7*31*11

My Little and I have been up to some pretty fun stuff this summer: the Justin Bieber movie, concerts in the park, a movie and dinner at Edgefield... and last week, we made salmon and guacamole sandwiches.

It's nice to have someone in the kitchen to mash your guacamole while you saute the salmon.

And even nicer to have great company to eat them with.

We've got more fun plans this summer, including a trip to Wild Waves in Tacoma toward the end of August. I haven't been since high school and I'm really excited to have someone who is just as thrilled about water slides as I am!

7*29*11

I haven't written in a while. I'm regret that, and it's all going to change.

I have a lot going on right now. I could probably go on and on about that. But I think instead I'll do my usual thing and keep it short and sweet. Here's my life, this week in a nutshell:

Today is my last day at Webtrends. Can't believe it's been 6 months! I'll miss this smart, creative bunch lots and lots!!!

This weekend is the Oregon Brewers Festival (aka Best Weekend of the Year!).

Which also means that it's the second an

niversary since Cory and I met. What an happy adventure these last two years have been! I really could not be happier :)

Beginning this next week I'll be working from home two days a week, building this new-ish business that I'm starting: wedding invitations, printed goods, and small business branding.

This last week I've been deciding on and polishing my new logo. I'm just so excited about it! I have to show you! I hope you like it!

I can't wait till I can reveal the rest of my new branding! Soon!

Happy weekend!

7*22*11

Summer Free For All, have you heard of it? Free movies, concerts and more in around the parks of Portland, for FREE!

You sure can't beat a free concert. Here's the scoop: families, people from all classes and cultures, picnics, dancing, and mommies and daddies with an excuse to consume alcohol in a park without feeling like a hobo.

My Little and I went to a concert at the Sellwood Waterfront park and focused on the picnic part. We picked up a few things from the New Seasons Deli on the way over, and one of those things was this really amazing salad with quinoa and corn. I devoured it, and just could not stop thinking about it.

So, with a little help from the internet, I think I may have found something that's pretty close. This salad is incredibly satisfying, and is great to have as leftovers, as the flavors actually get much better after it's soaked in it's dressing in the fridge for a day or two.

Quinoa Corn Salad with Cumin Dressing

• 1 1/2 cups dry quinoa
• 3 cups water
• 1 vegetable bouillon cube
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 2 ears corn
• 1/2 bunch cilantro
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/4 tsp cumin
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Add the dry quinoa, water and bouillon cube to a rice maker and cook until quinoa is done, then set aside to cool for a bit.

While quinoa cooks, add a little oil to a pan and saute corn over medium heat for a few minutes until just cooked through, then set aside.

Remove the larger stems from the spinach and place in a colander. Pour a pot of boiling water over it, followed immediately by ice water.

Mince cilantro.

Toss corn, spinach and cilantro with quinoa.

In a lidded jar, combine the olive oil, vinegar, cumin, garlic, and salt. Shake vigorously.

Pour 2/3 of the dressing over the quinoa, and toss to coat.

Place salad in the fridge.

When ready to serve, toss with the remaining dressing, and enjoy!

7*20*11

It was a fun weekend, having Cory's mom and sister in town. We even managed to make it to VooDoo, to stuff our faces with donuts (after a long night of drinking, of course).

7*15*11

Verelle's life, according to her iPhone:

I took my sister to her first Timbers soccer game last week. We played Club America (from Mexico City), and I'm pretty sure there were more CA fans than Timbers fans, which was kind of neat to see. We lost (again), but they're not in our league, so it was just a friendly game anyways.

We attended our 4th wedding this year: Michelle and Brian Mahan! They got married just outside of Hood River at a giant cabin / lodge with absolutely stunning views of Mount Hood.

I popped into Freddy's on my way to work the other morning and saw this parked outside. I think their motorized scooter / cargo trailer / baby trailer / dog combination put my poor bike to shame.

Last night Cory's mom and sister got into town, so I made a couple pizzas. This one's got spinach, corn, red onion and brie.

This morning I moved to a new desk at the Webtrends office. It's a coworkers last day, and she brought sunflowers for everyone. So sweet! And I can't complain about the window behind my monitor and great views. I can see Departure at the top of The Nines from here. Think there's any way they can zip-line a cocktail straight to my desk?

Happy Friday!

7*13*11

I am my own most difficult client. I think it's one of those things where when you are really close to something, it makes it harder to see. I find myself having to take a step back and really examine myself, which isn't always easy.

On the bright side, I am feeling a large wave of excitement and creativity! Which is great because I have a LOT to get done in the next couple weeks!

7*11*11

I feel like a crazy person right now. I haven't had a day off in over a week, nor do I have one scheduled (indefinitely). I'm trying to launch the rebranding of my freelancing business (new identity and website is in the works, can't wait to share it soon!!!). We just went to our fourth wedding of the year last night (so much wine. so much dancing. so much fun!). And Cory's family is coming to visit next weekend (which I am super duper excited about :)!

I've been a little busy.

But, somehow I managed to sew myself a dress! It is my very first piece of clothing. I think it turned out pretty well! I kept it really really simple because I didn't want to overwhelm myself. But after getting a few compliments on it, I will definitely be making this pattern again, either in a different fabric for myself, or as a gift for a friend.

7*8*11

I've found a super fun website for color inspiration: design seeds. It takes these beautiful photos, and translates them to color palettes. I've been using this website to get ideas for the color palette that I will use in my own identity.

I know I want to use a lavender color. Here are some of my favorite palettes that incorporate it.

Do you have a favorite?

7*6*11

It is so summer. It is so awesome.

Summer. Awesome. Ice cream. What?!?

There's this new app for iphone: IceCreamSpot Pro. It finds ice cream shops near your location!

With or without this groovy app, I've got a couple on my bucket list to check out this summer.

The first one is Ruby Jewel on Mississippi Ave. I've tried their ice cream sandwiches, and they are to die for! This place seems to be the holy grail of ice cream in Portland.

Next, I want to get the full Fifty Licks experience. They're a food cart located on Belmont St, but occasionally they travel around to different events. You may remember that I tried their Caramelized Apple at Eat Mobile food cart festival. It was heavenly, and ever since I've been craving a full scoop!

Then there's the even newer food cart Salt & Straw on Alberta. This cart is "farm-to-cone", meaning they source from local vendors, and has flavors like Pear with Blue Cheese, and Brown Ale with Bacon. Let's go there. Right. Now.

7*3*11

Recently I helped with the invitations of Jayme and Chris. These invites are sweet and simple. Just the info, with an email to RSVP to, all to be hand-delivered by the bride and groom themselves. Each one was handmade by the bride and friends, and each one is unique.

I just love that so many brides are choosing to go the eco-friendly route of not using separate RSVP cards, or all the extra envelope packaging.

Cheers to Jayme and Chris!