More Art

I don't know how you could NOT love these animal portraits. Berkley Illustrations is based in Portland, too! <3 Love.

These illustrations were also featured at Urban Outfitters. I love the colors, the line quality, the subjects...

Also, I recently ran across this artist also who has a similar subject matter.... I love the color contrast of the background with the black and white inked animal created by Orange Willow.

Mod Cloth

Two reasons that I absolutely love Mod Cloth... Since the dresses come from independent dress makers, sizing is difficult and it's hard to gauge material choices.... this was trial number two after returning another dress that wasn't what I expected... however, I was extremely pleased with this purchase with the cute button stud earrings.

*Necklace: JCrew, Heels: Forever21

boutique fashion + mainstream

Ever since I stumbled upon Makool Loves You a few years ago via Portland Picks, I was hooked! Being sustainably minded, I try to support local shops and sellers first...which isn't very difficult given the amount of creative designers in Portland! Even though I only have one splurge from the store, I religiously check back from season to season and see what kind of new styles have been added. Right now I am absolutely adoring this skirt:

It's so flirty and feminine but still screams conservative. I would love to pair it with a billowy white button up and a strand of pearls, perhaps like the ones created by Beazuness...  which isn't made locally in Portland, but you would at least be supporting an artist who handcrafts her own jewelery! I can't get enough of ultra feminine, soft and luxurious fashion items. Mix these more boutique-y items with a luxe gray or navy blue cardigan from jcrew and it could be a match made in heaven. I definitely can't afford it right now on my tight budget (think, credit crunch..sigh), but I can dream!

If there's one thing I've learned from being on a tight budget - accessories are your best friend! I usually can find some pretty reasonable yet trendy basics at Express, H&M or Forever21 to satiate my clothing addiction and then accessorize with really cute items (headbands, necklaces, earrings) from Anthropologie, ModCloth, Urbanoutfitters, Free People, etc. Accessories always turn that great outfit into something a lot more stunning. And I'm not ashamed to say I always hit the clearance rack first. It would be silly not to! ;)

Being an etsy seller myself, I find myself endlessly browsing unique and beautiful accessories from other etsy sellers.  Some of my recent successful etsy purchases that I absolutely love love love:

Pink Softie Feather Necklace from Being of Love













 and Vintage Harlem Necklace from The Mustard Seed Co

This necklace I took with me on my trip to Alaska to visit my nieces (3 and 1.5 years) and they were mesmerized with it in combination with a delicate sequin/rhinestone/silk flower headband I got at Anthropolgie....

Needless to say, my little nieces will soon be blossoming fashionistas who I will love sending various baubles to. They couldn't get enough "dress up" with Auntie O's stuff!  Top picture: Emma wearing a headband from Anthropologie, a polka dot sweater from forever21 and shoes from urban outfitters. Below, Haidie wearing a headband from Express and a pearl necklace from JCrew. Contrary to their facial expressions, they were absolutely giddy until I pulled out the camera phone... perhaps Haidie is getting a headstart on her model pose. <3




xoxo  

Men's Style Guide

Umm... so I don't know if you know any guys who seriously need help dressing themselves... but I sure do. I think guys can be intimidated by shopping... but seriously, the right clothes inspire amazing confidence and girls definitely pick up on it and appreciate a little effort! I just read this book Details: Men's Style Manual by Daniel Peres... and despite what many hetero men think (that Details is only for non-heterosexuals), this style manual has great advice that ANY guy can utilize. It contains great fit guides, style tips and keeps the looks classic instead of super trendy. My youngest brother (whos is only 12, but you can never start too young!) even found it to be a good read. He is going to be a young GQ man before I know it....ahhhh! Anyway, this book is great because it has diagrams about fit and measurement; it even explains in great detail the different types of cuts and names of styles when it comes to suits, sport coats, blazers, peacoats, etc. There are even diagrams for tying a tie! I'm keeping this book on hand... it's amazing. Ladies, if your brother/husband/boyfriend is clueless but wants to dress better... it might be a great gift idea!

I wish I had looked it up on amazon before I impulse bought it at Borders, I could've saved some serious dough! 

Chair Couture

Anything refurbished, modern v. traditional, bright and beautiful is high on my list of beautiful things... especially if there are stripes involved. Always a sucker for fun pieces that remind me of candy chaircouture makes me want to go out and find some Queen Anne period furniture and reupholster/paint it to cheery oblivion.

Similarly, Josh & Louis have some really cool and colorful high style chairs as well.

Map Typography Art

Okay, I can't get enough of cool posters and prints. I saw this Portland poster awhile back when I wandered past a framing shop and knew I liked it immediately. Upon internet searching, I found out they do other major cities as well... it's a cool take on the traditional neighborhood map. Visit Ork Posters to see Seattle, LA, NYC, and others! Someday when I have tons of wall space, I will be investing in some of these.

Art

I am always in love with art that is clever and inserts some pop culture into each piece. When the art is hand letter pressed and slightly imperfect, I love it even more... It just seems that much more personal. I absolutely love these minimal lyrical prints from Paper Jam Press. For $29.99 they're pretty affordable.Vist Paper Jam Press to get your own!

Numero Uno

Welcome to my blog! 

The primary reason I've created this blog is to keep track of the various findings I come across whether it's great music, fashion, style, furniture, interior design, graphic findings, great food, people, etc. The content will be pretty limitless but the goal will be to post about great conversational pieces or trends to watch out for.

Be sure to check out my store ollipop greetings in the meantime! 

xoxo

Olivia