.Munson Falls.

We discovered this beautiful spot on our trip to the Oregon coast, but it was so beautiful that it needed it's own post. Dave and I were driving down the highway heading into Tillamook for some Christmas Day chinese food when I saw a sign for the falls pointed towards a small dirt road, of course I didn't hesitate to turn off the main road. We drove up a one lane, dirt road, laying beside a  corn field as we made our way down the road slowly turned into more pot holes than road. We almost turned around but thankfully we pushed forth because this is what was waiting for us at the end of the pot holed road...

It was a moss covered fairy tale wonderland.  We pulled into a small circle parking lot, parked and then jump out of the car to explore. We didn't have to walk to far before we were blown away, becoming speechless by the beauty that surrounded us. If you follow the path you come to a beautiful waterfall that makes you stand in awe. This was one of the most beautiful places I have been. It seriously is in my top five...and closer to the top than the bottom!!

If you ever are in Portland. Jump in a car, head to the coast, and view this beautiful natural treasure when you are there! It's just right outside Tillamook,  you can take a tour of the Tillamook Cheese Factory and then walk off all that cheese at the Munson Falls!!

.Oregon Coast - Part 2.

Please enjoy some more photos of our quick trip to the Oregon Coast in December! I honestly can't wait to go and take all my friends who visit me to the coast. Coming from a land lock state that is filled with over 10,000 lakes, it still has nothing like the ocean (even though Lake Superior comes pretty close). I will always hear the ocean call my name and am happy to answer the call from time to time. 

(PSSSTTTTTTT....you can view Part 1, first..if you want..or after..whichever)

.when you see a turn off with a great view, you HAVE to pull over and 

place your bulldog in front of the view for a picture!! It's a MUST!!!.

.Pacific City, Oregon. 

This little gem was hidden off the main road. When driving down the highway we saw a scenic highway sign and took a sudden turn without thinking. The road lead us to a very small town, we turned down some really small roads and landed in this beautiful spot. We climbed a sandy hill, ran through the tall grass, and enjoyed the view that we had all to ourselves. 

.Rockaway Beach, Oregon. 

.Hug Point. 

(yes, we did hug...of course)

.Cannon Beach, Oregon. 

Have you seen The Goonies ( Hey you guuyyyyysssssss!!!!)? Well, if you have then you have seen Cannon Beach and you would love it as much as you love the movie!!! I truly wish we would have arrived earlier and spent more time at Cannon Beach, but I guess making it in time for the sunset is just as wonderful! Dave and I first pulled into a viewing spot, got out, pulled the end scene of The Goonies up on our iphones....and then realized we were on the wrong side of the rock! So into the car we went to try and get on the correct side because I HAD to see it just like in the movie. I don't know why I had to but I just did! 

Most of our stops along the coast, Dave and I had to ourselves. It was so peaceful, beautiful, and relaxing to take little breaks staring out into the ocean. The only spots we encountered a lot of other tourists were Hug Point and Cannon Beach.  Even though they had lots of tourists, I would go back to both places to explore more. The coast is only 1 hour 30 min. away from Portland, so if you are in the area make sure you take a day to explore! I know we will be making many trips this summer, answering those calls of the ocean whenever them ring us come!

.april goals.

Oh man, I had some big hopes for March at the beginning of the month. But as the monthly sped by it felt like I just fell back into my same old routine. I now know that I need to intentionally keep checking in with my goals and my progress. So, I'm going to make sure I have it in my planner half way through the month to make sure that I do! 

I didn't do bad on my March goals though: I walked/ran 52 miles (almost did it every day), blogged more than I usually have (but not as much as I wanted), had less tv time (but man...so many good shows are on!!) and created some pretty good weekly meal plans (but somethings I didn't do it until Thursday).  It's all about progress right, small or large, it's all progress!

Here are my goals for the lovely month of April: 

1. Bake a loaf a bread - I didn't do it last month BUT will do it this month!!!

2. Decrease my intake of soda: uggghhhhhh!!! I am sooo addicted to soda, it's bad...really bad! I drink it all day, all night and rarely take in other liquids. (it's okay to judge me..I deserve it) This month I'm going to start drinking more water and other good liquids for me..not just have a diet soda IV in my arm. 

3. Explore at least 3 new things in PDX: I want to keep learning more this great city we have moved to. There is so many things that Portland has to offer that we need/ want to learn about and experience. I can't wait to share with you what we do! 

4. Groove my body: I loved intentionally making sure I walked/ran a mile a day. I didn't count the activity I did throughout my normal day; walking and lifting at work, running errands, ect. it had to be something I set out to do specifically to move my body. I want to keep it up and maybe add a little bit more choices to like dancing or workout dvd. 

5. Read at least 30 pages a day: last month I didn't read very much or the month before that. I love reading and I need to make sure that I take time to do it. I need to turn off the tv, pick up a book and make it happen. Sometimes I feel like I try to multi-task to much and sitting and reading is a waste of time. WHICH...reading is never a waste of time and I need to change the way I think about it. I LOVE READING...and need to feel like its okay to sit and do it as long as I want. 

Making goals is the first part and now onto the second part, 

making an action plan so I can accomplish my goals. 

This month, this month is going to be a great month!

.Walk About.

When the sun is shining and both Dave and I are free for the day, we look at each other and say, "Let's Go!". Where we are going, we don't know. We just walk down to the TriMet station, get on the train and let the day take us. We usually grab some food at a food cart, eat in a park, and then spend the rest of the day walking down different streets, exploring this wonderful city. Here are some photos from our last walk about:

.We saw a bridge and walked to it. When we got closer we started singing, 

"Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

.A thing I love about the Pacific Northwest is ALL the classic cars

you find on the road. I drool over every single one of them.

.Broadway Bridge.

.Picture of a bridge through a bridge...i thought I was clever. 

This is the Steel Bridge taken from the Broadway Bridge.

.View of the Fremont Bridge from Broadway Bridge.

.Imagine if the guy had a camera in his hand..the ultimate old time selfie.

.urban hunter - found a deer and shot it with my camera phone.

.i thought i was clever...again.

.Oregon Coast - Part 1.

GUESS WHAT!  If you didn't know, Dave and I moved to Portland, Oregon!!! Yep, we packed up our place in Minneapolis at the end of December and drove out west. Can I just tell you something, between you and me, I freakin LOVE it here! Don't worry, I will be sharing with you all of our adventure and exploring our new city.

Before we landed in Portland, we spent our holiday on the Oregon Coast, exploring while we waited for our apartment to be available. We haven't been to the ocean since living in Australia, we were LOOOONNNGGG overdue. If it wasn't December Dave and I would have ran into the ocean to give it a kiss, hello!  We spent the next day and half driving north up the coast, pulling over to look at the wonderful views, and enjoying the peace that the ocean has to offer you.

. We arrived in Lincoln City, OR just in time to watch the sunset on the beach on Christmas Eve. 

.Neskowin Beach, Oregon.

This was our first stop on Christmas morning, we randomly pulled over and found this beautiful spot. What was so interesting about this location was the "river" of water that lead from the ocean into the bank. Also if you can see in the bottom picture, the ocean water rushed around the rock formation creating a river and met up with the ocean again on the other side. There were small currents and you could see the erosion from where the sand once measured. We walked around the area for a while, getting closer looks at the landscape, watching dogs and their owners play fetch, and dreaming about owning one of the houses with a view. It was a great first stop on our day full of adventure. 

WIW: making a big decision

Last week I took a big gamble, risk, jump, leap...all those words you use when you make a decision that is scary and uncertain.  I did it, I made one that will move my dreams to being closer to reality. It happened all of a sudden...i woke up made a few phone calls and within 2 hours, BAAMMMM, leap taken!! So what does one wear on such an occasion? Whatever they threw on that morning...and this is that outfit.

I woke up with no plans for the day but to sit at my desk and do work on the computer. Therefore, I wanted something that was comfortable but not be in my sweats. Cause let's face it..its SOOO easy to wear pjs and sweatpants when you don't plan on leaving the apartment! The great thing is that these pants are basically dressy sweatpants....I LOVE THEM!!  When we drove out west I swear I wore them everyday!! 

OH, can we talk about this shirt for a second! I honestly believe it was made with me in mind, it's such a pretty skull! I love the gold tinted butterflies flying around and out of it, such a hauntingly beautiful shirt. Remember last time I told you I loved hard and soft, I wasn't lying to ya!

.jumping for joy / celebrating. 

.studded tennis shoes.

.need I say more?.

.the details.

shirt :: ASOS

cardigan :: Target

pants :: Lane Bryant

shoes :: Target

Also, my photographer wanted me to share these photos with you:

He is great at helping me capture my outfits until I get a tripod and timer!

Thank you, you crazy man, you!