I know, I know, you all are wondering where the conclusion to my 10×10 is, right? Well it’s coming, I promise.
But first, a fun little detour around my very favorite city on earth. And I’ve been to lots of cities. I’ve even lived in lots of cities. But Portland holds my heart! Today I am taking over the Instagram feed of IMBY – a new NYC-based ethical clothing shop. I am sharing some of my favorite spots around P-town while sporting some of IMBY’s latest spring offerings.
I’ve lived in Oregon for more than twenty years, and I love this state, even though the rain drives me crazy by spring. I grew up in laid-back, hippie-land, Eugene, took a six-year hiatus in the capital, Salem, and now, Portland is home. It’s the perfect big-little city nestled between mountains, on a river, and with a city-scene that’s hard to be beat. It’s no surprise that Portland is one of the top destinations for relocating right now. Good for business, but a little crazy for housing!
Let’s get to the mini tour, shall we?
I love coffee. So does my husband. Every day we make our brew with a French press; we don’t even own a regular coffee pot. Occasionally we treat ourselves to coffee out, and the Hof is one of our favorite haunts. It boasts new-school flavor with old-school charm. Aka, this is not your hipster coffee joint.
Powell’s Books is as synonymous to Portland as Mt. Hood and the Hawthorne Bridge. When I was a kid, my favorite thing to save my money for was a trip to the bookstore. The smell of books brings me the best sense of nostalgia and contentment. Technology is great, but I love going analog when I am reading.
The newly re-designed showroom at Powell’s is filled with hand-written reviews and recommendations, you could spend hours in there, let alone the several floors that house everything from a rare book collection to Harry Potter.
PokPok is a restaurant I frequented even before I made the move to Portland. It’s probably the best Asian food I’ve ever eaten, save a few sushi experiences at some of my favorite Japanese places.
The green papaya salad and spicy wings are my favorites. And the street cart vibe is unlike any restaurant I’ve been to! You’ll want to order a drinking vinegar to tame the fire in your mouth. :)
Green papaya salad
Yam Tuna
Spicy wings
So much food. If we’d had room we would have walked across the street to go here for ice cream.
The best way to burn off that food baby is with a post-meal walk by the waterfront and across one of our many bridges! Portland is nicknamed ‘Bridge City’ for good reason. There are nine in the downtown area alone, and a handful more up and down the Willamette River.
One of my favorite things to do is walk across the Steel Bridge or the Burnside Bridge. The views of the city are stunning, and the fresh air is unbeatable!
Thanks for tagging along on my mini-tour of Portland. Special thanks to IMBY for sending me these tops to style for you guys!
LOOK 1: white organic slouchy tee, borrowed from IMBY / skirt, Steven Alan via Crossroads / shoes, Nisolo / bag, Cuyana / necklace, c/o Loop Jewelry
LOOK 2: black organic circle shirt, c/o IMBY / jeans, Levi’s / sandals, old (similar, made in LA) and have you seen THESE?!? / necklace, c/o Loop Jewelry / bracelet, FashionABLE
Looks like a great spot to live! I’ve always wanted to visit. Thanks for the mini tour!
Thanks Jodie, it really is a beautiful place!
Love this post Andrea! Portland is the best city in the world! I’ve actually got a Portland guide in the works right now ;) And I know it’s a crime, but I STILL haven’t been to Pok Pok!
I agree! I love to travel, but I always love to come home. I can’t wait to see your Portland guide! I am sure it will be lovely and well-executed. As for PokPok, oh my~! When you go, be sure to go to the main one, not their smaller places like PokPok Noi.
I LOOOVE this post! So excited to be introduced to IMBY. But even more so I love these photos of you and their tops! That black swingy tee especially looks like perfection! Also, sorry for all the exclamation points! Lol.
I love your enthusiasm! And I’m definitely a repeat-offender when it comes to exclamation marks! Ha.
Yes, that top is amaaaazing. It’s almost like wearing a dress, but still wearing pants, if that makes sense.
Love this!! I have always wanted to visit Portland and this post makes me want to all the more. I have several friends that will be moving there within the next few years to get jobs and build missional communities within the city, so hopefully I will make it out there some time. Love the looks you created, too, and thank you for introducing me to another ethical clothing shop! Have a great week!
That is so awesome Rebecca! We are attending a church plant that started in the heart of the city about a year ago, and we love. Portland is amazing place. If you ever make it out here, let me know! :)
thank you so much for this! my husband and I are trying to plan a trip to the pacific northwest this year and I want to make Portland our main hub and travel using the Amtrak cascades up and down. the coffee shop and ice cream shop will definitely be on the list to try out! my parents used to live in Eugene and Tillamook in the 70s, and they had the best stories about living there!
That’s so cool. I have heard that Eugene was pretty interesting in the 70’s. :) Portland is so awesome, and there are so many fun neighborhoods to explore! If you want to eat your way through town, be sure to add Blue Star donuts to your list too! :)
Loved the mini guide, it’s always nice to see where my online friends live! I’d definitely give pok pok a try! Also, I’m only commenting to tell you, the first photo of you on the bridge is absolutely gorgeous! You look so happy and carefree. Love it!
Aw, Kat! Thanks so much!!
I’d love to see a mini tour of where you live!
This is so fun! I love that circle top, too!
Thanks Leah! It was a really fun project to work on. Yes, that circle top is pretty amazing! It’s like a dress, but with pants. So cool.
Hi. I recently found your blog and appreciate all that I’m learning about ethical/sustainable clothing. I love the slouchy tee. I’m looking at it on-line and wondering if the arm holes are super big or normal. Also did you get your regular size or size down.
Thank you!
Hi Tina, I was wearing a small (I’m usually between a S-M in most sizes), and yes it has ovesized armholes. I wore mine with a bralette that has really good coverage. But it would also work well with a cami or sports bra.