Dear San Francisco,

It's been too long. I know I've been away, and I was poor at keeping at touch. But I'm back and I'm here to stay (until my next adventure, that is) and would love to share my month of travel with you.

LOVE, L&A

| NEW PERSONAL STATIONERY . designed (on a plane) 02.2011 |

Indeed, February was a month of travel, in which weekend after weekend was full of new sights, sounds, and tastes... of paper, design, and experiences.

LAKE TAHOE

From the Natural Beauty of Squaw Valley t0 >

NEW YORK

Work called me to the Highline Ballroom where I spent a full day in the dark, but I did manage to find some time to explore...

Of course, no trip is complete without a walk in Central Park,

experiencing Chelsea for the first time...

and a visit to The High Line (beautiful even in the winter).

I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I had the Cereal Milk @ Momofuku...

until I visited the paper room at the NY Central Art Supply.

I (creepily) observed and drooled over the printing classes at SVA...

and recommend a visit to the Cooper Hewitt to drool over the Jewels at the Van Cleef and Arpels exhibit. The exhibit is beautifully designed, and integrates the space, new media and display techniques in a gorgeous way.

next time, i will...

have a bowl of noodles at momofuku
visit the whitney museum
go back for wine and breadsticks at blue ribbon bar

PORTLAND At the other end of the pace spectrum, Portland set the scene for a perfect slower-paced weekend getaway.

After a morning yoga class, a delicious cup of stumptown coffee (holler! mountain blend) and a supremely positive AirBnB experience in Southeast Portland ...

The Ace in Downtown provided the perfect stay for the modern hipster - complete with in-room record player.

The Artist's Book exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Craft in the Pearl had me written all over it...

as did the Dragon Bowl and Zucchini Hummus at Prasad.

Geek out with PacMan and PBR's at GroundKontrol - an arcade with all the classics for adults (a.k.a amazing).

And, after watching the stage-version of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest (which I highly recommend) at the Center Stage theater, we found ourselves at the Doug Fir Lounge for the Millionyoung concert.

And...Dare I say it?!...

Skip the line at Voodoo donuts, and get yourself a Chocolate Chip Cookie at Pearl Bakery instead.

next time, i will:

get (more) lost in the purple room at powell's books
watch a movie in the comfort (of someone else's) living room at living room theatres
in the summer ... hike in forest park, eat at a food cart, and shop at the farmer's markets

(FINAL) TRAVELER'S TIPS:

Planes are a Design Studio in the air...

check with your companion about diversifying reading materials, before you get on the plane...

and airports are a perfect date spot for two traveling roommates passing in the night.

blog spoiler: there is so much delicious design and paper-y goodness to come soon!