Shop Mail: Rachel Comey Fall 2008

We received several emails that lamented the passing of the super-duper double buckle belts of spring season and then inquired what Rachel Comey belts we expected for fall. Our response below:

Dear client,

We are likewise sorry that you were not able to procure one of the beloved Rachel Comey belts of spring '08 season. We are, unfortunately, sold out. Chin up, though, as we are expecting a darling fall '08 belt, a gorgeous number in a rich shade of whiskey. (See attached enclosure.)

Best Regards,

SOTTO

Fall Preview: Motorcycle Jacket Goodness

We realize that we have mentioned the Madison Marcus f/w '08 jacket twice now. No, it isn't yet in stock. It will be soon.

I suppose this is a teaser of sorts (forgive us), but I had to post these rad pictures--they oozed of motorcycle jacket goodness. Yes, I used the word "rad" in a sentence.

Inspiration until then:

source: Stockholm Streetstyle

source: Copenhagen Streetstyle

A Mid-Summer Hike

Sitting at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is a veritable hiker's dream. It is green, lush (my friend, Alex, makes fun of my use of that word), and solely within the confines of the city, a hiker can find many trails with which to distract himself/herself.

If, however, you tire of city hikes (as we did this weekend), you can drive 20 miles east to the scenic Columbia Gorge, which alone boasts of hundreds of magnificent day hikes. After you've completed the requisite visit to Multnomah Falls, do yourself a favor and try some of the more obscure trails.

This is our first hike this summer. Shame on us! We've been cooped up a bit and been fairly satisfied with traipsing around the city and trying new restaurants (more on that later).

A few pictures from the Wahclella Falls Trail, which is short, easy, and dog/family friendly:

A Tiny Peek of Church & State Fall 2008

source: Classy Sassy

In my mind's eye, I approach the fall season in Church & State f/w 08 garb and multiple varations therewith, a picture-perfect, classicly-themed imaginary movie of my life. I won't spoil it for you now, but the fall line is wonderful. Considering who we're dealing with, I wouldn't expect any less.

Pictures are forthcoming. Soon.

Stacks of Brown-Papered Books and Teacups

A big cluttered mess of the above-mentioned items--these are some of the things that make up my living space.

Apartmento Magazine isn't a magazine that tells you what you should buy or with what possessions you should live. Otherwise put, it isn't some contrived ploy aimed at equally contrived consumerism. (Whether the ultimate outcome is eventually that consumerism is, however, a discussion for another day.) Rather, it provides a refreshing glimpse of the spaces in which real people exist and, in doing so, gives us an indulgent dose of the idiosyncratic aesthetics that correspond to our lives, whether they be littered tea cups or gorgeous antique furniture.

And that, to me, is always way more interesting. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

source: Apartmento Magazine

Cathedral Park Jazz Festival

This is one of my favorite events in the summer. More low key than the Waterfront Blues Festival and in the very cool--that's gentrification speak for slightly "seedier"--St. John neighborhood, the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival is a reminder that summer is the perfect opportunity to lounge lazily in the grass, with ice cream cone in hand and sunshine lingering gingerly over your limbs.

We did exactly that this Sunday, among a small group of people who swayed quietly and in unison to the sweet cacaphony of the trumpet.

The Devotte Shirleys were a welcome companion that day.

Brightly-colored umbrellas dotted the horizon.

One of the best things about going to St. John is crossing the St. John Bridge, one of my favorite bridges in Portland.

Rachel Antonoff Lookbook

There's been a bit of talk about where, if any, the Mooka Kinney line will go, given the girls' confirmed split. Well, Rachel Antonoff's lookbook is out,and the line has been snatched up by a few NYC Über-stores--having a fresh and famous face to model the line shouldn't hurt either.

I'm thinking I need to go, be invited, or throw a garden party in one of these frocks. Ideas are welcome.

Pieces should be out in the fall.

[whisper: click on the pics for a larger view]

POST-EDIT: If there's a particular piece you simply must have, let us know. We are doing pre-orders!

Time for a Handlebar Party

I need to stay away from Etsy. I always find the most random items, many of which, upon laying my eyes on them, convince me that I absolutely cannot live without them.

Like so:



I am overly amused by handlebar mustaches. The owner of one of my favorite coffee shops, which I frequented too often during "grad school" (a euphemism for a less glamorous, more sinister education) had one. If I was a male, I might follow suit. The resident male is equally amused.

Buy your moustache kerchief here.

Summer Skin

I don't want to jinx this, so let's keep it a secret, between you and me. [whisper] I think I have finally settled into my summer skin. Yes. I think have finally abandoned the looming feeling that the sun will not stay, that a gloomy raincloud is just around the corner, that summer will never fully appear in Portland this year.

It is a wonderful, liberating feeling.

Living in the Pacific NW has ingrained within me an appreciation for winter or seasonal dress, for the ability to meticulously place layer upon layer for warmth without looking like a bundled mess, or, at the very least, an un-chic bundled mess; for the ability to dress irrespective of, and unrestricted by, the rain. (Yes, I wear skirts, dresses, and sandals/peeptoe/non-rainboots/non-sneakers/aka what I consider to be my "normal shoes" during the rainy months. I do so without an umbrella at most times. I even hike, walk outside, etc. when it rains. gasp!)

Before my life in the Pacific NW, I lived for a short time in the tropics and then in perpetual-summer-California. The smell of sunkissed skin is a forged mainstay in my childhood memories. And, with that said, it should come as no suprise to you that I am happiest in the warmer months of the year. These are the months in which I am most in my element, and nothing seems more effortless--or more natural--than throwing on a gossamer dress and a pair of sandals.

As someone graciously informed me yesterday, however, I have about 7 weeks of summer left. That's it!?!?!

Oh, well, I guess I have these to look forward to--adorable pieces from a great French line:

Allison Wrote. Allison Wore.

Leave to Allison to make me rethink my decision not to keep one of the Rachel Comey shaped-waist belts. I was trying to not be selfish. But, in retrospect (and after my size is long gone), I must ask: What was I thinking?



source: Allison Wrote

Here, she pairs the belt with one of her AA skirts. We have one belt left in stock, a size medium.

Stop it, stop it

Stop it, French members of the blogosphere. Your blogs are too delightfully constructed, too bright and airy.

I. cannot. divert. my. eyes. And I have work to do!

Seriously, I need to learn French. Yes, I have always wanted to learn, but have always believed that learning Spanish made more sense in many, many ways. The last few days, I have been falling, almost Alice-like, into the French blogosphere ... or peering obsessively into it, anyway. I guess all a girl can do is look.

All pictures are courtesy of Garance Dore:

New Blog Obsession

Maybe it is because the resident male's relatives from Paris, France are visiting this month or perhaps because my sister and I are planning a trip to Montreal, but for whatever reason I am atypically obsessed with anything French, including this blog, which is written in French (with few English translations) and chock full of gorgeous eye candy:




source: Style and the City

Weekend Show and Tell: PDX Waterfront Blues Festival

As I stated earlier, our plans to head out of state were foiled. I suppose it was all for the best.

This picture is horrible (mental note: must work on photography skills), but here we are en route to the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival.



Somewhere beyond that blurred cluster of sailboats on the right was a grassy spot which we claimed as our own as we listened, next to thousands of sunburned others, to blues ... for charity.

After engaging in more sunbathing than I had planned and then simultaneoulsy realizing that I forgot to bring more sunscreen, we went across the river to snack on sweet crepes and Aranciata.



The end (of a lazy Saturday).

Speaking of Frocks ...

We sold out of nearly all of our Madison Marcus spring items. The only item we have left in stock is the gorgeous ruffle dress below (the green version is long gone):





Nab it on sale. Yes, finally, a sale!

Oh, I should also let you know that if you missed your chance to own the Madison Marcus leather jacket last season, you may get another chance.

We are stocking the newest rendition of this fabulous staple in black. Expect some of the same adorable ruffles, but more of a juxtaposition with tough biker-chicness. I love it. As last time, email us if you want to be on the waitlist. Stock is very limited.

Mooka Kinney Frocks

We hope everyone had an enjoyable, fireworks-filled 4th of July! Our plans to head out of state were foiled. One of us got sick and our jetsetting to Los Angeles/San Diego/Orange County last weekend has left us pooped. So we reluctantly stayed around this weekend, but rather enjoyed ourselves.

We hope to be able to update the website with new merchandise soon. For those of you who missed out on the Mooka Kinney Nevele jumper, we are very sorry. We've got another little number--a mini in a cute tulip print--which should be perfect for warmer weather days:





Much to our chagrin, Rachel has confirmed that the Mooka Kinney gals are splitting up, but we hope to see more from Rachel in the future.

Make Room

Apologies again for the limited blogs. Our store computer is currently being worked on. But once it is up and running, we promise you more pictures of new merchandise and one or two site changes to make your shopping experience a little easier.

This is one of my favorite times of the year--the cusp between summer and fall lines, when spring season finally goes on sale. SOTTO is making room for what we hope to be a great fall season and is gearing up for its first SPRING SALE. Expect weekly markdowns.

It looks like the super smart site-lurkers have taken advantage of our first markdowns, which included all of our Rachel Comey belts, all spring Charlotte Ronson merchandise, and the Jenny Yuen bags. Ay! We only have two Rachel Comey belts left (they went fast!), so grab them while you can. Stay tuned for future markdowns throughout the month of July.

Thanks for visiting!

xoxo
SOTTO