From Portland with love

In Portland, there is no shortage of talented and creative folks making beautiful and useful products. These are a few of my favorite things made right here in Portland. Great for gift giving!

Gorgeous hand-thrown mugs, cups, bottles and more from Mazama Wares. If you’re local, you can stop by Mazama’s open house at their North Portland studio this Sunday, December 21st for the best selection.

Covet-worthy chopsticks from Hank by Henry— handmade from untreated hard woods and free of chemicals. I can’t resist red, but the subtly metallic versions are really lovely, too. I first spotted these at the holiday gift shop at the Portland Japanese Garden, where they’re selling individual pairs and boxed sets.

This handcrafted mixer from RAFT Botanicals makes a very chic and tasty mimosa when mixed with prosecco. And it’s delicious in soda water with lime, for a fizzy agua de jamaica. I’m also a big fan of their smoked tea vanilla syrup. Can’t decide on a flavor? They have a gift box with mini versions of all three and don’t miss their recipe archive for inspired drink ideas.

Delicious jams with a savory twist from 3 Little Figs. These versatile jams are great with biscuits and the like, but are also fantastic on a cheese plate or grilled cheese. The citrus and smoked salt is my absolute favorite.

This Grayling necklace is clearly for someone very special. Like all of Grayling’s pieces, it’s handmade at their NE Portland shop. Not only is it gorgeous, it cleverly converts from a short to a long necklace.

Happy shopping!

A better boyfriend

I don’t need to tell you that a good boyfriend can be hard to find. So when I stumbled on the ideal version, I had to share. The slim boyfriend jean at Uniqlo checks all the boxes for me on what makes a great boyfriend jean.

They’re flattering– not too tight, not too baggy and hold their shape well. The rise is a bit below the belly button. Both shades of “blue” are versatile with just a bit of distressing.  They hit me right at my ankles– perfect with boots, booties, heels and sneakers. And you can’t beat the price at under $40.

November wishlist

All things cozy yet refined feel very right now. Here are a few items that strike the perfect balance:

• I can’t wait to get my hands on Flavor Flours— an exploration of non-wheat flours by baking genius Alice Medrich. This has “new favorite baking cookbook” potential written all of over it.
• I want to wear these wide-ish leg, cropped, pleated and pinstriped wool pants everywhere and with everything this fall.
• I cannot tell you how good this Smoked Tea Vanilla botanical syrup is. I’ve been putting it on vanilla ice cream, in my earl grey tea and chai lattes, whipped with heavy cream for desserts, in hard cider, ginger beer and whiskey. This would also be a win on a sweet potato or baked into desserts like pumpkin bread. It has a few simple ingredients that mingle together to give you a smoky-sweet and complex, yet subtle flavor. Handcrafted by two amazing women in Portland, but also available in Seattle, Denver, New York, and online. They have two other delicious flavors, plus a gift set of all three if you can’t decide (great present!).
• The folks at Kate Spade Saturday have nailed it with this gorgeous Colorblock A Satchel. I love the black/rosewood color combination. It’s rich and sophisticated, neutral enough to go with everything, but not at all boring. And it’s the perfect medium size.
• These homey stoneware plates are both pretty and rustic. Their simple design is elevated by thoughtful details– the eye-catching design around the side, and the 1″ lip that helps make sure you’re dinner stays put while you’re cozying up on the couch. They’re made in Portland by Kati Von Lehman and available only on Provisions.

Happy November!

Spooky style

Picture 1
Twisted branch wreath
Happy Halloween garland
Black branch candles
Skull and black rose appetizer plates
Dia de los muertos decanter
Smoky faceted votive holder

Picture 2
Lace platter

Picture 3
Beverage tub
Carved wood ravens
Sugar skull pillow
Black and gold pentagon votive candles
Porcelain and gold fall figurines
Flock of ravens plate
Spooky tree food toppers
Black cake pedestal
Skull candle

Picture 4
Full moon tee

Happy Halloween!

Leather boots for wet weather: 2014 edition

Straight outta Portland, where we know a little something about rain, I give you this year’s roundup of stylish shoes that won’t leave you all wet. Clockwise from the top left.

• Perfectly polished with a little edge
• This griege-y perennial favorite
• Sleek suede— think midi skirts and ankle skimming pants
• As versatile as your favorite pair of jeans

Even more picks below… 

Currently loving…

Plummy and browned-down red polishes like this one. Exactly what I want to wear this fall.

This leopard-spotted number with an exposed back zipper to dress up or down, and of course, to layer up when it gets chilly.

The moody autumn colors of this custom handmade leather wrap bracelet from Flor de Noche Studio. I’ve been wearing mine non-stop.

This mismatched set of quirky-cool geometric studs. Perfect with everything.

The gorgeous color, unique details, and versatility of these ankle boots.

See more favorites on Pinterest. Happy fall!

Spring palette inspiration

We’ve reached the time of year when layers of navy, grey, burgundy, and black don’t seem cozy and comforting as much as depressing. I’m ready to trade those rich, dark, cold weather colors for a lighter, brighter palette. Who’s with me?

I came across this pretty ranunculus print. And not only would I like to have it hanging somewhere within eyesight, I kind of want to move into this world of faded brights and blushy-buff tones that manages to be both romantic and casual at the same time. Since I can’t literally move in, I’ll settle for living in spring clothes inspired by this dreamy palette. With that in mind, I’ve pulled together some favorites.

Four 2014 calendars with style

This small square calendar from PrintSmitten packs a colorful punch. It comes with a cute metal clip for hanging. Bonus points: each month is double-sided for endless re-use possibilities. This will be gracing my office this year.

I look forward to the new Snow & Graham calendar each year. Buying one over the holidays and hanging it up in my kitchen on New Year’s Day has become an annual tradition. It’s good-sized at 12″x18″ and the design never disappoints.

I fell hard for this HUGE calendar from 1canoe2 with its endearing (but not twee) retro prints. At 20″x32″, it makes quite a statement. And the included wooden hanger only adds to the charm.

And last but not least…

This list wouldn’t be complete without a letterpress option. These pretty printed pages from Stationery Boutique double as postcards when the month is done. UPDATE: You can get a free printable version of this calendar from Oh the Lovely Things (minus the letterpress and postcard parts of course, but still awesome).

Happy 2014!

20+ thoughtful gift ideas

Can you believe we’re under the two-week mark? I put together some of my favorite gift ideas and made them customizable, so you can choose your own gifting adventure.

Who doesn’t love jam? Especially really good jam. Package up a couple of the following for a sweet gift:

• Vintage jam spoons from your local antique/vintage shop, etsy or ebay
• A jam cookbook, if they cook (or would like to)
• Homemade jam, if you cook
• Great jam jars, perhaps with a recipe tucked inside
• Artisan jam from the store or farmer’s market, like Ayers Creek here in Oregon (so good!)
• Fresh-baked bread or scones

For those who like to entertain, mix and match items to spice up their next soirée:

• A modern punch bowl (or vintage, if that’s more their style)
• Cocktail napkins like these, these, and these, or look on etsy (here and here, for example)
• Clean-lined glass mugs, Scandinavian modern tumblers in a rainbow of colors, French cafe classic Duralex tumblers, or glasses with a bit of bling
• Cocktail forks and spoons

For new homeowners, choose a selection of heirloom-worthy ornaments like these from Schoolhouse Electric to help start their collection.

For those who appreciate creature comforts, help them get cozy with one or more of the following:

• Something cashmere like this affordable yet luxe cashmere tunic
• A cheerful and cozy blanket
• A rustic mug for their favorite warm beverage (coffee beans or hot chocolate mix, optional)
• Plush slippers that are as cute as they are warm

Jewelry is always a great option. Pair a stylish jewelry box with something sparkly. Or if you’re feeling unsure, tuck in a gift card for a local boutique or etsy. (Necklace, earrings and ring shown above.)

Know someone who’s serious about teatime? Any combination of the following would be perfect:

• A good loose leaf tea from a local shop, Townshend’s and Foxfire are my favorites in Portland
• A teapot with an easy to remove loose leaf strainer or a display-worthy tea kettle
• Tea cups or mugs
• The “perfect measuring spoon” for scooping out just the right amount of tea
• An electric kettle that quickly brings water to the just right temperature

Happy shopping!

A long weekend in Seattle

I took a trip to Seattle last weekend. I got to spend four days getting to know the city– thanks to my sister who let me tag along on her work trip! Even though I’ve lived in Portland for more than six years, I’ve never made it up to Seattle for more than a day or two. So, this was long overdue.

Highlights and more photos after the jump.