawas Falls trail in Mt. Hood National Forest.

Wishing you all a fabulous, fall Monday!

heart + waterfalls

close your eyes.

imagine for one moment.

you are sitting at the base of a waterfall.

the sound.

pounding water against the rocks below.

the feeling.

ice cold glacier mist against your skin.

the smell.

fresh and earthy.

the sight.

breathtaking.

we hiked to each of these waterfalls while on our trip.

some were in Oregon, some Washington.

oh and that cupcake traveled from Portland just have it's debut 

next to our first waterfall of the trip.

{if you click on the collage it will get larger so you can see more of the details in each image}

Happy Friday Pretties!!

I Love Pretty Little Things

alphabet soup

I like to look at houses
AND
I like to take walks.
put the two together and well,
it's kind of like eating chocolate.
or cupcakes.
or drinking your morning latte.
you get the idea.

so bright and early as the sun was just rising.
the hubby and I took a stroll through downtown Portland.

we found this as we walked...
tried to find the place, but couldn't.
(thankfully I had eaten two mini cupcakes for breakfast already, compliments of Cupcake Jones)

then we decided to head over to one of my favorite parts of town,
the Alphabet District

so I've noticed,

when I get uber-excited...

I don't tend to take the best photos.

maybe it is the because of all of the distractions...

but while strolling these beautiful streets,
it really is so easy to "get lost."
thankfully I had Josh to navigate...

and for the grand finale...
I found my vacation home in Portland.

*drooling*

see, I'm all ready to go inside and put my feet up after all that walking.
and wouldn't you know it... the house is actually on the market.

so for your viewing pleasure click on the link below:

My Portland Vacation Home

see you all tomorrow for Friday Pretties!!

sleep

vacation.

it's about rest.

being lazy.

and enjoying the fact that

it's really OK if you do

NOTHING.

and so for at least an hour or so each day.

that's what I did.

Nothing.

well... except I took pictures of the rooms while doing nothing..

meet Ace Hotel, Pearl District, Portland style.

sure you get a view of a brick wall...

but hey... natural light, big bonus.

AND

check out the cool sliding window cover and book page wallpaper.

plus did I mention the price for location aspect?

cheap rent + awesome downtown vibe = what more could you ask for?

well besides a room with a view... oh and a private bathroom.

(forgot that little part - shared facilities, European style if you want to sound fancy)

been to this hotel three times though, and love it each time.

www.acehotel.com

now after "roughing it" in Portland, you gotta swank it up a bit in Hood River.

hmmm swanky and hood don't really go together do they?

enter Seven Oaks Bed and Breakfast.

mmmm breakfast.

it's the most important meal of the day.

and boy do the inn keepers know how to make it important.

almost everything is sourced from their gardens -

and when the chickens decide to lay eggs.

lucky for us they laid enough for us to have fresh eggs our first morning.

let me just say now, I ADORE this place.

this is the second time I've been there and I'm ready to go back again.

www.sevenoaksbb.com

so after enjoying three nights of private bathroom bliss.

it was back to doing it European style.

*hmmm that sounds well... hmmm*

we were on vacation after all....

ANYWAYS

enter Ace Hotel, Seattle style.

this room had a great window for watching people,

rain falling under street lamps at night,

 and gorgeous daytime natural light.

oh, and a prime view of the more 'colorful' crowd in the early a.m.

(we woke up one morning to find a guy with a blood soaked towel around his neck getting yelled at by this other guy that kept pushing him around)

did I mention cheap rent and trendy local...

oh and we were on the second floor so no worries about anybody bothering us while watching them....

really, though, I did love Seattle.  

apparently I even look local...

I was asked twice for directions while we were there.

fair skin and lack of color over all - wardrobe speaking.

I like grey.

www.acehotel.com

*I'm totally stealing this idea for my bathroom mirror*

(hahaha makes you feel pretty even after 8 hours of driving around)

Have a great day!!!

afternoon in the park

as I sit here enjoying the grey skies, listening to the rain drops pitter patter against the roof

and watch the wind scatter fall leaves down the alley.

I can't help but think we brought a little bit of Seattle back home with us.

we had a fabulous trip.

sublime waterfalls and hidden trails.

a LOT of walking around each town we visited.

several excursions to gorgeous neighborhoods I'm so thrilled to share with you.

PLUS, I've even found some of the homes for sale on the internet so we can take virtual tours of these lovelies.

for now, though...

it's laundry and grocery time.

plus I have been battling a cold since last Tuesday

(no worries, I didn't let it stop me from having a good time)

Also looking forward to catching up to each of your blogs.

Until then, enjoy a day at the park in Hood River, OR.

We spent several afternoons here...

*sigh*

talk to you soon!

leaving on a jet plane...

So I'm sure you've noticed I've slacked a little on posts this week.

Well, the reason is because I'm heading to the Pacific Northwest on Saturday.

AND... I've officially started vacation mode already...

With all the rain and grey skies,

it has been SO easy just to sleep....

So I just wanted to wish you all farewell.

I'll be back on the twentieth with many photos from the trip.

Until then, enjoy your dose of Friday Pretties!!

I Love Pretty Little Things

muddy paws and raindrops

It's been raining, but I'm not complaining...

Noah sure is though...

muddy paws

So what is the first thing he does once the rain stops...

Happy Thursday!!