PORTLAND

LA's never-ending summer has been driving me crazy. It's practically winter and I still haven't had a chance to properly wear a coat here. For a much needed change of temperature, I booked it to Portland this past weekend. It'd been one year to the date that I'd been there last and each time I love it even more. I'm pretty easy to please since my main objectives are to 1. be cold (see above re: coats) and 2. eat good food, and Portland is very much spot on for both.

I stayed at Hotel Lucia, which I highly recommend for it's convenient location and the, not one but two, restaurants connected to the lobby (Penny Diner and Imperial). Also I don't know if this is a Portland thing, but never before have I had so many electrical sockets made available to me (reference lobby sofa below). Truly a hotel that understands convenience (or neurotics like me).

And of course between meals we'd take in some sights. We trekked it to Multnomah Falls and Hood River one day and the rest of the time just took it easy and explored the city. Below is a list of some of my favorite shops in Portland.

Frances May

1003 SW Washington St

Portland, OR 97205

Probably one of the biggest boutiques in Portland. They carry all my favorites - Acne, Nomia, Sophie Buhai, Margiela - so if you find yourself still chilly and in need of a few extra layers, go there. You'll be covered. Plus they just moved into a bigger space (next door to the original spot), just look out for the big neon YES sign on the corner. Super close to Lucia!

Nationale

3360 SE Division St

Portland, OR 97202

If you find yourself on Division (maybe grabbing a Salt n Straw?), be sure to stop by Nationale. It's a small gallery as well as a shop, carrying everything from housewares to zines and art books. Don't forget to peek behind the cash register, there's another small nook with more art =)

Stand Up Comedy

511 SW Broadway

Portland, OR 97205

Stand Up Comedy is one of my favorite OG weird internet online concept stores. I was excited to finally get to visit the brick and mortar this trip. The entrance is like one of the old jewelry stores in Downtown LA, with the window display entry. Currently on view are denim dolls from 69, but a new installation is soon to be up. Their selection is more niche like Eckhaus Latta, 69, Kapital, Electric Feathers.

West End Select Shop

927 SW Oak St

Portland, OR 97205

Like Nationale, West End Select Shop was another store I wasn't previously familiar with, but recommended by some local friends. Easily one of my new favorites. It had a great selection of vintage Levi's and brands I love like Black Crane and Nanushka.

SYDNEY STYLE

photography Jedd Cooney

I met some great people while I was in Sydney last month and I was fortunate enough to spend an afternoon shooting with one. Jedd's shot for Oyster and Desillusion, some of my favorite magazines. Lots of great work coming out of Australia. I'm no model, but thanks for makin me look semi cleaned up Jedd! Check out his site here and follow him on Instagram here. 

And thank you Acne, Bassike, and Supply Store for letting me style my dream looks!

SYDNEY FILM

Some photos I took with my T3 in Sydney. Already want to go back.

Wrote a little bit about my trip for Vogue here.

SEOUL HOLIDAY

Even though this is an insanely busy time at work, I had to make the trek to see my dad who is currently in Korea, the Asia home base of his retirement world tour. My brother, aunt, and uncle coming just made it a complete Christmas miracle (even though we technically missed Christmas on the plane). As soon as we landed, first stop sullung-tang!

The view from our hotel room right before it started dumping snow. I might have had an incrementally better time had it not felt like a million razors cutting my skin from the cold air. I felt like a misplaced lizard looking for patches of sunlight. On to Gyeongbokgung Palace for some sightseeing and #bricksquatting.

Got to visit the new National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Lots of things that I was not supposed to take pictures of *ahem*. But totally allowed to take photos of Do Ho Suh's Home Within Home Within Home Within Home Within Home. If you ever get a chance to see any of his work, you should go (run!) because it's really breathtaking and makes you feel so small in the best way.

My favorite part of Korea is always the eating. And not just eating famous food, but off-the-beaten-path food. My best friend in Korea took us to this place that we never in novemdecillion years would've found on our own. It was basically a grandma's house where she served us the freshest organic food in what I assume was her living room. This was definitely my favorite meal of the entire trip.

And sometimes when you don't have a savvy best friend, you might just try your luck with a friendly cab driver. We were looking for ganjang gejang and he dropped us off at this place that did not disappoint! Apologies to the ladies working there - my dad's highlight in life is bragging about his children. We just nod bashfully and stuff our faces.

15 layer #ootd wut wut

Korea is the land of advanced pastries if you didn't know. This is the most generic bakery chain. I said GENERIC.

...pause for mirror selfie...

My dad took us to one of the first bakeries in Seoul, Tae Guk Dang, which was established in 1946. While this is not the original location, they've kept everything as it was in the 60s. All the breads and packaging and interior, it's all like a time warp. But no need to update when you have the classic butter bread (full disclosure: I took a bite of that heavenly gluten pillow) (will not disclose after details).

Then over to To Sok Chon to squeeze in one last sam gye tang before the year is up.

New coat alert! Thanks D.Efect!

This is a real thing. I repeat, a...real...thing. That people eat. By paying money. A "burger" at KFC called the Maxx, which is 2 fried chicken breasts (in lieu of buns) with a hash brown, bacon, ketchup, and cheese in the center.

I was about to be proud of myself for having practiced such restraint. That is, until the last day my best friend took us wandering to some shops. Discovered my now favorite shop, Ecru. It's the flagship Undercover store in Seoul, as well as a multi brand boutique carrying Acne, D.Efect, Neighborhood, Zucca and basically all the brands that are enough for me not to have to go anywhere else. These trousers were, shockingly, my only purchase of the entire trip. Not even a silly keychain! or character socks! or faux fur lined leggings ( <---everywhere font="">! 

BFF

Last meal of 2013 - tuna sashimi complete with gold flakes. I'm fancy huh?

And then I fought the grandma in me (she let me win this once) and trekked it to a party (gasp!) to see my 360 Sounds buddies. Don't worry, I left as soon as the clock struck midnight. If I don't get home in time I turn into a pumpkin age appropriate socializing woman. AND WE WOULDN'T WANT THAT.

And the official Korean first meal of the new year - dduk guk! 

I'm not much for making new year's resolutions. I just always hope my loved ones are healthy and happy and that's good enough for me. Cheers to another year down friends! Thanks for sticking with me along this weird internet ride. Wishing you all the best in 2014.