08.04.2013. Awesome Shoes @ Hawthorne District, Portland OR.

Just came back from brunch and shopping and found an amazing shoe store, Imelda's Shoes, on Hawthorne. Lots of comfy, yet stylish heels, boots, and sneakers from some of my fave designers, like Born & Hunter. More expensive that average shoes, but it makes up in price and quality. With limited closet space and money, its time for me to grow up and invest in a wardrobe that's amazing.

Imelda's Shoes has 2 locations in Portland, in Hawthorne and in the Pearl.

SE Portland

3426 SE Hawthorne
Portland, OR 97214
503 233 7476 

NW Portland

935 NW Everett
Portland, OR 97209
503 595 4970

Shoes that are to die for on their website:

  

 

I may be Filipina born in America, who doesn't know much about Philippine History, but this image came to mind when the words IMELDA and SHOES are used together.

Img source: http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/26/14116385-philippines-city-restores-imelda-marcos-shoe-collection-after-flood-damage?lite

Img Source: http://www.notorious-mag.com/2012/03/25/imelda-marcos-and-shoes/

Until the next adventure,

cutiee23

07.20.2013: Sauvie Island, OR

After the suggestion of some friends, I was excited to find a beach within close driving distance from Downtown Portland.  I guess its the Cali girl in me. Sauvie Island is only 10 miles Northwest from downtown, but takes 45 min to get there. After crossing the bridge into the island, there are only a few streets on the island, many with bicyclists. With no bike lane, they can hold up the traffic at times.

 

 

Sauvie Island Bridge/ Photo from Wikipedia

Sauvie Island is home to farmland and wildlife. It offers a quick escape to a rural setting. As I drove by, there are many U pick farms, where you can pick various kinds of berries and other produce. I also saw a sign for a lavender farm, which I must go to another time. Because its rural, there are only 2 or 3 stores on the Island and no gas station. In order to park at the beach, you need to buy a parking pass, about $7/day. They also offer monthly and yearly passess.

Sauvie Island Farms/ Photo from Wikipedia

 

 

 

Island Cove Market is one store you can buy your parking pass from/Photo form Yelp

As for the beaches, there's a handful: Walton beach, North Unit, and Collins beach that are available to the public. Our party went to Collins beach, that has a nude, clothing optional beach on one side. We chose a spot, not knowing we were at the border between the clothing and clothing optional beaches, and could see a few people in their birthday suits walking into the water. Strangely, a very tan gentleman keep walking slowly in and out of the water, then looking at the general direction of the clothing beach. I don't know what he was thinking, but maybe showing off? who knows.... According to the Wikipedia article, the north end of Collins beach is a popular LGBT party spot. Unfortunately, no party when I went =(  Maybe next time.

And by the way, it seems all beaches here are dog friendly...

Until my next adventure,
Cutiee23


Links:
Sauvie Island Community Association
Wikipedia: Sauvie Island
Island Cove Cafe and Market

Cannon Beach, OR: June 2013

As a California girl, summer means going to the beach, so I had to scoop out where the local beaches are. Lucky for me, within 1.5 hour driving distance from Portland on the 101 are a few beaches that can satisfy my beach craving.

My husband, fur babies, and I made the quick drive to Cannon Beach, OR.  The Pacific Ocean is cold, and the water temperature is not too far off what I experience in Southern California. However, the air temperature is much cooler here, making the water seem relatively colder. Yet, I love how this beach is less busy, quieter, and more secluded. Dogs are welcome on-leash, and you can put them off leash in areas with few/no people. My dogs loved running around in the sand, but were a bit timid when it came to the water.

Our Kirin enjoying the tide pools

Our Gidget wades in the water

 I love nature and both the mountains and beaches, so it was amazing to see the juxtaposition of mountain & beach all in one view. I love the mountain background. A friend told me that there is forest-type hiking and camping at neighboring Ecola State Park. When I go back, it is on my must-do list.

Below are pictures of Haystack rock, the landmark that Cannon Beach is known for, with its surrounding tide pools. Many birds call the rock home.

Below are pictures from Tolovana State Park, southern end of Cannon Beach.

Mo's Restaurant: What a view!

What is equally amazing about my trip is the friendliness of the people we meet. As my husband and I ate dinner, we enjoyed chatting up with two separate parties at our shared table. When another guest was unable to finish her steak, our doggies were offered the remaining pieces. And, as we finished drinks at the firepit table, we were joined by two servers who told us about there gypsy-type lifestyle, bouncing from various vacation spots, working and enjoying life.

Cannon Beach "Graffiti"

Bonus points if you can identify this compound, and no I did not do this.

-Until the Next Adventure, cutiee23


Links:
Cannon Beach
Ecola State Park
Tolovana State Park


Land's End Inn : Amazing place to stay~affordable, dog-friendly, ocean front
Puppy by the Sea: Friendly owners~ dog-friendly, great place to stock up on treats while on vacay


Yummy places for chowder:
Mo's Restaurant 
Driftwood Restaurant 
Ecola Seafoods: great place to buy fresh fish & prepared food to bring for a seaside picnic


 

Portland Dining Month-June 2013

My blog is kinda disjointed right now, as I concurrently post Portland stuff along with past trips around the West Coast. Anyways, I found a flier for this Portland Dining Month in one of the restaurants. Many restaurants to chose from (over 80) and you pay $29 for a 3 course meal with proceeds going to the Oregon Food Bank. What a great way to have fun and help people at the same time. Wonder where I should go? Any suggestions?

Portland Dining Month

After Fresno comes Reno. 12.2012

I'm glad my interview trail for residency is leading me to places I've never been. Like Fresno, Reno is a small city, in fact its the "littlest biggest city in the world" However, Reno is only 30 minutes away from one of the best skiing in CA/NV. OMG** drool. I can perfect my skills on amazing powder.

Reno's downtown seems to be undergoing a revitalization. Blocks down from Reno's casinos is the Truckee river surrounded by new restaurants and shops. I love seeing independent businesses, and not chains, opening and thriving. I also love how the river runs through downtown. It allows you an opportunity to ponder as you walk down the river. I heard you can even raft down the river. Awesome!

Until my next adventure, cutiee23

Views of Truckee River

Ice Skating in Downtown

Businesses Along the River

 

What to Do in Fresno?

Yes Fresno is the middle of CA farm country, but if I did move to Fresno, here are some things I could do:


1. RiverPark
Source of picture-http://www.panoramio.com/photo/9467241
North side of Fresno is the happening place with an outdoor mall and multiple chain restaurants. Reminds me of Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga. Wish they had more small businesses. Paul, my hubby, wants to open a restaurant/bar and I don't know if he'll have much luck. Seems like chain restaurants rule here.

2. China Peak


I could always go skiing.I love the thrill of going down a mountain, even though what I consider fast is what many consider "slow" as I go down the intermediate blue runs. The trail map seems to have a good number of intermediate and advanced runs. I wonder what the conditions are like?

3. Yosemite

Since my hubby has turned me more into an outdoors person, camping and hiking in one of CA's natural treasures seems up my alley. I would love to hike to the magnificent waterfalls with my doggies. Hopefully I don't catch Hantavirus.


Until the next adventure, cutiee23




Links:
Riverpark
China Peak
Yosemite