Thursday Twill

What I wore today. Inspired by Annie Hall, Agyness Deyn and my new-to-me Dr. Martens.

Blazer: Justin Ltd, Mercantile- Thrifted $7

Blouse: Van Heusen- Thrifted $5

Belt: Animal Traffic- Vintage $18

Skirt: United Colors of Benetton- Thrifted $7

Tights: Nordstrom Rack- Under $4

Shoes: Dr. Martens- Thrifted $8

Scarf: Portland Modern- Vintage $6

Spring Blouse

My new blouse. I picked this up last week at Animal Traffic on Mississippi. And ever since I have been in serious heart with the asymmetrical print and layering it with various sweaters. However, one of these day we will top 60 degrees and the sweater will no longer be necessary. Just keeping my fingers crossed.

It's a Women's World in Mannish Shoes

I picked up these vintage shoes several weeks ago at Little Edie's Five and Dime. They look amazingly flirty with mini skirts and cropped trousers. For a lady who spends the majority of the day on her feet these pseudo oxfords offer a lovely compromise between the heel and the flat. The 1.5" heel keeps your feet out of the puddles without straining your calves or lower back.

Here I was, thinking to be in the forefront of a footwear fad. My latest issue of Vogue proved otherwise. In an article written by Sarah Mower, titled Going Steady, she discusses the latest look of the short skirt paired with a "mannish" shoe. The couture houses are drafting masculine loafers for ladies. It is a manner in mixing the masculine in with the feminine. Luckily for yours truly these beauties cost about a Jackson as opposed to the versions on the runway which will run you about a half dozen Benjamins.

Spring Palette

It is just about 3pm here and according to my laptop's dashboard about 51 degrees fahrenheit. I just finished a couple loads of laundry and while I was sorting the socks, I noticed this scarf on my dresser. This particular accessory caught my eye in relation to the forecasted palettes for spring wardrobes. I am not a fan of the pastels. Yuck. I find them to be dull, faded versions of hues that in a past life danced across my retina. Every spring the same despise for the season's colors stews inside me, even though the world around me is blooming. Then the sense of urgency for summer kicks in, just so I can move past these lifeless pastels. But this scarf, oh this scarf! It is my solution, my palette's salvation. These next few months will be consumed with oranges, browns, mustards, rusts, grays, and greens. Oh, look out April.

Only Time Will Tell

What's better than searching and potentially finding a replacement to a favorite accesory? Repairing said cherished item. I went down to Watch Works today and they were able to repair my favorite time piece for just $15. Turns out it only needed a new battery and a shine. Good as new.

Watch Works/Alex & Co Jewelers

711 SW 10th Avenue

PDX, OR 97205

503.223.1368

Elizabeth Taylor

"Its not the having, its the getting." -Elizabeth Taylor

(1932-2011)

Found

One pink child's cap with small ears on Marquam Trail near Council Crest. If it belongs to you it should still be hanging on the small tree, just south of the doggy station.

Texture, Texture, Texture

Lately, I am inthralled with the contrasts of bulky and fuzzy with twill and crisp. This latest obsession could be a result of drooling over the fall runway looks from New York, Paris, London and Milan. It could also be an overwhelming preoccupation with the aesthetic of Biba and Chanel. Not to mention the grey-ness of March as another contributing factor. The coziness and comfort with thick, soft and borderline hairy textures especially around one's head and shoulders has hooked me. I just can give it up. Now, if only the rain would lighten up I wouldn't feel like I was wrapping myself up in a damp sponge.

Shrug: Vintage Pink, $22

Scarf + Blazer: Time Bomb Vintage, $5, $16

Sweater: Vintage Shop in Berkeley (I forgot the name of), $16

Tee: Rubbish @ Nordstrom: $12

Skirt: Fringe Vintage: $14

Sunday Morning

Once the dancing shoes come off.

Ascots For Spring

Shorts- In the Making

While I think my hand will be up for sewing by the end of the week, I took this rainy afternoon opportunity to draft out a pattern for some shorts for a friend of mine. The look: vintage inspired high waited short shorts. So, stay tuned.

For the Love of Audrey + Hitchcock

Audrey Hepburn is one of my inspirations and all around favorite ladies.

Not to mention the fact that, we have been watching plenty of Hitchcock lately (those staring Cary Grant of course), lending to the pertinence of these images.

Thanks for passing these my way Aaron.

(Photos from How to Steal a Million, 1966 and found on somecamerunning.typepad.com)

Casualties

Due to an argument with a Barolo glass late Friday night at work a few of the sewing projects are on hold. But hey, you should see the other guy. He was destine for that recycling bin.

Mixology

As the Ides of March are approaching, I am captivated by the mixing an matching of prints. And more obsessed with mustards and yellows than is probably healthy. Now, if only the weather would cooperate and I could turn the heat down and slip into something more comfortable. Enjoy your weekend.

David Bowie Campaigns for Long Hair

Emotional Baggage

Perhaps in my experience the only item more troublesome to shop for, other than jeans, is the handbag. I have been all over town and back again with my beloved Samsonite carry all. It was the perfect size, had the right carrying capacity, the correct number of pockets, and the right shade of brown that went with practically my entire wardrobe. Alas, our love affair sadly came to an abrupt end a few weeks ago when the zipper to the main compartment snapped off in my hand. Oh, the devastation!

Ever since I had been scanning the local vintage and thrift stores for an adequate replacement. My search had been in vain. Until, one night last week, struck with a serious case of insomnia, I scoured the interwebs. I must preface this story with the fact that, I am not an online shopper. I want to hold the item in my hand, inspect the seams, put it on, and look in the mirror, but I came across the ideal day bag on Etsy in yellow with navy trim. The price was even right. And to top it off the woman selling the bag was just across town. I had the carryall at my doorstep the next afternoon. It was like a dream come true. (I highly recommend shopping at Splinkville's Etsy store).

However, the new to me carryall was just a little too be to be the everyday-all-the-time purse, and so the search continued. On a random circumstance while killing time over at Lloyd Center (the Center of the City) wanting to run some errands, there it was hanging in the line up of the discounted designer handbags at Marshall's. It seemed to good to be true. There was no bling, fringe or giant buckle. The print: much more than tolerable, even pleasing and chic. LeSportsac and I were instantly connected and this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Tuesday, Taco Night

Sorry, I didn't have time to give you a proper post today but I am up to my elbows juicing limes and slicing jalapeños for tonight's dinner: pulled pork tacos with home made guacamole.

besos.

Girls is Green Boucle

In some down time I had yesterday before heading off to work, I finally attacked that yard of olive boucle. The result: a sweater for her.

Fashionably Hydrated

Missoni meets San Pellegrino, now has your mineral water ever looked so good?

No, but seriously, with the cold weather that was the month of February here it was important to drink lots of water. It was also vital to go though a bottle or two of moisturizer. I just hope March actually does come in like a lion and out like a lamb. This cold weather has got to end sometime. Brrr. Yes, water, even better mineral water. Turns out, it's Friday and I am apparently somewhat brain dead as I have been waiting for that person who got to the laundry room ten minutes before me to remove their intimates from the washer and the dryer. I know the laundry is clean, but I can't handle moving the clean or dirty laundry of strangers. It just creeps me out. In return I expect the same treatment from them. So it definitely irks me when someone has removed my load of socks and towels from the dryer and they are still damp...you know who you are. What ever happened to laundry room etiquette?

In a nutshell, I suppose my Friday is a damp one but at least I am not going thirsty.

Cheers!

Egg Press

About 3 or 4 weekes ago when I popped into Alder + Co to peruse for birthday items, I did pick up a birthday card for a friend of mine. I loved the card, it was covered in anchors and said "Happy Birthday, Matey." Anyhow, I thought the design was the right amount of whimsical and clever. So I investigated the website on the back of the card and was pleased to find even more cheerful designs from stationary to calendars. So check them out... Egg Press.

Radish First Thursday

This First Thursday, March 3rd, from 5-9pm at Radish Underground stop by the store for refreshments and a chance to win a pair of tickets to see March Fourth Marching Band (scheduled for the next night at the Crystal Ballroom). Then March over to to Boutique Night: Power of the Purse, a benefit for Girls Inc of NW Oregon. Where there is promised to be more refreshments and a DJ. Get Marching...

Pink + White Stripes

Here is what became of that striped jersey knit: an oversized turtle neck mini dress with slight bell sleeves. Great for staying warm, even if it is just around the apartment.