It feels like forever since I wrote my last post. I think that's the sign of a good, relaxing weekend. Besides the insane amount of walking I did around Portland, that it exactly what happened. Because we saw the Portland sights last time we were there (read more on that trip here), and due to time constraints, this trip was mainly for the food and shopping. We did a lot of fun stuff, but I want to share a few highlights.
Thursday night, my mom and I enjoyed a concert of Ten Tenors from Australia who sang classic as well as newer Broadway songs at the Keller Auditorium. We visited the Polish Pottery Place to add more to our everyday dish collection - our new cereal/soup bowls are on their way! Friday night, before my fiance flew in, my mom and I had a romantic dinner for two in the hotel restaurant (which was super tasty). We decided that we needed to spend every Valentine's Day together, having dinner in a big city hotel because the people watching was at a prime. Loving couples, awkward dates, and couples leaning away from one another. We had a great time together!
Saturday and Sunday, my fiance and I explored the Pearl and Northwest Districts, which are so cute - full of shops and restaurants. Portland has a great metro and streetcar system. For $5 per day, you can ride all of the public transportation around the city - well worth it. We tried two new (to us) restaurants. Saturday night we enjoyed the caesar salad, bolognese papardelle pasta, and cioppino at Pazzo in downtown. And after failed attempts to get dinner reservations (day of) at Andina, a Peruvian tapas restaurant in the Pearl, we made it for lunch before leaving town. The chimichurri asparagus and tortilla patata were fine but not fabulous. The chicken kebabs and vegetable causa (a layered potato puree), however, were outstanding. And the layered espresso and lucuma mousse for dessert was out of this world! We highly recommend both. We didn't get to visit VooDoo donuts, though we did get a sample of a donut and it was quite delicious - the chocolate frosting was melt-in-your-mouth tasty. And finally, we returned to Public Domain Coffee for delicious lattes and what is now topping our list of best almond croissants! This is a coffee roaster not to miss whenever you're in Portland!
Finally for shopping. Portland has many of your major retailers and designer boutiques scattered throughout the city, which is nice. I had luck at Lucky Brand Jeans and Brooklyn Industries (both in Northwest). I'd never really heard of Brooklyn Industries but was pleasantly surprised after walking in. They have cute dresses and handbags. But what I loved (and bought) were tees. I bought the one pictured here and this one. They are super soft and comfortable! A few doors further, we walked in Lucky Brand. In Junior High, I wore their jeans almost exclusively. They were the only fit I liked. I haven't worn them in a long time and am now regretting that. The manager helping me in the store was amazing and helped me try on 15-20 pairs of jeans. My fiance was overwhelmed by my denim madness, but I left the store with these beauties in-hand. They are great shade of gray and are so comfortable - not to mention, I think I they look pretty good! Before I'd left the front door, I was already planning this outfit!
Tee: Brooklyn Industries (similar), Jacket: KUT from the Kloth (c/o) Jeans: Lucky Brand, Shoes: Nine West, Bracelet: old, Sunnies: Prada