Headquarters in Ventura

Retail Division

All the Store Managers from my company headed down to Ventura for a week to pick our spring line for 2012 and to meet and discuss many business topics. This was my first trip to headquarters, so I was very excited to see what it was all about. It was a jam packed week of meeting after meeting, tons of foods and tons of socializing with all the other people in the company. All the work was definitely worth it!

One of the afternoons we drove to a nearby nature reserve Arroyo Honda and met up with Yvon himself. He is the owner of the company and it is a very rare occasion to get to spend some time with him in a small group. We sat and asked him questions for a few hours, then he and Melinda (his wife and other owner) joined us for a BBQ on the reserve. Both of them were incredible people. He was so motivating and entertaining to listen too. Looking back this was definitely the best day I have ever had on the job! He gave me so much confidence in our company and motivation to work hard everyday.

Other Managers in my District

Yvon

Julia (my boss), Kelley (Chicago), Ali (SF)

Melinda and Yvon enjoying dinner

During the week in Ventura, we got news that the Chilean government had decided to move forward with the building of a few dams in the Chile and Patagonia regions in South America. Dams are something that my company is strongly against. So during one of our lunch breaks the entire company protested in the parking lot of campus with signs while banging on pots and pans (a technique used by the Chilean region). The company took a picture and sent it to the proper authorities letting them know our stance. Yvon was there with the rest of us and I got a chance to snap a picture with him. It was another fun experience, being my first protest ever.

took this from our companies main web page

Ali, Yvon, me and Megan (Denver)

Megan (Reno), Yvon, me, Nicole (Seattle), Julia and Betsy (Boston)

Many of the nights the managers spent time getting to know one another and we made sure to have a good time while we were there. We bowled, we danced and we BBQ'd. The last day I took the campus tour and got to see all of the ins and outs of everything within the company. Working in retail I usually see just the end result.

The Tin Shed (where it all began)

Our mission statement

Solar panels create shade for the parking lot

It was an incredible experience. So many great people, a wonderful company and many memories to hold forever.

Visit from the Latham's

We were so fortunate to have Sarah and Zach come to Portland for the weekend. This was their first BIG outing with Dax, so as new parents they were on their toes. It was Nik and my first time meeting the little bugger too, so we were super excited to meet the him. We were instantly in love with him and all we wanted to do was hold him and get to know him. He is so precious and perfect!

Over the weekend, we took them out to dinner, they visited me at Patagonia and we did some shopping at stores they wish they had in Hailey (Whole Foods and Trader Joes). Also, one of the reasons they came out this way was to scope out a new truck. They found one and traded their old one in for a newer and bigger one.  We all cosied up in our apartment and it was wonderful to see my sister and her husband in their new roles. They are doing such an incredible job adapting to parenthood.

I was really sad to see them go. The trip was so short and I wanted to spend more time with each of them. Zach had to get back to work, so they were not able to stay longer. Since it was Sarah's first Mother's Day I made sure to make them all breakfast before they left. It was a wonderful weekend with the new family. I can't wait to visit them soon.

Moroccan food and a beautiful bike day

Nik and I get paid opposite Fridays. We have decided to make Friday our date night, so who ever gets paid that day gets to choose where we are going to eat and they get to pay ;-) It works out wonderfully, because if I want to go to a nice dinner somewhere, we can and if Nik wants to go to a sportsbar somewhere, we can. Last Friday was my night. I decided to take us to Mirrakesh a Moroccan restaurant. Neither of us have been before, so I knew this would be interesting. At moroccan restaurants you sit on the floor and enjoy your food with your fingers. There is also entertainment of belly dancers throughout the evening. It was different and fun. The belly dancing was interesting because she was excepting tips in her costume (it reminded me of a less classy profession that is very prominent around here as well). I guess I wasn't to keen on the kids running up and putting money in her pants. All in all the food was good and we enjoyed ourselves in an unusual setting. 

On Sunday the weather was the warmest it has been all year (a wopping 70 degrees). It was time to venture out and see some other neighborhoods around town. Since moving to the Pearl District we have spent much of our time downtown. Nik gets out everyday for his job and he drives all over town. I walk to and from work, so I get out much less. We got on our bikes and headed across the Broadway Bridge to the Mississippi and Alberta Districts. These neighborhoods are in NE Portland and have a very young and hip vibe. We rode around, enjoyed some coffee, then found our way to a few breweries. The weather was spectacular and Nik and I had a blast getting exercise and exploring the city.