Scene PDX Holiday + Blog Party

Not sure what to do this First Thursday? Might I suggest heading down to the Beauty Bar at 111 SW Ash St for the scenepdx party. The party starts at 7 and runs to 10pm, there is even promised to be a photo opt with Mr Claus himself. So check it out.

Frank James to Close

This morning I was reading over a few of the fashion blogs I check routinely and I am not sure how I miss this post by Marjorie Skinner yesterday, but my jaw dropped. Frank James, owned and operated by Alison Hawley is set to shut its doors permanently on December 12th. The only comfort I can find in the closure is that Hawley is said to have some future fashion endeavors to come to fruition this spring in the forms of a showroom or a new boutique. The rest of you will find comfort in the fact that everything in the store through next Sunday is 25% off.

On Set: Empire Strikes Back: vanityfair.com

Because it is cold outside and I will always heart Harrison. And we recently purchased Empire Strikes Back and the whole spread Vanity Fair put together is out of this world. Check it out...

On Set: Empire Strikes Back: vanityfair.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

Black Friday!

We are all gearing up to eat too much tomorrow but Friday is the day to work off that extra side of stuffing by checking out all of the great Black Friday sales. I will be heading down to the Cleaners for "Clean up at the Cleaners" between noon and 6pm where everything is under $99 from retailers such as Frank James and Frances May. So it is a great opportunity to get started on or continue your holiday shopping. Oh, I almost forgot the West End Boutiques (ie Radish Underground, Tender Loving Empire, Frances May, Flora, Covet and Narcisse) are also having a sale on Friday where everything will be 15% off.

Happy Turkey Day!

Saturday Afternoon Part 2: Wanderlust

After gathering up my purchase at Lodekka and Erin helping me out with directions, I strolled down to the Water Heater on N Freemont. I was on my way to finding the grand opening of Wanderlust the vintage + handmade mobile cart. The grand opeing was at the Bazaar Bizarro. Now this was the first time I had been to the Water Heater, and I found it to be rather charming. The bazaar happens on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month and there are a handful of venders, food and drink, plus live music. Quite festive. I didn't find anything in particular that I needed to bring home with me but the Wanderlust cart is adorable and well worth climbing into and checking out. Remember to watch your head if you are over 5' 6" though.

Saturday Afternoon Part 1: Lodekka

Saturday afternoon was a chilly one as I headed over to North Portland in search of Wanderlust the vintage and handmade cart. The problem was that I had spaced out the address for the grand opening and just kept strolling North on Williams. Turns out that blunder was a happy accident. Just across the street from the 5^th Quadrant and Pix Patisserie is Lodekka the “double decker dress shop.”

Lodekka is run by “conductress” Erin Sutherland and is full of vintage treasure. Being that this was my first time in a double decker bus I will let you know that you must watch your head. I am pretty sure the clearance on the bottom level is around 5’10” and the upper deck a few inches less. Despite a little bit of ducking on my part Erin has created a truly unique vintage shopping experience and I am sure to climb aboard in the future. Oh, I almost forgot the merchandise is very reasonably priced and in great condition. One of these days I will post some pictures of the holiday mod mini I scored on the upper deck. In the meantime you can check out the bus restoration process on Lodekka’s facebook page.

A Busy and Rainy Saturday

So tomorrow, weather permitting, we are going to hop over to two fashion related events. The first up on North Williams at the Water Heater is The Grand Opening Party of Wanderlust, Portland's first mobile vintage cart. In conjuncture with the Bazaar Bizarro flea market from 1-6pm at 750 N Williams there is even promises of cupcakes and discounts.

Next up on SE Hawthorne is the monthly Twilight Rummage sale at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, (4049 SE Hawthorne Blvd) from 4-8pm. It does cost a dollar to get into the sale but I am told it is the place to go for Portland kitsch and mai tais.

Star Wars and Take Out

Last night was extremely wet and dark so we opted to stay in and watch the The Empire Strikes Back followed up by Return of the Jedi with an order of Thai curry. I always wanted to rock the Princess Leia do so here are a couple of videos so that you too can rule the galaxy.

Princess Leia Hair Tutorial *SUPER EASY*

How to make perfect Princess Leia hair

New "Outsiders" Tee by No Wire Hangers

Check them out on etsy.

Tuesday's "Style Wars"

This is one of those Tuesdays where time is divided up into 45-minute increments.Laundry; detergent, wash cycles, lint filters and quarters. The Beatles are now available on iTunes and there are exactly 9 grams of protein in the Luna Bar that I ate for breakfast. And I am sure that the double americano from the coffeehouse has none. I am playing voicemail tag with my mother and trying to figure out how I should approach the latest On the Street with Bill Cunningham titled Style Wars. I look at my closet. I realize that there are dust bunnies to sweep but the timer on the dryer is ticking.

Meanwhile these questions keep scrolling through my head like one of those old pianos. How does a modern man or woman dress? What are the objectives? Is it individuality, personal mission statements, self-expression? Is street fashion a reaction to the minimalism on the runway? Is the camel coat really offensive?

Then images of Diane Keaton in Annie Hall and Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde keep flashing in my mind's eye like police siren lights. The goal: to mix the old with the new. Speaking of new, H&M opened five days ago in Pioneer Place. I haven’t been yet. I am holding out. Holding out because I suppose I am afraid to have the same basics as everyone else. Which worries me now more than it did when I purchased the same basic American Apparel tee and hoodie as half of Portland. Weird. Maybe then it is individualism that I am striving for. Or is there a sustainability factor?

While pondering the dilemma, which is my winter wardrobe, I am sporting my new, well “new to me” brown Rockport flats. A brand I was sure as a child only belonged to sensible baby boomers. I suppose when it comes to footwear a girl can make an exception every once and again. Thank you Goodwill for keeping things interesting. As for the Style Wars, at this point anything goes, and best of luck to you and your closet.

Crafty Wonderland

Unfortunately I missed the Crafty Wonderland Grand Opening Party last Saturday. But I did get a chance to pop into the pop up shop this afternoon after running some errands downtown. The store is packed with excellent holiday gifts from tea towels to totes. They have some really cute baby clothes as well. And my personal favorites were the bracelets and earrings made of old camera parts. The shop is open until the end of December. Plus, they are having a Super Colossal Holiday Sale Saturday and Sunday December 11th & 12th at the Oregon Convention Center- Hall C. A great place to pick up locally designed and crafted goods for all of those loved ones.

Crafty Wonderland

802 SW 10th Ave (corner of 10th & Yamhill across from the Library)

The Search is Over

On Wednesday I was able to take a stroll over the Morrison Bridge. Thank goodness it was a clear fall day. Once over the bridge and on to the Eastside I headed north on Grand Avenue. The search for the perfect rain boots at the right price point continued. I stopped into Next Adventure and disliked the selection of paisley printed goulashes.

Less than a block up I went into Andy and Bax and low and behold there they were. Basic black rain boots. And get this, the best part was that they were $19.97! Under $20? I was ecstatic. However, once I threw the $3 wool liners into the mix my purchase did climb over the $20 mark but with just three cents under $23 my feet will be dry and warm.

Pendleton and Levis

Check out this awesome new collaboration between two great West Coast design houses, Levis & Pendleton. Happy Veteran's Day.

Mabel & Zora Holiday Preview Party

The annual Holiday Preview Party over at Mabel & Zora is promised to be full of fabulous dresses, treats and champange. So get over to Mabel & Zora (748 NW 11th Ave) this Friday between 6-9pm for 15% off dresses and a chance to win a luggage set from Catherine Manuell.

P.S. If you bring in 2 pairs of socks to be donated to the Center for Workers and VOZ you will receive an additional 5% off your purchase.

Happy Holidays!

Rain Boots - A Thing?

So this is Portland Oregon. It rains most of the year here. Why is it that a functional reasonably priced pair of black rain boots keeps eluding me? Have I waited too long? Last week I went into 8 different retailers and came up empty handed. I am a lady who spends the majority of her day on her feet about town. This is a matter of function over fashion (which I admit is a phrase that has only come out of my mouth about 3 times in my life). I can't get on the $200 rain boot bandwagon. It just doesn't seem right. I don't want a logo, a graphic, or a wedge, just simple goulashes. Can anybody help?

Images from Haute Classics Blog

Lilli Ann Jacket- a Collectable

Started in San Francisco in 1934 by Adolph Schuman, Lilli Ann was a clothing company well know for its craftsmanship and fine fabrics. Adolph named the company after is beautiful wife Lillian. I found my first piece by Lilli Ann a week ago over at Living Threads Vintage. The jacket is lovely and I apologize that my ability to take self portraits is less than satisfactory. However I hope that the elegance of this blazer is able to come through even on the hanger.

Sweaters of Portland Fall 2010- West Side Collection

These sweaters are from SW and NW Portland and currently all reside together in the same sweater drawer. The first is from Living Threads Vintage. Next I picked up this gem at Fringe Vintage. Sweater number three hails from Portland Modern. And finally the multicolored beauty I scored at Ray's Ragtime.

Best Jack-o-lanterns

I was excited yesterday to catch a glimpse of these two Jack-o-lanterns in somebody's apartment window on the South Park blocks. Mostly because I heart squids.

Here's the Diehl

As we were (and still currently are) waiting for the election results of the governor's race today, we strolled over to PSU to check out the paintings our friend, Erika Diehl, has been working on. The paintings glow. The block prints are beautiful and rubbed in by hand. Plus, there is much more excitement and awe to come out of her work space. So, if you ever hear of her endeavors on display around town be sure to attend.

P.S. Thanks for coffee today, Erika. And good luck in German class.