And Then There Was One: Charlotte Ronson Origami Neck Dress

We have one, maybe two, left!

SHOP GIRL

A reader tipped us off to the fact that Lucky Magazine blog Shop Girl featured our shop this week. Yes, as the post says, we are in the middle of a humongous sale and making room for Spring merch. I agree with Emily's picks: the IRO Yaffa blouse is a favorite of mine, something I throw on when I'm running out of the house and need to hide my oft-haphazard way of dress. Although its cut reminds me of a casual pullover and it is as comfortable as one, a simple pullover it is not: the silk fish-scale detailing is gorgeous and a perfect counter to the woven blouson sleeves. Unfortunately, some of her other picks have sold out ...

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

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?

Bedtime Stories with Refinery29

Thank you to Refinery29 (love, love, love) folks Christene and Allison for the write up on our little boutique! We are SUPER thrilled to be featured. If you haven't guessed, the collage of images above is "stolen" from their site because the resident male and I are too inept to play with pictures properly, like proper adults.

Here's a glimpse, but you can read the entry in all its Refinery29-glory here.

Devotte FW '08, Part IV: My Other Brown Boot

Devotte. I Know. Rustic Brown.




My sister, Jennifer, knows a thing or two about collecting quality, beautifully constructed boots. She has a collection of vintage boots that anyone would envy. In fact, when I visit her apartment in Los Angeles, I deliberately take the time to troll through the rooms, looking for discarded treasures: a pair of vintage wedges in the perfect golden-beige shade, or possibly a pair of her boots. How a girl in constant 90 degree weather could, or would need to, own that many beautiful pairs of boots is presently beyond my grasp.

The I. Know boot is a worthy rival to my sister's collection. Frankly, I hesitated in putting up these pictures of the I. Know. They don't do this boot justice; the details on this boot--button and pintuck detailing on the back of the calf--make this timeless piece special. The lines of this boot are sleek and fluid. The rich rustic brown leather has the kind of slight variation that you can tell will weather beautifully with time; the heel--a little over two inches--elongates, but keeps the shoe functional, which, by the way, is Nancy Kim's signature, as she designs for the women of NYC.

Don't dawdle too long, as I have a feeling Jennifer is going to want a pair for her collection.

Devotte FW '08, Part III: Black Mascara

My litany of love for FW '08 Devotte continues, but in a whirwind way--a bowl of Tillamook vanilla ice cream, freshly-picked blackberries, and last night's Project Runway await. I know it is First Thursday in Portland, but I much prefer this option tonight.

Devotte. Mascara. Black.

In the work lives of many (too many, in fact) of my friends, the black pump takes a dominant stance. While the style lends itself to some classic beauties, the interpretation is often lackluster, boring, and, if I may be completely frank, pure function over form. Boo.

Enter the Mascara in black, your morning friend (or my friends' morning friend) when you're rushing out the door, an endless sea of traffic ahead and naught a second to fret over your footware.

Frivolous ruffles on this serious shoe are SOOOO spot-on. For work or for play.

Devotte FW' 08, Part II: Clever

Devotte. Pur. Grey.

Meet my new Fall staple: the Pur, a killer heel/bootie that makes a decisive nod to the '80s, and remains unapologetically femme, and somehow even a bit classic. The slate grey color is the perfect backdrop for almost anything you can throw at it, which is funny, given the fact that I don't think I presently have a shoe in this color. I still surprise myself. I should not have to (but I will) mention that this is equally pretty with your thick tights in the autumn and winter, as it is with bare legs for spring and summer.

(I should note as well that soon after unpacking the Pur, I tried on a pair in my size and engaged in the ritual, "Ooooh! Aahh!" before I was forced to give them back.)

But the absolute best part is the interchangeable design. Each pair comes with two detachable leather bows. You are a clever girl, Nancy Kim.






A Pur Tutorial:

Step 1.




Step 2.




Step 3. Voilà!

Hood River, Ore. Via Walla Walla, Wa.

Clear blue skies ahead.



Me, enjoying the last few days of summer and summer dresses sans tights.



He, enjoying the last few days of summer and laying in the sun sans sweater.




A wine tasting room in Walla Walla, Washington




Going home.


We drove, drove, drove for hours, tracing the path of the Columbia River, a clear stretch of highway ahead, crossing goldenrod-colored fields, under the sun, shining, shining.

Did everyone have a nice Labor Day?

Devotte FW '08, Part I: Crushed

We are back from our holiday and busily unpacking our Fall shipment of Devotte. We promise to post more pictures of the goodies within the next few days. Here's one for starters.

Devotte. Crushed Lace Up Boots. Rustic Brown.

For years, I have been accused of liking anything that is "granny." Guilty as charged! Staring at my collection of well-loved cardigans, I really can't argue with that accusation, and I doubt I'm alone in that sentiment.

Granny-lovers, brace yourself. The Crushed boot is exactly what we need: a touch of antiquated severity to counter all that is femme, something that we can walk and romp in to our hearts' delight (images of jumping into moutains of fallen autumn leaves comes to mind), something that will weather beautifully with time.

I imagine pairing this with many of my dresses, floral or not, with or without tights; it makes a good summer-to-autumn transition piece. With skinny jeans and a tee, it becomes an easy autumn staple.







SOME INSPIRATION FROM THE FASHION BLOGOSPHERE:

Allison (of Allison Wrote), Rumi (of Fashiontoast), and Lulu (of Everbody is Ugly)--among many blogger others--provide ample inspiration for this granny boot.

source: Knight Cat

source: Fashiontoast

source: Allison Wrote

source: Copenhagen Streetstyle

source: Everybody is Ugly

source: Kittay via Chictopia

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.

The Weekend was a Delightful Blur

After a rather chaotic Friday morning and afternoon, I somehow made it onto the plane and landed, exhausted and groggy, in Los Angeles. And, only after an hour or so of sitting through lovely 405 traffic, I met up with my better half (and the resident male at SOTTO).

The weekend was a huge blur, as are some of my pictures. WE: caught up with family and dear old friends; scrutinzed food arrangements, but somehow only took a few bites; obsessed over a lederhosen-clad Scott selling girl scout cookies (don't ask); drooled over my best friend's yellow vintage lace dress, which I will happily borrow (thank you); listened to my sister's stories about attending a mustache party and decided that handlebar mustaches are, hands down, the best; poked and prodded my new nephew, who unbelievably slept through my incessant cooing; danced; ate too much cake; were given many bracelets and even more blessings; laughed ... a lot; and watched my sisters try on shoes, like so, which they subsequently purchased, i.e., took.

My sister in her Devotte Shirley, which she paired with one of her many maxi-dresses.

Blurry side shot of Devotte Shirley

Then, we boarded a plane and headed back home to Portland. And upon arrival, WE: slept, slept; sipped steaming cups of cardamom-and-ginger-infused chai tea; slept again; dodged a hail storm unsuccessfully; picked up my new issue of Jille (which had many a drool-worthy, fringe-heavy item); and subsequently conspired to take another trip to Japan.

It was hailing/raining in Portland today.

He was a very tired jetsetter.

Spring Has Sprung

Well, in the Portland-Beaverton-urban sprawl extension, that technically is not true. The cherry trees are blossoming, covering my car in mountains of pink blossoms. But, alas, just as I was ready to wave goodbye to winter, we had a freak snow "storm" yesterday. OK, it really wasn't a storm, just a few errant snowflakes. I love falling snow. It is so novel to me. Nevermind my ramblings.

In any case, Spring is in full bloom at SOTTO.

Rachel Comey Ackees

I didn't get a chance to post pictures of this shoe last time, because it just started to fly out of here before I even opened the box of shipment. A handful of sizes is still left, so don't miss out on this beauty. It's definitely one that is going to weather well, and you can pair it with knubby tights in the fall/winter.

Devotte Sandals

Oh, what can I say about Devotte sandals?

Maybe that I involuntarily spent a substantial amount of my free time last summer hunting down a few pair that I was near-obsessed with. Or perhaps that on my trek around Asia last August, I brought with me only two pairs of shoes, one being a Devotte. They're comfortable, but elegant -- a perfect combination when one is walking for miles and miles, but among some of the world's best-heeled ladies.

As opposed to last year's muted colors, Nancy Kim used punchier shades this season. We're happy to stock the Leelo in various vibrant shades and the equally femme Shirley in a white/gold combination (such an easy combo that goes with everything). I still can't decide which one(s) to keep.