Last Days of Summer SALE

Charlotte Ronson high-waisted pencil skirt, Mociun tank, Rachel Comey Lorimer

Markdowns galore.

My Failed Attempts at Berry Picking

On Sunday, Jamie, Melissa and I took a circuitous drive to Sauvie Island. We intended to go berry picking. I intended to make blackberry jam. In fact, with these intentions in mind, I promised many, many friends a jar of blackberry jam.

Disappointment. Bad driving. Laziness. All rolled into one. No blackberries or berry picking. No blackberry jam. I did, however, grab freshly harvested veggies and fruit at a fruit stand.

And I had an amazing rootbeer float. Success?

If we had gone berry picking, I imagine it would something like this:

Girlhula via Flickr

And Then There Was One: Charlotte Ronson Origami Neck Dress

We have one, maybe two, left!

Birthday Festivities

Tomorrow, I will celebrate my dear friend's birthday, in Washington Park, with a picnic, with cupcakes topped with the requisite celebratory flair, and with finger-food galore (including honey-soaked lemons for lemonade), while watching, in a lazy summer daze, Vicky Christina Barcelona.

I will wear this dress because I love racerbacks, and I love silk Margarita Saplala dresses. I must remember to bring a towel.

I will wear these shoes, because Rachel Comey makes great shoes. And, I love tassels.

That is not me in the pictures, by the way, but lovely Cecilia.

Sale! Markdowns!

Lewis tap shorts and top, Rachel Comey Bergen



Mociun dress, Rachel Comey Lorimer

These are a few of my favorites, many of which are only available in a few sizes! More images to come, I promise.

Summer Blues

I recall a moment, about three months ago, when summer was just a hazy thought, the warm months ahead pregnant with possibilities. Where has time gone? We don't really know, but we are well aware that fall will soon be on its way.

Be prepared ...

But first, we're doing our mark-downs. Yes, mark-downs.

Goodbye, Mayle

source: Flickr

The pop-up shop is closed, the alleged sample-sale-to-end-all-sample-sales a passing memory, and the storefront will shut its doors for the final time in three wee days. Le sigh.

April Showers

source: The Sartorialist

It was sunny and 80 degrees for the first three days of the week. Then, out of nowhere, the temperature dipped nearly 30 degrees. The wind followed, then the rain. This is how I felt the remainder of the week, as I traipsed around the city ... well, without the chic black clothes, high heels, and the Parisian background. You get the idea.

Pretty As A Picture

I love designer videos, like this one with Alison Lewis of Lewis-fame.

Pretty as a Picture Show

(Yeah, that's a link. If someone with more tech-savvy than I knows how to actually post the video, do enlight me. Please.)

And Then There Was One: Rachel Comey Shape Belt

We've got one left in stock, a size Medium, in whiskey, on sale for $98.00 ... a pretty good bargain, if you ask me.

ALSO, new Rachel Comey belts (shaped, double-buckle, and all with crochet goodness) are coming in soon!!!

UPDATE: Nevermind. Sold.

Rachel Comey Traders Dress

Happy Feet (Or: My Obsession with Tassels)

About two years ago, I fell in love--the kind of head-over-heels love--for a pair of wooden soled Rachel Comeys with shingle detailing. I was obsessed! I wanted them in both the cream color and tan brown. I wanted the wedge version and the heel version. I wanted them all. Unfortunately, so did everyone else: I managed to land only one pair, which my friends dubbed as my "shingle shoes." Oh, are they great!

When I peered at the linesheet for Spring/Summer 2009, I found something as adorable as those shingle shoes of seasons past. My heart stopped! Tassels! And could I call that a pseudo-shingle? We have two styles to choose from because, if you're anything like me, you will want both versions. Just don't dawdle as long as I did.

(By the way, I must say that the construction on the Rachel Comey shoes has become increasingly better with each subsequent season. This season's shoes are truly special.)

And Then There Was One: Mociun Dress

I thought we sold out of this dress, but, as it turns out, there is ONE left in a size Medium. My sister owns this dress and wore it during her recent visit to Portland! It has a super flattering fit and runs true to size. I'll post it back on the site this week! Who will be the lucky girl?

P.S. Some of you may have heard that we had a bit of a website issue last month. For the most part, it is fixed, but we are working on ironing out a few kinks. Thank you for all your patience!

UPDATE: Sold.

Fancy Pants (Err ... Shorts)

These washed silk, high-waisted tap shorts by Lewis (Alison Lewis) will soon replace their denim/cotton counterparts. I feel very grown up, indeed. And, true to her Mooka Kinney roots, Alison Lewis adorned these tap shorts in cute button detailing.

Rachel Comey Shoe Heaven

From left to right: Sing Sing, Lorimer, Bergen.
(We love Rachel Comey!)

Spring Staple

Could this Alison Lewis tank be my staple for spring/summer season? With its silk print and low back, I think it just may be! Also, the low back on this top is surprisingly comfortable: it has a touch of elastic to keep it snug.

UPDATE: Another picture of the low back & with the Lewis tap shorts, also in stock! Some of you have asked if the straps are adjustable. They are to the extent that they can be moved closer to each other, as in this picture.

Spring Has Sprung!

The sun is out this weekend, and it is gorgeous and warm. Portland feels like an entirely new city when this happens.

New in store: Mociun, Rachel Comey, Margarita Saplala, and Alison Lewis!

New Mociun Dresses!

The ease of Mociun dresses is pretty hard to resist. The babydoll shape isn't new to us, but given our consistent obsession with Caitlin's tie-top pieces, the Issaran dress is novel. And simple, sweet. In other words, it is perfect for spring.

Just In: Margarita Saplala

Margarita Saplala pieces are in and will be added to the site this weekend! I don't know about you, but winter has lingered for too long this year. I cannot wait to throw on one of these gorgeous silk numbers with my Rachel Comey clogs.

Happy Valentines Day, Lovelies!

source: Copenhagen Cycle Chic

In case we forget or weekend errands trump our daily posts, Happy Valentines Day, lovelies! As you know, spring merch will begin to arrive within the next two weeks. Yes, you will get a chance to view the newest Rachel Comey shoes. My, my, everyone is talking about those shoes! Are you curious about the new Egyptian-inspired Devotte sandals, or waiting to get your hands on the Alison Lewis tap shorts?

To get ready for the new season, we are offering an additional 30% off (yes!) on all merchandise with code: "grechen" -- hurry, offer lasts until Feb. 23 only. Enjoy!

Sue and Subtitles

Each February in Portland is met with flocks of anticipation-filled people waiting in the cold, usually entrenched in a book/periodical/other ostensibly high-brow reading material, lined up outside the old Portland Broadway Theatre, Arlene Schnitzer Hall or Portland Art Museum. The Portland International Film Festival is in town!

This year, I'm going with friend and foreign film aficionado Sue who, every year, maps out in meticulous fashion which films will and will likely not be available stateside. (By the way, Sue is the embodiment of mother-hen chic. Though not entirely an inaccurate caricature of her, I always imagine Sue with baguette in hand, crunch crunch, shawl draped dramatically around her shoulders. Maybe she's always cold? But I think in her previous life she was a French woman. ha.)

There are so many films from which to choose, and even random jaunts to the theatre at this time produce entertaining finds. My current list of go-sees:

French film "Shall We Kiss?"

I cannot resist any film with the promise of cheeky French humor.

Austrian film "Revanche"

Iranian film "Tehran Has No More Pomegranates"

source of all pictures: Portland International Film Fest

Sneak Peak: Rachel Comey

I can't wait for the Rachel Comey Bergen. We didn't order it in this color, but in a darker color called "coconut."

My Valentine

source:Iefke De Roos via Siagrafica

Oh, Valentine's Day, I admit I was not always a fan. But that seems to have changed this year. If the resident male wants to send me flowers or chocolate, I will happily oblige. Better yet, throw in a cute balloon, why don't you? I won't mind. Really.

I am strangely obsessed with balloons at the moment. These pictures may provide an explanation.

My fellow cynics, would you like to get in the mood for the upcoming holiday? Everyone needs a little heart flutter now and then, if only vicarious.

Take a gander at Joanna Goddard's GORGEOUS engagement photos below. I absolutely adore these photographs. View them in their entirety here.

source: A Cup of Jo

Sneak Peak: Lewis Spring 2009 PRE-ORDER

Alison Lewis Available for Pre-Order SOON!

Dearest Portland,

I look forward to days when my face isn't freezing, tights are optional, and it is possible to wear flimsy silk tops and tap shorts (ahem ... like above) without the threat of catching a cold. Otherwise put, I am ready for Spring. Please.

I apologize if I appear whiney.

Best,
Jocelyn
SOTTO Boutique