moments

i heart the usa - all photos by me from left to right : top 1. guggenheim museum, nyc 2. angels flight,(aka the park from 500 days of summer) downtown LA 3. santa monica beach, LA  4. NYC city lights 5. Seattle Library, WA 6. The Highline in Chelsea, NYC


I just realised that a year ago today I set off on my American odysessy. It doesn't feel like a year since I jetted off on my 5 week break in the US of A - it feels so much longer, probably because I kind of miss that time so much. It probably goes without saying, but I wish that I was heading off to NYC again today or any day for that matter.  

The pictures above are some of my favourites from the trip, and have been on my desktop at work since the day I got back.

While I may be at my day job today and not in Central Park, on the bright side, I have some great news and new projects to share with you tomorrow!

sweet home Chicago

Gorgeous Tiffany dome Chicago Cultural Centre

Art work at the Chicago Cultural Centre

Cloud Gate at Millennium Park

Inside the Cloud Gate

More art work at Millennium Park

Tiny street art at the Tribune Building

Chicago. Well as you may know, I studied architecture. And Chicago is the home of modern architecture, well the skyscraper at least. I was overwhelmed by this, and slightly annoyed by it. Don't get me wrong - there are some amazing architectural sites but there are so many I just didn't find I could become attached to it. But there are some gorgeous things i loved, riding the El, sitting in the sun in Millennium Park, exploring Lincoln Park. Chicago has a rhythm all its own and I had a great time. I saw some amazing jazz, a great play & I saw my fave band Mumford & Sons play an amazing show (but more on that later). 

and next - last but not least - Los Angeles!

the capitol

Arlington Cemetery 

Arlington Cemetery

The ruby red slippers at the Smithsonian American Museum

Flags at the Mall

Lincoln Memorial

Maya Lin's Vietnam Veterans Memorial

View along the Mall

Silver tree at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

D.C was lovely. It was hot - I'm talking 35 degrees. Everywhere you turn there is a monument, there is an inspiring building. You are literally wandering through history. I stayed in Capitol Hill and it was a lovely little pocket of sweetness with a great market & street after street of little brownstones. I saw the White House (which was actually really uninteresting). I got to see the star spangled banner. And Dorothy's ruby slippers at the Smithsonian American Museum. I got to go to the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery which for me was the best gallery I have ever been to my entire life. I was so inspired. I still am. 

So my D.C highlights:

1. Exploring the Smithsonian's - it is just amazing they have such a collection all in one city

2. The Vietnam Memorial - I studied this at uni and it is honestly the most stunning built form I have or will ever interact with. Big call I know, but really it is so beautiful

3. Arlington Cemetery. I was just overwhelmed by this. 

4. Walking the Mall at sunrise. Beautiful

Portland

taking the Amtrak from Seattle to Portland

Portland is most definitely the home of weird. Case in point - hot tubbing by the hour

I wish this was my shop - Tender Loving Empire

Seriously - how awesome?

Look what I found at Tender Loving Empire - my friends Anna & Gareth's awesome  cards able and game 

The gorgeous store front - it has a moving wooden set.  Radish Underground next door is equally amazing - seriously!!!

The Chinese Garden. Apparently authentic, apart from the view of the buildings outside. As my travel buddy said - worst $8.59 I will ever spend

Gorgeous saucers at my favourite coffee store in the whole USA - Stumptown Roasters

amazing interior space at Stumptown off Burnside.

My first view of snow from the overnight Amtrak we took from Portland to San Fran 

Next we trained our way down to Portland, Oregon. And what amazing views! Once there we found such a sweet little town, I mean it seems like every amazing crafter or blogger out of the USA is living in Portland, so it must be good right? I found some great stores. I had some had amazing hot chocolate at Stumptown. We even went to an old movie theatre out in the 'burbs and saw an old re-run which was a highlight. All in all Portland is very sweet. 

Here are my Portland highlights:

1. Second run movies at an old movie theatre outside of the city

2. Stumbling across fun stores like Tender Loving Empire & Radish Underground

3. Exploring Powells bookstore