eat here: bollywood theater in portland, or

So Ted did this awesome thing where he tricked me into thinking I was spending New Year's Eve alone (everyone is still at home on break).  I was enjoying my night, embracing it with some champagne in the bath, and making dinner while singing and dancing embarrassingly in the kitchen.  Ted told me that he was also making the same dinner, and we would eat together over FaceTime and ring in the new year together.  

Well, that happened, but in an even better way.  He actually showed up on my doorstep at 10:30pm!  I had convienently just finished dinner, and thankfully my eyes are bigger than my stomach, and I had enough for both of us!  These past few days have been a delightful surprise--we've been spending every day together, and I feel so grateful for his early return!  

Yesterday was spent exploring SE Division, which is an area we're not as familiar with, but love the vibe of.  We daydreamed about living in a posh apartment we can't afford, and I bought a cute duffle bag on sale at Adorn with big dreams of taking it on 329439 road trips.  We even got sentimental about London (my favorite pastime).  After meeting up with some friends for tea at Townshend's Tea, we made our way to Bollywood Theater, an Indian restaurant that Ted has been wanting to go to.  We ate some Samosas, Paneer Kita Rolls, and Pork Vindaloo and got homesick for London's Brick Lane, where we would wander the streets covered in street art drinking up the smells of Indian food while we munched on some samosas.  My favorite London food memory by far.  Take me back!  For now, the delicious flavors of Bollywood Theater will have to suffice.  

the old year // the new year

Amsterdam, April 2014

This year has definitely been my most eventful.  I'm pleased to report this year has been my happiest yet, and let me tell you the "cliche" advice I finally took to get there.

1. Push your limits.
This year I traveled to seven different countries.  As a proud homebody, I would have never guessed that I would live in one of the biggest, most vibrant cities in the world for almost four months and absolutely fall in love with it.  I would have never guessed that after this busy London lifestyle that I would choose to spend the next month traveling around England, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Greece (France is the seventh country, by the way--I spent an unforgettable spring break/birthday week in Nice and Paris).  I'm continually surprising myself with my more adventurous side, and I love that.

2. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
It's one of the hardest things a person can do, but they'll be stronger for it.  Yep, stronger.  Asking for help doesn't make you weak--it makes you smart, courageous, and willing to learn from others.  I've learned so much about myself this year from the help of friends, family, and strangers.  I'm eternally grateful for all of them.

3. Say yes to opportunities.
Being in another country helped me with this.  I learned to embrace uncertainty instead of always playing it safe.  I said "Yes" more than "No" for the first time in my life.  And it was awesome.  As an introvert, I forced myself to do things more than I usually would.  The great thing about this is that after a while, it wasn't forcing myself-- it was 100% by choice.

4. Forgive yourself.
I make mistakes.  A lot. We all do.  All you can really do is cry and mope for a bit, and then pick yourself up again and keep going.  It's hard and sometimes embarrassing, but that's growing up for ya.

5. It's okay to not know what you're doing.
I keep trying to convince myself this.  I'm only 21, I repeat.  I'm only 21.  I have time to discover my purpose.  I have time to pursue my dreams.

Which leads me to my goals for this year!

1. Become a better cook.

2. Plan a cross-country road trip.

3. Save money.  Really.

4. Chase my dreams in a real way.

5. Stay focused on my goals.  Cut out some of the lazy in my life.


2015, LET'S GO!

black, polka dots, + rose gold

All I want to wear right now is a comfy uniform of sweaters, jeans, and sneakers.  For people who know me well, this may come as quite a surprise.  After all, I have over 40 dresses hanging in my closet (one of the quirks of having not grown since fifth grade). But hey, I never thought I'd enjoy a Taylor Swift album so much either, so life continues to surprise me (as it should).  I'm going to embrace these peculiar new inclinations with sparkle and polka dots, which will always be a favorite of mine.

sweater // tote // hat // sneakers // watch // barrettes // necklace // pouch // sneakers

transition

I'm looking forward to the new year.  It will be an opportunity to start fresh--that is something I always love, but this year… I need it.  I'm in this weird transitional phase in my life where at the same time I'm as happy and confident as I have ever been, yet I have absolutely no idea what I want in life, much less what I want to wear.  It seems trivial, but for someone who loves clothes/costume so much, it's quite a disorienting feeling not knowing what this new and improved Kaylie should wear.  Have any of you experienced this phenomenon?  I literally stand in front of my closet for minutes and minutes and then end up wearing one of the three outfits I feel comfortable in.  This is not usual Kaylie behavior--I usually spend many minutes devising a fun, slightly weird, but coordinating outfit.  Maybe it's because I spent five months with a limited wardrobe, but I am reaching for much simpler outfits these days (with some spunk--like the number above back in Greenwich, sigh).

A part of me feels sad, like I've lost something, but another part of me is like, Well, you didn't expect to dress the same way your entire life, did you?  I've changed, for the better.  Why shouldn't my taste?  The best part of this is realizing how much I love some of the pieces I already own that I took for granted. Like that pink loose-knit sweater I got on sale at Target a couple of summers ago for a costume (aka it wasn't my "style")? I'm planning on wearing it tomorrow, for the 924278th time this fall.  I just can't stop pairing it with my light blue short-sleeved button-up and black Kate Spade bow necklace, okay?!  It makes me feel like a classy creative professional and I love it…Is that weird?

The clothes are just a small part of it.  What do I want?  Someone just tell me already.  Thanks.

eat here: pink door in seattle, wa

Hidden in an unmarked building, The Pink Door is a wonderland of dimly-lit Italian dishes surrounded by a European-bohemian vibe.  This whimsical restaurant is also home to cabaret, music, tarot, opera, and magic.  As if the food wasn't magic enough!  While Ted and I were visiting Seattle over October break, we went to the Pink Door for our three-year anniversary dinner after having it recommended to us by a couple of people who had never been there but had heard wonderful things about it.  Well, they heard right!  We ordered the Leaning Tower of Eggplant and a tasty ginger cocktail to get us started.  Then, we splurged on two pasta dishes and felt no remorse about it.  The Pumpkin Gnocchi was heavenly and the Linguine Alle Vongole (Linguine with Clams) was so simply perfect.  Ted and I agreed it was definitely one of the best meals we have ever eaten--which is saying a lot, considering how big of foodies we are.  Definitely worth the splurge on our special day.  And hey, it's good to know it's only a couple hours away if we're ever feeling extravagant again.