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Tomorrow evening I am speaking at The CRAVE Company’s meet-up titled, “In a Relationship with My Blog.” I’m speaking with four other blogging professionals and I am so excited to have been asked to speak!

We’ll be talking all about blogging….from beginning blogging, blogging tips, blogging for business, and building a brand. I spent the evening preparing some of my thoughts about it all and now I am just BUZZING from it all.

Instagram photos from my evening at Urban Farmer

Today’s {Friday Finds} it totally about the Portland area…. sorry to those who don’t live here! However, bookmark this post in case you plan on visiting soon.

I moved to Portland six years ago. And, while it is much more expensive and has a limited job market compared to my mid-western home, it is one of the most amazing places I’ve ever been. Living in Portland is like living in a big city that has the feel of a small community. We live about an hour from the mountains, an hour and a half from the coast, a few hours from the dessert, and close enough to get away to Canada if things get really rotten. 😉 This post may wax a little poetic about this town I’ve grown to call home.

So, here are some of my Portland {Friday Finds}:

  • Last night I had the opportunity to tour the kitchen, see a demonstration, and eat dinner at Urban Farmer. Urban Farmer has been on my list of restaurants to visit for some time now. I love their sustainable practices and the fact that they use organic, local food whenever possible. Last night’s experience confirmed it as an awesome dinner destination. I’ll be posting about my visit next week…. but, if you’re looking for a delicious steak dinner PLEASE visit Urban Farmer. You will not be disappointed if you get even a fraction of the experience that I had last night. I even ate beets there…. I am not usually a beet fan! (Although, I once made Beet Pierogies that were fairly tasty.)
  • After dinner at Urban Farmer you should totally check out the bar upstairs called Departure. It is like walking into a space ship. A space ship that serves good cocktails and has a beautiful patio with a view of the city!
  • The creative community here is one of the biggest reason’s that I am IN LOVE with this city. There are so many opportunities to build connections, do creative collaborations, or just be inspired by some pretty amazing creative people. If you are in the Portland area check out these awesome groups: Portland Bloggers (gotta plug it), Creative Connection (a women-only group of creatives), Portland Preservation Society (canning group… I can’t wait to be more involved with it), and The Crave Company (women entrepreneur group).
  • The Timbers (Portland’s MLS team) have started playing. I haven’t been able to get tickets to games yet, but it has been fun listening to updates and seeing my friends post photos from the game. I can’t wait to bring the little guy to a game.
Also,
  • Spring is near… and, with that the tulips are coming out! Today, Friday, March 8, all Whole Foods Markets are selling 3 10-stem tulip bunches for $10…. that is 30 tulips for $10. If, [cough, cough], someone’s husband thought to grab a bunch after work today then I’m sure it would make his wife extra happy.
And,

Happy International Women’s Day!

* I did receive a free meal from Urban Farmer curtesy of the PR firm, Little Green Pickle, however no promises for positive reviews were given. I really enjoyed it and want to tell everyone I know about it! No other compensation was given for this post. *

Portland, OR is a sort of mecca for creative people. So, of course… leave it to Portland to host a seriously awesome competition around crafting!

Mash up the “Mad Max” upcycling aesthetic with the gruelingly hilarious face-off of “Iron Chef,” add some of that quirky “Portlandia” flair, and you’ve got SCRAP’s annual Rebel Craft Rumble.
On October 18, four pre-qualified contestants will compete in dramatic timed face-offs in front of a live audience to earn the title of Portland’s Craft Master. Crafty competitors will have a random selection of reused materials serving as the only weapons in their holster.

The goal: turn waste into “Wow!” An official event of ReuseConex, this crafty affair presents an exclusive opportunity for SCRAP shoppers, volunteers, supporters, and fans to bear witness to a full-fledged DIY brawl, win raffle prizes, and get excited about the creativity that reuse inspires.

When: Thursday, October 18, 2012 Time: 7:30 pm Where: Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd.)
Tickets: $10 21+ only
Sponsors: ReuseConex, Chinook Book, Supportland, ReDirect Guide, Portland Mercury, Concrete5, Tonkon Torp
Emcee: Diane Gilleland of CraftyPod.com
Judges: Ian Karmel (comedian), Julie Sabatier (Destination DIY), Stephen Marc Beaudoin (Executive Director of PHAME Academy)

One very lucky person will win a pair of tickets to this awesome competition. Winner and guest must be 21+ and have valid ID to get into the venue. Winner must also be in the Portland area (or plan on being here during the time of the event).

There are several easy ways to put your name in the hat! Use the Rafflecopter giveaway widget below to enter. (This Giveaway is also featured on the Portland Bloggers‘ site.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway