Goodbye Summer?

Well if you live in Portland the question mark needs no explanation here. "What Summer?!?" is the question we have been asking ourselves since June, and sadly, this year,the season never really materialized. Now the rain is back and I'm not ready for it, but it's Portland and I guess we really don't have a choice. So break out your hoodies, Portlanders,(no umbrellas for us locals),Autumn is here...whether we like it or not.

Okay, so I know it's been a while, quite a while, but I am finally back and ready to tackle Pdxpectations head on. I don't know what it is about Fall, and in general the changing of the seasons, that always fills me with the need to create, embrace change and embark on something new, but I do know that it happens every year, and that it's a good feeling. Along those same lines, I recently realized that I completely abandoned my blog last year after I broke my ankle. Back then, it was hard to find the motivation to do anything,let alone write. I mean seriously, I couldn't even make it from the couch to the computer. A lot has changed in the past year, and the experience of "being broken" has been quite an eye-opener. I have also realized that last year at this time I was so preoccupied with being hurt, that I payed no attention to how slow and depressing work can become during these weird off months between the start of school and the holidays. For those of us in the hospitality industry this is most definitely the roughest time of the year to get through. As most of the population is buckling down and trying to establish their "winter routine", we are all scrambling for money and asking ourselves how Summer can really be over already. (What Summer?!?)

Goodwill runs, solo sushi dates, and pouring over the Willamette Week have been the activities that have been rounding out my days as of late. It's all about finding inexpensive but fulfilling ways to entertain myself while I adjust to suddenly only having a twenty hour work week. Believe me, it's really not as fun as it sounds. Just a few days ago, I stumbled upon a new thrift shop here in Portland, and I instantly fell in love. Bearly Worn Resale is located on the corner of 50th and Division, and the place is totally awesome. There is no official website, but the link under "My Favorite Portland Places" will take you to it's page on Yelp for address information and reviews. There are two separate stores in the same building, and I recommend checking out the boutique for really great deals on brand name jackets, boots, purses and more. Seriously Ladies, if you want a cheap way to spend a few hours on a rainy Portland afternoon you have to check this place out! The super-cute cropped leather jacket I scored for $7.50 is proof enough. Bearly Worn definitely gives other Portland thrift stores a run for their money.

Visiting thrift stores is just one of the many ways I plan on making it through the rainy season. Stayed tuned for more of my thoughts and ideas,as well as a facelift to this site coming soon. It feels great to be writing again, and I hope you all will continue to follow me on my travels and adventures in PDX.