How was your week? I’m just getting around to posting because I had the best possible detour today — brunch with Alexandra and Sarah. Our conversations seamlessly flipped from one subject to another and along the way, we covered wrestlers with eccentric costumes, budget Vegas shows (complete with neon body paint), the faded glamour of midwestern supper clubs and the art of dressing up for a J. Lo concert. I haven’t laughed as hard as I did today in ages. The whole time, I was reminded of how important friendships are — friendships where you can just be yourself, cut loose and have a great time without snapping a single photo or picking up your smart phone. I left feeling excited, refreshed and ready for the holiday weekend.
As soon as I got home today, I had Joey snap this photo in our back yard. It still has a long way to go but it’s the perfect spot to hang out in the middle of the day when my office leaves me feeling restless. My dress is by Dusen Dusen.
Organization to the extreme is my favorite pastime. I’m working on a post of my top office must-haves soon.
Chubby update: he’s grown a ton and now has a rope swing, platform and ladder in his squirrel house. Movin’ on up!
This week, I paid a visit to the ultimate virgo mecca, The Container Store and picked up these great clear drawer organizer trays. Simple and effective.
If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by the Doug Fir and hang out with bigfoot on the back patio! It’s their 10th anniversary this year so he’s rocking a fancy new necklace.
I’ve always said that the best conversations in Portland happen late at night around the Doug Fir fire pit. Every time I’m there with my friend Joey, we end up meeting the most interesting mix of folks. Their bar menu is great, too. I always order the homemade mac and cheese and finish up the night with their seasonal fruit crisp. Yum!
I’m looking forward to taking it easy for the holiday weekend, catching up on boring stuff (like laundry) and doing plenty of barbecuing. Have fun!
Sarah Von says: 
Ms. Mauikai 