I have a love hate relationship with my hair. Most of the time I genuinely like the way it looks, but I HATE doing it. It’s super thick and takes forever to blow dry and it’s basically a pain in the ass. I chopped it off into a long bob a few months ago and I’m totally embracing it. I love the beachy, wavy, messy look and am always hunting for products to come in with the assist. Has anyone tried any of these?
photo cred: A Piece of Toast
Let me know what you think!
xoxo
MJ
I love food. Like a lot. I’m a self proclaimed foodie and eating rules. One of Matt and I’s fave things to do is check out new bars and restaurants. Anddddd, we’re lucky to live in a place like Portland with so many awesome options. Other than everyone’s fave Top Ramen, I’m pretty new to the ramen and pho world. However, now I’m obsessed. Boxer Ramen in Union Way is one of the best. The space has a minimalist vibe, there’s like 6 items on the menu and no take out. Rather than being a detriment, these are some of the things that make it great.
Definitely check it out next time your in the mood for a delicious, spicy bowl of ramen. Xoxo MJ
On Saturday we booked our flights for a September trip that will be one to remember. We’re going back to South Carolina for our 2nd annual (golf) trip with friends. And from there heading to Amsterdam, St. Andrews and London. The planner in me is already plotting out some must dos.
Here’s what I’ve come up with so far – I’d love to hear any suggestions!
De Pijp
Cafe MP – probably our all time fave bar in Amdam
Still trying to figure out the highlights here. Will definitely post an update sometime in the next six months (yes, I’m definitely ahead of the game).
**this will be my first time to London and I’m pretty pumped.
Oxford Circus
Definitely planning to check out the Design Sponge city guides for Edinburgh & London. And of course a few guidebooks. September here we come!
xoxo
MJ
The under two month countdown is on until I’ll be spending four sun filled days in one of my favorite places on earth. Palm Springs.
I could not be more excited to soak up the sun and literally do NOTHING. I visited the La Quinta Resort & Club for the first time on a work trip about 4 years ago. It was basically love at first sight and it’s become one of my favorite places on the planet.
Although I’ve been out of college for a solid 6.5 years, I still strongly believe in the importance of a Spring Break and make it a point to get out of Portland every March/April. A couple of my fave pics from trips past…
Looking to do an architecture tour and some vintage shopping this time around. I found a couple of articles in Lucky Mag and Vogue with some good spots to hit. Recos welcome!
1. Angel View Thrift Shop & Angel View Prestige Boutique
2. Dazzles
3. Bon Vivant in the Palm Canyon Galleria
4. Revivals Palm Springs
xoxo
MJ
Last week’s work trip to NYC provided ample time for exploring (the best kind of work trip). A few highlights below…
Going back in Feb for 5 days and hoping for more adventures!
xoxo,
MJ
Weekends really are the best…
Checking out a small town brewery in the Grove @WaltzBrewing
The sunniest January Saturday.
Spent Sunday exploring with my parents.
Hope everyone else had an awesome weekend!
xoxo,
MJ
I really like things. Not in the super materialistic sense (although sometimes I’m guilty of that too), but I like stuff. Often my interior decorating borders on cluttered and I like collections. I think that’s one of the reasons that I’m so drawn to street art like Invader. When I travel to places where I know there are Space Invaders, I love to both stumble upon them and seek them out. By taking pictures I feel like I can collect them. So far I’ve only got Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne and NYC on my list but I hope to add more. Some of my faves below…
Paris along the Seine
Amsterdam
Brussels near Manneken Pis
Cologne
NYC. Happened to look out the cab window on the way to airport last week.
xoxo,
MJ
The rest of my finds–
I was so pumped to find out that our wedding was featured in Junebug Weddings‘ blog earlier this week! I’ll do a longer post on our wedding, the planning process, etc soon – but here’s a quick look at the Junebug feature
.
And, a few of my favorite pics that were highlighted–
xoxo,
MJ
I can honestly say I never thought I’d go to Fargo, North Dakota. But, this past September, that’s exactly what I did. Watching my little bro play football took us to yet another STRANGE place. When I searched Design Sponge to see if there was a Fargo city guide, by some small miracle there was! Such a good surprise. We didn’t have a ton of time in Fargo, but we definitely got to check out a few good restaurants while we were there. Thanks again for the awesome recos Design Sponge!
JL Beers – great place with a really interesting concept. Each of their restaurants only has 47 seats, no matter the location (it’s an ND, SD, MN mini-chain). The place was packed when we got there, but totally worth the wait. Delish burgers and fab beer selection (you’ll quickly notice that beer is a theme of my travels…) If you ever find yourself here, get the buffalo BLU chips with your burger, you will not be disappointed.
Beermail – totally genius. They have postcards at the bar that you can send to anyone, anywhere!
Wurst Bier Hall – this gem wasn’t in the city guide, but so glad we stumbled upon it. Very cool, German style bier hall – complete with das boot. This place wasn’t just cool for Fargo, it was cool for anywhere. I’d definitely go on a regular basis if it was in Portland.
locks of beer?
Rhombus Guys Pizza – college-y atmosphere, really good pizza. Very cool roof top deck that we weren’t able to take advantage of due to the weather. Great selection of beers on tap.
A few more snaps from the trip…
MOLLIE JO 
