jojotastic | category

February 20, 2013

When I was last in Seattle, I visited artist Jenny Vorwaller. As we were wandering the Ballard neighborhood, she asked me if I collected anything. At the time, it didn’t come to me, but I do in fact collect something: pebbles. Whenever I go somewhere new or walk along a beach or simply want to remember a moment in time, I search for the perfect rock. I don’t really label them and I probably couldn’t tell you where they’ve come from, but I just enjoy having them to stack and rub together in my hands. It soothes me, what can I say. What do you collect?

Links:

meditation cushions from Canvas
porcelain paper plates from SIN
dessert plates from Suite One Studio
long handle tasting spoons from Harabu House
milk glass vases from The White Pepper
Ya Wen Chou via Sight Unseen

insta-week – no. 21

February 3, 2013

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instagram, seattle

Greetings from Seattle! On Wednesday, I jetted off to Seattle for some quality time With Dan, as well as some much needed wanderings around my favorite city. On Friday I decided to take in two classics: The Seattle Art Museum and The Seattle Aquarium. While the SAM currently has a huge exhibit devoted to Rembrant, the highlight of my visit was definitely The Porcelain Room. Darkly lit and intensely dramatic, imagine a room filled with beautiful vintage tabletop and decorative pieces. Talk about inspiration for days!

While downtown, I popped over to the aquarium (after a quick stop for my favorite pork buns at Pike Place Market…) to revel in the overwhelming beauty of nature. I have always had a fascination with underwater worlds. As a kid, my mom painted a mural on my bedroom wall of an underwater scene and bought bedding to match… you better believe I still have those pillowcases. I think it’s because I’m a pisces, but there is something insanely magical about aquariums to me. I could certainly watch jellyfish for days!

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

it’s taco time

November 7, 2012

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foodie, instagram, seattle

I remember when Dan told me a taco stand had opened down the street from his house. I had just booked a flight to visit him and pretty much demanded that we go check it out — I literally counted down the days {ok, maybe I was excited to see him, too}. What can I say, I had a hankering… Philly has plenty of taco options, but nothing can quite compare to a west coast taco stand! I fell in love with it that first time and absolutely had to go back during my most recent trip to Seattle.

TnT Taqueria has something for everyone — taco platters, Coke in glass bottles, and freshly made churros. Locally sourced ingredients are combined to make amazing combinations like chile braised beef, chorizo verde, and {my personal favorite} hominy hash. While I may not always opt for the vegetarian option, at TnT, I always do. The hominy hash is that good. And my favorite part? Watching the chefs crank churro dough into the fryer and, within a few minutes, having them hand me a perfect doughy, cinnamon & sugar covered morsel.

If you find yourself in Seattle and have a hankering for tacos, stop by TnT Taqueria for a very memorable experience… and make sure you get a churro!

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

insta-week – no. 9

November 4, 2012

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foodie, instagram, seattle

With thanks to Hurricane Sandy, my trip to Seattle was extended a couple days longer. As usual, I spent my extra days canoodling with my man, tree-scouting in the Wallingford neighborhood, and going on foodie adventures. It’s always bittersweet to leave, but as we head into the holidays, I am excited for what the future has to bring!

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

just what i needed

October 30, 2012

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instagram, seattle

It’s no big secret that I miss living in Seattle. I might have grown up on the east coast, but within months of living in Seattle, I knew that it was my actual, forever home. I have nothing against Philly or the east coast, but this is a matter of feeling like the absolute best version of myself when I am here in Seattle. There’s something about the air and surrounding water and mountains that make me feel complete. I’m always scared to be one of those people who stagnates and can’t embrace change, so I hope that my love of Seattle doesn’t inhibit me in that regard. Believe me, that is something that is a perpetual work in progress for me, especially as I learn more and more to embrace my new home and try to rebuild my life in Philly.

My visit has been longer this go around and I am happy to say that I have been able to experience new things, while also revisiting some of what I love best about this city. A few highlights include treats from Dan at the airport, my first ever hockey game, and having a romp with my favorite pup.

Oh, that potato-y goodness in the lower left corner? That is probably the best comfort dish ever, a sweet potato hasselback via A Cozy Kitchen. I made it for the boy last night and it was a MAJOR hit!

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

insta-week – no. 8

October 28, 2012

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instagram, philadelphia, seattle

Greetings from Seattle! Seems like I escaped the east coast just in time, huh? I hope everyone is safe and sound in Philly… and keeping dry.

Last week was pretty hectic (when isn’t it? I am such a broken record…), but I still managed to have a few adventures! I think the highlight of my week was my decision to volunteer at a local animal shelter, Operation Ava. I had orientation this week and got to meet that little morsel on the lower right. His name is Trooper and he’s 8 weeks old — check out those puppy wrinkles! I’m super excited to spend my weekend time walking some cuties and hopefully helping them to find their forever homes.

This week also included a super exciting binder of color swatches at work, friends who can make amazingly perfect vodka martinis, and the last of open-toe shoe weather. I hope everyone has a relaxing Sunday and, for those of you on the east coast, stay safe!

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

rainy day love

October 26, 2012

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art of all kinds, seattle

Ohhh boy, it’s FRIDAY and I am pumped. I’m headed to Seattle today and I’m not sure I can properly express my excitement. The weather report calls for rain (of course), but I can’t help thinking of how romantic it is to kiss in the rain with droplets beating down on an umbrella. I remember the night I first arrived in Seattle and the way the air smelled. I’m looking forward to that cleansing smell, a giant bowl of udon, and maybe my first hockey game ever! What have you got planned for this weekend?

left: artist Tracey Emin via Frosted Windows
right: Pinterest {cannot find the original source!}

insta-week – no. 5

October 7, 2012

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instagram, seattle

Does this ever happen to you? That thing where you’re so caught up in the day-to-day and you feel totally behind in everything? Yeah, that’s how I feel lately… a LOT lately. I keep making to do lists and doing the things on the list, but I just can’t keep up. I’ve never felt quite this disorganized ever before and it’s majorly bugging me. As I head into this upcoming week, I am re-examining my to do list and upcoming events and trying to figure out a way to get a handle on the week. I haven’t spent a weekend in Philly in over 3 weeks, so that might definitely help, at least from a get-your-life-together perspective. How do you deal with the never-ending list of to dos?

from left to right, top to bottom: I absolutely love this photo of Dan and me {it totally shows the difference between the two of us, I’m a mess while he’s calm}, Green Lake aka my happy place, blueberry schnapps and apples at Anthropologie for a presentation, hiking with my dad’s dog, homemade banh mi, and my favorite part of being back in Philly.

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram

happy weekend

September 28, 2012

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seattle

I am off to Seattle this weekend for some much needed time surrounded by mountains, water, and my person. I can’t wait to eat my favorite pho, sip my favorite latte, and play with my favorite pup — it’s all about the simple, but meaningful things. I’ve had a bit of a crazy week {when isn’t it??}, but now that the countdown is less than 24 hours, I am practically bouncing off the walls with excitement. As I head off into the sunset, I wish you all a happy weekend! Have anything fun planned?

from left to right: photographer Paul Jasmin for Glamour Germany via Fashion Gone Rogue, cozy/cool apartment via New York Times Magazine

bright like neon love

September 14, 2012

4 comments

color theory, seattle

This Friday has me feeling a bit introspective. As I was pulling these bright, cheerful images, I kept thinking of the Cut Copy album titled “Bright Like Neon Love.” The sentiment of that title has always struck a chord with me. The thought of “neon love” is the epitome of the type of love I try to give and the type of love I want to receive. It always makes me think of that overwhelming, I-didn’t-know-this-was-possible type of love. You know… the kind that keeps you up all night talking (or making out…), distracts you at work, and gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling in your stomach. I’m really lucky to have such a great guy in my life and this Friday, I just really, really miss his face. {He’s all the way back in Seattle.} As I head into the weekend, I’m thinking about him and how one day I want to be in the same city so we can have charming weekends away or even just make dinner at home together. Instead, I think I’m going to queue up some fun fashion week posts, have brunch with my kindle, and maybe even make my first batch of soup this fall.

from left to right: fanciful nails via NY Times, The Saguero in Scottsdale, AZ via Dwell, and Leif’s square color chip boxes

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