leela cyd | on portland.
spotlight on portland | leela cyd.
Name: Leela Cyd
Age: 31
Star sign: Capricorn
Hometown: Santa Barbara
Describe yourself in 3 words or less: optimist, enthusiast, dreamer.
What keeps you busy? making pictures, telling stories, cooking, eating with friends and writing.
You live in Santa Barbara now, but you previously were in Portland. What makes Portland so special? Portland is one of my favorite cities on Earth! The swirling energy and attitudes of DIY, sustainability, beauty, ethics, exceptionally sourced, talent and alchemy make it a positively magic place. I learned so much from all the creativity around me -- it was the perfect place to come up as a photographer and writer, there was inspiration around every corner!
Your ultimate Portland weekend…? wake up early, go to farmers market at PSU, brunch at Sweedeedee (somehow avoid the line, maybe invisibility powers?!), go to Powell’s and look at magazines and art books, matinee movie and hot tub at Kennedy school, dinner at Ned Ludd, a twilight walk down by the river when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, getting cozy early -- wake up early again and get pastry at Kens or St. Honore, walk through forest park, picnic of rogue river cheese + crackers and Argyle Champagne at the Rose garden, pop into art museum downtown for a show, window shop at Alder & Co, Beam & Anchor and Canoe, coffees at Heart Coffee, then cap it all off with dinner at Gruner, read some of the Powell’s books loot, dance crazy at Holocene and staycation in style at ACE.
Favorite spot for a drink? The Benson Hotel -- Old-world glamour!
For a coffee? Ristretto! my former home away from home. Heart and Stumptown also good.
For a cake? mmm. . . .St. Honore has amazing flourless chocolate cake, divine!!
And where can we pick up some good vintage stuff? Goodwill on Burnside -- so good. Also great estate sales in Portland. We furnished our whole house this way!
Favorite out-of-town getaway? Seattle for Le Pichet, good museums and the Public Market.
What is on your stereo? Courtney Barnett, Prince, Frank Ocean.
Who is inspiring you? Ayda Robana of Om Sweet Mama is my new favorite cooker and person.
Words you live by…Don't try, DO!
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