*What is one thing you regret doing?
I don’t really have many regrets. I think all of the choices and steps we take shape who we are. BUT…on a superficial level – I regret getting my belly button pierced. I lost 40 lbs. my sophomore/junior year of college and thought it was a good idea to commemorate said weight loss with a belly button ring. Totally pointless since my tummy is my most hated body part and because that belly button piercing rarely saw the light of day. Also, I recently took it out and now have a weird, ugly hole in my tummy. Not cute.
*What is one thing you’re looking forward doing?
Having a family. Well….I mean….Craig, Marley and I are already our own little family, but I look forward to being a mom one day and having my own little ones. I want to bake cookies and drive them to soccer practice and stay up late helping them with dioramas.
*Do you want to have children? If so, when do you plan to start a family?
Yes we do want children, but we’re not sure when. It seems like everyone I know is getting pregnant lately, so part of me wants to be stubborn and wait longer so it doesn’t seem like we were copying everyone else. I told Craig this and he said “That’s stupid. Deciding to have kids isn’t something people decide to do to copy each other.”. I know he’s right, but still. I’m super scared of all the responsibility/changes that will inevitably come with being a parent, so basically the answer is: undecided?
*Why/when did you decide to start blogging?
It was kind of just something I decided to do one day. I started this blog in July of 2009 (my blog is turning 2 this summer!) after hosting a bachelorette party/bridal shower for a friend’s wedding. I really liked how the party turned out and I wanted to start documenting my crafty little projects so I decided to start the blog. In the beginning I talked a lot about craftiness, but slowly I noticed that people liked when I just talked about life, so it became more of a journal about my life, with bits of design, fashion and inspiration thrown in.
*If you had 1 million dollars, where would you shop at?
I would shop everywhere! I would probably drop a good chunk of change at J.Crew since it’s so versatile, but I would definitely invest in some good designer pieces and amazing bags and shoes. Overall though, I think I’d still shop for trendy pieces at F21, H&M and the like, because trendy pieces just aren’t worth the splurge – a million dollars or not :).
*What’s it like living in Oregon? are you close to the ocean?
I love Oregon. It’s perfect here and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I live in a city that’s big enough to feel like a city, but small enough to feel like a community – you run into people you know in Portland constantly! Also, I am an hour and a half from both the ocean and the mountain. It’s like heaven here.
*What’s your favorite candy?
Sour Patch Kids and Red Vines. I’m also quite fond of the Bilar candy from IKEA that Danielle turned me onto.
*Which kind of music are you into?
I go through phases with music. Right now I’m really loving Otis Redding. The Otis Redding station on Pandora makes me incredibly happy. Other favorites: Adele, Florence and the Machine, Cage the Elephant, She & Him, Camera Obscura, Girl Talk, The Civil Wars, 90’s grunge (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day in the golden years) and others….I guess overall I gravitate most toward alternative, indie, rock, hip hop and rap. I’m not a fan of country or metal and I HATE techno. I can’t get into music without words.
*When did you realize that your now – husband would be your husband one day?
When we took a break, less than a year before getting engaged. We had always talked marriage, but it was during this month long “break” that I realized that there was no other man in the world who I would rather be with.
*Do you regret that you’ve only had one man you’ve had a real-grown-up relationship with?
Not in the slightest. So much less baggage. Plus, all my best memories are with Craig. We grew up together. He knows all my stories and I know all of his. Our love only gets better with time and I realize more and more why I love him and how glad I am that I chose him.
*If you could live anywhere on earth, where would it be?
I think it would be cool to live in Germany for a bit. But honestly, I just love Oregon, so I can’t really imagine living elsewhere.
*What are some of the fun nicknames you and Craig have for each other?
Living life with my best friend. The fact that we get to do everything together – like being lazy and staying in PJ’s ’til 2:00 in the afternoon while watching TV and eating waffles.
*What do most of your and Craig’s arguments revolve around?
Usually one of us getting focused on our own wants and selfishness and getting upset that the other person doesn’t seem to think the want in question is that important. Or they revolve around me nagging about something or another. I try not to nag, but sometimes it’s hard. We don’t fight very often though. Usually we just get irritated with each other and then hash it out quickly and move on. We’ve gotten really good at arguing quickly.
I love the small town feel of Portland. It’s big enough to be a city, but it’s still small enough where you feel connected to the community. People are so friendly here and it’s such a creative, vibrant place to be. Also, there is way more sunshine here than people think. We just tell everyone it rains all the time to keep them from moving here :).
*What’s your favorite restaurant in Portland?
Pok Pok is my favorite, but I also have some others that I love: Toro Bravo, Lucy’s Original food cart, and Little Big Burger. I love burgers.
When I’m super happy about something I usually run and tell Craig about it (or at least call him if he’s not around). I like to share all my happy moments with him.
*What do you do when you are sad?
When I’m sad I usually end up laying on my bed and having a good cry, which usually turns into a nap. The whole world looks better after a nap.
*Would you like to become a full time stylist?
I would, but there aren’t a ton of opportunities for this in Portland in order to make it a full-time job, thus I am still a preschool teacher. Styling is something that I really enjoy and will continue to do as freelance though. If anyone is in need of a stylist, let me know – I’m your girl!
Ice cream. Ice cream always makes me feel better. Maybe that’s a super unhealthy thing to say, but it’s true.
*Is there something Craig does that will always cheer you up??
When he hugs me. He has this knack for hugging me right when I’m grumpy and I just can’t stay mad.
I am not a part of any Portland blogger meet-ups, but I’d love to be! Let me know if you have any suggestions!
I would love to have a Portland Bloggers meet up. Being a new(ish) resident of Portland, I’d love to meet some other blogger ladies!
Lauren I read all your questions and answers and they were so similar to me, it was actually unreal. I have lived in Portland FOREVER and I need to try your favorite restaurants. I have never heard of them before.
Have a great day!
Hannah
hannahmichellesullivan.blogspot.com
I know that the part where we ask questions is over…but I’m still gonna ask.
Do you think the break between you and your husband (before you were engaged) was necessary to help you see what you wanted? I’m asking because I’m in a similar situation.
Thanks for answering them!!!
I loved knowing more about you!!!
And this was really fun!
I think it’s so cool that you and Craig have so many memories together and that you view each other as best friends. I bet that’s awesome.
red vines for life!!!
haha! i get really excited about candy…
What a great post!! Loved reading through.
1. YES EVERYONE IS PREGNANT!!! I too am on the waiting bandwagon, and always here, soooo when are you having kids?!
2. Ikea candy is a-mazing!
Reading your blog has been making me want to come check out Portland. It sounds incredible!
Thanks for being so open with us and these questions were great! I’m going to have to try Ikea candy sometime!
I am a new follower, and just wanted to let you know that my husband, too, is from Oregon. He is from Beaverton, actually 🙂
Love your taste in music! Adele & Florence + The Machine are my favorites & I hate techno too!
I love your answer for “real grown up relationship”. People ask me this a lot and what you said it completely true and I believe the same thing! 8)
I love these answers Lauren! I am terrified by the commitment of having babies, but then I tell myself that it can’t be too hard since other people do it all the time…and more than once! Since I definitely want kids, and realize there will never be an “ideal” time to start having them, I’m going to compromise and try to get pregnant when my closest friends are. Hahahaha. But ser ser. That way you have someone to share the process with and make it seem less scary!
Fun responses, thanks for sharing!
I really liked reading this. It’s nice to read Q&As and see similarities that you have with someone else.
I loved reading your answers. I was planning & hoping to move to Portland, but my life had different plans for now. Hopefully I will still be able to make it happen for me in the future once I get some other things out of the way. I adore your blog!
Well that was very fun to read, Lauren. I always love getting to know you a little better here on your blog. We have very similar music tastes. Naturally.
Oh yeah, and regarding having babies, do it when you are ready (of course). But I think it would probably be really fun to have kids when your friends are having kids so you can do a lot of things together.
i loved reading this! it’s fun to get to know more about you! glad you shared it 🙂
I call Jeremy Hubs, too. Sometimes I call him Mr. Hubs. I try to just do it at home, but it comes out on accident in public on occasion.
Great idea to answer some questions about you. It was nice to learn a little bit more about you. I noticed that people were really interested in your marriage to Craig.
I look forward to a part 2 of Q & A.