Last Day of February

It is February 28th. 

There is no 29th this year.

It is not a leap year. 

This last day is important for two reasons.

It is the very last day to enter the giveaway!

Leave a comment or I won't be able to count you as an entry!

Winner will be announced tomorrow.

Tomorrow is March 1st!!!

March is the best month.

There will be a new giveaway.

(TBA tomorrow)

And most importantly it's my birthday month!

And boyfriend's birthday month!

And we are pretty cool. 

I mean look at these faces.

Mmmm VooDoo Doughnuts! 

But I digress....

Birthday month is really important.

I love birthdays. 

Especially mine.

But this year it's especially important.

Cole and I like to celebrate our birthdays together.

We have the last three years anyway.

We do this because we are 3 days (and five years) apart.

His birthday is the 12th, mine the 15th. 

And this year we are getting old.

He will be the big 3-0! 

I will be the huge 2-5!

Whew. 

There are many surprises in order. 

Muahahaha.

More to come on birthday month later.

For now, enter the giveaway. 

You have 9.5 hours. 

You've been warned. 

xo. 

T

Something Incredible

I have to say friends, blogging really has opened my eyes to a lot of what's going on in the world.

And what's going on is good stuff. 

So many people have blogs that are devoted to the good.

To encouraging others to do that which is good.

And I like it.

Too often we get lost in our world  and ourselves.

 It is important to take time for ourselves. 

And to do more for all. 

Then we both win. 

Win life.

Here is what I would like to share with you today.

Read this.

Choose one story, or all.

I read the most recent "Freezing in Portland" today on my Blackberry at lunch.

I was literally sitting alone in the middle of a restaurant.

When I started to cry. 

I think it's because I imagined what it would feel like to be this generous.

Or to have someone BE that generous to me. 

It makes me wish I were a better person. 

Or that I could do better things with my life.

And for now, the best I can to is to pay it forward.

I can share the story. 

I can promise to do the same for someone when I have the means.

I can smile.

And hug.

And encourage you to pass it along as well.

Send someone this post. 

Let them also be inspired.

Or just awed. 

It's the good stuff.

PDX foodcarts

I am in love with food carts.

I am so happy to live in Portland.

The land where food carts are as famous as any 5-star restaurant.

There are several locations around the city where you can find foodcarts.

They usually take over a parking lot and create a "food court" atmosphere.

And I have many favorite venues.

You should too.

So I will share.

KOI FUSION

A Korean BBQ Infusion with the most amazing tacos EVER!

 Drool.....

Ate this for dinner. 

And their short rib burrito.

PIE SPOT

So adorable.

Little bites of pie.

I almost stopped for some with my Koi today.

But gluttony forbade it.

SLICE BRICK OVEN PIZZA

So delicious.

I got a free sample from here today.

An entire slice.

WITH mushrooms. 

3 kinds, and I hate mushrooms.

But this was GOOD.

Perfect crust.

Amazing cheese.

PYRO PIZZA 

This is my other fav pizza.

Their margarita is the best!

And they make the pizza in the neatest oven.

INSIDE the cart.

 

And boyfriend wishes we would go and try.....

Stevie's Chicken 'N Waffles 

Chicken and Waffles.

I've heard a lot about it.

But frankly I like my waffles with berries.

But this....

Wow. 

Slightly beyond me.

Although the waffle looks good.

But boyfriend will love it.

<3

Happy Food Carting! 

Let me know your favs.

And as always, don't forget the February giveaway.

5 days to leave a comment on the page to win!

Good luck! 

Blog Lovin'

If you don't have google you can follow me here!

Follow me here!

Like Giveaways and Headbands?

If you like giveaways and adorable headbands then you need to check this out.

Click HERE on details of how to win one of these:

 SO STINKING AMAZING!

Also still happening for 6 more days is our February GIVEAWAY!

ENTER quick so you don't miss out!

Tinker Tiles

In love with this etsy shop.

She's got the cutest tiles and magnets.

And can also do custom orders.

Here are some of her cute items:

I would love to make a table top out of this!

This would be cute in the kitchen. 

This is cute and makes me laugh.

Adorable! Love the bees. (She also does glass work!)

Love the colors in this.

Yummy!

A custom project she made

LOVE love love it.

Shop.

Or find more of her work here.

Did I also mention she's my momma?

That's especially why I love her.

And her amazing talent. 

So check her out.

Panera Cares

This morning Cole and I stopped in for a quick breakfast at Panera in NE Portland. 

We were taken back when greeted by TWO people.

They wanted to tell us all about their new non-profit. 

Turns out, it's pretty amazing. 

You can read about it more here.

Or here.

But this is the story:

"Panera Cares cafes exist to make a difference by offering the Panera Bread experience with dignity to all – those who can afford it, those who need a hand up, and everyone in between."

So you go in.

Order what you want.

And the total is your "suggested donation". 

You can pay all.

Or none.

Or some.

Doesn't matter to Panera.

Then you eat. 

And enjoy.

"One of the goals of this charitable program is to ensure that everyone who needs a meal gets one. People are encouraged to take what they need and donate their fair share."

Cole and I spent the rest of the morning discussing Panera.

We even shared this story with some friends.
And now I'm sharing it with you.

Because I think it's awesome.

And I really hope it works out for them.

What do you think?

Love and Care

I am the type of person who always takes care of other people. I think I must've been genetically predisposed to it or something because even when I don't want to; I'm still taking care of someone or something in someway.

I take care of children.

I've been a nanny for almost two years now and while I totally love my job; it's just extremely exhausting. I've been caring for children since I WAS one and now that I'm almost 25, I think I just feel tired. It doesn't mean I want to quit caring for kids.....it just means sometimes I need a break.

I care for my friends.

Anyone who is a good friend knows, that you care for your friends daily. And they do the same. But I've really felt out of touch with all my best friends lately and I don't even know why. What I do know is that it's really hurting my heart. I feel like I have no one to share with, to cry with and to get silly with. I need to drink wine, watch sappy movies, and just share my heart. You know....in that really really good way. And right now it's missing. 

I care for boyfriend. 

 He may not agree with this. But I feel like most days I care for him so much it hurts. Love is such a terrible  wonderful thing because you want to feel like you completely take care of the other person's heart. This means that I try to make him so happy that I quite frequently leave my own happiness in the lurch. It has to be a team effort or else how can I make him happy if I'm always running on empty?

I take care of family.

 I love my momma to death. We are two peas in a pod, besties and there's no one else I can call at 2am and just blubbering cry to; knowing my mom will talk me out of it. But we live far apart. And I haven't seen her in 2 years. (This makes me want to cry) And everytime I hear that my mom is struggling and not getting to be happy every day.... I try and fix it. I want to be able to take care of my mom completely so that every day she lives is AMAZING. But I can't do it. And it breaks my spirit because... She's my hero. 

I take care of anyone who asks.

Need a babysitter, I'm there. Dog needs a walk? Ok. Ride to work....sure. House is dirty, I got it. Need to feed a thousand children while doing eight loads of laundry while getting a college degree while giving the dog a bath while crocheting a blanket for the homeless? Well, you get the point. 

I can't help who I am. 

Yep, this girl.

But gosh it would feel good to have someone want to take a little care of me. And boyfriend does some things like cook for me. But I go days where 90% of my day is spent just talking to a 2-year old. And I sure do love her, but she doesn't really make me feel appreciated. I just want to know that people are thinking about me as much as I am them. Pretty sure that's why us girls love the unexpected. Cause usually it's something showing that someone cares. 

I just want the unexpected note, or a coffee delivery at 3pm because someone knew I was going nutzo. The funny thing you saw in the window of a store and just had to get cause it reminded you of me. A text during the day that just says "love you" or "you rule" or "what's happening girl"....haha. The things you don't ask for. 

I am done with my rant. I just needed to get it off my chest because let's face it; I clearly need a hug.

But I'm going to do these nice things more too.

 Because I think that we all need a little more love and care. 

xo. 

  

Tweet.

Yesterday I gave into Twitter. 

I joined. I tweeted. 

I am following some people.

And learning the language.

It's actually fun have the info on some local events.

Feel free to follow me. 

@TBlendings.

What did I get myself into?

We'll Always have Paris

Yesterday was Valentine's Day.

Normally Cole and I spend the day at Zwickelmania, but this year it fell a different weekend.

So we were left to have our own day.

Unfortunately Cole was pretty sick. 

His tummy was all messed up. 

So we had a "snuggle on the couch" day.

And a "take Rosie for a walk" day.

Then a "give Rosie a bath to remove all the muddy" day. Ugh.

The adorable Rosie (she's fun to doggy-sit for!)

After all the snuggling and bathing Cole decided he was finally hungry.

And he wanted to cook for me. 

Cause the night before I cooked and he wasn't able to eat. :(

So he went to the store and returned with some yummy things!

And after a wonderful dinner we had some dessert.

Organic Strawberries and amazing champagne

With an added touch!

I ate at least 20 of them myself.

I was super happy. 

And we also exchanged little gifties.

For me

Tix to this show, For him

And then we snuggled back up on the couch.

And watched a classic.

It was a beautiful day. 

Even with a sick fella. 

And it always reminds me...

How we should do these types of things for each other....

everyday.

Happy love.

xo.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMIE!!

Happy Birthday Jamie!

 I had to take a blog to wish a very happy birthday to my favorite blogger! 

SO I very creeper-like took a bunch of her photos so that I could post them in a blog and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! 

Love the football!!

We actually went to college together,

and worked at the same place, 

but have become better friends,

through the awesome-ness of 

Blogging!

Ha, so nerdy. 

I know.

  But Jamie is an amazing person/writer. 

She will touch your heart.

And you'll want to be her friend too. 

I promise.

So very happy birthday Jamie.

...all the best for your 26th year. 

                                                                                             xoxo, Tara

And visit her blog to be inspired. 

Coffee, Coffee, Toblerone

I want this weekend to be relaxing. So this is how I've started my day.
I am house/doggie-sitting for the next week.
I woke to the neighbor pounding and drilling right outside my bedroom window.
Ugh.
Hate that man.

Next I did something secret for boyfriend.

I can't wait! I hate keeping secrets.


Next boyfriend made pancakes and I made coffee.
Yum.
Then we fought about Valentine's Day.
Ha, of course.
We made it better and he went to work.
No worries.
It's all love.

Next I sat down to watch some on demand "office" and drink more coffee.
Because I'm only on my 3rd cup.

And because it pairs so well with coffee....
I also had some of this:

Please do not judge.

I am not sure what I will be doing the remainder of today.
Shower, yes.
Take the doggie for a walk, yes also.
Relax, heck yes!


By the way, have you entered the February giveaway?
Do it fast!

Car thoughts

Tonight as I drove home I was super deep in thought. I sincerely hope all the lights were green. As I thought this is what came out.....

Why does life work like this?

Work is good, school is great, relationship stinks.

<or>

School is good, friends are great, work is unbearable. 

<or>

Relationship is good, work is awesome, school is bombing.

I seriously search for the answer. And I won't tell you which I am. 

(It's a piece of each)

Maybe really it is just like this.... 

Ups and downs that really make no sense. Maybe I've been watching too much tv. Or maybe I'm just having a grumpy day. I'm not really sure why I have a case of the "everything in life is poopy" right now. 

Sorry friends, I need a long hug.

LuLu's

Here's a cute website I found that I'd like to share:

LuLu's

It's an adorable clothing store with a fresh blend of vintage and mod.

They have a huge selection and most items are pretty affordable!

Here are some gems that I am obsessing over.....

 

Love the sheer overlay

 

Love this for a summer wedding!

Sorry but these two are sold out! But I had to share because they are to die for! 

  I would seriously love to put this on my credit card for V-day!

(I won't, I can't....no! But I'd really like it)

Had to show the back of this one, so cute!

Love these, on sale and so many different colors!

I know boot season may be ending soon, but I still want these.

They also have amazing accessories! I wonder if this shoulder bag would fit my laptop?

This site is so adorable that I promise you could spend hours checking it all out!

I already did. Oops. 

I think I should be a professional shopper. 

Who wants to hire me?

Happy Hump Day.