weekly wanderlust: scandinavia

Norway

It's been a while, my friends. I've caught the "instagramming is so much easier than blogging" bug and it doesn't seem possible to come back from. But I'll try. I don't want to force anything that's not meant to be though.

I've been feeling the itch to travel lately. I even planned a mini trip to Seattle this week to quench it a little, but it's always going to be there (apart from the week after an exhausting trip when all I want to do is sit in a Netflix trance weighted down by blankets with just enough arm movement to craft lazily).

The destinations on my mind lately have been of the Scandinavian variety. Ever since I saw a few bloggers this past year visit Iceland, I haven't been able to shake the feeling of I MUST GO. Not just Iceland though--the whole enchalada, people. Ted and I went to Amsterdam for a few days, but that's as far as we got. The whole snowing-in-Portland-for-a-hot-sec also got me hankering for snowier climates. It's just something so foreign to me as an Arizonian! Waking up to snow falling literally turned me into a joyful toddler jumping up and down on the bed. Can you blame me? Snow is magical and exotic to desert folk.

One day I will make a Scandinavian backpacking trip happen. But for now, I will drool over pictures online and plan my wardrobe contents around how cool I want to look in Scandinavia when I visit someday. That's what normal people do, right?

But, come on. Just look at this. And these are just the tip of the iceberg.

(Did that get a pity laugh at least?)

Sweden (I blogged about the Ice Hotel years ago, y'all. I wanna go realll bad.)

Iceland

Finland

Greenland

Denmark, AKA Hogsmead amiright

10 things that make me happy

Tryon.  I loved walking (or attempting to jog) through this state park nearby this summer.  Hopefully I can find some dry days to enjoy it this semester.  I also went to a jazzy concert there alone one beautiful night.  I stared at the adorable westie named Gretel in front of me the entire time and soaked up the good company of middle aged Portlanders.

Claire's visit.  It was magical.  We had so much fun just hanging out, watching Hercules, HIMYM, making lasagna, and hitting our favorites--Tea Chai Te and Little Big Burger.  I miss her already!

Treatin yo'self.  Salt & Straw ice cream during the Bachelorette finale (I know, forever ago--I'm behind on blogging) and Jade Bistro dinner after browsing Sellwood one lovely summer day.

Sex & the City.  'Nuff said.

Portland Art Museum.  I looked at everything, but the most hoppin' place in the building was the Cyclepedia exhibit.  Portlanders like their bikes.  A lot.

My assistant costume design internship.  We pulled some stuff, but mostly went shopping multiple times.  IT WAS SO MUCH FUN.  I'm so excited for the show.

Reading for FUN.  Recently I've read Quiet, The Age of Miracles, and Looking for Alaska.

Savory pastry.  Obviously.  Claire, Kenzie, and I explored Alberta in the rain after a little Vintage by the Pound and Petite Provence love.  It was quite lovely.

Seattle road trip with Ted. I will post pictures soon!

Fall approaching.  Ted and I went to Safeway today and when we left, we saw this fluffy black dog near the tiny pumpkins, firewood, and pouring rain.  It was almost too much for me to handle.  I was so overwhelmed with happiness.

It's been pouring all day, the fall boots and cardigans have been broken out, and now I must finish some reading for my one class tomorrow morning.  Life is good.  Especially when there are tiny pumpkins.