compound formula no. 1 // portland

Apr 16

Introducing Compound Formula, our new feature created for seeing a city in one fell swoop. Recently, we traveled to the Pacific Northwest to visit family in Salem, walk the damp rocky beaches of the Oregon Coast, and hike the miles of the Silver Creek Falls trail. We also gave ourselves one day in Portland. One day you say? It can be done. In fact, lay a map over this diagram and you’ll see that the longest distance between these stops is six miles—perfectly feasible. But we suggest you start early. Here’s the formula.

Morning: Fill up on a smoked trout Pytt I Panna (Swedish Hash) or a traditional Aebleskiver (Danish Pancake) with lingonberry jam at modern nordic eatery Broder in Hosford-Abernathy. Then, head north to Burnside and Buckman to gander around at the chocolate wonders of Alma Chocolate, goods at Una and Sword & Fern, and, if open (Wed-Sun), the Nationale gallery. After, make your way up the east bank of the Willamette River to visit the curated collections of homewares and accessories at Beam & Anchor and Lowell. Follow with a quick walk about Mississippi Avenue to Pistil’s Nursery, Backtalk (which carries many local designers’ wares), and Worn Path. Finish the morning by heading southwest on the Fremont Bridge to step into yesteryear at Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. (Tip: They carry Falcon Enamelware sans the UK shipping/sales tax).

Afternoon: Travel south to the Pearl District to visit Tanner Goods, also home to the Woodlands shop and after, head down SW 13th Ave. to the must-visit Blue Star Donuts for a Passionfruit Cocoa Nib or a Blueberry, Bourbon and Basil treat. Once filled with sugar, skip down Washington to Frances May, then over to Bridge & Burn’s new brick-and-mortar store, Alder & Co and Canoe after. Finally, settle in for a small midday bite and a two buck mug of pilsner at Tasty N Alder.

Evening: Give yourself time—hours that is— to burrow the 3,500 section/nine color-coded rooms of Powell’s City of Books including the Rare Book Room and, if feeling boffiny, Building No. 2 which houses all things science and math. Brain overloaded, end the day with a proper supper and a Cat’s Pajamas nightcap (scotch, lemon, allspice dram, egg whites) at Clyde Common.

And there you have it. The compound formula to Portland. Special thanks to Hannah Sullivan for being our brilliant local guide.

travel no. 4 // march in oregon

Mar 26

We’re headed to verdant Portland, Salem and the Oregon Coast this week to visit Ian’s lovely grandmother and family. Though his home state and a neighboring one to California at that, I’ve only driven through on a (roundabout) trip from here to Michigan. Since long overdue, we’ll be sure to document our exploration here.

On that note, we’ve been given a must-see lists of places from Jess, but if you have any recommendations, do tell.

To PDX we go!

Category explore, far
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travel no. 3 // new york week

Nov 27

If you’re in New York this week, come spend time with the Everlane team and I as we set up our winter Workshop. Located at 74 Gansevoort, you’ll be able to try on goods, pick out gifts and attend workshops + parties. You can find all of the details here.

Winter, here I come.

Photos from here // here

a study in no. 3 // the pie hole

Sep 07

Question: Where can I find a slice of pie that would make grandma proud?

Hypothesis: Granted, Los Angeles has many pie shops—some ancient institutions that employ lovely people named Bea, we’re sure—but as the saying goes, “Promises and pie crusts are made to be broken”. This means, save the stale ol’ apple concoction for others and explore a place where they bend the rules of pie, filling and of course, crust. (As for the promises, perhaps keep them). The Pie Hole, a name that’s an ode both to how small (and charming) this place is and to what they’ll fill when you get here, is an Arts District must-visit. But will it satisfy both the epicurean traditionalist and the pie renegade?

Findings: Absolutely—and everyone in between we might add. From the baking-brain/founder, Rebecca Grasley, comes forth a long list of both interesting sweet and savories like the epic Crostata pie, a salted-caramel brownie-like middle meets flaky, buttery crust, to the Vegetable Curry Pie served with fresh chutney, and the Mac-and-Cheese pie, a stellar mashup of two comfort foods.  Each creation, hand-formed and lovingly crafted, has the perfect amount of filling-to-crust ratio (very important when it comes to pie) and a twist that makes you forget the classics. Plus, on any given day, you’ll find a special fresh from the bounty the team hauled in. On our visit, we were lucky enough to try the stuff-it-in-your-face-it’s-so-good Cream Cheese Beet Pie which may veer to the side of renegade, but grandma, this one is for the books .

Data: 
The Pie Hole
(213) 527-0115
714 Traction Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Category discover, eat, near
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a study in no. 2 // milk

May 17

Question: Where is a good stop for an original summer (or anytime) sweet?

Hypothesis: A cornerstone of Beverly Boulevard, Milk has long been serving up buckets of freshly-made ice cream, their famous ooey gooey cookies and blue velvet cake the color of Cookie Monster to Angelenos for half a decade. Whether it’s in their chewy cookie sandwiches or cupcakes shaped like ice cream cones, this is an institution that perhaps goes through a boatload of sugar a day. So should you put aside your visions of wicked sugar plum fairies just to enjoy a scoop on a sunny afternoon?

Findings: Get in line and relax. Practically a rite of passage to claim Angelenohood, you’d be silly not to spend at least one Sunday with blood orange sorbet dripping down your chin. With goods all made in house, the grocery store dessert freezer section will become a lot less appealing once you’ve tried (or retried) any treat from this place. Plus, it’s located on one of the most walkable streets in Los Angeles so you can easily burn a few calories post fill-up by exploring the neighborhood. Worth it, indeed.

Data: 
Milk
(323) 939-6455
7290 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Category discover, eat, near
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