what to be when i grow up

It feels so strange to be done with school! I started my program 16 months ago and now it's all over - I can't believe how fast it flew by. Everyone keeps asking me what's next, and honestly, I don't know! Most days I really love my job, and when I think about giving it all up, I think "no way". However, I do find myself with quite a bit of free time (some weeks I have a lot, some weeks I have none) so I would really like to find a job/volunteer position/internship/hobby that I can fill my time with. Here are some ideas I have had:

1. Part time job where I could learn the business of event planning, maybe 1 day/week
2. My dream job: Be one of those people who visits local restaurants and rates them secretly (all the while eating for free!)
   
3. Volunteer at the hospital (delivering flowers or something, like I did in high school, but only at a really nice hospital)
   
4. Part time job doing travel planning
   
5. Work in the wine industry
   
6. My secret fun job: work with a florist :)
7. Take photography classes

These are my huge career ambitions, folks! Just kidding. My real focus will someday be in event planning, but as of now I am not ready to devote much time to it. I would, however, love to integrate myself into the business slowly, by possibly shadowing a local event planner one day a week.

But anyways, last night was a celebration! I came home to a mini-celebration surprise, with a nice bottle of champagne, cake, and bouquets of flowers. I was expecting to just walk in the door, put my cozies on, and watch Lost (which was a re-run anyway, booo). An exciting time!

one of those deals that doesn't come often

from...one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie. A bargain: one of life's smallest and most exciting pleasures. I felt compelled to share with you all, because, today, while merely running into the store for a 5-minute errand, I happened to dash into the sale room for a quick fix. Low and behold, this amazingly beautiful and girly dress, which I have been eyeing for quite some time, must have been returned and was marked down to 1/4 of the original price (IN. MY. SIZE!!). This was a moment where several saleswomen saw the dress, then saw the sale price, and immediately got googly-eyed wishing they would've seen it before I snatched it up. A glorious moment for a shopper like me. Moulinette Soeurs dress, you will be great for summer weddings and maybe even the occasional date night out. Today was a successful day.

east coast to west coast

Last few days were a whirlwind! Jeff found out Wednesday afternoon that he would be going to NYC and Connecticut on Thursday, and then LA on Monday. Madness, right? Why doesn't he get more notice? I ask the same thing. It's all for "press-checks" as they are called (for KIN, see last blog post), which I am finally beginning to understand. My brain's limited understanding of the event is that a designer basically flies across the country just to double-check a marketing material as it comes out of the printer (for color, etc) and before it is mass-produced throughout the world or country or wherever. Hmm...maybe you should google it if you really want to know. But it is something like that.

Regardless of the definition - it's important, I have gathered. And lucky Jeff got to spend a few days in three great cities. Here are a couple photos from the NYC portion of his trip (I stole them off his iphone so they may not be of the best photography standards :). Today he is still in LA...enjoying the sunshine. SIGH.

I do have things to rejoice about here in rainy P-town though!

1. I graduate tomorrow. Well, officially on Saturday but I am skipping out on that sentimental stuff.
2. I just returned from a truly lovely weekend in Seattle with my family, and Jeff - we met up there in between his trips. The sun was shining...took a 3-mile walk around Greenlake...ate at my very favorite Seattle restaurant, La Rustica...wine tasted at an adorable local wine shop with my mom...spent time with Gma and Gpa...walked around Ballard...BBQ'ed pizzas...all was good.
   
3. One of my wonderful friends just moved practically around the corner from me.
   
4. I still have shows from last week that are on my DVR and waiting to be watched.
   
5. I was inspired by some spectacularly great podcasts on living life (Itunes--Solid Rock podcasts), on my way to and from Seattle.
   
6. I was about to go for a run and then it started to rain.
   
7. The birds are chirping.
8. My house is clean.
9. Aruba trip is less than 3 weeks away!
10. I was reminded today when listening to the podcast: We shouldn't focus on what will happen in the future, because we never know what even tomorrow may bring. THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOLKS!
    

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!

Microsoft KIN

So you may have all heard...but Jeff's "secret project" is out of the bag now! For the past couple years or so, he and some others at his office have been working hard on a huge brand launch for Microsoft, called KIN. If you haven't heard about it yet, that's because it's just been released to the press, but most likely you will soon. The brand has a series of smart phones (I think there are only 2 now) geared towards fans of social networking. His firm did all of the visual identity, marketing communications, packaging, device colorways/materials/finishes, all in store at Verizon + much much more. He designed a few pieces of the marketing which will be released in the very near future - so proud of my hubby I am. :)

Check out the product at these sites:

http://kin.com/

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/microsoft-kin-one-and-kin-two-announced-windows-phone-roots-wit/

finding myself with some free time

Now that school is done, I have been told I need a hobby. Any ideas?

new habits

Ahh, what a serene picture. If only running was really like this for me. Reality is, I am on a treadmill at the gym, drenched in stinky sweat, no doubt with a major wedgie, my bangs are glued to the front of my face, and I am exercising about 12 inches away from an overweight man who is also sweating profusely. HOWEVER...I surprisingly find this new habit quite addicting.

I write this post because in the past couple of months I have been deeply motivated to get my run on by a few of my gal pals (you know who you are ladies :). I was stuck on the elliptical machine for the past year, but now I have broadened my horizons! My secret: I am food-motivated. If the treadmill TV is set to the Food Network, it's like I am in a zone, and all of the pain is taken away. Magical. :) Also what keeps me going is picturing that glass of wine I will enjoy when I get home! We'll see how long this new habit lasts.

do you read my blog?

I would love to know if you are following our blog...become a follower! (Go to the right-hand column of the page, down near the bottom, and click on "become a follower"). Have a great day!

rosemary crusted salmon

Jeff says it's "rich", but I think I just put too much topping on the fish. This recipe is A-mazing. The first time we made it, Jeff actually prepared it and served it to me - I felt like I was in a restaurant! It's that good. And, as I just wrote, Jeff prepared it, so that means it's super easy too. Takes 5 minutes max!

Rosemary Crusted Salmon

2 Tb. fresh rosemary, chopped finely
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 c. seasoned breadcrumbs (I use a little less)
1 Tb. butter, semi-melted
4 salmon steaks (Last time I used steelhead b/c Whole Foods had it on sale - it doesn't have any bones!!)
1 Tb. olive oil

*Preheat oven to 425. Salt the fish fillets on both sides. Combine first five ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt and mash into a paste.

*Arrange salmon fillets in a lightly oiled baking dish. Press equal amounts of breadcrumb mixture onto the top of each salmon steak and drizzle with oil. Place in oven and bake 10-12 minutes or until fish is cooked throughout.

warm weekend

Ahh, coming away from a weekend with warm weather just makes me smile. I don't realize how much we Oregonians are sun-deprived until we see the sun for a few days. This past week has been gorgeous - everything is in full bloom and colors are plentiful.

We enjoyed the weekend happenings! Friday night started off with a bang - Jeff made dinner for me because Orange Chicken is one of his specialties and for some reason I just can't do it the same as he can. Just a relaxing evening at the Meakins household.

Saturday I worked and Jeff went snowboarding - probably one of the last days of the ski season. He and Pete made the last day an experience...reveled in their manhood, even setting up a mini BBQ in the parking lot like rugged campers who wouldn't dare eat in the lodge.

Later - a night out on the town: First, drinks at M-Bar (just a teeny tiny little beer/wine-only bar on NW 21st), then a truly FABulous dinner at Mingo (also on NW 21st)...it was one of those nights that couldn't be beat...amazing service, wonderful food, great company, warm weather...good times. Of course the night just couldn't end without a stop-in at another local favorite for some chocolate fondue. Needless to say, we were stuffed. :)

Today we have been soaking up the sun, enjoyed a great service at Solid Rock, went for a walk on the river in our favorite Lake Oswego park (old stomping grounds), got coffee at Peet's, did some yard work (well, Jeff did), and are now relaxing at home in front of the Blazer play-off game (well, not me, as obviously, I am blogging). We had a couple more very interested prospects for the house - but as we've learned - we don't get our hopes up. :)

Wishing everyone a fabulous week~

you are my sunshine

parmigiano-reggiano-crusted chicken piccata

I have been thinking about it all week. I am making this recipe tomorrow night - it's one of our favs. Yumm. Had to share it! It's easy, delicious, and a perfect blend of veggies, flavorful chicken (not dry, gross chicken), and pasta. Compliments of Rachael Ray. Enjoy!

1/4 c. flour
2 eggs
1 1/4 c. grated parmesan
4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves, pounded thin
Salt
1/2 lb. angel hair pasta
3 T. evoo
Juice of 1 lemon, plus 1 lemon sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 c. capers, drained and patted dry, or 12 caper berries, sliced
1/2 c. dry white wine
1/4 c. flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 c. chicken broth
2 T. butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
One 5-oz package baby spinach
Pepper

1. Set up your breading station. Place flour in plate. Place eggs in shallow bowl. Place 1 c. cheese on another plate. One cutlet at a time, coat the chicken with flour, then egg, then cheese, pressing to adhere.

2. Bring a large pot of water to boil, add salt then pasta and cook 3 minutes. Drain, reserving a ladleful of the pasta cooking water. (I do this at the end)

3. In a large nonstick skillet, put 2 T. EVOO over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning once, until deeply golder, 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter and cover with foil.

4. Add the remaining 1 T. EVOO to the skillet. Add the sliced lemon, garlic and capers and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the wine and parsley and cook until reduced, 1 minute. Lower the heat and bring to a simmer.

5. Stir the chicken broth into the sauce for 1 minute. Stir in the butter until melted, then stir in the lemon juice. Spoon a little sauce over the chicken. Add the spinach to the remaining sauce in the skillet and cook until wilted. Add the reserved pasta cooking water. Stir in the pasta and toss to coat; season with salt and pepper. Add the remaining 1/4 c. cheese and toss. Serve the pasta with the chicken.

tschüß, katie and jason!

Jeff's sister Katie and her husband Jason moved to Germany this morning (Katie joined the Air Force earlier this year). Of course we all wanted to see them before they moved, so this weekend was a mini-reunion in Eugene. All of Jeff's siblings were home, and with that came some fun times (let's just say when Jeff is with his two brothers it is sometimes a very unique and entertaining scenario).

Highlight of the weekend was definitely a lazy 3-hour Saturday afternoon session at Beerstein, with everyone - Jeff's grandma too. It's a very cool place with a LOT of different beers from around the world. This is one of the things I love and remember most about Eugene - places like Beerstein, that are casual, comfortable, and local (pics of the fun times included!).

Easter morning brunch with Andy and Brook was also yummy and delightful (at Marche)...as was Friday night's Mazzi's lasagna feed with all of the relatives. Lots of good times just catching up with family.

siblings

Aren't they too cute?! Chloe's leg was injured last weekend - she landed wrong while playing frisbee and had quite a limp for a few days. Right after it happened she was whining in pain (drama queen), so Jeff set her up on the couch so she could rest. This is what Jeff observed just minutes later: Kitty must've known Chloe was feeling badly and wanted to snuggle with her. tooo cute.

girl/guy weekend

A couple weeks ago we both got to spend the weekend with good friends we don't get to see very often. Two of my wonderful girlfriends (Kristin and Em) came to Portland; meanwhile, Jeff flew to Arizona to hang out with Gregg and some other guys he knew from college. These friends and I have made "girls weekend" an annual thing - many memories involved! Jeff and I have always agreed that times like these with our friends are important.

Jeff's weekend: Attending countless spring training pro-baseball games (see pic). I don't even know how many they went to. Eating lots of hot dogs. Drinking beer. Hiking Camelback Mountain. Catching up with Gregg, Karl, and Josiah. Seeing his sister Katie for an evening; she was there with the air force. Riding bikes.

Kelly's weekend: Talking, talking, catching up. Major shopping. The annual IKEA trip. Cooking and eating tons of seafood (Em works for a seafood distributor and brought heaps with her). Frozen yogurt. Going out for Mexican food. Attempting to exercise. More shopping. Enjoying Cafe Yumm multiple times. Relaxing!

We love our friends! Fun to see each other again on Sunday night too. :)

i. have. a. weakness. for. cheese. sauce. :) mmmm.

local portland spots

You all know how much we love food (especially me). One of our favorite things to do is try new restaurants around Portland, especially some of the amazing local spots. I thought it was due time to make a list of our favorites we've visited over the past almost six years we've lived here. Here they are, in no special order...

• Serrato (staple restaurant, love everything here, and great happy hour too)
• Piazza Italia (another absolute staple, love everyone there, love the simple & yummy food)
• Ken's Artisan Pizza (best pizza)
• Mio Sushi (ahh, I have cravings for it! Love the double crunch roll)
• Castagna (wonderful atmosphere, great NW cuisine)
• Wildwood (JUST PURE WONDERFUL, amazing wine selection)
• Urban Fondue (love the "fondue for two" before 6pm)
• Por Que No (Hawthorne spot, funky, wonderful tacos and sangria)
• Iorio (Portland's #1 restaurant on Citysearch in multiple categories)
• Chez Jose (casual Mexican, with NW flare)
• Cha (modern Mexican, amazing margaritas, also amazing breakfast)
• Urban Farmer (at the Nines Hotel, great dessert spot)
• Mothers Bistro (amazing breakfast)
• Andina (insane cocktails)
• Sansai (great sushi, half-price menu all the time)
• MBar (cutest little teeny tiny bar-only on NW 23rd)
• Bridgeport Brewery (good beer, food)
• Henry's (a classic staple)
• Veritable Quandry (irresistible)
• Elephant's Deli (try the Mama Leone's soup)
• Pacific Breeze (just a little hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese/Thai place by our house)
• Hot Lips Pizza (sustainable pizza place, fav work lunch spot, try the squash and brie!)
• Cafe Yumm (we finally are getting another one downtown in June!)
• Orange Tree (frozen yogurt place at Washington Square Mall...I frequent this place often)
• Pastini (simple, cheap, quick pastas - great for weeknights)
• Crema (coffee house, best bakery, Jeff's fav spot)

I will think of more, but here is a few for now. If you haven't tried any of these, they come highly recommended! :)

10 random things i've learned recently

1. anything can change at a moment's notice. be ready.
2. reflecting on the past year: i love to learn, and i love to challenge myself.
3. marriage can be work - but I am reminded that I really do have the best and most committed, patient husband ever.
4. life is too short to be comfortable with whatever is easiest, or whatever "should be" next.
5. i think i would need to be checked into a mental institution if i was forced to stop traveling.
6. i feel better when i go to the gym regularly.
7. fashion IS ART, and a way of expressing yourself. i love that i work in such a cool industry. just watched September Issue...loved it.
8. the economy has definitely hurt my business (but thank God for a great tax return as a result! :)
9. i need to moderate my t.v. watching. it prevents conversation, and i don't need it on everyday.
10. i love trader joe's ice cream sandwiches! ahh, they are soo good - how did i miss them until now?