Portland Weekend Trip

A few weekends back, I took a trip down to Portland with my boyfriend and some of my dancer friends. We attended some Brazilian Lamba Zouk classes and late night dance socials, but during the day, I had a fabulous time exploring the city on foot by myself. I had meals with Robert at a ton of amazing places around town, too. As per usual, I try to eat dairy and gluten free (90% of the time) 😉

Featured, in order:

+ Appethaizing (homey Thai spot)

+ Ebb & Bean (frozen yogurt with vegan options)

+ Tasty & Sons (amazing brunch. We had the shakshuka & also the steak and grits skillet but I forgot to take a photo because I was starving)

+ Powell's Books (so busy but fun)

+ Tanner Spring Park (gorgeous garden with water lily pond, fish, and a cute brook)

+ Tea Bar (amazing natural bubble tea spot, I had the vanilla rose bubble tea. SO DELICIOUS! I adore the interior, we need something like this in Seattle!)

+ Revelry (Seattle is home to their sister restaurant, Revel. I actually preferred Revelry more! Korean fusion at it's finest. Loved the live DJ)

+ Teote (gluten free Latin food featuring arepas (gluten free corn cakes))

+ Dapper & Wise (great coffee spot with gorgeous interior)

Also found this cool outdoor food truck rally. Not sure of the official name but it had about 20 different food trucks. Loved the concept and outdoor seating. Another idea we need in Seattle!

Vancouver KiZouk Festival Weekend

Whoo hoo! My first time technically leaving the country in 10 years last weekend! (sidenote: what the heck, how did I let that happen?!) Ate soooo much good food and had so much fun.

Went up to Vancouver to perform on our Brazilian Zouk dance team lead by my BF Rob & his partner Cat. It was super duper nerve wracking to perform in front of a ton of professionals and other dancers! We practiced for months on the choreo and we did pretty freaking great!

It's been 2 years officially since I started taking Brazilian Zouk classes. I have never been a performer and always admired people who could express themselves through the art of dance. It's been super rewarding and fun (and also REALLY hard and frustrating), but I'm finally getting confident with myself, my body and my dancing! I've also met sooo many great people through dancing.

I'm super grateful to my boyfriend Robert who is an amazing and patient instructor. He's let me tag a long on sooo many classes and performances the past 3 or 4 years. I love spending time with him and seeing him shine as a teacher and performer! Thanks for not kicking me out when I sucked & got mega frustrated, babe! hahah. He's teaching Zouk all over the world and I'm so proud of him! Thanks to Cat for helping me out so much this year as an instructor and being so positive and helpful! Kelsey, thanks so much for the private 2 weeks ago, it helped me so much!

Besides the super fun classes and social dancing that went on until 3 or 4 am every night, we had a crazy party in our hotel room which was a blast. I wish I had photos of everything but I tend to put my camera away at parties and events so I can really enjoy myself. #photographerproblems

I had the best time planning our meals and scouting for fun spots! Eating out and exploring are basically my favorite things besides photography (and puppies). If you are gluten free like me, I highly recommend the places pictured below:

  • Nuba (Delicious and healthy Lebanese food)
  • Bao Down (Chinese and Filipino style Bao and other food and drinks. They have GF fried adobo chicken!)
  • Tacofino (amazing drinks and awesome tacos. Their neon logo sign and mid century modern decor are also #goals)
  • Mosquito (cocktail and dessert bar, yummy chocolates and macarons)
  • Cartems Donuterie (offers awesome GF donuts, go early)
  • Lemonade Bakery (GF HEAVEN! OMG! Seattle needs to step their game up HARD)
  • Long's Noodle House (amazing and cheap Chinese/Taiwanese food. The Xiao Long Bao were so good)
  • Laduree (more macarons. Expensive but good)
  • SURA (freaking delicious Korean food. They had Army Base Stew which I had been meaning to try, soooo spicy & hearty)

Also, The Steam Clock is fun & also hit up the Nike Outlet by the airport! DEALS!

xo - Haley