10 Things (July 2011)
This month, I’m dedicating my ten things post to a list of ten things I loved in Portland, Oregon, where I spent a week working, wandering and generally trying to keep my eyes open to everything I passed.
1. Seriously amazing breakfast made straight from the garden by Jean, a bnb hostess who is better known as the Measure-Free Hippie Cook. She is seriously cool, her food is seriously fab and her guest room is a fabulous place to stay. (You can find her here on Airbnb.)
2. Vintage everything, pretty much everywhere. I’m not sure there is anywhere else in the world that has embraced the reuse of older items on such a grand scale. There’s an Ikea in this town but I’m kinda wondering how it stays in business, as it seems like much less of this community is about all things new.
3. On a related note, the estate sales here are pretty fabulous and I may have picked up some treasures for pennies and then struggled to carry them around all day with all my work gear (camera, laptop, notebooks) while wearing flip-flops (fail).
4. All things rhubarb and coffee. Rhubarb muffins. Rhubarb pie. And the very best idea ever: rhubarb danishes. And lovely coffee via Stumptown and other Portland roasteries. (I have a real love of trying small local roasters when I go somewhere new, but so far my personal world champion medal goes to Sensory Lab in Melbourne, which I really wish was my local. Aside from the fact I would spend approximately 97.2 percent of my annual earnings on their coffee. So maybe it’s a safe distance.)
5. Gourmet food carts. Street food at an entirely different level. I know this is also taking off in New York and a few other cities where the rent makes it ridiculous to open a restaurant, and I would love to see it here in London. I ate at six different carts and every single meal was fabulous, and all six focused on making dishes from fresh and mostly local ingredients. The kitchens are open so you can see exactly what’s going on (which is something I love about street food in general and I always prefer street kitchens to carts that just sell something that was made elsewhere… though I do bend the rules for baked goods, as it’s pretty tough to bake a cake on a bicycle).
6. Bicycles in general. Lots of people on bicycles in Portland. Little bicycles, big bicycles and adorably customised bicycles. Except I am the wobbliest bicycle rider perhaps anywhere so I just walked. But I still like towns where bicycles are part of the scenery. Just don’t make me turn a corner on one.
7. Real photo booths that produce photo strips that smell like a darkroom.
8. Meeting some of the loveliest people who volunteered to show me around their happy city. I am trying to do this more and more in my own town because it breaks my heart when people say they don’t like London. I love this place and there truly is something for everyone if you know where to look. Meeting locals who are excited to show you their favourite places? It says a lot about a place. And Portlanders seem to be Portland’s biggest fans. That is pretty cool.
9. The crazily awesome book store, specifically the children’s section where I could happily live for at least a week. I found myself half in awe of their fabulous collection of books and half wanting to write lesson plans to go along with titles I wish more people would read.
10. Beautiful weather with sunshine but not ridiculous heat. Which was rather polite of a city known for rain. Perfect for sitting on the pavement and making plans for taking over the world in best possible ways. (Though actually most of my favourite cities in the entire world? Known for rain. I’m cool with that.)
There are other people blogging Ten Things today too, and you’re welcome to join us if you like! Blog your ten things on the tenth and add your link – easy! Then click through to visit other participating blogs to meet some new friends and revisit old favourites. We’ll be doing this every month, always on the tenth! See last month’s posts here.
xlovesx
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10 July 2011, 11:38
Am I really first? Unbelievable!
10 July 2011, 11:42
Great post – mine is about books as I have a pass the book to send on it’s way :0)
10 July 2011, 11:43
Great photos! Mine is all about 10 things you can find to do when you really ought to be tackling that huge pile of ironing.
10 July 2011, 11:46
Love, love that last photo! I’ve linked to my 10 things.
10 July 2011, 11:46
Thanks for sharing your trip. Made me feel like I was right there along with you! I love it that you included some photos. I also included some photos in my post today.
10 July 2011, 11:49
Looks like a great place to visit. thanks for sharing.
10 July 2011, 11:54
Love Portland! It can get pretty hot during the summer too as it’s kind of in the armpit of the PNW. And their food carts? None can compare! I’ll have to do a 10 list of my favorite city next month!
10 July 2011, 11:56
My first time playing along. Love the idea.
Rinda
10 July 2011, 12:03
added mine
Thanks Shimelle
10 July 2011, 12:09
Portland sounds a great place to visit but a bit far from Scotland :)
10 July 2011, 12:10
Put the evening meal in the oven and suddenly realised it was the tenth! You probably heard the sonic boom from my shriek, it certainly woke Mr M from his afternoon nap. already thinking about next month now! I love this project
10 July 2011, 12:13
Looks like a wonderful place to visit. Great photos, especially the pavement one, makes me want to sit down!
10 July 2011, 12:14
this is the first time i have ever been so organised, my ten things post was all ready and waiting this morning. linked up now. thanks for the inspiration!
10 July 2011, 12:24
I live in Seattle, and I really need to visit Portland. We have some places that sell Stumptown coffee up here and you’re right, it is DELICIOUS. =) Also, the weather is great here in the Pacific Northwest. We just tell people it’s gloomy so we’re not overrun. =P
10 July 2011, 12:29
I love Portland! Glad you had such a great time and thanks for hosting the Ten on the 10th blog series. Love it!
10 July 2011, 12:34
Beautiful photos! I love anything with rhubarb as well :)
10 July 2011, 12:46
Looks like you had a great time in Portland! Makes me want to take a trip so I can see all that great vintage stuff! Thanks for hosting the blog hop today!
10 July 2011, 12:46
Ah, Portland…I love it too. And miraculously, I’ve also been there when it was sunny once or twice.
10 July 2011, 12:47
My first ‘ten’…great idea Shimelle!
Alison xx
10 July 2011, 12:52
Portland is on my list of places to visit; now I want to go even more, thanks for the great post Shimelle!
10 July 2011, 12:53
Oooo I’m an English Teacher and avid children’s book reader so now I’m curious as to which books you’re refering too!!!!!!!
10 July 2011, 13:22
We have been wanting to travel that area, but with 2 kids under 4, it will have to wait until they are better in the car!
Great post!
10 July 2011, 13:35
Love this idea! I will be linking next month too. Did mine on 10 things happening in the next 30 days. Lots going on!!
10 July 2011, 13:42
Great photos Shimelle! It was very difficult choosing 10 from my holiday!
10 July 2011, 13:49
My post is about ten things I am loving right now. Love your photos Shimelle.
10 July 2011, 13:54
Great pic’s~never been to Portland:)
10 July 2011, 13:56
We don’t live near Portland either, but every time we are able to go Powell’s is on the list of places we must go—It’s a great bookstore!!
10 July 2011, 14:22
I had no idea Portland was such a rhubarb mecca! Sounds like a great place to visit.
10 July 2011, 14:35
I did a Lo for my list this time and even remembered to post it, unlike last time when I completely forgot! Love your pictures Shimelle.
10 July 2011, 14:49
Great list! Looks like you had beautiful weather for your visit.
10 July 2011, 14:52
Taking my first shot at this today!
10 July 2011, 14:56
Mine is 10 foodie photos from my US road trip this month – but unfortunately I don’t think any of them are healthy!!
10 July 2011, 15:11
Hi there! You definitely make me want to visit Portland, Shimelle. :-) I have posted mine and tweeted it. I couldn’t find a hashtag for this, so I created my own if others want to use it, too: #10on10th.
Have a fun day!
The Constant Scrapper
10 July 2011, 15:17
some realy good ideas here, but Blogger’s not letting me comment on many of the sites so apologies if I dn’t leave a comment
10 July 2011, 15:17
I’ve never been to Portland, but your post is inspiring me to find an excuse (any excuse) to go. Great post!
10 July 2011, 15:30
Portland looks like a good place to visit.
10 July 2011, 15:35
Now you have me wanted to take a trip to Oregon – it’s been years since I’ve been. : )
10 July 2011, 15:44
Do apologise for the double post – I put the wrong link first but thanks for everyone’s lovely comments. No 5 is a duplicate go to number 8 for the right post!
10 July 2011, 15:52
I now feel the need to go to Portland, lovely post!
10 July 2011, 15:56
I am so glad that you loved Portland, it is one of my favourite places too. linked my TEN things on the 10th
10 July 2011, 15:59
Had almost forgotten about this. Thanks for the reminder and the trip down ‘Disney’ memory lane :)
10 July 2011, 16:05
Portland sounds amazing, makes me really want to go there!
10 July 2011, 16:06
wow, that looks a fab place to visit. i have added mine, 10 childhood memories.
10 July 2011, 16:19
I would love to visit Portland one day. Everyone seems to have a beautiful story to share about it. And thnks for 10things. I’ve been waiting since last night and finally got mine posted. Very inspirational!
10 July 2011, 16:19
There are some great posts here but I haven’t been able to leave comments on some because google keeps sending me round & round with signing in & codewords!
10 July 2011, 17:25
Love your post on Portland – stunning Photos
10 July 2011, 17:37
Wow! Portland sounds wonderful. I would love to visit it one day. I always love it when you say that you love something about Melbourne. I have lived here for 6 years now and I think I still don’t appreciate this city enough. I reckon it is because I haven’t lived (and barely have visited) in other big cities.
10 July 2011, 17:47
great post, sounds like a super place to visit. I’ve linked my 10 (very short) things
10 July 2011, 17:47
Finally got round to contributing will have to catch up with everyone tomorrow I think xxx
10 July 2011, 18:58
I’ve linked mine, almost forgot as your post wasn’t ready when I did mine lastnight. LOL Good ‘ole time differences, eh? I’ve got a give-away going on as well!!
10 July 2011, 19:31
soon I’ll only have 6 states left to visit and Oregon is one :)
10 July 2011, 19:37
ALl linked up :) Now off to do some blog hopping
10 July 2011, 21:50
I love Portland! It’s one of my favorite cities and it’s even better when we get to take the train! The station is right in the Pearl and it’s only about a three hour ride.
I’m all linked up and look forward to checking out more of the posts.
10 July 2011, 23:35
Eeek! I’ve always wanted to visit Portland – hopefully one day soon I can see all these things first hand! :)
10 July 2011, 23:48
Looks like it was a great week for traveling!!!
11 July 2011, 01:17
Beautiful photos. You have me wanting to visit Portland now.
11 July 2011, 02:13
I’m so glad you posted about portland, one of my favorite cities to visit. Just finished my mini from our portland trip in may. Still need to post my 10. Maybe I will borrow your portland idea.
Xoxo,a
11 July 2011, 03:15
great photos, you should go to Portland England next!!
11 July 2011, 03:35
Cool! I lived in Portland with 5 friends for 3 months after we finished college. I’ve always sworn we would go back….of course now we would have to go cross the atlantic with lots of littleuns. We’ll see (might just wait till they have all flown the nest!) We had great weather that summer – I actually missed the rain (typical for an irish girl I suppose!). If you like rainy cities, you need to come to Galway – I’d say we get rain almost every day :(
No top ten for me yet, but you’ve prompted me to revisit my portland pics and maybe just get some of those scrapped! Thanks
11 July 2011, 07:26
Oops I forgot so I’m a day late with photos taken a day early.
I’m a little mixed up :D
11 July 2011, 18:30
BARBV- I have tried to leave a comment on your blog ‘Creative View’ but could not. Blogger just kept wanting me to log in all the time! Thank you for the comment you left on mine- your flower photos are GORGEOUS!x
11 July 2011, 23:49
How did I miss you Shimelle? I’m so glad you loved Portland, though. I would have been so giddy to have seen you at Powell’s, and I probably would have invited you to Barefoot Sage for a foot soak and toe massage. Not love London? Who? I loved it during my brief visit quite a few years ago. I’m sure I only hit a few main tourist spots. Thank you for being a person who loves where they are at, instead of where they aren’t.
12 July 2011, 05:14
Had fun playing along, only technical difficulties prevented linking on the 10th :(
12 July 2011, 09:03
Sorry I missed this – will start next month – I love this idea xx
12 July 2011, 12:57
I’m with Sheena I’m afraid! Had problems with my blog! Up now though! I’ve loved the posts Ive read so far, so inspiring :)
17 July 2011, 04:09
Only a week late! Ten places – not Portland, sadly.
Elx
4 August 2011, 21:30
I want a list of books :) one of my favorite parts of reading blogs is hearing about other peoples books :) oh…and portland…THE best! i live a mere three hours from it and visit every chance i can…