The Mix: The Arrival at Departure

Something created by a bartender at The Departure on top of The Nines Boutique hotel in Portland...


The Arrival.
It is a mix of Veuve Clicquot, some sort of liquor that I can't recall and ginger sugar cube.  The result: pure sweet indulgence!  Good thing we were leaving because I was going to order like two more glasses of flutes!

The Looks: Departure

An evening out in Portland doesn't mean jeans and Birkenstock anymore.  Believe it or not Portland has become quite a trend setting spot for fashionistas.  From green friendly apparel to fashion forward yuppies, there are cool styles that can be seen all over Portland.  And the best part is? The people of Stumptown are so friendly!

Didn't quite know what to make of this dress when looking at ASOS online.  It is different from most dresses and if pulled off wrong we could all end up looking preggo.  But still took a chance on it.  And glad I did!  For about $44, this versatile empire seamed shift dress will be a great piece for this season and as we head into FW/2011.  Paired it with the urban turban here (check out my post about it so you can get some ideas on how to create your own urban turban) with a POP! of the patent electric blue Cambridge Satchel.  All set and ready to go!

Coral turban from ASOS, $14

ASOS Empire seamed shift dress in Oil Yellow, $49

The Music: Rolling In The Deep

Loving the soulful voice of Adele in "Rolling in the Deep".

The Artist: Jonas Bevacqua The Alexander McQueen of Street Wear

"I didn't feel there was a clothing company to bridge the gap between all these different things that we were into - that spoke for that melting pot of what was going on. That's what LRG was all about." -Jonas Bevacqua

Source: LA Times

R.I.P.

Jonas Bevacqua

Co-Founder of LRG (Lifted Research Group)

A Son, father, friend & loved.

In 1999, Jonas and his business partner, Robert Wright, started up Lifted Research Group (better known as LRG) using capital raised from friends' of Bevacqua's adopted father.  The two met while Jonas was a DJ in the club scenes of Southern Cal, after he had just dropped out off college.  

LRG's influence came from the hip hop, surf, and skateboard cultures in which Jonas had accustomed himself to.  He created this line because he felt no one else was able to represent the melting pot of these cultures or was able to properly express them.  

In 2006, LRG sales was at $150 million and was named in Entrepreneur's magazine as the #5 on its list of 500 fastest growing companies.  Since its inception, the company has evolved from just a clothing line into things like electronic devices, music, and other items.  It is not just a fashion line but a "creative lifestyle" company that creates products sparked by the company's interest in not just fashion but environmental issues as well.

A great mind and contributor to street fashion, to that we will miss his ingenuity.  The guy who helped started and popularized street wear: Jonas Bevacqua, Rest In Peace.

Source: VIBE

Source: The Associated Press

The Music: Kanye Feat. Rihanna & Kid Cudi "All of the Lights"

All of The Lights

A little bit of Kanye today.

Have to admit, despite his oddity and occasional egotism, Kanye is in fact a very talented musician, artist, and a keen sense of style.  Sometimes questionable, Kanye no doubt knows his shit-ake... mushrooms.

This is the current mood song... putting you in the mood for what's to come.  There's a great sense of artistry in his music video.  Kanye puts a lot of creativity and energy into his music and work so to that we have to give him credit.  But does he have the Midas touch? We shall see!

The Know: Irregular Choice Shoes

Looking for something fresh and non-conforming to this conforming world? Irregular Choice is a fresh of breath air.

Dan Sullivan launched his Irregular Choice line of shoes back in 1999 in a little town called Brighton, England.  He set fourth his voyage to change the ways people look at shoes with his "Irregular 'stomp' on the footwear world."

Check out his website for more shoes, clothes, and lifestyle gears.

Here are some great samples of his shoes.  Some are Geisha inspired shoes, from the woodwork to the colors and patterns of the fabrics.  Love these!

The great part? Free shipping in the USA.

This rabbit ring is so cute! Going to add this to my collection.

PEOPLE! at Zara, May Week #4

There are some great looks this week so lets get inspired!

These ladies have some great style and artistry put into their outfits today.  May's Week #4 has got to be one of the best so far.  

Love the utility shirt above and color is gorgeous.  These kind of shirts are great because she can use it for work or for play.  Having this one piece helps expand your closet by like three outfits!

Great play on the safari shirt.

Great casual chic look.  Love the shoes, I bet you anything that it is a Jeffrey Campbell.  Haven't really checked out his shoes? Well, you should.  They are quite stylish and timeless.  Some can be a bit out there but that's OK... have some fun with your clothes!

Love how she pulled this casual look together.  Again, those pants can be worn just wondering the streets on a Saturday afternoon with your friends or to the office when paired with a great blouse and blazer.  Love when you can multi-task your wardrobe.

The Icon: Olivia Palermo

New York City's socialite, Olivia Palermo, looks great in this simple yet striking get up.  

Maxi skirt are great when worn right!  Paired with her flowing skirt is this polyester shirt from MANGO.  Everything is clean and simple, an outfit great for a day out doing errands around town.  To tie it all together? Why not add a pop to your outfit with a great bag.  The weaved basket bag is perfect!

The Know: Leica D-LUX 5, Colloboration with uniform experiment

WanNa feEL liKe A toURisT?

Today, Leica released the D-LUX 5, a collaboration with uniform experiment.  This luxury camera is equipped the brand's traditional feature: A 10 megapixel sensor, 24-90 mm zoom lens and the ability to record 720 AVCHD videos.  This limited edition lends (200 to be exact) is available today at select retailers including SOPH.

Feel like filming your new uniform experiment SS/2011 gear in HD? This simple yet sleek design Leica camera can do it.  You would never guess something so "plain" as this compact camera can have a large f2,0 aperture lens.  And the best part of this camera? The classic, leather case that you can dangle around your neck during your "tourist" moment.

And just for fun, here's a look at Henri Cartier-Besson's (a noted street photographer of the 20th century) Leica.  Doesn't look just like the D-LUX 5?

Source: wikipedia

Source: Freshnessmag

The Food: Sushi and then Palets des Fleurs

Portland has some of the best restaurants in the country.  The culinary skills this little city offers has no bounds and will sure make your taste buds spark!  For a city our size, you can find delectable tastes from almost every part of the globe.  Lately... the buzz has been over our selection of tasty Southern comfort foods as well as unique Thai palates.  

Today, we decided Japanese was our calling.  Stopped in at masu and ordered our favorites 

from any Japanese sushi shop:

Salmon nigiri

Spider roll

Opted to try masu's specialty:

japanista (spicy crab, spicy tuna, and kawaire seared with seared hamachi, cilantro and red jalapenos.  

D E L I C I O U S.

And for desert? Stopped in at Cacao Drink Chocolate for some boutique chocolates.  This Palets des Fleurs is amazing.  Candied ginger, lavender and dried cranberries topped off the dark slightly bitter chocolate, a perfect balance.

The Film: Chanel's - The Tale of a Fairy

The Tale of a Fairy

By: Karl Lagerfeld 

“It is a movie about an ill-advised use of money which begins with violence 

and ends with feeling” Karl Lagerfeld, May 2011

This short film was conceived, written and directed by Karl Lagerfeld himself.  It was screened at Chanel's 2011-2012 Ready to Wear collection that debuted on March 9th, 2011 at Hôtel du Cap Eden Roc au Cap d'Antibes.

It is interesting... very Lagerfeld.  

I don't quite understand how the film is, if at all, related to their ready to wear collection.  Probably not.  The best part was seeing the classic styles of Chanel's clothing and accessories worn throughout the film.  

The Swim Trend: Zimmermann Swim

N I C K Y   Z I M M E R M A N N

Laughing Gull One-piece
source: Anthropologie

The down under designer has hit the States, opening her very first boutique in LA.  Oh man, I wish I live there.

The new US store house her signatures swimwear along with ready to wear items and resort styles too.  Her focus is on corseted one-piece swimwear with a modern fashion focus.  Look at these hot looking swimsuits!! Who said two piece are the only sexy things out there, these are HOT HOT HOT!!  I got my eye on the white one above.  See you soon Laughing Gull.

Copy Cat Multi Strap high waisted bikini
Source: Net-A-Porter

Love love love this cobalt blue bikini.  The multi-traps and the cut seems like something Halle Berry would wear if she was to make another Cat Woman movie, right???

Ruffled Strapless swimsuit
Source: Net-A-Porter

So sexy and feminine, I would definitely wear this yellow ruffle swimsuit.  The only thing is, yellow doesn't look good on me.  Darn it!

Thrist mesh-paneled halterneck swimsuit
Source: Net-A-Porter

Whisper crochet-trimmed underwire swimsuit
Source: Net-A-Porter

Oh yeah.... this is it! the crochet, the underwire support and the colors.  Yes, this is it.  Perfect for this summer season, a mix of the oldies with the modernity for today's stylish fit.  

The Music: The Black Keys "Tighten Up"

LOL!! 

Why didn't Jeff C. sing to me like this in 5th grade!?!? He would have had me at "hello."


Love this song.  Love The Black Keys.

The Trend: Summer Crochet

Summer is around the corner!  And so is crochet.  This HOT accessory will sure keep you cool and trendy for summer.  Style.com had some great inspiring pieces on their blog today.  Here are some samples.

Isabel Marant, $237
Source: Style.com

Catherine Malandrino, $195
Source Style.com

Club Monaco, $169
Source: Style.com

She Zigs, She Zags, $590
Source: Style.com

Opening Ceremony, $765
Source: Style.com

Well those were nice, weren't they? Now, about some crochets that won't break the bank and still is trendy!  Ok, here are some great pieces found at Urban Outfitters and ASOS.  Urban have had crochets for the last two summers.  But this year, they are on top of their game and have given us some really cute looks.

Starting from top row, left to right:
1. ASOS, 70's Kimono cardigan
2. Urban Outfitters, Pins & Needles crocheted shorts
3. Urban Outfitters, Staring at Stars crochet high/low sweater
4. ASOS, leather strap bright crochet bag
5. ASOS, Aldo Checo crochet peep toe boot
6. ASOS, crochet frame bag
7. Urban Outfitters, ByCorpus crochet dress
8. Urban Outfitters, Pins and Needles low back delicate crochet top
9. Urban Outfitters, crochet underwire bikini

The crochet tops and kimono cardigan would look lovely with some vintage Levi 501 cutoffs or any cutoff shorts for that matter.  Add some cool accessories like an owl necklace and chunky bracelets.  Top off your outfit with a Jeffrey Campbell Lita or some kind of woodsy platforms.

Still need some visual inspiration? Chloe Sevigny does it well with her boho chic get up.  See below...

Photo: KT Auleta / Courtesy of Opening Ceremony
Source: Style.com

The Random: Kill Bill... in Portland?

Well, not quite Kill Bill but close enough.  This is an old random picture found in the archive of the Mac. 

Had a great laugh when I drove by this car.  And today as I post this.  

Really? I mean really? Well... I guess really.  

The Recipe: Chicken Marbella

A wonderful and beloved friend of mine enlightened me to this wonderfully easy chicken recipe.  The garlic and prunes mixed with the capers and olives along with the red wine vinegar provides this simple dish with so much depth of flavors! Pair it with grilled asparagus drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper or a couscous dish.  This is a great dish to entertain guests too!  It requires little work and yield about 10-12 servings if you follow the recipe below.  Oh! And it is gluten free.

The Silver Palate Cookbook is where this came from but to save you from buying the book here it is, straight from Epicurious:

Ingredients

4 chickens, 2 1/2 pounds each, quartered 

1 head of garlic, peeled and finely pureed
1/4 cup dried oregano
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup pitted prunes
1/2 cup pitted Spanish green olives
1/2 cup capers with a bit of juice
6 bay leaves
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white wine
1/4 cup Italian parsley or fresh coriander (cilantro), finely chopped

In a large bowl combine chicken quarters, garlic, oregano, pepper and coarse salt to taste, vinegar, olive oil, prunes, olives, capers and juice, and bay leaves. Cover and let marinate, refrigerated, overnight. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Arrange chicken in a single layer in one or two large, shallow baking pans and spoon marinade over it evenly. Sprinkle chicken pieces with brown sugar and pour white wine around them.

Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, basting frequently with pan juices. Chicken is done when thigh pieces, pricked with a fork at their thickest, yield clear yellow (rather than pink) juice.

With a slotted spoon transfer chicken, prunes, olives and capers to a serving platter. Moisten with a few spoonfuls of pan juices and sprinkle generously with parsley or cilantro. Pass remaining pan juices in a sauceboat.

To serve Chicken Marbella cold, cool to room temperature in cooking juices before transferring to a serving platter. If chicken has been covered and refrigerated, allow it to return to room temperature before serving. Spoon some of the reserved juices over chicken.

The Know: Lululemon Athletica

Discovering something great is even greater when you share it, don't you think?  The last two exhilarating weeks have been heavily focused on yoga.  For four days a week I have been visiting CorePower yoga studio in NW Portland learning the various flows and salutations of Vinyasa in a room heated up to 103 degrees Fahrenheit.       HOT!!

Well, a room this hot is sure to make one sweaty!  So, I had to find a few pieces of athletic wear that not only is comfortable and provide ease of movement but is cute, duh!

These pants are great and they were on sale, even greater.  They are uber comfortable and wicks all the sweat outward.  Love these zippers in the back, great for holding keys and IDs.  You never know, after hot yoga I sure need a drink.  I hope no one at CorePower reads this.

Visit Lululemon Athletica.  They have stores in North America right now but they have a website!  Their clothes are geared towards yogis but you can use them in almost all types of physical training.  For women, there are various support specific to how much you will be... um... moving.  These are by far the most comfortable and flattering sports wear I have ever worn.  

The BEST PART?!?!? Free alterations at every Lululemon store.

The above tank top is great.  Its flowy with the right amount of support and lift.  Good to use in circuit training and low impact cardio.  It is NOT good for yoga, as I have found out... the flowiness tends to flow over your head as you downward dog.