Pacific Northwest Trip: Portland Day 2 Japanese and Chinese Gardens

Day two in Portland started with brunch at Mother's. The place was PACKED. The food was delicious (I had chocolate chip pancakes) so I can see why there was a crowd! We picked up doughnuts for a later snack at Voodoo Doughnuts on our way to the Lan Su Chinese Garden.

Peaceful, quiet, and beautiful spot in a busy city

Next we headed to Washington Park to the Rose Test and Japanese gardens.

The view from the rose garden

Our Voodoo doughnuts. I honestly prefer traditional doughnuts more I think. I liked the topping (I chose M&M's) but the actual doughnut part was too dry for my taste

Unfortunately we weren't there at the right time to see the roses blooming but still beautiful

The Japanese garden is proclaimed to be the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan

View of Mount Hood (yes, that white is a snow capped mountain not clouds!) from the park

We ended up staying at the gardens for awhile and unfortunately both of the lunch places we wanted to try were closed. But we ended up at the cutest place called Elephants. It is an Oregon chain of delicatessens and cafes. Some of the locations have a store attached and I wanted to buy everything! I ended buying three of their elephant reusable bags: one for H and two for me. We relaxed at our hotel and then walked over to The Picnic House for dinner.

We actually had another Elephants right across the street from our hotel so we stopped there for a quick breakfast the next morning before we headed to the airport. It was really hard to say goodbye to my sister but we had such a fun trip and I can't wait for our next adventure together!


Restaurants: Mother's, Voodoo Doughnuts, Elephants, The Picnic House
Sightseeing: Lan Su Chinese Garden, Washington Park (Japanese Garden and rose test garden)
Hotel: Paramount Hotel

Essentials for a Nautical Picnic

This past weekend I went to my second outdoor movie of the summer Bring It On. I usually grab food from the food trucks so I don't have to pack much for the outdoor movies. But if you are packing your own food or just having a picnic in the park here are my recommendations.

I have seen picnic basket sets that include everything from the picnic basket to utensils, plates, glasses, and napkins ( such as Martha Stewart for Macy's picnic basket set for 4, $68 and Bamboo 21-Piece Insulated Picnic Basket, Bed Bath and Beyond, $40) but I prefer mixing and matching so I can have everything nautical ;)

Cooler totes and baskets:

Whale cooler tote, Vineyard Vines, $58

Zipper closure, handles, two outside side pockets

Lilly Pulitzer insulated beverage bucket in True Navy Booze Cruise, Swoozies, $26

Folds flat for storage and easy travel, includes a bottle opener and front pocket

Monogrammed seahorse cooler bag, Marley Lilly, $45

Insulated and lightweight, adjustable shoulder strap, outside open pocket, easy to carry handles

Monogrammed anchor cooler bag, Marley Lilly, $45

Insulated and lightweight, adjustable shoulder strap, outside open pocket, easy to carry handles

Monogrammed navy anchor market basket, Marley Lilly, $34

Travels easily, easy to carry with handle, collapsable and stores flat

Cups, plates, accessories:

Insulated Tumbler Set (2) in Lobstah Roll, Lilly Pulitzer, $25

Can keep hot liquids hot and cold liquids cold. Dishwasher Safe. BPA, lead, and Phthalate Free

Lilly Pulitzer set of 8 tumblers, Swoozie's, $16

Dishwasher and UV Safe

Lobster Kraft paper placemats, Sur la Table, $20 for set of 25 (also available in crab design)

simply peel off the number needed and store the rest

Set of four nautical cocktail napkins, Sur la Table, $10

Nautical flag paper cocktail napkins, C.Wonder, $8

School of fish paper placemats, C.Wonder, $24 for set of 24

Blankets:

Target has a great collection of blankets this summer. Unfortunately they appear to be sold out online but I saw them in stock in stores as recently as this past weekend. I have the zip and carry one to use this summer. It's the perfect size, has handles, and as the name suggests, zips up. My only complaint is that if I use it at night I can't always fold it the correct way in the dark (so I just fold it up the best I can and do the zipper when I get home).

Taken on the Target floor so you can see what the label looks like (I had already thrown the label on mine away)

Last summer I used a Tuffo water resistant blanket that I borrowed from my sister (she was using it with my nephew at the park/in the grass). I might invest in my own so I have a spare blanket to bring along to picnics/outdoor movies/the park. It also has shoulder straps and folds up easily to carry.

To stay warm I use my ChappyWrap. This blanket keeps me warmer than any of the ones I have used in the past.

Keeping warm in my ChappyWrap at the 500 Days of Summer screening. I am sitting on the Target blanket (it's reversible)

Toys:

Inflatable beach balls, Pottery Barn Kids, $10

Bubble squirties, Pottery Barn Kids, $7

What do you like to bring on a picnic?

this post contains affiliate links

Rizzoli and Isles set visit

Last week Leeann and I headed to the Rizzoli and Isles set for a press event. I lucked out because I had the day off from work post-Legoland/work trip. I was so excited because Rizzoli and Isles is one of my favorite shows. There is nothing I love more than a good police drama! We asked Bruce McGill what three words he would use to describe season 5 and he said, "Rich, full, satisfying!" With Jane's pregnancy, Maura's new love interest, and plenty of crazy crimes it sounds like season 5 is going to be the best one yet!

The new season starts tomorrow, Tuesday June 17, at 9 P.M. on TNT.

Sasha Alexander, Bruce McGill, Jan Nash, Jordan Bridges, Angie Harmon

I was able to get a sneak peak of the first two episodes of the upcoming season. Have tissues ready. I wasn't sure how they would handle the untimely death of cast member Lee Thompson Young. I watched every episode of The Famous Jett Jackson and I remember being so excited when Lee Thompson Young was cast on Flash Forward and then Rizzoli and Isles. I don't want to give any details away from these two episodes but the funeral scene was so emotional and really honored Lee Thompson Young and the character he played, Detective Barry Frost.

Angie Harmon was so funny. She had everyone laughing! Not only did she take a photo with us but she told us to tag her in our photos and then she retweeted them on her Twitter

I am a HUGE Dawson's Creek fan so meeting Sasha Alexander was pretty amazing. Pacey's sister! I loved Sasha on NCIS too. It was interesting to hear Sasha talk about her character's love life (post-Frankie kiss and a potential NEW love interest) and the shenanigans that Maura and Jane will be getting in this season! Maura might be "funking it up" a bit more fashion wise. Can't wait to see what that means!

Jordan Bridges is even more handsome and charming in person! He took photos of me and Leeann (see below) and then took a selfie of us (using my camera, not iphone, which is not easy!)

The photo Jordan took of us

Nautical art inside the cafe set

There were two themed drinks: The Rizzoli and the Isles

Jan Nash did a quick photo shoot of us in the interrogation room. No handcuffs involved!

It is clear that everyone on the cast and crew loved Lee Thompson Young. Detective Barry Frost's outstanding service award is still hanging on the wall

Don't forget to tune in tomorrow night Tuesday June 17, at 9 P.M. on TNT to watch the premiere of season 5!

Boden Giveaway Winner and 25% off Discount Code

The winner of the $150 Boden giftcard is...

JUDY S.!

Receive 25% off AND free shipping when you use code: N6W5 or this link (exp 6/28)

Here are some favorite nautical baby and kid items

Boys logo playset | Ava dress | Nautical twin pack t shirts
Ocean anchor stripe board shorts | Pretty swimsuit | Army anchor graphic t shirt
Embellished scoop neck top | Boys logo playset

And from the spring/summer women's collection

Printed beach throw on | Twist front swimsuit |  Cashmere colourblock sweater
Flowershow dress | Notch neck shift | Modern pencil skirt

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

SaveSave

My favorite nautical flip flops are back!

I discovered this brand, Palm Island, a couple of years ago via the Bealls website. I bought my first pair back in spring 2011 and then bought another two the following year. Last summer I couldn't find them anywhere. I thought that Bealls stopped selling them. But then the other day when I was looking for sandals to feature in my nautical sandal post I discovered that Bealls has restocked the Palm Island flip flops! This year there are even more fun designs. Each pair is $15 and I have always been able to find a discount code for an additional percentage off or free shipping. I am not sure if this brand is sold in the Bealls stores or just online.

Red and navy anchors | Seahorses | Red sailboats | Green palm trees

Blue and white anchors | Black and pink palm trees | Orange sailboats | Blue seashells | Pink flamingos

Nautical Photo of the Week: Beachy Garage Storage

This week I am featuring a nautical garage makeover from Andy of A Mile in Mom's Manolos. Andy had a nautical 40th birthday party that I featured on the blog here.

The towels are a great Walmart find from Linda

Andy and her husband updated their garage last fall. The renovation included painting the stairs red and adding the built in storage. You can see how she did that in this post. With summer around the corner Andy updated the garage for pool trips, beach days, and other warm weather activities. She writes, "We cleaned out...school backpacks...finally took down all the winter coats... washed and stored them, boxed up boots, and replaced bins with flip flops, and stored away hats and mittens replacing them with sunblock and bug spray."

To deal with the issue of wet towels Andy's husband painted the garage and put up bead board and sturdy hooks

Pacific Northwest Trip: Seattle Day 2/Portland Day 1

This was our rainy day in Seattle so I didn't take many photos. We started the day with a delicious breakfast at Lola and then walked around Pike Place Market.

Had to take a photo of this bakery since my family is three girls

We had lunch at Serious Pie. We devoured every last crumb of our pizza. One of the best I have ever had!

We stopped to pick up warm drinks at Moore Coffee on our way to Seattle Art Museum.

my hot chocolate

cars hanging from the ceiling in SAM

Next we walked down to the Seattle Aquarium and ate our mini donuts from Daily Dozen Donut Co (inside Pike Place Market) as our snack. How we waited that long to eat them I don't know!

Enjoying the rain

Our cousin, who lives in Tacoma, came to visit for dinner. We had drinks/appetizers at Palace Kitchen, dinner at La Fontana Siciliana, and then headed to Bathtub Gin after. All were within walking distance of each other and our hotel. It was such a fun night. I just wish we could have spent more time with family on this trip!

The next day we were on the road to Portland. Before we left Seattle we stopped to get breakfast for the road at Top Pot Doughnut. Definitely my favorite donuts of the whole trip (with the mini donuts from Pike Place Market a close second). 

We arrived in Portland around lunchtime. After we checked into our hotel we walked to get sandwiches at Bunk. BEST grilled cheese I have ever had! A rainy afternoon seems like the perfect time to do some shopping! We stopped at Powell's Books, Alder and Co, Frances May, Animal Traffic, Canoe, and Tender Loving Empire.

This is the shirt I bought at Animal Traffic

Canoe had the cutest set of nautical flag blocks (second shelf, second box)

We had a quick snack at Brunch Box and then headed to Portland Art Museum. We basically had the museum to ourselves since it was pretty late.

We had dinner at Apizza Scholls. Can you tell I never get tired of eating pizza?! This pizza did not disappoint either!

I loved our hotel, the Paramount, in Portland. The location was perfect for us-walking distance to all of the places above (minus Apizza Scholls). The hotel restaurant was under construction (fine with us!) so we got a really great deal on a very nice room.

Restaurants: Lola (breakfast), Serious Pie (lunch), Moore Coffee, Palace Kitchen (appetizers), La Fontana Siciliana (dinner), Bathtub Gin (bar), Top Pot Doughnut (breakfast), Bunk (lunch), Brunch Box (snack), Apizza Scholls (dinner)
Sightseeing: Pike Place Market, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Aquarium , Portland Art Museum
Hotel: Hotel Five (Seattle), Paramount Hotel (Portland)