Best of Portland (So Far): Part 2

Hello, my name is Sarah. I have an obsessive-compulsive need to photograph anything and everything and I'm moving across the country to a new (to me) city. There are going to be a lot of posts about my adventures and favorite places. I may become insufferable. I won't judge if I wear you out. But I'll try not to. 

Considering we are a couple months away from The Big Move, and I've already begun with these sorts of posts, I thought I'd start with a little disclaimer. Or admission. Or whatever that was just there.

Grand Marketplace // Mario found a card for this place at Paxton Gate and the nice ladies encouraged us to go. Same investor/owner or something? It didn't disappoint. Handmade furniture and antiques abound and we oohed and ahhed our way through the store. It helped that they have the cutest of coffee carts right when you step in the door. I felt rather chic checking out the wares, soy latte in hand. We are not taking our kitchen table with us when we leave so we are in the market for a replacement. (It predates our relationship, came from Target, and had a smiley face carved in it with the end of a paperclip when Kiddo was six. It's time to lay it to rest.) Our next will likely come from this place. We were shocked how reasonable the prices were for this sort of thing (i.e. beautiful industrial/salvaged metal and wood tables that seat 6-8 people). The hardest part will be choosing just one.

McMenamins': Kennedy School // During our visit last summer, our friends introduced us to the wonder that is McMenamins' Edgefield. These properties are really hard to describe. In this location, they transformed an old elementary school into a hotel, movie theater, bars, restaurants, and private event rooms. Edgefield is a whole plantation-style property with a bar in a hobbit hole (my favorite part), and an array of buildings and restaurants. Staying at one is on my list of things to do. The art is unique and funky and the whole vibe is overwhelming...in only the best ways: How did someone conceive of this? Why didn't I think of this? This is blowing my mind!

Elephants Delicatessen // Our friends have talked about this place before, but until we walked through the doors, we had no idea what we were in for. I think I stood for about five minutes just staring. Where does one begin in a place like this? So many colors and lovely edible things. You could easily blow $20+ on lunch without meaning to. We are going to have to raise our eating out budget because the novelty of this place will likely never wear off.

While blogging, sometimes I come to realize what a mixed bag this space is. There are photos, but it's not a photography blog. And there are posts ranging from travel to family to exercise, and even the occasional recipe. There has been an evolution, which I see clear as day when perusing old posts, but the salmagundi nature of my writing hasn't changed. (I just discovered that word today and felt compelled to use it at least once in a sentence. Further evidence of my hodge podge ways.) If it comes to mind, it is fair game for the blog. I like that about this space. I'm not confined to one thing just because I've carved some specific niche for myself. Some of my favorite blogs have a little bit of everything which is probably why I'm so attracted to them. (Though admittedly I have many theme-specific blogs in my roll and read them everyday.) Life is multifaceted, and so is this space. It should touch upon what shapes me. And really, what other platform would allow me to do that?

Sometimes I also worry that it's not specific enough. I often ramble on about whatever issue is on repeat in my brain. And I wonder how sustainable that is. Not that I won't always verbalize my thoughts, it's my nature, but will the people that do read grow weary and prospective readers be turned off? Prospective readers who may or may not be able to find this little nook in the World Wide Web since I am terrible at virtual socializing (not unlike in my real life). Will someone walk away because they are looking for photographs and all I used was my iPhone camera that week? Or will an off week, like last week, lead people to believe I've lost my fervor for blogging? It's impossible to know. So I focus on the kindred spirits I know are out there. Those with a similar penchant for whimsy who don't mind finding something different day after day. 

Just a little stream-of-consciousness as this lovely Thursday comes to a close.