Fill in the Blank Friday

Is it just me or was this week extra long feeling? I don't think I'm alone when I say that I am so that it is finally Friday.  Let's make it a great start to the weekend!

{The Little Things We Do}

1.   My favorite quote is:  The best thing to hold onto in life, is each other. - Audrey Hepburn

2.  A bad habit I have is: picking at my cuticles non-stop, and I pop my knuckles more than I'd like to admit.  They are both awful habits that I wish I could stop, but I've done them my whole life and don't even notice when I do it now. 

3.  The first time I felt like a "grown up" was: when I wrote my first rent check in college, and then again every month when I wrote a check for health insurance.  Man growing up is expensive, but it sure is worth it. :) 

4.  Weekends are:  super relaxing lately.  I was so busy during the holidays and then a girl's weekend after that, that it's nice to stay home and relax and maybe even get some cleaning done.  I love weekends with no set plans!

5.  When I was a child I wished my name was: Brittany, but now I know so many Brittany's so I'm glad that my parents named me Courtney.  (I feel like it's a less common name than Brittany.)

6.  I wish:  that my hair would ignore the weather, and not frizz.  It's so much better when it's just cold in the winter because my hair behaves!

7.  A secret I have is:  that I have anywhere from 25-50 pairs of Birkenstock sandals and clogs.  I use to wear them all the time, but now I feel guilty not wearing them, but luckily my mom wears the same size as me so we can share them.

Happy weekend, hope that it's wonderful!

Inspiration for my Dwelling

{Sorry for the iPhone photos of the magazine}

The office that I work in has a lot of subscriptions to various magazines, including Martha Stewart and Dwell.  These lovely photos are from the July/August 2009 issue of Dwell magazine.  I love the appearance of the floating books on shelves in the first picture, and that the shelves don't take up too much wall space.  My favorite part of the second picture are the pillows on what appears to be a coffee table.  The best part is that I have a very similar looking coffee table that I could convert into a bench when I have guests over!

National Popcorn Day

 

Did you know that today is National Popcorn Day?  I heard this earlier today, and immediately started thinking of recipes to make with some fresh popcorn.  I made a couple of batches in my old fashion looking popcorn machine that was a gift from my boyfriend, and put toppings on them that I had around the kitchen.  My favorite was the Craisins and white chocolate, and then cinnamon and sugar.  Do you ever put different toppings on your popcorn?

Outfit Crush

{via}

I've been wanting to pair tights with shorts lately, but wasn't exactly sure how to do it.  She makes it look so effortless, and as for that blazer, love it! 

Stylish Blogger Award

{via}

I am so flattered to be nominated for the Stylish Blogger Award by my newest blog friend at Biscuits McGhee.  Because I am new to the blogging world, this award came as such a wonderful surprise!  The award came with a few instructions that you'll see now.

Stylish Blogger Award Winners:

• Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
• Share 7 things about yourself.
• Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
• Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award! 

Random Facts about Me:

1.  My car has had approximately three new back bumpers in eight years from being rear ended or backing into other cars.

2.  My hand and fingers are so flexible that I can bend them back forming an "L" shape.

3.  I prefer food to be extremely warm when eating it, borderline scalding hot.

4.  My boyfriend and I met when we were put together for a marketing group project in college.  However, I was almost kicked out of the group because I missed the first few meetings because I was in Vegas.  Oops!

5.  I have an Oregon Duck Snuggie.

6.  It pains me to pay sales tax.  Oregon is one of the only states that doesn't have a sales tax, so whenever I go to Washington it drives me crazy to have to pay more money for stuff!


7.  I have the same car that I had when I turned 16, and before it was mine my parents owned it.

Time for the nominations! 

1.  in HER shoes

2.  Alien's Labyrinth

3.  Olive and Bleu

4.  Lizzy Punch

5.  The Closet Files

6.  Life at 1521

7.  A Simple Life

8.  Anthrobakery

9.  Style by Santina

10.  6 Petals

11.  The Daily Fashionista

12.  The Auspicious Life

13.  Yours, Mine, and Ours

14.  Blue Paper Lanterns

15.  Mille Baisers

Happy blog reading!

Country Strong

{Blazer: Old Navy, Top: Target, Necklace: Anne Taylor Loft, Watch: Fossil, Jeans: Forever 21, Boots: Macy's}

Reni at In Her Shoes has inspired me to start taking photos of my outfits again.  This was something that became habitual while I was participating in the 30 for 30 challenge, but I wasn't sure if it was something I wanted to continue.  I have a feeling that I won't take daily photos of my outfits, but I will try and do a weekly or bi-weekly post.  I also forgot to take a picture of my boots, but you can see them here.  I hope that you enjoy!

P.S. I'm excited to go see a new movie tonight, Country Strong.  I think the last movie I saw in the theater was Despicable Me, it's definitely time to catch up on the new releases!

Dining in Portland

Portland has hundreds, probably even thousands, of restaurants.  Unfortunately, since I've moved to Portland I haven't been able to try as many restaurants as I've wanted to, that is until Friday when I went to three new (to me) restaurants. 

{via}

For lunch I went to Little Big Burger, and had a burger and very delicious French fries.  The menu is limited, but I think that adds to the diner appeal of the restaurant.  The burgers are about the size of a slider, and have the perfect amount of seasoning.  Personally, the fries took the cake in deliciousness though, they are cooked in a truffle oil, and then sprinkled with sea salt.  Amazing. 

{Sorry for the iPhone photos}

After work, I met up with a friend at 23rd and Hoyt for a drink.  I think that this restaurant is more about the food versus the drinks since their cocktail menu was limited, but the drink I had was delicious.  

Lastly, a few of my friends and I went to Nostrana, which my friend recommended because of itsdelicious pizza.  Not only did the pizza not disappoint, but the atmosphere at this restaurant was very fun.  When we got there the place had such a fun feeling to it, and the decor helped with that feeling as well.  Also they had something that I had never seen before, they gave us a pair of scissors to cut our own slices of pizza!

It was a food filled Friday, but a delicious one at that.  Hope that everyone has had a wonderful weekend!