|
A Dream Portland Day
by Chloe Cox
What an honor to be asked to share my version of a dream day in Portland! While there are oodles of ways to spend time in and around this sweet city, in my opinion there’s no better way to pass the time than treasure hunting and snacking along the way. Follow along for a handful of my favorite spots!
Because this is my version of an ideal day, allow me to set the mood. I’m envisioning a springy moment here in Portland—imagine it's overcast, temps are in the high 60's, flowers are bursting with delight, and the smell of fresh cut grass permeates the air.
I start off my day by enjoying a cup of coffee lovingly made by my partner, Henry. Having coffee in our house is made more fun by my ever-growing collection of vintage mugs that I've collected from thrift shops and estate sales over the years.
Speaking of estate sales, this dream day must include a visit to one! I start by checking Estate Sale Finder, which is a great resource for reliable info about estate sales in and around the area. I love that it allows ya to filter by location, specific days, or duration. It also offers photos of items up for grabs to preview before going, which I love because I am a visual person! If you are new to the estate sale game in Portland, it can get quite competitive and often lines form in the early morning hours to get first dibs. But fear not, I find that going a few hours after the start of the sale not only lets the crowds dissipate for a more peaceful experience, but it also gives those early birds a chance to dust off the shelves and expose different treasures for the taking.
*A few tips for estate sale-ing: bring reusable bags and cash (many sales dont take credit cards), dont be afraid to bargain (it's fun and encouraged!), make sure to explore the design of the home (I am always on the lookout for cool vintage wallpapers), Irvington or the Southwest Hills are my favorite neighborhoods for sales (but of course they exist all over the city), and the last day of an estate sale almost always offers half off all remaining items (yay!).
I worked up an appetite digging for treasures, so I make my way to Berlu Bakery in Southeast for some mid-morning treats. Berlu is a progressive Vietnamese bakery owned and operated by my friend, Vince Nguyen, one of the nicest guys in town (and also James Beard's 2023 Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific—NBD). Vince offers his take on traditional Vietnamese pastries, all of which happen to be dairy and gluten free! If you haven't been, ya gotta goooo! Open Saturdays and Sundays, only.
|
