Yay for my birthday week! I think that instead of just birth-days, we should totally all have birth-weeks. Who’s with me??!
In case you were wondering, birthweeks pretty much mean you have the total right to eat chocolate cake for dinner, drink champagne at lunch and wear ridiculously high shoes to the grocery store. And the best part is…no one can say anything! Cause it’s your birthweek!
Here’s what I’m really loving now:
1. Super sweet fresh cherries!
I bought a huge bag from the farmer’s market and ate them all within 24 hours. If I was thinking straight, I totally would have saved some to make this breakfast cake with. Cake for breakfast? Heck yes! It’s your birthweek.
2. J Brand skinny jeans
I’m not going to beat around the bush here. I totally bought these a couple weeks ago after seeing how cute they looked on Reese Witherspoon in the latest issue of People Style Watch. I don’t know what that says about me but I do know these jeans have become like second skin. I practically wear them every day and nothing compares to the cuteness and comfort level. They were worth every darn penny.
Possible birthday outfit when paired with sparkly shoes? Perhaps.
3. Quinoa!
Duh. You probably figured that out last week when I posted two quinoa recipes in a row. Can’t decide which one to make? Go with this. For sure.
4. Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner
I love, love, love this line and it’s done wonders for my overprocessed dry hair. Definitely one of those “can’t live without” beauty items.
5. Avocados
I’ve been buying a bag of them every week from Trader Joe’s and have been going crazy making guacamole, slicing them up and throwing them in wraps and making this delectable creation, which is totally my new favorite chocolate dessert. Since Adam and I started eating less meat, our avocado intake has tripled. The only reason I can think of is that we now cover all our dinners in creamy guac to make up for the lack of steak. And it totally works.
Anyone have a good avocado recipe? I’d love to hear it!
6. Portland, Oregon
Ummmm at the risk of sounding like a total freak, can I just say that lately I’ve had an unnatural obsession with Portland? No, I’ve never actually been to Portland but it just sounds so cool and is the home of both Mama Pea and Barre3. Luckily, Adam is also randomly obsessed with Portland and says we can plan a trip sometime this summer. Wahoo!! (freak alert)
7. Sweet retro finds!
I know I already told y’all about my sweet $4 mixer, but I can’t help but feature it again. It’s just so pretty and makes me feel like a 1960′s kitchen goddess. Like I was saying earlier, I find most my photography props at thrift stores for under ten dollars!
8. Coffee Pancakes from A Cozy Kitchen
I will marry the person who makes me these pancakes.
Just kidding.
Sorta.
9. 
I was worried this book wouldn’t be as good as Shanghai Girls, but it’s just as good if not better! I seriously can’t put it down and reading it gives me a strong craving for pork dumplings…that’s normal, right?
10. Noodle bowls.
If green bowls are my new go-to lunch, noodle bowls are my new go-to dinner! I mean, everything good is served in a bowl….ice cream, pudding, oatmeal, gooey brownies?
{ 143 comments… read them below or add one }
Have you made this pasta by Angela?
http://ohsheglows.com/2011/01/31/15-minute-creamy-avocado-pasta/
I ate it every day for a week when I first discovered it & is now one of my favorites!
Also, my favorite pair of jeans are J Brand skinny jeans as well. It’s kind of embarrassing how often I wore them before it got too hot out… happy birthday week!
OMG I make that pasta all the time! I like to switch it up and turn into a healthy carbonarra type thing sometimes, by adding peas and broccoli and a few pieces of turkey bacon. It’s one of my go-tos
I second how great this dish is. I made it 2 nights in a row the 1st time I made it. It’s sooooo good!
What makes it so good – or ‘different’? Is it the sauce I guess – the avocado?
I’d celebrate birthweek in college and I still force my boyfriend to celebrate birthweek (sometimes birth-2 weeks) for his birthdays. You really do deserve a whole week!
Happy Birthweek! Which style of J Brand skinny jeans are those? They look so comfortable! I just bought a pair of J Brand white jeans and am loving them!
I think we should have birthday MONTHS! Totally acceptable.
Happy birth-week!
I love that shot of the cherries! And your new mixer!
I whole-heartedly agree with an entire birthweek celebration, but like Jess above, I think birthmonth celebrations would be even better!
Happy Birthday week! Enjoyed your list!
Happy Birthday Week!! I can’t wait to finish my current book so I can read Dreams of Joy!
Love, love the jeans!!!! Happy birth-week!
Happy Bday Week! It’s my bday, too, this week! End of the week actually.
Coffee pancakes…I saw those on her site already. Swoon!!
And you being in Portland? You are in the Bay Area which to me is an amazing place…wine country close by, hikes, culture, tahoe, beautiful nature…I love where you are. Except the winter time chilliness!
Thanks for the Aveda tip. I love Kiehl’s avocado line for hair…it rocks. But now I will try that Aveda. My hair is dryyyyy dry dry, too!
Happy borthweek, Jenna! I love everything about this post
… And I am craving fresh cherries now- counting down the hours until I can slip away for lunch & pick up a pound or two to stock my kitchen 
those jeans are so cute…too bad my thighs were not built for them! now the cherries though, those i can do
uhm make that “BIRTHweek”… clearly I haven’t had enough coffee yet this a.m. ..eek. :-/
so fun! I love making lists like this
Quinoa is my go to grain these days! I am totally feeling the cherries too this time of year!
Yay! Happy birthday week!
I hope it’s a great one!
Love this list! J Brand jeans are amazing, and actually worth their insane price. Coffee pancakes sound amazing and eat plenty of cake for breakfast for me this week
I love a grilled tomato and avocado sandwich, with a little bit of mozzarella or gouda cheese if I have it around. So simple and delicious!
I thought I was the only one obsessed with Portland. I have always wanted to go there as well as Seattle. I was once told by a boyfriend that I looked like I should be from Seattle and from there, my obsession with the Northwest began. My naturopath, who is ironically from Portland, says I have the vibe – whatever that means. So, I gotta find out what all this means. My husband and I will be traveling there hopefully in the next year or so and I totally can not wait.
Girl I feel you! My birthday was on Saturday but cake was a week-long affair…I’m having friends over for left-over ice cream cake tomorrow night! You milk the week!…And everything is better in bowls, which explains why pancakes for breakfast don’t cut it the same way oatmeal/yogurt bowls do!
Happy birthday week! and I usually love anything on Reese – so i can’t blame you for your purchase!!
WOOOOO yay for your birthday week! Awesome list of favorites
Happy birthweek! Portland, OR is my hometown! You have to go! I am on the east coast and super homesick. It is a foodies paradise! And of course, you MUST take a real life Barre3 class! Even though you may limp around the city afterward. It’s worth it! Cheers to 26!
My hair stylist got me turned onto the Dry Remedy conditioner and it’s AMAZING! My hair has never felt so soft. I was worried it would weigh my fine hair down but it doesnt at all.
Oh and you should celebrate birthday MONTH! heh
I love that mixer! Wish mixers still were made like that… I love the super specific labels… “beat fudge and other candies”!
Happy birthweek
I really want some cherries now!
hehe….love all of your “loves” Jenna. Happy Birthday Week – great idea by the way!
amy*
Happy Birthday week! Milk it for all it is worth
Those cherries look amazing, I have yet to buy any this season because they’re SO expensive but I think I’ll cave in pretty soon.
I’m celebrating birthday week, too – one day is NOT enough
Portland IS amazing. I’ve lived here my entire 35 years – and I’d never go anywhere else. When you’re here, be sure to go hiking in the Gorge – you’ll be amazed
What kind of noodles do you use?
I’ve tried Aveda but it dries out my hair. I’m also INSANELY jealous of your trip plans!
Happy birthday week! Love your list.
Oh and your link to the Quinoa dish to try now is broken…which one is it?!
Happy Birthday week!!
J Brand jeans are awesome! I also like true religion skinny jeans too!!
Happy birthday week! I love pretty much everything on your list – but seriously, Portland is awesome. I went to college in a town nearby and the more time you spend there, and in the PNW in general, to more you will fall in love. I hope to move back out there someday! I might have to try out that Aveda line, I’ve just started using the John Frieda Full Repair stuff but it doesn’t seem to be helping my hair as much as I hoped.
Happy birthweek! Totally love the cherry obsession. I understand that one. I need some cherries stat!
Cheerful Cherries for a beautiful soon to be birthday girl!! love u Jenna <3
xoxo
I live in Portland! I can testify that it is as awesome as you think it is
I just moved here in December, and with summer finally kicking in, this is an amazing place – and SO MUCH GOOD FOOD. Come visit!
For avocados I love to make Averie’s chocolate mousse. It is so good!
what a fun post! i love all your goodies! i hope you have an awesome bday week!
We have a few things in common:
1. It’s both our birthday weeks (mine is the 9th)
2. I was mildly obsessed with Portland and went there in March 2009 to see why. It’s such a cool city and I think you’d really like it.
3. Also lovin cherries right now.
Have a great birthday week!
My birthday is this week too! It definitely will be a birthday week – my coworker is starting it off by making me a cake tomorrow
Happy Birthday week, it’s my birthday week too! Wed. is my birthday
Yay for good food and spending time with loved ones. Cheers!
My husband and I celebrate Birthday Month!
We are in the throes of mine right now.
Happy Birthday to us, Jenna!
kate
Portland is awesome! Fantastic food and shopping!
I am loving this list of birthweek loves! Also I totally concur about everything being better served in a bowl–cereal, ice cream, soup, pasta–these are all happy things!
P.S. I may or may not let my “birthweek” carry on a little longer than a week. But only sometimes. No really, I swear.
Happy Birthweek! I’ve been celebrating this for years!
I bought a huge bag of cherries from the farmer’s market, too. I think they’re my favorite summer fruit and hey’re not around for too much longer. BF nearly had a heart attack when he heard how much they were, but he might not care so much if I make him that cake!
Haha….’celebrating this for years!’ me too
ha-i live in florida and all of a sudden have an unnatural obsession with seattle. why? because i have been reading Emily’s blog and the pictures are just gorgeous! have a great birthday week!
Definitely take a trip to Portland! It’s a beautiful city – so green, such clean air, and great for foodies!
http://goldhearted.etsy.com
Happy Birthday week! There’s all kinds of birthday in my book theres your actual birthday, your school or work birthday, your birthday weekend, and your birthday week.
Those jeans are cute and coffee pancakes sound deeelish!
I love Portland. My husband and I go to Oregon every other year because it’s just so damn gorgeous and awesome. Plus, we have family there, so that helps! We like to go in September/October, because the weather is sunny and gorgeous.
If you do go to Portland, be sure to eat at Pok Pok. That’s some of the best food I’ve ever eaten.
Happy Birthday!
Portland is awesome, I must admit. I also must admit that I’m biased, because I live here
Portland is a great city for athletic people! Tons of hiking, biking, and nice places to run. There’s also good food here. Definitely try the food carts too!
Just wanted to say that I live near Portland and it IS that awesome.
Careful! Portland during the summer is like a mirage! So, so awesome, but that is just a front for how rainy it is during the rest of the year! Don’t let it swoop you up!
Kidding. Portland was the “big city” I went to as a child and I still love it! The food is great!
This is exactly what I tell people about Seattle! Amazing in July and August (usually/hopefully) but it is just a giant trap!
Have you ever tried Aveda’s Phomollient Styling Foam? I haven’t had a bad hair day since we met…and it’s been bliss.
Happy Birthweek! I hope we get to see a pic of you in your glittery heals & skinny jeans
Oh god, those cherries look delicious.
Yeah, Portland! Where else can you go with no sales tax, abundant farmers markets, microbreweries & coffee shops on every corner, bike lines on every street, a 24 hour doughnut shop, vegan corn dogs, and a book store that takes up a whole city block? Plus, we have a tv show (Portlandia)!
Happy birthday week!
I recommend my hummus guacamole: http://www.fannetasticfood.com/recipes/spinach-avocado-cannellini-bean-hummus/
If hummus and guacamole had a baby, it would be that recipe. So delicious.
I think you are just teasing me with all this Portland talk. I’ll make you pancakes…
It is my birthday week too! SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!! I hope you have an amazing week!
ps. avacado’s rule!
You should totally come to Portland!! Just be warned – we get waaayyy too much rain, even in august!
I’ve had an unnatural obsession with the entire West coast, especially Seattle which is so GREEN compared to Texas. I’m satiating my desires to be a West Coast resident with a trip to a Cali for a week though
Happy birthday Week! i totally agree you should make it Birthday month!
more reason to celebrate and create those wonderful recipes of yours! 
J Brand makes the best skinny jeans!
Portland is great
I love the entire West Coast…yes, the entire thing.
Yay for your birthday week! Love the photos of the cherries!
My aunt lives in Portland and I’ve visited so many times. It’s been a few years, though, now that I’m working full-time. I miss it so much that I’ve been talking to my hubby about moving there!
I too have a weird obsession with Portland! I’m convinced I need to move there even though I’ve never been. I’m finally taking a trip there at the end of July during the Oregon Brewfest, I’m so excited! If you haven’t seen Portlandia yet (on IFC), you HAVE to watch it, sooo good!
I have been pushing the birthday week for YEARS, one day just doesn’t not cut it. And I live in Portland, your fixation is totally warranted. Its a mystical land teeming with food, books, and shopping.
Happy birthday! I believe in birthweeks too.
It’s also my birthweek and I’m also from Portland, Oregon! Portland is, as you said, super cool. I was born and raised here and the music, art, film and food are all amazing. If you want any recommendations on where to go, I’d be happy to give you some!
In college, my girlfriends and I celebrated our birthday SEASONS, which starts an entire month before your birthday. Think of the possibilities… going to your fav restaurant, having the boyfriend make you your favorite meal… all because it is your birthday season.
Maybe next year you can start that tradition! Happy birthday week!
Happy Birthweek! Birthweeks are the most appropriate and warranted span of time in which to fully celebrate the anniversary of one’s birth; a single day just doesn’t suffice!
Happy Birthday, Jenna!
J Brand makes the best jeans ever. And, I’m so in love with that vintage mixer. Staring at that kinda makes me wanna make popovers! Hope you have an awesome birthday week.
We always celebrate birthday weeks! Sometimes birthday months! Happy birthday week to yooooou!
Make sure when you come visit Portland it’s in the summer–as much fun as the rainy NW is, the summers can’t be beat!
I live in Salem, Oregon, just 40 miles away from Portland. Can’t wait to see you come visit
Fun post!! I agree, we should celebrate birthweeks. Mine would include pancakes every day (bookmarking the coffee pancake recipe) and definitely my favorite shoes Mon-Fri. No shame. Happy birthweek:)
I just moved back to Portland in January after being away for less than a year. I missed it too much!
Best place I’ve ever lived! Hands down!
Jenna – I absolutely adore your list. Especially since several of the things are on my top favorite things list too! My boyfriend and I go through a bag of avocados per week. (I am vegan he is a pescatarian who eats veganish most of the time). We were scheduled to be in Portland (where I’d move if I didn’t have my life in Los Angeles) this past weekend, but had to postpone. I LOVE it there. It’s the perfect mix of urban and small friendly city. Happy Happy Birth-Week!!!
Happy birthweek! It’s my birthweek too, and I’m going to own it. Thanks for the great idea!
I am making your quinoa citrus salad tonight and cant wait!!!
Happy birthweek! I LOVE all your favorite things. I may need to buy a pair of those jeans and start reading Dreams of Joy today. Did you read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan? They are making a movie of it now!
LOVED that book!!
Happy Birthday week:)
Dry Remedy is THE best smelling ‘poo and conditioner. Hands down.
Yay for birthday weeks!
And I do believe we’re on the same wave length, because I have been eating quinoa as much as I’ve been breathing air. And those skinnies are too cute! You must take pictures of your birthday outfit.
I love this list and I totally agree that birthdays should be stretched out for a week at least!
My husband is originally from Portland, OR and we’re going out there to visit family on Thursday, and I’m so excited so seeing it on your list made me smile! xoxo
I LOVE ‘book dork’ Reese Witherspoon (and her skinny jeans) and did a post today on her new Ojai ranch (where she was married in March) a fantastically interesting small town south of where we lived in Santa Barbara.
Cherries, loving them. Thanks for the Aveda hair products tip. I like to try new products. Just got Fekkai–very pricey but a little goes a long way, also for overworked hair. When it runs out your suggestion is on ‘The List’.
Re Portland–my brother had a lake home on the beautiful North Shore of nearby Lake Oswego. And Canon Beach on the coast is fabulous.
PS You definitely look like Reese. She has such great taste in everything & is also a Southern girl!
Is anyone else having trouble seeing the regular blog? Mine has been funky for about a week and none of the pics are coming through. Jenna, has the format changed? Thanks!
nope! i have no idea and haven’t heard this from anyone else! That’s very odd…
Looks like a pretty good list!
I haven’t read The Shanghai Girls…I’ll have to check it out.
Happy Birthweek! I am equally obsessed with avocados lately! One of my favorite simple dishes is chopped heirloom tomato and avocado with salt and pepper, mmm!
So, this recipe sounds like a crazy combo, but its actually really great!
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2010/12/avocado_toasties_with_kiwi_salsa_and_bacon
Those pancakes?! Oh wow..
And Happy Birthweek! I’m totally in for that!
I LOVE the idea of a birthday week
I made an avocado dressing that’s fantastic: http://cookbakenibble.com/2011/05/24/avocado-green-goddess-dressing/. I love avocados! I buy them every week 
xo
Have you ever tried grilling avocados?? It’s amazing and only takes a couple minutes! Lately my family has been grilling them and stuffing them with a corn salsa/relish…pics here for inspiration: http://shesingsatthetable.com/2011/05/16/commencement-merriment-and-avocados/
Oh, and happy birthweek
Happy Birth Week Jenna! I’ve been reading your blog for a year or so and never posted a comment- but I had to because of your Portland obsession! I live in Portland and am equally obsessed with it! haha- seriously if you ever get up here and need a tour guide I’d be happy to show you the best food carts, vintage shops and coffee houses! Enjoy your birthday week!!
Happy Birthday week! I’m totally with you on that one.
Yay, I’m so glad that you love Portland!! I was born and raised here (so I guess I’m a little biased), but I’m in love with it too
It turns out your favorite things are my favorite things right now! I am so with you on the birthday week, I go for bday month if I can get away with it.
My best guacamole recipe, right here! :
http://monicanelsonfitness.com/blog/meals/vegan/my-best-guacamole/
it is the best, the easiest, and everyone loves it every single time.
i am in full support of your birthday week! my birthday was the friday of memorial day weekend, and i celebrated from the day before (thursday) until the tuesday after. not quite a week, but close.
i’ve been randomly obsessed with denver in the same way you’re obsessed with portland. there’s no reason for it- i just am! unfortunately, you’re a bit closer to portland than i am to denver.
enjoy your birthday week (and definitely wear your new heels with those jeans… hot)!!
Another reader mentioned this, but I too have been having trouble viewing your website at work (PC) but it’s fine at home (mac). Don’t know if there is any correlation or maybe it’s my work’s filter or something…
Anyways, you need to watch Portlandia! It’s hilarious. Also, I think you should visit the finger lakes of NY, specifically Ithaca. Beautiful and very Portland-like.
When I first moved to Spain avocados were my homesick, must eat every night food.
Consumption was as follows:
1. Fresh bread from my local Panaderia. Brown, white, seedy, whatever strikes you.
2. Slather a perfectly ripe avocado. The thicker the better.
3. Sprinkle with course sea salt.
4. Top with Arugula.
5. Drizzle with really good olive oil.
6. Eat as avocado smushes out the side and oil drizzles down your wrist.
I don’t know what it is… the fresh bread, the creamy avo, the peppery arugula, the oil and salt… marriage made in my mouth!
Be careful! This is so easy and good I believe I ate it for 2 months straight. This could be a hindrance to new blog material.
I am an avid reader of you blog and I live in Portland. I must say that it is pretty awesome
I would love to meet you if you ever did make it out here. I’ve always thought about writing you an email to tell you a little about myself because you seem so amazing! Happy Birthday week! Mine was May 25th. Do something great for yourself because you deserve it! Cheers.
Happy Birth Week! We moved to Portland last year from Austin, TX and absolutely LOVE it here. It is the most foodie city I have every lived in and we have moved around quite a bit. You must come visit and please check out my blog at http://www.eatdrinkandbeaware.blogspot.com to see my favorite spots. I would love to meet you if you come for a visit.
I just went to Portland about a month ago for the first time. It’s WONDERFUL! Reminds me a lot of Austin (my hometown), which I know you also like to visit. You can check out my Portland Recap for a few ideas of things to do: http://kristenrr.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-love-family-vacations.html
I am all about the Birthday 3 weeks, of which I have entered my second week! Yay June birthdays! And I LOVE Portland. One of my most favourite cities, I highly recommend it!
Um, I believe in birth-months!
I haven’t picked up the new Lisa See book, but I am dying to read it. Even more so now that you mention it was so good.
I have never been to Portland but have heard great things. You have to check out the food trucks if you visit.
Terrific post and happy birthday week, Jenna!!!
Happy Birthweek Jenna!
Thanks for the avocado ideas, I just bought a bag this past weekend and made guac with 2 of them but still have 2 left
I reallly want to try that Aveda Dry shampoo/conditioner!! What a cool concept!
HAPPY Birthday Week! And I second cake for breakfast!!
mmmm … my birthday is Wednesday and I hope my 11 month old gets the birthday week memo and sleeps in a little bit! This post reminds me to see if I still fit in my old J Brand jeans …
I grew up in Portland, and never realized how cool it was until I left! I just figured everywhere was as cool! Boy was I wrong! (Especially, now that I’m in Omaha!)
If you do go to Portland, you HAVE To go to Powell’s city of books off of Burnside. You will be in HEAVEN!!!
love your blog. i started my own back in august when i moved to portland to document my time here! if you visit, you must do the following:
1. drink a margarita at por que no.
2. eat a salted caramel macaron from pix patisserie.
3. visit the portland state farmer’s market (saturdays).
4. buy a book from powell’s, then go read it at colonel summer’s park for optimal hipster viewing.
5. go to brunch at jam on hawthorne.
Happy birthweek! I totally had a birth-month for my birthday in April. In my defense, it was a milestone birthday, and I spent half of the month traveling. One place I went: Portland! Which, come September, will be my place of residence. So excited! (Though it’s crazy to think that after spending most of my life on the East Coast, I’m going to be heading out West.) Seriously, you should go visit — it’s an awesome place (for about 50,000 reasons), and from the Bay Area, it’s only an hour flight.
Cheeeeeriessss! YES! I am obsessed with them right now too! They are so sweet and amazing this time of year! Too bad they’re so freaking expensive…otherwise I would be buying them everyday!
Portland is kind of the best city ever, so it’s okay to be obsessed! I warn you though, you may never leave of you try to visit. I was only supposed to be here a few weeks. In June I’ll have lived here 8 years. Crazy!
Happy birthday week!
Happy Birthday and you will love Portland! Check out the Pearl District downtown, the Rose Gardens, Cannon Beach, Mt. Hood and be sure to go hiking in the Gorge. You can do it all in three days or less, easy. And don’t get me started on the farmer’s markets and restaurants….amazing!
I ALWAYS have at LEAST a birthday week! Enjoy Jenna!!
Ahh I love Portland! I moved here about two years ago and I am so happy. I grew up in Sonoma County which I also love, and then lived in San Francisco for about 5 fabulous years. But Portland! It is lovely!
Happy Birthday! My birthday is on June 8th. I am a bit more selfish and have a birthday month rather than just a week. I hope you had a great one, fellow Gemini! I’m so glad I found your blog!
I’m totally obsessed with Portland too! How weird! I’ve never been there either, but I’ve heard it’s like the mecca for vegan eating (and I live in CA!) and being the hiking junkie that I am, obviously is supposed to have gloriously beautiful hikes! Hmm… next domestic vacation may just have to be Portland!
p.s. your noodle bowl looks all sorts of delicious and messy
Smoothies in a bowl > Smoothies in a glass
Very firm believer in birthday weeks over here.
I have this weird obsession with Portland, too, even though I’ve never been – hoping to get there sometime in the next few years!
Just stumbled onto your blog. I love your writing. I celebrated 4-day weekend for my 25th birthday, never a birth-week though. This might have to happen when I turn 26. Btw, I love love love the sequined shoes. I keep saying I need more sequins in my wardrobe.
-Shanni D.
<3 http://www.fitango.com <3
i am a devoted j brand wearer. any designer who can make skinny jeans look good on someone 5’4″ with a booty is doing something right!
From briefly reading through previous comments, it sounds as though you’ve got quite a following from Portland, myself included. I moved here about 5 years ago and it really is as amazing as everyone says. Try to come before the summer is over to get the best weather! My ‘must do PDX list’ (does not include some previously mentioned awesome suggestions):
1. Bike around Sauvie Island. Visit the naked beach if you dare.
2. Hike in the Gorge.
3. Check out Hood River, an awesome town full of beer and windsurfers – about an hour from Portland.
4, Eat at Pok Pok, Por Que No, Bunk Sandwiches, Clyde Common, Pine State Biscuits – these are all fairly affordable.
5. Treat yourself to Paley’s Place, Navarre, Le Pigeon, Beast
Feel free to contact me before you come – I love playing tour guide.
I LOVE PALEYS. these are fantastic suggestions. (psst.. get the bone marrow.. your life will change.)
Just wanted to say – long time reader, first time commenter! I’m completely obsessed with avocados. I could eat them plain with salt and pepper and be perfectly happy. They are just so expensive here! I love reading your blog! Thanks for writing.
Mal xoxo
I adore avocados. I love cubing them adding freshly diced tomatoes, garlic, chili powder and a little lime juice. Makes the best salsa!
And Portland is wonderful!!!
Oh how have I not met you until now! Your birthday week sounds like my very best dream week. I told my lovely little blueberries about this post and even they said ‘sounds just like you mummy!”
Love it! Love it! Love it! ….. and so happy to meet you
Omg I am also obsessed with Portland! I’ve been there once but only in a car on my way to the Cascade Mountains and I don’t remember the city AT ALL but I’m CONVINCED I need to move there (from New York). I’m pretty sure all my friends want to shoot me by now because I keep trying to make them go there wiht me for a visit or just move there haha
Happy Birthday Week!
Thank your for posting so many pretty shoes and jeans lately. They make me happy
And Happy Birth Week!
As someone born and raised in Portland I can’t encourage you enough to come visit. It’s a foodie, brewery, athletic paradise. If you are in need of suggestions or a tour guide, let me know!
when you go to portland, PLEASE go to Lovejoy Bakery, on lovejoy and 23rd in the Pearl District. and the ocean, its so close and the oregon coast is so breathtaking. I went to college there and can say that Portland has the BEST food; you really can’t go wrong. (and bridgeport brewery. and stumptown coffee.)
also, I LOVE birthday week!! I celebrate this fab event too, and adore that you appreciate it just as much!!
my two most recent favorite ways to use avocados, i can’t recommend both enough!
http://www.thesweetslife.com/2011/05/strawberry-mango-avocado-salad.html
http://www.thesweetslife.com/2011/05/best-of-2011-warm-avocado-salad.html
What style of skinny jean did you get?
I’d love to give them a try! I have really athletic (read: muscular) legs, and find true skinny jeans just don’t fit right (too small in the calf). I’d love to know which ones work for you!
Hi Jenna,
We share the same birthday week! PLEASE tell me what style of J Brand jeans you love. I’m always on the hunt for the perfect pair of skinnies.
Happy birthday!
lisa see is hit and miss with me…i loved snow flower and the secret fan, but thought peony in love was HORRIBLE. i liked shanghai girls so-so…where does her new one rank in those?
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