When we moved to Philadelphia just over 3 years ago, I was convinced that it would be a temporary relocation to the east coast and that we would eventually make our way “home.”  Maybe not specifically back to Portland, but at least the west coast.  Now, we have had to contemplate the future and a few decisions that could affect where we live and I am genuinely surprised that my preference is to stay in Philadelphia.

I do miss my family and the laid-back, pleasant, vibe that is pervasive in the pacific northwest, but more and more I feel that Philadelphia fits our life and personalities.  We have developed great friendships here.  The food scene is fantastic and highly underrated (and I am very, very food driven!).  We are close to NYC, but don’t have to pay NYC prices.  There are lots of things to do and see, you just have to seek them out.  Honestly, Philadelphia is, in many ways, a gem of a city that has surprised and grown on us and does, in fact, feel like home.

Where is home for you?  And is it where you alway thought it would be?

I feel like 29 is definitely a goal-setting year, though.  By 30 you are supposed to have accomplished things.  You know, important things.  Important what?  Well, I suppose that is for each individual to decide.  And decide, I must!  (Right?)  So instead of eating gourmet seafood, I am home pondering what I feel I must accomplish in the next 365 days.

I have some highfalutin ideas in mind, but, as I am a bit tipsy on 10% alcohol beers, I will start with just remembering to wash my face and put on eye cream…

And, as my dinner of brown rice, cheddar cheese, tomatillo salsa and red pepper hummus is less than photogenic (but tasty!  trust me…), I leave you with this.  Come back next year and see if you can count more wrinkles on my face…

At Chloé

At Givenchy

At Balenciaga

At Christian Dior

Who’s your favorite fashion week fixture?

On our second day in Korea, we headed to the coast and visited what we were told was a factory (and thus, perplexing us as to why it would be tourist destination), but in reality was a charming herb farm where lotions and candles are also made.

We stayed at a “pension” on the little isle of Taean on the western coast of Korea.  Apparently, lots of retirees own homes in which they rent out rooms for their income, hence calling the homes “pensions.”

Eventually we made it to Seoul, which has experienced lots of growth since I saw it last, but still was very familiar.  It’s a crazy, busy, energetic city, which I love.  I don’t think Seoul is the most beautiful or clean city in the world, but it’s a city for which I have lots of affection.

We spent our last couple days of vacation in Tokyo, which was a first for both of us.  Tokyo was immaculately clean and you can tell the people there pay tons of attention to detail where aesthetics are concerned.  This applies both to the architecture, curation of shops, as well as the personal style.  I could have spent days just sitting in a coffee shop and people watching.  We spent time in Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Tsukiji and fell in love with the city, but not the exorbitant prices.

Now we are home and feeling jetlagged as can be and slightly sick.  To combat the post-vacation blues and overall rundown feeling we both have, I made a big pot of minestrone soup and paired it with pesto bread and am now relaxing on the couch and cuddling with our dogs, who are the best part of coming home.

My latest obsession is The Grub Street Diet column on NYMag.com.  I now want to be friends with Jonathan Adler, and not just because he has a dog that looks like my pomeranian’s younger sibling.

Not only does he love rhubarb, but he has no self control when it comes to sweets – I can completely relate.  And, he worked in the phrase “harshed my mellow” into his diary entry, which totally cracked me up and won me over.

Catherine Malandrino also seems like my kind of foodie friend.

Between her love of coconut water, dancing, seafood, cocktails…after reading her diary, you just know she would be all sorts of  fun to hang with.

Check out theirs and all other Grub Street Diet entries.   Who’s your gastronomic match?

Or perhaps this:

Bonus – sales benefit the NYC AIDS Fund in the Community Trust.

My fantasy itinerary would include a stop at 3.1 Phillip Lim for their “Girls on Bikes” stand.  Then, a pause at Saks to catch a glimpse of Tilda Swinton and Waris Ahluwalia, as well as the Rebecca Minkoff festivities with The Man Repeller (love her).  I’d get a sugar rush and a portrait at Band of Outsiders for Opening Ceremony at Ace Hotel (portraits sketched onto tote bags and free Momofuku Milk Bar cookie with purchase)!

Anyone planning to join the rush tomorrow?  Where are you/would you want to go ?

What colors are you craving as fall approaches?

Photo Credit: Sartorialist.com, Hanneli.com, http://buro247.ru/

…Rode my bike for the first time in months

…Washed my dogs, which is no easy feat when a pomeranian mix is involved – Lucy wasn’t very happen about it, either:

This will spruce up my office during the long hours in 2012…