Places: The Bakery Bar. Not Your Average Bakery

It's been awhile since I last blogged. Life keeps getting in the way. I've been meaning to write this post for awhile and now with a few free moments, I suppose now is the time to do it! To preface this blog, I first should let you know that I'm a coffee shop junkie. While I'm a BIG fan of Starbucks,  I'm an even bigger fan of independent coffee shops. However, just because a coffee shop is independently owned doesn't mean I'm going to love it. Being from Portland, OR , I've grown up in a city with a coffee shop on almost every corner. I try to go to as many as I can, but there are a number that I keep coming back to. In a city with so many coffee shops, in order to stay in business, these companies need to not only have great coffee and pastries, but they must have a unique and welcoming atmosphere as well as a reasonable price. This post is about one such coffee shop that really is the total package.

Bakery Bar

Every Sunday my Mom and I go out for coffee. We try and switch it up every week, but we definitely have a few favorite spots. A couple weeks ago I asked her if she could only go to one coffee shop the rest of her life which one would she pick. Without hesitation she said the Bakery Bar and I couldn't agree more. This place really has it all! 

Patio and entrance to Bakery Bar

For my Mom, what really makes or breaks a coffee shop is the quality of their coffee. With so many good places to choose from, if the coffee isn't up to par it just isn't worth going back. Fortunately Bakery Bar caters to the quality coffee lover; serving renowned Stumptown coffee and espresso beans. The coffee is brewed fresh daily so you can always count on getting a hot cup of coffee without grounds or any bitter taste. They also proudly serve Dragonfly Chai. I'm a big chai lover, but sometimes chai's can be two sweet, or two bland. Dragonfly Chai is really the all star of chai, so when I get one at the Bakery Bar I know the chai I'm getting is going to be delicious. 

For me--having the sweet tooth that I do--what's important to me are the pastries. Bakery Bar, as you can tell by the name, doesn't cut corners when it comes to serving scrumptious pastries and breads. I'm not a big scone person, I find them to be rather dry and flavorless, but the scones at the Bakery Bar are to die for. They aren't your typical bland scone. Some of my personal and delicious favorites are the apple-bacon scone,  strawberry-lime scone and chocolate-cardamon scone. They also have a variety of amazing scone flavors for vegans as well! My dad's personal favorite pastry is the blueberry loaf with cream cheese frosting. Unlike many loafs, this one is moist, flavorful, sweet but not too sweet. In other words, just like everything that the Bakery Bar makes, it's just right! 

They also serve breakfast and lunch if your hunger calls for more than just a pastry. I've only had two items off the menu so far, but so far those two items were enough for me to want to come back and try more things.  I can vouch for the Veggie Scramble which consists of 3 eggs, leeks, mushrooms, goat cheese, garlic, basil and red peppers. Delicious. I can also vouch for the brioche French Toast made with seasonal toppings. When I went Strawberries were in season so my french toast was smothered in giant, juicy, fresh strawberries. 

However, what really seals the deal is the comfortable ambiance. A combination of rustic and industrial, the vibe when you walk in is welcoming, warm, and creative. One can come here alone to read, with a group of friends, for a meeting, any one is welcome and that's what makes this place so unique. 

Next time you're in the Portland area, be sure to stop by the Bakery Bar located at 2935 NE Glisan St. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

Song of the Day: Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson--Winter Song 

People: Gamble & Burke

So, I've taken some time off but we're gonna see if I can't get this blog up and running again. I still  haven't decided if I will update the blog weekly or bi-weekly so we'll find out next Wednesday if I'll be doing a blog every week or every other week. The premise of the blog is still the same so you can definitely count on that! As usual, if you have any ideas or suggestions of things you'd like to blog about, I'd love to hear them! So, without further adieu...

Gamble and Burke

I was first introduced to electric pop duo Gamble and Burke  a little over a year ago when I was interning at Artigo/Ajemain Films in Worcester, Massachusetts. Since award winning producer Kaz Gamble works at AA Films as a music producer, I was fortunate enough to have the pleasure of listening in on various recording sessions. One day Daniel Burke stopped by to record their song Isolated (With You) and immediately I knew Gamble and Burke was a force to be reckoned with.

Following this catchy and chill song came another hit Let's Go Together. This song has a great vibe but is almost haunting in some ways. I know for my friends and I this was definitely our anthem last summer. The video for this song actually features the artists, unlike the video for Isolated (With You) which features the artists movie icon Eddie Murphy . Now with Fall just around the corner, this video and song will be a great way to escape back into that summer mentality while its cold and miserable outside!

Gamble and Burke is already incredibly popular in France and the duo is now planning on taking over the US airwaves! They have already begun to infiltrate, having a song on EA Games' Grand Slam Tennis as well as having a song playing in the popular (and my personal favorite) store Express. Next up is the radio, and I'm sure that it really is only a matter of time. Here is the video to their latest song. The video only came out a few days ago and already I'm obsessed. Enjoy : )


GAMBLE & BURKE - LAY LOW from Kaz Gamble on Vimeo.


To find out more about Gamble and Burke you can visit any one of these sites:
www.gambleandburke.com
gambleandburke.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/gambleandburke
soundcloud.com/gambleandburke
www.facebook.com/gambleburke
www.youtube.com/user/gambleandburke

Song of the week: Gamble and Burke--Let's Go Together (Hot Pink Delorean Remix)

Crazy.

Life is getting kind of crazy right now, so I'm going to have to postpone these posts for a couple week. Sorry! Enjoy the rest of your summer : )

Things: Bobble, Very Refreshing

I've been eager to write about this thing for awhile. I love it, absolutely love it. What is that thing? It's my Bobble. I was first introduced to the Bobble about 6 months ago when my roommate bought his. Clearly it was a water bottle but it looked different any water bottle I'd ever seen. 

What makes the Bobble different from most other reusable water bottles is that it has its own filter. Now, if you're from an area that has good, fresh tasting water, a Bobble may not be your biggest priority, but at the time of my Bobble discovery I was living in an area with not so tasty water. 

Variety of Bobbles

One Bobble filter is equal to 300 single use water bottles. As long as you change the filter about every 2 months, you can count on delicious, fresh water. Furthermore, the Bobble is BPA Free, made in the USA, and is made of 100% recyclable material. 

The Bobble comes in three different sizes, Small (13oz), Medium (18.5oz), and Large (34oz). I happen to have the small size and it works perfectly for me. 

Since getting my Bobble I have been drinking a lot more water. I'd say the only down side is that the filters are on the pricey side, costing around $7 per filter, but when you consider the cost of buying a new single use water bottle every few days, or in some cases, every day, it really isn't that expensive. 

All in all I'd highly recommend getting yourself a Bobble!

Song of the week: Hoodie Allen--Swimming with Sharks (Feat. VV Brown)

Places: Warner Bros Lot. Need I Say More?

As you could tell by the absence of my post last Wednesday, I've been on vacation. More specifically, I've been on vacation in LA! You may know by now that I want a career in film production, so when I visited my cousin who works at Warner Bros it was an amazing experience to say the least. So, here are some reasons why the next time you're in Southern California you should make time to visit the Warner Bros. Lot.

Warner Bros. Lot

First, I'd like to preface this blog by saying, unfortunately I don't have any of my own pictures to post. When you're on the lot, although it's amazing, pictures just wouldn't do it justice, and when you're in the museum you aren't allowed to take pictures anyway. Trust me, I wish I had my own pictures, but we'll just have to make due with what I find on the Internet.

As previously stated, my cousin works for Warner Bros. so fortunately for me I didn't have to pay to get in and take the tour. This also meant that we could freely walk around and investigate things we saw on our own time and at our own pace. However, my cousin did say that paying for the tour is worth it and the tour guides are incredibly knowledgeable.

Town Square in Gilmore Girls

Since we got to the Lot a little after lunch time, and after being stuck in the perpetual LA traffic, we were very hungry. My cousin gave us the option of eating at the Commissary or this little outdoor cafe. When we asked her which she preferred, she  informed us that the Commissary has more options but that the cafe is where the stars go to pick up a quick bite. Clearly after hearing this we went to the outdoor cafe! The cafe is located on the other side of the town square which played a fundamental role in the show Gilmore Girls. Gilmore Girls was my favorite show when I was in middle school and high school so it was incredible to be walking through the set. Right next to the town square stand houses featured in the hit show Friends! If you're aren't an avid fan, you may be wondering where the houses come into play since the cast all lived in New York apartments. The two houses that played important roles in the show were Monica and Ross' parent's house, as well as the house that Monica and Chandler move into at the end of the series.

Anyway, although we didn't see anyone famous at the cafe, I did have the best taco of my life!

Warner Bros. Back Lot

When you're walking through the lot it's a surreal feeling. It looks and feels like a city, but everything is fake. Walking down the street you keep thinking that busy city traffic is going to appear to run you over, but then you remember that there is no traffic because this isn't a real street and this isn't an actual city. Very surreal.

In addition to the pure grandeur of the Lot, the people that work there are phenomenal as well. Everyone is working hard, and it's clear that everyone loves what they do. (Although like any company, I'm sure there is at least one disgruntled employee haha.)

Since we went during the summer, unfortunately most shows were on hiatus and it was an off time for movie making so there really wasn't too much going on. If I were to go again (and hopefully I will!) then I'd probably go in the fall when everything is starting up again. Either way though, it's an amazing place to visit. If you're ever in the LA area be sure to make this a stop on your list. You won't regret it!

Song of the week: Nero-Guilt

Vacation Time!

So this Wednesday there won't be a new post because I will be in LA! See you all in a week for the next Places post : )

People: Demetri Martin. Comedian.

Demetri Martin

This week's featured person is comedian, Demetri Martin. I was first introduced to Demetri Martin about 5 years ago and have been a huge fan of his comedy ever since. 

One night I was having trouble sleeping. I got out of bed and turned the TV. Nothing was on expect a stand up comedian on Comedy Central. It only took one joke for me to realize that this style of comedy was different than any other stand up that I'd seen. Demetri delivers his jokes one after the other, in a very deadpan, monotone voice. His delivery is just as funny as his jokes!

As you can see from the video above, he's really different from most comedians that are out there. Furthermore, he's really brilliant! He graduated from Yale University in 1995 and got a full ride to New York University School of Law. However, after his second year at NYU he dropped out to become a comedian, and by the looks of it, it was the right choice!

In addition to his stand up, he also is a musician and often incorporates his musical talents into his comedy. Playing the guitar, piano or harmonica, Demetri creates a magical world where comedy is the mode of communication. 

If you watched the above video you can see how he pulls from his past to create comedy while playing music and cultivating creativity. Very cool. 

Demetri Martin doesn't just do stand up though. He has worked as a writer on Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show and many others. He has also played supporting rolls in a number of movies and shows including Flight of the Conchords.

So, the next time you're in the mood to laugh, while being truly entertained check out Demetri Martin. You won't be disappointed!

Song of the week: Mashup-Germany: I'll Be Missing You (Don't Raise Your Glass)