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.

the view across the table

Every weekend here in London, Ted and I go out on a date.  I'm all about dates--I think they are very important to a healthy relationship. Sure, I like just hanging out doing whatever,  but something new is always appreciated.  After all, we're in a big city, so we should explore it!

Sometimes spontaneous dates are the best--like when Ted and I snuck off to grab some breakfast at The Jugged Hare the Thursday morning we waited in line with some people at the Barbican for Richard II.

Sometimes date days happen, like when we spent the day exploring beautiful and bizarre museums for our art history class (The Hunterian and John Soan's Museum, specifically) with a tea break in-between at Fields Bar & Kitchen.  

Sometimes even then, we still explore the West End and Soho, ending the day splitting a bowl of ramen at Bone Daddies Ramen Bar, a delicious little place across from an awesome comic book store.

Sometimes the small Italian meat shop with the red couch outside is booked, so we find cheap Italian food across the street at Rocca, and I get to order lasagna and white wine and feel quite grown up indeed.

Sometimes I score front row center lottery tickets (lucky number 3!) for The Book of Mormon on a Monday night and wander around the streets until I finally get ahold of Ted, and I think--this is probably the only time in my life I will be able to wander the streets of a big city without any serious cares, ever. And that is exciting but also scary and a little sad. But then I finally meet up with Ted and try Katsu Curry for the first time at Tokyo Diner and the thought becomes less intimidating.

Sometimes I annoy Ted (this happens a lot, but that's okay, because the feeling is usually mutual) and then we make up just in time for Ted to introduce me to Iranian food at Mohsen and for us to go to a pub afterwards to witness the hilarious innkeeper locking out a drunk middle-aged woman as we sit on uncomfortable stools nearby giggling and sipping our pints.

Sometimes we just sit around planning my birthday in Paris because THAT IS REALLY EXCITING TO ME, GUYS.

Sometimes life is extremely exciting and a little bit like a fairytale. That time is definitely now.

october 8th

Two years ago on October 8th, Ted and I went on our first date.  I wore this skirt, so being Kaylie, naturally I had to wear it on our anniversary.  So much has happened since then... We're juniors now.  We're going to London in the spring.  Not to mention my hair has tripled in length. I am so lucky I met Ted when I did (about a month or so into freshman year) because college certainly would not be the same without him.  It certainly would not include as many musicals (we spontaneously saw Anything Goes the other day.  Life with Ted, man.  Anything goes, indeed) or as much happiness. 

To celebrate our anniversary, we went to the coast this weekend.  Thankfully Fall Break fell conveniently this Wednesday night (Ted's birthday) through Sunday, so we were able to enjoy Ted's birthday and our anniversary at a leisurely pace.  I have so much to post about the coast--it was so beautiful and a much-needed escape from school and reality.  It was the perfect way to celebrate the last two years together.  It restored my energy and soul to be near the water with one of my best friends.

Top/Anthropologie, Skirt/Urban Outfitters, Cardigan/handmedown, Barrette/Anthropologie, Scarf/Anthropologie, Necklace (worn as bracelet)/Kate Spade, Belt/thrifted, Tights/H&M, Shoes/Minnetonka, Photos/Ted

i love you, you love me

On Valentine's Day, I found a beautifully done menu in my mailbox. I mean, look at those fonts!  There is no greater love than one that appreciates a good typeface.  That night, Ted made us a delicious home-cooked meal.  Really, he's incredible.  I don't usually like to brag, but come on. This guy is the best.  Unfortunately he had to leave that night to catch a flight to the east coast for a family gathering.  That's okay though, because I was sick (my nose matched my red dress!) and ready to go back to sleep after such a heavenly meal.

This Friday, we dressed up (my dress is from my awesome grandparents who knew how much I loved it when I saw it months ago) and wrapped up our festivities with a date night.  We went to Bamboo Sushi (pricey, but really top notch) for dinner and dessert next door at Salt & Straw where we got our favorite, Pear & Blue Cheese, and also tried Oregon Kiss. We are obsessed.  If I had one of these in Phoenix, I would go broke during the scorching summer months.  

After dinner and dessert, we went to the Keller for Swan Lake.  I found us cheap tickets on Groupon and we were looking forward to trying something new.  I've only been to The Nutcracker, and Ted's never been to the ballet at all, so it was a great first experience!

It was such a lovely night.  ♥

from me for you

For my parents & Kendal.

For my self-proclaimed pear-shaped, pear-loving roommate.

For my Ted.

These are a little too late to be any holiday inspiration, but I thought I'd post them anyways.  The patterned paper was from a pack I found at Paper Source. Each page was double sided, which I loved.  It served well at the valentine-making party!  This is practically a sin to type in this day and age, but I absolutely LOVE paper.

Hope everyone's hearts day was wonderful.  I will post more about mine probably next weekend, since Ted was gone this weekend and we still have a little more celebrating to do!

XOXO
Kaylie

eat here: la petite provence

This past Sunday morning Ted and I finally succeeded in getting up early enough to drive somewhere for breakfast.  We were definitely rewarded.  We went to Southeast Portland to La Petite Provence.  I loved the vibe, and the food was très délicieux.  The standout dish was definitely the flavorful and savory Salmon Hash--the perfect companion to the croissant and sweet berry french toast.  We will definitely be picking up a Valentine's Day pastry in the near future.

I love our little outings.  We have tried to cut back on them this school year because we're broke college students, but that makes the times we do go out even more special.  I'm so lucky to have found an adorable foodie boyfriend to share a nice meal with once in a while.  Excited for our Valentine's Day date already!

photo diary: ted's visit, day 1

Merchant Square & Pittsburg Willy's

I introduced Ted to my favorite antique store and pierogis.  We had fun taking pictures outside in the junkyard.  Ted is such a goose. 

Homemade curry at Dahlya's

After antiquing, Ted and I went to Dahlya's to hang out and try some of her wonderful veggie cooking.  She's pretty much a goddess.    

Zoyo with Melanie & Rachel

Wednesdays are half-off if you wear pajamas, so we got in our pjs and had a lovely time.  Of course we ran into 238293 people from high school, just as I warned Ted of.  We split two yogurts.  Ted works at Golden Spoon, so you can probably guess which one he did.

After our day out, Ted and I relaxed and watched Just Friends.  It was so nice to finally have him here with me!

one year

A year ago (October 8th), Ted and I went on our first date.  He showed me around downtown Portland (because he lived here a year before starting school), we ate Italian food, and we talked on a bench (our bench) in the street park.  I can't believe how much has happened since that day.  I mean, we're well into our second year of college now!  I am so thankful to have met Ted when I did, because he has made my college experience so full of happiness, love, and musicals.  I couldn't have asked for a better boyfriend and best friend.  He is the Marshall to my Lily, the pumpkin to my spice, and the Teddy to my bear.  Or something like that.

low maintenance glamour

Ted, being the sweetheart he is, sent me a box of Ladurée macarons from Paris the other day.  When I opened that package and realized what it was, I felt incredibly glamourous.  Since this summer has been mostly about being as thrifty as possible, this luxury reminded me of the ways that I try to embrace glamour in my everyday life.  


Yesterday I wore my macaron romper with a rosy skirt, plenty of pearls, the Ladurée ribbon in my hair, and put on some lip color and eye make-up (and a tiny flower sticker because I'm silly like that).  For someone who usually gets ready in less than five minutes, this was more effort than I'm typically used to.  See, although I do own some makeup, I very, very  rarely use it.  It wasn't until a year or two ago that I started wearing foundation.  Other than that, it's usually chapstick and a smile.  My main reason for this is that I get ready in five minutes in the morning.  I'd much rather sleep in than get up early to put make up on or do anything with my hair.  It's just never been a priority of mine--I'd much rather spend time putting together an outfit.  I'd love to say that it was for strictly feminist reasons that I don't put effort into what I look like, but this is only part of it--mostly I am just too lazy and feel comfortable enough in the bare minimum.  The most glamourous part of my daily routine is putting on my Chanel or Macaron perfume.  


Besides, in my opinion, it's the wardrobe that makes the woman--not the makeup.


Even though I'm low maintenance in my physical appearance, I LOVE surrounding myself with old-fashioned glamour.  I have vintage tea cups scattered around my room, gilded frames (see above), and a record player.  I own over 40 dresses, a dozen hats, and probably more brooches than your grandma.  


Here is a short list of more things I find glamourous:  pastries, hosting parties, writing letters, foamy coffee, new fabric, French silk ribbon, reading outside, watching foreign films on Netflix, listening to records when it's raining, socks, bows, pretty packaging, naps for no reason, reading a magazine cover to cover.  The list goes on.


So thank you, Ted for making me feel glamourous this week.  Although, you tend to make me feel just as glamourous whatever you do for me--even if this entails a late night run to Little Big Burger after a disagreement.  (Yes, you heard it here first--I forgive very easily if tiny burgers with goat cheese are involved.)


What makes you feel glamourous?

i ♥ ichat

Ted will probably be mad that I posted this, but I think he's posted enough awful pictures of me on Facebook that it's okay.  Plus... I look pretty bad in this one too.  

But just look at him.  I miss him so much already.  Already counting down the days until he visits here!

Okay, I'm done being cutesy.  I just couldn't resist.

Posts to look forward to this week:

At least two more CA posts

A look at my bedroom (if it ever gets clean enough)

An easy DIY project for fortune cookie fortunes

Another embarrassing old journal entries vlog

....& maybe more

arizona/oregon love

On Valentine's Day, it wasn't only the day of love--it was also the birthday of my two homes.  Yes, Arizona and Oregon share the same birthday on one of my favorite days of the year!  I love that.  Arizona celebrated a monumental one--100 years!  If I were home I would have thrown a killer Valentine's/AZ party.  Shucks.

But that's okay because I came home to a giant sun and cacti on my wall courtesy of Ted!  It goes mighty well (oh god, did I just use that--I've been watching too many westerns) with my glitter-glued AZ postcards and felt desert heart.  Yay!

Ted also impressed me with this card he made all by himself!  Almost makes up for the time spent in Banana Republic waiting for him to sort out a cardigan dilemma.  Almost.   

For dinner we went to Piazza Italia, which was just as delicious as the first time we went for our Christmas date.  We had bruschetta, heart-shaped lobster ravioli, lasagna, hazelnut gelato, and a fancy desert coffee drink.  SO MANY YUMS.  

Yep, it's love.

hearts day approaching

Once I warned Ted that I tend to go overboard with hearts day crafts, he decided he would try to outdo me...

At three in the morning, I got up to go to the bathroom and outside my door I found Ted working on this!  On the back of some of them are things to do for the corresponding day.

The next day I retaliated and gave him some hearts day mixes.

For the first heart, we went to go see a movie.  We saw The Artist and it was WONDERFUL, SO GOOD, SEE IT NOW, IT EVEN HAD A DOG.

Seriously, go see it now.

I spied some cute Valentines at Powell's.

At dinner (pre-heart door night) I told Ted that I looked back at a girl behind me in line and she laughed at me and it made me sad.  I then realized that this heart was on the back of my jacket.  Oops.

For the second heart, we had a baking day and made cupcakes!  Baking in college is always an adventure, but they turned out pretty good.  I used the raspberry heart gummies that I got from Elephants Delicatessen for our movie (I also got us two macarons--yum).

To even out the playing field, I gave him a little gift that I made over break.

Colored, glitter-glued Deathly Hallows wooden pins!

Happy Hearts Day crafting!