Dirty 30

So, I turned 30 yesterday. It was quite possibly and most likely the best birthday I ever had.

I think it beat 21 when I was wasted at Warped Tour and then sung to at a piano bar in Reno.

I'm pretty sure it topped my 7th birthday at Disneyland... turning 7 on 7.7.87, bitches.

I guess it even topped the year McKay woke me up with a drink and a song and we partied together in Ashland.

It wasn't as fun because I had to work... but what was awesome about work was that while Melissa took me out to a lovely lunch at Andina, one Miss Erica Heartquist snuck into the college and decorated my desk in diamond and Tiffany-blue colored photos, (even a pretty Tiffany's necklace). Such a SWEET thing to do!

Lunch @ Andina

Mike also surprised me at work with beautiful flowers from our favorite neighborhood shop, Broadway Floral. So pretty! Note the green shirt, (also a birthday present), from Anthropologie. Annnnnd... the fork/knife/spoon necklace, (that you can't really see here)... a gift from Scott and Alyssa. LOVE!

We topped the night off with a surprise dinner at favorite Tabla... Melissa, Preston, Mike, Erica, Julie, Donald and I in the private room in back with a 4 course meal. Yum!!

All-in-all, a WONDERFUL birthday... and most definitely the best I've had yet. Thank you awesome, awesome, awesome friends and family for making it so special. I feel so loved.

Love,

Katery

Picture Time! :)

New Tattoo... love my Daddy... courtesy of Jerry at Atlas on N. Albina. <3

...at Yelle... fun French electro-pop!

...with the lead singer after the show... she was so cute!

At Coyla's Mom's wedding reception...

Love my 'lil sis!!

That's it for now. I'm reading Gone With the Wind. Off to read. Good night!

Love,

Katery

Designer Love: United Nude

I've discovered a pair of shoe designers who created the line United Nude. A former architect teamed up with an existing shoe designer to create the funky, obviously architecturally-influenced line. Some of my favorites:

Most practical fave...

The Block Pump Mid Fluo Red

Most in love with...

Fold Mid Electro

Most practical...

The Envelope Pale Blue

Best strappy sandal...

The Cup Pure Mid Camel

Favorite funky...

Haiku Black

Prices range from $70 to $325, with some of my faves around the $170-$250 mark. So, yea they're a little spendy, but that green electro bootie just might be worth it come this Fall, (at least for me).

That's it for now!

Love,

Katery

Exciting!

Missoni to collaborate with Target for Fall collection!!

http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/next-up-from-target-come-september-a-collaboration-with-missoni/?mbid=fabsugar

Color of the Moment: Blood Orange Bliss

I find myself being inspired to blog about certain colors that I'm into at certain times. During different seasons I'm randomly inpired by/drawn to certain colors, and right now the color I'm most into is blood orange. So, I think I'm starting a new blog category: color of the moment!

I think my current obsession with blood orange began when I spotted a former co-worker wearing this dress from H&M. I immediately wanted it, so went to the store and bought it, (since then a now-current co-worker bought the same one, and another wants it). :)

Today I wore this great sweater I picked up on sale at Anthropologie, (Kai and I this evening headed with Mike for dinner on the Rose and Thistle patio)...

Even last night I made salmon for dinner with blood orange puree...

And I'm currently enjoying these beautiful tulips on my desk. :)

This evening I thought I'd look around online and see what kind of blood orange fabulousness I could find. On Etsy this Blood Orange Jam looks absolutely delish...

...and I found and immediately bought these Real Blood Orange Earrings, (awesome, LOVE).

And when it comes to super cute dresses, these all do the trick...

the Parker Dress in Blood Orange...

...as well as blood orange at Peter Som, Carolina Herrera, and Lela Rose.

And to finish it off, I'm trying not to really drink much right now, (perhaps a cocktail or glass of wine to celebrate cinco de drinko tomorrow), but this sounds amazing and will certainly be sampled this summer... Blood Orange Cocktail.

2-3 large blood oranges, juiced, about 1/3 cup juice

1 oz campari

Chilled sparkling wine – choose from prosecco, champagne, cava, brut, etc.

Optional garnish – blood orange peel or blood orange slice

So, that's it for tonight! Tomorrow night I'm looking forward to watching one of my badass, best friends, Carrie, get her ass kicked on Wipeout, whilst hanging out with Beth... girls' dinner on Friday, and I'm sure more fun to come this weekend. :)

Love,

Katery

Ooo la la! Met Gala Fashion!

One of the most fun nights to see celebs dress up is always the Met Gala, and the theme for this year's Costume Institute exhibit was "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," in honor of the late British designer.

Check out a photo gallery of the gowns!

Some of my faves from last night...

Jennifer Hudson in Vera Wang

Blake Lively in Chanel

Taylor Swift in J. Mendel

Iman

Giselle in Alexander McQueen with Tom Brady

Eva Mendes

The new creative director for Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton, also design not just the wedding gown, but also the reception dress for newly-crowned Princess Kate Middleton.

That's it for now! Off to work! Hope everyone has a lovely, fashionable day. :)

Love,

Katery

Etsy Featured Shop: Pinup Brenda

I've loved Brenda Dunn's pinup illustrations for years and was super excited to receive my own piece as a Christmas gift, (from Melissa and Preston).

Perhaps one reason why I love this random candid shot from a party at P and M's house a couple of years ago is that it kind of reminds me of a Brenda Dunn illustration!

One of my favorites is "Cloe"...

... and how could I not love "Kate"?

Brenda has a super sweet deal going on right now... a ton of 8.5x11 prints on sale as she switches to a new format... so I just bought myself an "Emily". Yay! Can't wait for her to come in the mail.

Some other favorites include "June"...

...and Shannon...

...and while my favorites are the close-up pinups, these girls are super cute, too!

"Lumber Jill"

"Hey Sailor"

Be sure to check out Pinup Brenda on Etsy, as she's always coming up with cute new pin-ups, and look for further updates on her new site Pinup Brenda!!

Love,

Katery