Goodbye, 2008!

We are bad, very bad e-boutique owners. Will you forgive us?

December was a snowy blur for us. Literally, it snowed so much that the city was crippled for about a week and a half. The airports cancelled flights, people lived in airports, and others were holed up. One day, we bravely left the confines of our home and walked around. I could not believe how gorgeous the city was. Despite my one too many falls on icy sidewalks, I have to say this is one of our best winters yet.

Oregonianphoto via Flickr

SacredDestinations via Flickr
I walk by this park everyday, but I almost did not recognize it under the blanket of snow.

Thank you for the emails and comment about the lack of posts.

By the way, the InStyle magazine storewide discount is still on ... for a few more days. Enjoy 25% off an entire purchase with code: INSTYLE08.

We are off to welcome the new year.

Black Friday

Only until Sunday, November 30th!

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm engaging in my usual lazy packing blues. In a few hours, we depart to Los Angeles for Thanksgiving festivities, where, among family and friends, I will happily over-satiate myself on my mother's and my grandmother's cooking.

Today, Joseph said to me, "The weather is horrible. It is raining--absolutely pouring--in LA. Bring a rain jacket and comfy clothes." Me afraid of the rain? I think not. What to pack? Despite Californian gripes about the "bad" weather, a few raindrops will not deter me from taking advantage of wearing less layers than I will probably be required to wear within the next 5 months in Portland. Plus, I do not own a rainslicker or rain jacket. Please.

What to pack? I think it is time I wore this Charlotte Ronson skirt. Sans tights. With booties. A leather jacket. A comfy T-shirt or equivalent top. à la Karla (below):

source: Karla's Closet

My Charlotte Ronson hi-waist skirt:

We wish you all a lovely Thanksgiving holiday. Make sure you visit us for our Black Friday sale! (Hint: check your email.)

Book Hunting

source: Amystrycula via Flickr

The last few weeks, I have been a little more obsessed with hunting down used/old books--"a little more" is an understatement. Now and then, I go through this phase. On random drives especially to small towns, I cannot pass up a used bookstore. Cannot. Will not. This is why Portland and even Vancouver, WA can be dangerous. In fact, some of my favorites are a product of my horrible sense of direction and propensity to drive aimlessly.

I've found a new favorite place to hunt. More on that later ... and if I ever chance upon them again during their business hours. Doubtful.

One More Thing

source: Hel Looks

Umm, yeah, nothing pressing, but I kind of love this. It is getting chilly in Portland.

Frolic Time

source: Pike/Pine

I'm channeling Pike/Pine style with this picture. We will be out for a few days to frolic on the streets of our northern neighbor, the bustling city of Seattle. See you Monday!

Giddy

Yay to all of us for voting! To commemorate the significance of today's election, we are offering our lovely blog readers a lovely discount for Wednesday only. ONE day only. Use code "new" for 25% off any purchase. You deserve it.

Use it to stimulate the economy or, if you prefer, to simply pick up new threads for our new country.

Devotte Mascara

Vote, vote, vote

Although I try to keep this blog as frivolous as possible (because I revel in frivolity), I will say that my stomach hurt all day--the waiting, the constant review of the electoral map, the speculation, the nagging feeling of an upset. The resident male and I are heading out to welcome the news, good or bad, with friends.

Fingers are crossed.

The Devottes in Action

I finally had an opportunity to wear the Devotte Pur, with one of my favorite Mayle dresses, and the requsite thick wool tights.

AND these pictures are for Sharon, who emailed me about pictures of the Devotte Mascara. Any other requests?

Rachel Comey Dagger

SO, even after the restock, we have only one pair left of the Rachel Comey Jonen, a size 10. Other news: the Switch is no longer available. BUT we do have the Dagger, a beautiful stacked heeled mocassin, in Forest (a very deep deep greenish-brown) available. Pictures to follow!

POST EDIT: As promised, here are pictures of the Dagger in Forest.

Weekend Wrapup

My weekend in Los Angeles was too short. It was 80+ degrees this weekend, and the sun shone unapologetically. I sipped one of my favorite chai teas, found a new favorite vegetarian restaurant, and spent some time with my two sisters and a dear friend. And, upon my return from Los Angeles, I realized that Fall--sometimes, it feels like Winter--appeared in Portland, coating the ground in fallen yellow leaves.

Below, some images from my weekend. Actually, most of the images are pictures of my sister, Jennifer, in her two favorite IRO dresses. I threw in a shot of Jaclyn in a thrift shop blouse from years past (that I should have stolen from her) because, well, I wanted to.

Sorry for the blurry shots.

(Note the lack of tights in mid-October. Oh, sunshine.)

Jennifer likes floaty mini IRO dresses, like so:

Jack likes to flaunt thrift shop treasures in front of me, like so:

Away

source: Refinery29

Lovelies, we will be out of town this weekend, trying on and drooling over S/S '09 items, like the Rachel Comey shoes above.

Fashion Clicks Picks SOTTO Boutique

We are SUPER DUPER thrilled to be named one of Refinery29's top e-boutiques!!!!!! That's all we can really say. Read up on the site's Fashion Picks here.

Counter

I know it seems counterintuitive to want a slinky, silk chiffon dress/tunic in the colder months, but I couldn't help myself. I'm a fan of pretty draping and slate colors. And so, when faced with this floaty IRO top as an option, I shrugged my shoulders and said, "Why not?" Can you picture it over your blackest skinniest jeans, blackest booties, jacket (maybe, a cardi for the second layer), and scarf?

How would you wear this silk chiffon dress/tunic for Fall?

I like snap button closures.

Autumn Brights

WANTED: Silk chiffon blouses and dresses in unapologetically saturated prints to counter the gray autumn skies.

Good News, Bad News

The good news first: This Mociun Ikat dress, as modeled by Lena Corwin in the newest issue of Domino (below), is more gorgeous and wearable in person.

source: Domino magazine

Now for the bad news: It sold out today. I'm working on getting it restocked, but I can't make any promises. I'm trying. Email us if you're interested.

UPDATE: Caitlin Mociun is sending over a restock of this dress. We have size Medium and Large available for pre-order on the site!!!

Of course, this magazine spread begs the question--what things make you happy, lovelies?
Fine, I'll start with my short list, but this list won't include people or pets; otherwise, I'll get some scowls later this week.

1. A bowl of orange tomato soup from Elephants Deli on a cool autumn day makes me happy.

2. Walking through the park, while shuffling through yellow fallen leaves, makes me happy.

3. Vintage or vintage-inspired wallpaper makes me happy.

4. Rummaging through used bookstores makes me happy.

There are so many more little things, but we'll discuss that another time.

Paris Fashion Week, Spring Summer 09. By Daravone*

So these were some bits of my own little fashion week. Gaspard Yurkievich, Tsumori Chisato, ... Contemplating those big names in fashion, Jeremy Scott afterparty. Running from one show to another. Off Off Bowery exhibition. Bicycles on Agnes B's catwalk. Rendez Vous Magazine cocktail. Running from one show to another (yes twice because this was the hardest part). Kate L., Carine R., Emmanuelle A.

*The fabulous Ms. Daravone is a photographer/contributer to worldwide street style blog, Street Peeper. She also has her own blog. Oh, and she's the resident male's über-cool Parisian cousin.

Bicycle Fancy

We've written about our bicycle love before--here and here.

Joanna Goddard's post about the New York Times "field study" of the different types of bicyclists in New York City is just the kind of post that tickles our bicycle fancy. An excerpt (with quotes and pictures) below:

The Noble Rider.
The town bike, with an upright posture and upright air.
"In the winter, I wear lots of fedoras and scarves, foulards and tweeds," he says. "And in the summer, basically linens. I would say kind of very English, '30s style--very Evelyn Waugh."



The Fixed-Gear Rider.
The clearest way to advertise one's skinny-jeans credibility.
"There’s a certain rebelliousness to the act of riding in the city, at least when you're serious riding, not lollipop-riding on a vintage cruiser."



The Vintage-Bike Fashion Gal.
"Brady Bunch" Schwinn exudes a thrift-store chic.
"Don’t be afraid to wear a skirt and heels."

All images courtesy of the New York Times

Which type of bicyclist are you?