Vancouver Explorations

delicious baguette from finch's tea & coffeehouse

my fantastic tour guide!

nood

i love lamp.

boneta from the street

Renegade Forest Wedding

Now that I am wearing this...

captured by mr. puckett

I find myself Gathering, Simmering, Dreaming...

michellepullman.blogspot.com/

Definitely creating a forest wedding. And a bike parade. And a dance party. Mr. P and I set the date. Tomorrow. To set the date. We need to make some phone calls, write some lists, and maybe even Mod Podge a notebook collage. I'm not really sure how to make all this magic happen, but I trust that it will go beyond my wildest dreams. 

Enjoying growing my wedding blogroll... What are your top sites? I considered submitting an engagement story to A Practical Wedding, just read it the other day when my awesome boss shared her wedding graduates post. 100 Layer Cake makes me drool on a daily basis... my tumblr is full of very pretty things these days... pretty much is turning into a wedding planning blog. hopefully only for another year or so! 

take portland

The always hilarious and spot on east side bride gushed over Take Sunset with such enthusiasm that I couldn't resist visiting the site. Immediately I wondered if such a thing existed in my dream city, my rose city, Portlandia.

{mountains. misty, magical mountains} :: sharedworldblog

I love this site's description of the inherent attractiveness of hand drawings:

"There is something compelling about hand drawn architectural work. Tracing paper sketches, plans, diagrams, renderings of all kinds. They all keep the human presence up front in a way that computer generated work doesn't. Plus there is a "thingness" about them: they become works on their own. They're nice to look at."

{video slideshow - portland modern }

Allow Me to Introduce My Friend,

My dear friend Saraswati. We haven't spent as much time together as I have been tight with Lakshmi and Durga the past couple years, but Saraswati is a friend that is always understanding and available when you are ready for her presence in your life. (I did dress as her for Halloween!)

When a yogini asked me for more information about Saraswati, I was overjoyed to share what I could recall from my many reads of Shakti Mantras by Thomas Ashley-Farrand. I tried to share the convoluted tale that introduces Saraswati's homegirl, Gayatri. I realizes that this beautiful divine feminine principle has been with me from the beginning of my Portland journey, as Travis and I memorized the Gayatri mantra during our cross-country road trip up to Oregon for the first time. (I think we found the time during one of our 8 hour driving days across Eastern California desert land.

I don't feel that it is a coincidence that today I feel her influence stimulating my creative impulses! Registering for a Thai Herbal Massage workshop... finding a Parkour gym in Portland... Blackberry bush hacking... and then as I was cleaning out the shed, I came across a lovely sqaure of plywood and decided I would start painting with acrylics. Jai Saraswati!

Saraswati is the Goddess of learning, knowledge, and wisdom. The Sanskrit word sara means "essence" and swa means "self." Thus Saraswati means "the essence of the self." Saraswati is represented in Hindu mythology as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe. Since knowledge is necessary for creation, Saraswati symbolizes the creative power of Brahma.

In Her popular images and pictures, Goddess Saraswati is generally depicted with four arms (some pictures may show only two arms), wearing a white sari and seated on a white lotus. She holds a book and a mala in Her rear two hands, while the front two hands are engaged in the playing of a lute (veena). A swan is Her vehicle. There is a peacock by Her side gazing at Her. This symbolism illustrates the following spiritual ideas:

• The lotus is a symbol of the Supreme Reality, and a white lotus also denotes supreme knowledge. By sitting on a lotus, Saraswati signifies that She is Herself rooted in the Supreme Reality, and symbolizes supreme knowledge. The white color symbolizes purity and knowledge. The white sari that the Goddess is wearing denotes that She is the embodiment of pure knowledge.
  
• The four amms denote Her omnipresence and omnipotence. The two front amms indicate Her activity in the physical world and the two back arms signify Her presence in the spiritual world. The four hands represent the four elements of the inner personality. The mind (manas) is represented by the front right hand, the intellect (buddhi) by the front left hand, the conditioned consciousness (chitta) by the rear left hand, and the ego (ahankara) by the rear right hand.
  
• The left side of the body symbolizes the qualities of the heart and the right side symbolizes activities of the mind and intellect. A book in the rear left hand signifies that knowledge acquired must be used with love and kindness to promote prosperity of mankind.
  
• The rosary signifies concentration, meditation, and contemplation, leading to samadhi, or union with God. A rosary in the rear right hand representing ego conveys that true knowledge acquired with love and devotion melts the ego and results in liberation (moksha) of the seeker from the bondage to the physical world.
  
• The Goddess is shown playing a musical instrument that is held in Her front hands, which denote mind and intellect. This symbol conveys that the seeker must tune his mind and intellect in order to live in perfect harmony with the world. Such harmonious living enables the individual to utilize acquired knowledge for the welfare of all mankind.
  
• Two swans are depicted on the left side of the Goddess. A swan is said to have a sensitive beak that enables it to distinguish pure milk from a mixture of milk and water. A swan, therefore, symbolizes the power of discrimination, or the ability to discriminate between right and wrong or good and bad. Saraswati uses the swan as Her carrier. This indicates that one must acquire and apply knowledge with discrimination for the good of mankind. Knowledge that is dominated by ego can destroy the world.
  
• A peacock is sitting next to Saraswati and is anxiously waiting to serve as Her vehicle. A peacock depicts unpredictable behavior as its moods can be influenced by the changes in the weather. Saraswati is using a swan as a vehicle and not the peacock. This signifies that one should overcome fear, indecision, and fickleness in order to acquire true knowledge.

- Bansi Pandit

bmacphoto.com

* This Goddess photoshoot orchestrated by my amazing AcroYoga teacher, Lila Donnolo
You can keep up with her Acro Adventures too!.
BMAC's Photo Blog & Portfolio is worth a click :) Many Portland yogis & artists grace his website. *

A thousand, a million words that create an intellectual understanding are not as precious as the one word blended with intuition that produces understanding in a flash: Saraswati.

Greenaid : Commonstudio

Greenaid : Commonstudio

Just caught a whiff of this in my inbox this morning! Thank you Land PDX for being so awesome! I sure love Portland.

All week while in San Francisco (for the first time!) I kept remarking about how I was falling in love with a new city, and not ready to go back to Portland's rain. But flying across the climate and geography and arriving to this lush, dense, GREEN wonderland, makes me so happy. And then, to top it off, Portland had the sunniest, cheeriest, happiest spring day yesterday.

I mosied through the parks on my way to work, checking out the joggers, the park knitters, (no cricket games like I saw in SF) and all the wonderful people outside enjoying the day.

As I rolled into the Street Yoga office, our amazing founder Mark came by, and conversation evolved into a brainstorm for Yoga Summer Camp! He said it is meant to be, because that is the second time its come up this week. I exclaimed that Yoga Summer Camp is one of my life goals, and he said ok. Let's do it.....

life archives

just because. i would probably wear a tutu everyday. if i had one.

hot pink

Love the adorable chunkalunka, but I really dig the styling of mama's tights! I think the last time I work my hot pink tights was New Years 2010...

found: dear baby

Saraswati

Its back to rain jackets and waterproof boots, but I can't help but fall in love with Portland in the fall all over again. Saturdays after teaching a class at noon, I usually have some time for a leisurely ride home, camera handy for a yoga photo-op or candy colored leaf pile.

Friday for Halloween at my work, the kids all dressed up, as well as most of the teachers. When I was asked why I had a red dot between my eyebrows, I responded that I was a "Yogi!" They asked what is that? I stood in tree pose, held gyan mudra and closed my eyes as I chanted: OMmmmmmm

Before leaving for work, Travis shot some pics of me in the backyard (on the sunniest day we had this week) and I photoshopped the bloody bones out of it!

Sarasvati (Sanskrit: सरस्वती sarasvatī) is the goddess of knowledge, music and the arts.  Saraswati is considered to be the "mother of the Vedas.

Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts, represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. She is the mother of the Vedas, and chants to her, called the 'Saraswati Vandana' often begin and end Vedic lessons.

Saraswati is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. It is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. She has sacred scriptures in one hand and a lotus – the symbol of true knowledge – in the second.

With her other two hands she plays the music of love and life on a string instrument called the veena. She is dressed in white – the symbol of purity – and rides on a white swan – symbolizing Sattwa Guna or purity and discrimination.

Fabulous and Opinionated

As the premier of Season 3 approaches, Mad Men fever is at high pitch. Thankfully, a pair of self described "bitchy, funny gay guys" who refer to their followers as "bitter kittens" delight in obsessing over fashion, television and style.

If you want spoilers, here's where to get them. Or, rent the DVDs, and read the commentary afterward! I promise the socio-political dialogue is extremely compelling, and their relationship with the costume designer for Mad Men provides invaluable insight into the characters and their motives.

As we while away the summer doldrums, thinking of nothing other than Mad Men, Tom and Lorenzo pick up their game and dissect each lead character and their personal style.

They also post pics of fabulous celebs in fabulous clothes and say what everyone else is thinking, but would never dare say out loud! Hooray internet!



screenshots from: Tom and Lorenzo

burgers and knitting

First, there were these...

Rather than stocking up on strawberries or turnips, I filled my new bike basket with hostas!

Two varieties, much like the ones pictured above. The one on the left, more of a jade color, is called serenity, and has flower buds already! I bought it from a hilarious woman that runs the Think Unique garden stand at my local Hollywood Farmer's Market. Interesting post by fellow Portlander about the history of the Hollywood neighborhood in Portland.

Our apple tree is a sprawling, ancient tree that shades most of the yard. The backside has been hacked back for years it appears, allowing sunlight to find the raised garden beds. The small bed under the tree is empty, and now my new baby hostas and one shasta daisy have a new home. Though we are renting, we are planning another 12 months in the house, so I cannot resist my green thumb, and creating herb gardens, stone paths in our green utopia.

Then it was time for adventures outside of town, to take advantage of the first sunny day in weeks! Unfortunately our designated state park was closed (odd) so we found a nearby disc golf course (overrun by families, strollers and strange wandering people, unaware of discs hurtling at high speeds near their heads).

Naturally, I became bored/frustrated within 5 holes, and went to find my fellow slacker friend who had set up with a blanket and book in the sun while the boys competed for victory. My trusty hammock in tow, I found a shady spot (skin cancer is prevalent in my family) and worked on my latest knitting love.

This will be the second head scarf I am working on, the first is en route, perhaps delivered to my baby sister for her 25th bday! I love the pattern, easy to memorize, small project, quick results. Always a stunner!

Post-fun in the sun required some grilling outdoors, and Travis concocted a buffalo burger stuffed with herbed chevre, garlic and onions! Whoo-ee. The garlic scapes from the market (yes I did pick up a few edibles! cookies... ) grilled up perfectly.

Aaaaaand, Sunday was rainy lazy. I biked up to see Trav at his new gig at a neighborhood brewery, very delicious treats there. The bike ride was through some of my favorite neighborhoods as well as some new ones. I have some pictures of lovely amazing gardens from a walk earlier in the day that will come around here soon.

How was your weekend? There are such crazy different weather patterns all over the country right now, making such different experiences for everyone!

images: hostas, disc golf, head scarf, burger, garlic scape.

i like books

The Selby arrived in my inbox, and really struck a chord with me today. Featuring Jamie Isaia and Anthony Malat, photographer and clothing designer power couple, their house is a maelstrom of fabulosity. They obviously followed the {rules}.

Just this past weekend, Travis and I cleared out our massive bookshelf (which had been pared down by 2 moves previous already) and boxed up the books for reselling. The re-purposed bookshelf is quite lovely with plants and wine glasses, ceramics, cookbooks and board games creating a multi-use area in a new part of the house.

But still, the bookworm in me wants to hoard every aromatic bound-stack of papers. A bookshelf is a visual timeline, much like songs that can take you back, viscerally into a moment in time, a book reminds you of where you were, and how that author changed you in a small, or dramatic way.

So, to get the Selby "all up in my place" I need to collect picture frames, old books, antique trunks, magifying glasses, yellow chairs, gilded mirrors, animal bones...

However opposite of my current minimalist/shedding phase, I look forward to being settled one day in a home where accumulation (but not hoarding!) will occur, bringing wisdom and grace with batty old age.

practice, and all is coming

wild iris

I couldn't find my handy little point and shoot camera for our camping adventure at Horning's Hideout, so I was forced to practice with T's DSLR. Overall I love it, but not many of my peacock pictures turned out well. I tried to stick pincha mayurasana next to a lovely dude, but neither he nor I were having it.

sunny day

A moment in time, as I lay in the grass next to a babbling creek bed, watching insects.
Travis and I explored the entire park on mountain bikes, and as he climbed to the top of twisty, adrenaline-junkie trails, I meandered down, the sound of the water pulling me closer through overgrown trails which ended in secluded spots, perfect for quiet contemplation.

Still working on getting back into my routine, I think I should start scheduling posts a week in advance for my yoga training weeks, because the long hours at work take over my evening blogging time!

One day at a time... "Practice, and all is coming" -- Sri K Pattabhi Jois

fabric of friendship

Brae Howard is one talented lady! A friend is a wonderful thing to promote in a skill set, at least in my opinion.

Her work is fun & colorful. She travels,  blogs and lives in Philly.

I love finding people connected to people. I am a big fan of Elenor Grosh, of pushmepullyou design, and Brae shot some promotional portraits for her.

{source}

This post title makes me want to go drool over some fabric... now I will have to think of another witty post title for an actual fabric post!

love is in the earth

This year we found one lovely tulip in the garden bed. Next fall I will plant more so she can have some friends for 2011!

The iris are growing tall all around, ready to take over as stars of the backyard. Only one bud has emerged, just as this tulip begins to bow. The seasonality of the garden is like a small gift, every month a new flower to say good morning. My wildflower seeds are all sprouting... and I even bought more seeds yesterday! Living in a house with a fertile backyard really suits me.

My flower post is in honor of Abby's unofficial flower week! Check out her new stickers :)

what I don't need

is another lovely dress

{net-a-porter}




or some adorable sunglasses

{topshop}

a fantastic chandelier

{etsy}

more ruffles

{anthropologie}

crazy awesome sandals

{piperlime}

or more mouths to feed

gah- i can smell their delicious baby fur. save me!

*ps - hope your tax day wasn't too brutal! if you are in portland, there is FREE yoga all day at thebhaktishop!

spring formal

Rain in the valley  = Snow on the mountain! I decided these outfit pics will suffice for my Easter celebration. I'm much more into pagan earth worship, so appropriately I will be on a mountain, bidding farewell to winter's frozen sports.




I imagine if I were to wear this frock to a delightful Easter party, I would be surrounded by pastels and florals and frilly things. I think this dark dress brightens up perfectly with flower-pinned belt and would assert itself as the dark rose of the ball. I have a flair for drama I suppose. And dresses.



Phoebe joined me in a nonchalant gazing into space photo op.


But seriously, so many yards are like an Easter basket explosion! Tulips of all color, bright violet blooms, magenta, fuschia, yellows all popping against the fresh lime green of new growth.

I am so in love with my new necklace from Jenny!

It just goes with anythiing, is the perfect length, and makes me feel so blingy!

*all images click through to my flickr!