A have a series of extra special Saturdays coming up. It actually all started this past Saturday. I got to go see a special show with my sweetheart. Next Saturday I get to dress in cap, gown and academic hood and receive my Master’s of Art in Education. And then the Saturday after that I get to marry the love of my life. It’s all pretty surreal.

Between finishing up school, preparing to move and planning a wedding, I haven’t had as much time as I would like to go out and take photographs. But, last Saturday I made a point of taking my camera(s) with me to capture some special time spent with Cory.

It was an especially gorgeous day. I mentioned in my last post how I got tickets to see the new Body Vox production as part of a thank you for illustrating a page in their calendar. I have to say this again: if you are in Portland, GO SEE “THE CUTTING ROOM.” Cory and I were both blown away by it.

After the show we walked around the Pearl District admiring the beautiful buildings, blossoming trees, delicious looking cupcakes and jaw droppingly gorgeous wedding gowns. After a quick pitstop at Peet’s for an iced chia, we were able to check off some wedding errands including picking up film, choosing a guestbook, buying gifts for our wedding guests, selecting a new morning cleanser (oh, how I love their shop on 23rd!) and picking up some decorating supplies from one of my favorite paper stores, Paper Source.

We ended the day with dinner at Podnah’s Pit. It’s turning into a regular haunt. We got our usual along with frito pie! It was the best Saturday I’ve had in quite some time…

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I’m dressed for the heat and for an afternoon matinee for this week’s 52. I spent a ton of time outside this week. Must have had to do with the fact that I was cooped up the majority of last week.

And now, my week in photographs…

Sunday (May 6th): Cory and I took my baby brother to Pok Pok. Can you believe he had never been!? During lunch he had asked if they served dessert which brought up Salt & Straw which he had also never been too. Of course I had to rectify the situation so as soon as we were done licking the bones of our chicken wings clean, we dashed over to Salt & Straw. Cory and I shared the tasting flight of four flavors. We sampled the mint chocolate chip, pear and blue cheese, balsamic strawberry and my personal favorite, the sea salt and caramel.

Monday (May 7th): I kept expecting to wake up and find all of the lovely, pink blossoms washed away by rain or wind. I was happy to see that they were still there.

Tuesday (May 8th): These are some gorgeous flowers outside of my beloved doctor’s office where I go for help with my Ulcerative Colitis and overall health. I haven’t mentioned this on the blog before, but I have been having excruciating pain in my right arm the last few months. It was first injured by a freak accident where afterwords I couldn’t unbend my elbow for 3 days. Ever since I have had trouble sleeping on my side (I couldn’t lay on my arm at all), carrying things, typing, drawing and even holding a pan to cook food in. I kept hoping that with rest it would eventually heal but I was growing impatient and the pain was getting worse. On Tuesday I mentioned to my doctor that the pain was so bad it was now waking me up at night. He took my arm and after inspection found that my elbow was dislocated. He popped it back into place and now I feel like my old self. I can’t believe my elbow had been dislocated for months!!! Listen to your body folks. Pain is your body’s way of telling you something’s up.

Wednesday (May 9th): Some loveliness found on a walk around our apartment building.

Thursday (May 10th): I received my cap, gown and master’s hood in the mail today. I can’t believe I am going to be graduating with my master’s. I often have trouble being proud of myself, but this case is different. On this particular Thursday we also had some errands to run at the mall, which I am not the biggest fan of. I really needed to hunt down some shoes for the reception part of our wedding. I think I may have found the ones!

Friday (May 11th): My poor Cory stayed home sick today. He has extremely sensitive sinuses and is prone to sinus infections, the poor dear. Things are especially tough for him this time of year with all the allergens in the air. I made him some soup and sent him to bed! I’m hoping he is getting sick now so he feels extra good for the wedding which is just weeks away.

Saturday (May 12th): A couple months ago I was asked to create an illustration for the Portland Body Vox calendar. As a thank you they offered me tickets to see their new show, “The Cutting Room.” Cory and I were seriously blown away by the dancers’ talent, their costumes and the amazing creativity behind the entire production. Seriously, go see it! We saw the matinee performance so afterwards we took advantage of being downtown and crossed some wedding errands off our list.

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If you are following me on Instagram (jade_melissa) then you know I was working hard last week putting the finishing touches on my research paper and working on a few freelance commissions. I decided to take advantage of this home stay and take photos of my breakfast each morning. I love to cook and am always trying new recipes, especially since being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis a few years back. I’m also quite obsessed with food blogs and food photography so I thought it would be fitting to do a post dedicated to my morning meals.

And now, my week in {breakfast} photographs…

Sunday (April 29th): Sunday is the only day Cory and I usually get to sleep in so we oftentimes end up skipping breakfast altogether and just make lunch instead. We got up a little earlier than anticipated and I decided to write in one of my journals and have a simple, quick breakfast of our leftover homemade apricot coconut almond bars paired with a glass of cold whole milk.

Monday (April 30th): My copy of The Luminous Portrait by the lovely and talented Elizabeth Messina finally arrived and I enjoyed thumbing through it while I sipped on orange juice and I ate my breakfast quinoa (with sliced almonds and banana).

Tuesday (May 1st): A cup of tea and a bagel with fig butter (YUM) was all I could muster on this particular day.

Wednesday (May 2nd): We are a gluten free household and like to follow the Paleo diet so it isn’t strange for us to have what most would consider “dinner” for breakfast. We had bruschetta chicken with our favorite salad of the moment: arugula, avocado, cherry tomatoes and shallots with honey mustard vinaigrette.

Thursday (May 3rd): Cheesy quinoa cakes were on today’s menu.

Friday (May 4th): I’m not a big pancake fan, but we had a ton of extra berries to use up and I had a bag of Pamela’s Gluten Free Baking and Pancake Mix I had bought for some biscuits. I threw in some strawberries and slivered almonds and they were pretty freakin’ delicious. I also decided to jot down some notes on what still needs to be done for the wedding (less than a month away, AH!).

Saturday (May 5th): There wasn’t any time for breakfast. I had my Master’s Research Project presentation to give at 9am. I have trouble sleeping especially when I’m anxious so I got maybe 4 hours of sleep. The presentation went BEAUTIFULLY though (thanks everyone for your well wishes). Other students came up to me and asked if I’d send them my paper so they could read it in full and my professor wants to use my research for a research project she is working on to improve the MAT Program at Pacific University.  I couldn’t even believe it. I feel so silly for all the stress and tears now! Its been a lot of work but I have officially earned my Master’s of Arts in Education. I eventually want to get my Master’s of Fine Art so I can teach at the collegiate level.

Oh, and get this! I thought graduation was going to be next month but it turns out it’s going to be on May 19th, exactly one week before my wedding. Whoa. My head is already spinning! We are also preparing to move so to say I have a lot on my plate is a huge understatement. I’m excited for things to settle down a bit.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and stress free week…

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Sharing a quiet moment in this week’s 52. It has been a crazy month and I am looking forward to things slowing down. The wedding is less than a month away and I’m still sorting out little details here and there. We are starting to paint our colorful walls back to white and box up our belongings for our move in June. I am also giving a presentation on Saturday for my research project. It’s my final presentation for my master’s degree. I have some butterflies in my stomach, but I know I’m ready. Like I said, I just can’t wait for things to slow down a bit.

And now, my week in photographs…

Sunday (April 22nd): Can’t get enough of these 365 Brand Popsicles from Whole Foods. The Caribbean Mix, Coconut and Strawberry are all extremely delicious.

Monday (April 23rd): I’ve always been a fan of old movies. On this particular evening, I watched “The 7 Year Itch” and “Dial M for Murder.” What do I love best about these movies? The fashion! Gosh, it’s just so incredible. I am particularly fond of the dresses that each starlet is introduced in. Our first glimpse of Ms. Monroe is in this cheery polka dot sundress and our first glimpse of Ms. Kelly is in this drop dead gorgeous red lace number.

Tuesday (April 24th): A little walk around a Portland neighborhood.

Wednesday (April 25th): It was an incredibly busy day. Cory and I woke up early to head downtown to meet with our wedding photographer so he could take a closer look at our venue. We will be getting married in front of those three big, beautiful stained glass windows, surrounded by antique furniture (take a look at that gorgeous gold mirror) and our closest family and friends. The three of us then decided to stroll down a few blocks to scout out a location for formal photos after the ceremony. After a few test shots, Cory and I went to go get our marriage license/certificate. It’s feeling more and more real every day. I will be his wife and he will be my husband!

Thursday (April 26th): How wonderful is it walking down the streets and seeing cherry blossoms strewn about?

Friday (April 27th): Wedding favor research!

Saturday (April 28th): Had two of our very best friends over for dinner and game night. I love hosting get togethers and am hoping to host a ton more once we are settled into our new place.

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Sharing some new makeup in this week’s 52. Are you familiar with Lisa Eldridge? I love her tutorials. She is truly a makeup maven. Over the last few months, I have been researching products to wear for the wedding. One thing in particular was a highlighter/illuminator. Lisa recommended the Body Shop’s Radiant Highlighter. I picked it up and am happy with the results. It gives my skin a definite glow. PS: I have no clue why I’m looking so serious in these photos. Low blood sugar or something.

And now, my week in photographs…

Sunday (April 15th): Cory and I visited Pix Patisserie and couldn’t resist sampling a few of their macaroons: the Fleur de Sel, Strawberry Balsamic, and Scotch Whisky. Which one was my favorite? The Fleur de Sel. It was mouthwatering. I’m basically a sucker for anything Fleur de Sel.

Monday (April 16th): I was so happy to see that the tree outside our balcony was finally blooming. Here is a peek at it from the balcony and another peek from the bedroom window.

Tuesday (April 17th): I’ve been really bad about wearing my glasses lately. That is changing right now!

Wednesday (April 18th): Puppy sighting! I sometimes just sit by the living room window and people/animal watch. We have a walking trail right in our backyard so. I’m usually not quick enough with my camera, but I was lucky enough to capture this guy!

Thursday (April 19th): A  cup of green tea and some reading on a quiet afternoon.

Friday (April 20th): I had a meeting with my professor for my research paper that I’m writing for my Master’s Degree this particular morning. It is literally the last project I need to finish in order to earn my degree. I had been stressing about this meeting for two weeks and my stomach was filled with butterflies that morning. But you know what? The stress and worry was pointless because my meeting went incredibly well and my professor is proud of the work I’ve done so far. So much weight has been lifted off my shoulders! Cory and I went out for a little coffee date right after the meeting to celebrate.

Saturday (April 21st): It was a crazy beautiful day in Portland and Cory and I decided to get out and take advantage of it! We decided to go out to lunch at Podnah’s Pit for some barbecue. It had been recommended to us and did not disappoint. And no, all that food wasn’t just for me!

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Welcome to week 15 of my photo a day project. This week, I thought I would do an “Instagram Edition,” in celebration of Instagram coming out with a version for Android. Cory has an Android so we’ve been having a lot of fun taking pictures with it this past week.

Come find me on Instagram! My username is jade_melissa!

And now, my week in instagrams…

Sunday (April 8th): I decided to make a dessert to bring to Easter dinner with my family. I made this creamy peanut butter pie and it was unbelievably delicious. I highly recommend making your own whipped cream to put into it. I have sort of a love/hate relationship with my aunt and uncle’s home. I love it because it is big, beautiful, surrounded by trees and we celebrate so many wonderful times there. I hate it because it is in the middle of nowhere and over an hours drive from where we live. Seeing this sunset on the drive back home nearly made up for it.

Monday (April 9th): Cory has a hate/hate/hate relationship with shoes. He hates shopping for them, hates trying them on and hates how much they cost. Well, the wedding is coming up shortly, so we finally made some time to seriously hunt some down. Guess what!? We found them and for a steal! And we found some he and I loved in the first store we checked out. I still can’t believe it!

Tuesday (April 10th): Season 2 of Downton Abbey finally came in for us at the library, hooray!! The thing I’ll miss most about moving is the view outside my bedroom window.

Wednesday (April 11th): We were in Portland to take care of some business but couldn’t help but take a photo or two… or seven.

Thursday (April 12th): Cory and I went downtown to go see “Jeff Who Lives at Home.” It was such a sweet and heartwarming movie. Cory and I also had fun walking around the park blocks and it made me that much more excited for summer.

Friday (April 13th): Not only did I get to have a delicious bagel and lox breakfast, but I also received my Bobbi Brown gel liner (in chocolate shimmer) in the mail for the wedding, hooray!

Saturday (April 14th): Had a not so fun meeting followed by two extra fun things: macaroons at Pix Patisserie and finding/purchasing Cory’s wedding band. That boy is freakin’ picky, so I’m glad to have found a piece he loves.

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A reflection for this week’s 52. It was a long week and one I’m happy to say goodbye to. But, lets not focus on the bad, lets focus on the little gems that made it worth it.

And now my week in photographs…

Sunday (April 1): Made this for the first time. It was a major hit.

Monday (April 2): How darling is that scalloped ede on that house!?

Tuesday (April 3): One day sunshine, the next day raindrops.

Wednesday (April 4): Daffodils are such a happy flower.

Thursday (April 5): A little sneak peek at our wedding invitations (!!!).

Friday (April 6): Cory took me out for a sushi lunch date at one of our favorite places. Afterwords we held hands and took a stroll around the neighborhood. I always forget how much I love Spring.

Saturday (April 7): A collection of bottles that Cory’s dad has gathered over the years. Aren’t they lovely?

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Cory and I met up with Allison Green and Jeff Bond of “The Draped” for a little photo shoot, despite the wind and rain. Read the full interview on Boy Meets Music.

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I always forget how much I love this time of year.

I’ll be spending the weekend finishing up my research paper (joy!) and eating lots of delicious food/catching up with family on Easter Sunday. What will you be up to?

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and a happy Easter!

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All about bold colors for this week’s 52.

And now, my week in photographs…

Sunday (March 25th): Spent the morning with Ponny Kosmas, aka Mars Water. Read the interview and see more photographs here.

Monday (March 26th): Sieze the day! Hello!

Tuesday (March 27th): Crazy beautiful sunset.

Wednesday (March 28th): My handsome man. Look at that ultra sultry smile, yowza!

Thursday (March 29th): Raindrops on my bedroom window… story of my life… and basically every other Oregonian.

Friday (March 30th): The Sign. I need to remember to take a photo of it next Christmas! They always light up the deer’s nose. I’m so glad the city kept it.

Saturday (March 31st): Cory and I very rarely have fast food. Like, 3 times a year maybe.  We decided to indulge in some Burgerville which I think is on the higher end of the fast food chain. We kept seeing billboards all around Portland about their special halibut fish and chips and well, obviously the ads did their job.

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