Spring is in the Air

Well, at least between showers the daffodils have managed to bloom.  I can't get enough of their bright bursts of yellow and orange.

Three Looks... A New Crush

I am coveting the new collection by Massimo Dutti.

These looks are my top three... in no particular order.

It definitely has much to do with the color palette, the simple silhouettes and the distinguished collars.  

See the lookbook at fashion gone rogue.

Monday Prints

With the recent upward swing in barometric pressure and temperatures in the high 30s to lower 40s, daydreaming of warmer climates has fully set in.  Ocean breezes, warm sand and fabulous vintage inspired prints by DVF are all the vacation essentials a girl could ask for.  In the meantime, you can find me bundled up in front of the heater holding a cup of hot tea.

From left to right: Ashley Jumper in Graphic Clouds Large Blue ($365), 2G USB in Rings Small Lilac ($38), Saffiano iPhone 4G Case in Birdy Small Blue ($48), Neoprene Beach Tote in Chain Link Medium ($145), New Julian LS Dress in Trio Dot Large ($241.50 sale), Abby Flats in Red/Off White Graphic Cloud Small ($175), Printed Nylon Bag in Diamond Haze Large ($68.60 sale), New Jeanne Dress in Wings Medium Red ($345)

November Leaves...

Just a snapshot of the splendid display of color surrounding the Presbyterian church on SW 12th and Alder.

The Fall Trends... Or Somethings To Keep In Mind

Color Theory 101...

Tweeds Fresh from 221B Baker St...

Just the Sheerness of You...

Printed Matter Below the Belt...

Chocolate Craving

A great time piece is an important accessory.  And with the 70s color palette at the forefront of fall fashion this chocolate watch by Alessi available at Moods of Florence is a solid choice.  Punctuality is a virtue.

Moods of Florence 
615 SW Broadway, Suite 103 
Portland, OR 97205 
503.241.6441
www.moodsofflorence.com

Pantone 109 U

In New York, Bill Cunningham is talking blue, but here in Rose City the topic is yellow. Pops of yellow in accessories are brightening up this season's sartorial decisions and sorry excuse for summer.

And now the hue has penetrated my medicine cabinet. Voila! Contact lens case by Pantone Universe the color: 109 U. An even brighter excuse to slip off the specs in the morning. Rise and shine.

Inspiration with Seeds + Pits

Turns out that my late summer palette (besides the achromatic staples) is derived from the produce section. Appetizing, no?

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.

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.

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.

Incorporating Brown

All of the staples in my closet are black. Black jackets, black dresses, black tights, black shoes, black belts, even black glasses. Currently I am working on the incorporation of brown, camel, tan and copper pieces into my wardrobe and these new Hush Puppies' Jermyi are a step in that direction. I purchased these kitten heal mary-janes at Imelda's last week in the clearance section. Not only are they adorable, they are able to stand up to the 3+ miles of city blocks that I cover everyday (and no blisters to speak of). Hip hip hooray!

PS. I also need to apologize for not posting yesterday, Wednesday was simply a whirlwind of domestic duties.

Domestic Life

Yesterday a coworker asked me, "Now, that you are married are you going to become more domestic? You know more domestic in the sense that you are going to be cooking more and taking care of the house?"

My response was a shrug.

Regardless, as I write this post there is laundry in the dryer, the dishes are washed, and all of the obvious dust bunnies have been laid to rest. Being the modern domestic that I am, or at least might aspire to be, I did what every reasonable homemaker would do. I shopped for a new futon cover on Overstock.com. And viola a bright yellow one. Winter in the Northwest never looked so good.

PS... I am figuring out a camera situation at the moment so in the meantime enjoy my illustrations.

Shades of Gray…

In 2^nd grade I got my fingers on Billy Joel’s River of Dreams album and memorized each track. The title of this post has little to do with his song “Shades of Gray.” Just saying.

I spend much of my time scanning fashion rags, fashion blogs and the NY Times Fashion + Style section online and the consensus in the last few weeks slash months is that this summer is a summer of white. I disagree. In Portland summer 2010 is gray: charcoal and heather. Maybe it is a result of the brevity that is this summer. Or that as a Portlander investing heavily in a summer wardrobe is not financially sound. Either way, I am going gray. Not up top just yet, mind you, in my closet.

These are some of the recent additions. The first is a vintage Mizz Lizz that I purchased from Living Threads for $18. The second item is my new favorite outer layer by Love Squared out of the Junior Department of Nordstrom, for less than $25. The other items include a Juicy Couture Dress made of a braided velour purchased at Buffalo Exchange for $11, a 3/4 sleeve dress from the sale rack at Urban Outfitters for less than $20, and a miniskirt by Rampage purchased a while ago at a thrift shop that no longer exists on West Morrison. There must be someone out there who misses the Council Thrift as much as I do. Today the space is now occupied by an ultra lounge and a personal training gym.

Side note: just in case you hadn’t put the pieces together ultra is the new douche.

Back to the garments the drippy wrappy sweatery item is from Forever 21, I believe it was under $10, but I would have paid $30 not to have to push my way through crowds of Teen Spirit to get it. Oh, least I forget the flats are by Qupid and they were another Buffalo Exchange score for $7. The beat-up Asics Tigers are from Buenos Aires and they go for the peso equivalent of $50.

PS: the bf’s closet is also going grey. Awesome sport coat score at William Temple Thrift for under $6 (that includes the discount drawn out of the fish bowl on the counter). And the old Urban Outfitters cardigan has become recent staple.

Fall 2010 will be all shades of gray.