Market Research

(For an upcoming possible project, I swear.)

Loeffler Randall Felix boots (pretty much perfect, and less expensive than my previously designated perfect pair)

From Makié, a wool coat and indigo top (on sale!).

...and I'm thinking one of these may be needed. My desktop doesn't travel well (don't own a laptop) and I loathe "smart" phones:

Local Luxury

Was having some discussion about the idea of luxurious "things". To some, it's something expensive, to others it's the name associated with the thing. I keep coming back to Bruce Sterling: "It's not bad to own fine things that you like. What you need are things that you GENUINELY like. Things that you cherish, that enhance your existence in the world. The rest is dross."

On that note, here's a short wish list of gorgeous things, all sourced from local (Portland) artists.

Strasbourg Birds scarf from PauperVoile (Jason Kinney)

Olo's Violet Leather perfume

Large Camden bag from Sara Barner

The Spark Dress from filly designs.

Friday

I love me some Margaret and Helen.

I am no longer afraid of Tagg Romney despite my lack of Secret Service protection. Your dad is a dumb ass liar. Bring it on, son. I mean it. Really.

and

Margaret, I can’t imagine that there are many, but if a woman still plans to vote for Mitt Romney chances are she owns a car elevator. I am sure there are a few exceptions to that rule, and I imagine they will leave a comment here soon enough. I’ll keep their head shots in a binder so we can talk about them later.

In other, more superficial news, I got a haircut. My below-the-shoulder curly locks were whacked to just above the shoulder (4 or 5 inches). I feel positively shorn, and I miss my rather dramatic hair.

The real test will be if anyone else notices. I'm guessing no.

Waiting for this in the mail:

I have been wanting something from Le Bouton for ages. And when this popped up in her etsy shop, dear reader, I caved.

And you know, I think these boots would be just the thing to wear with it. Right now they are all sold out, but I am closet cleaning for the money to buy a pair when they come back in stock next month (fingers crossed).

"Window Licking"*

*lèche-vitrine in French (a more poetic term for "window shopping").

Current lusts:
These shoes from etsy. Yes, I know they're summer shoes, but I want them. Black or grey?

Look at this gorgeous cashmere cable sweater. In Cloud. (No, don't look at the price. This is just for fun.)
From the new online boutique Mill Mercantile, found via Lovejoy.

Nice Lab Coat from Black Crane (great designs from a husband-and-wife duo Alexander Yamaguchi and Momoko Suzuki):

And can you "window-lick" an entire blog? I am confessing to more than a little envy of this woman's blog/life. She's talented, lovely, makes her own very stylish clothes, has 4 (correction: 6!) photogenic children and a beautiful house. Did I mention she is French? It's always a pleasure to discover a thoughtful new blog.

Small indulgences

This is the week that I drive The Elusive Boy off to college (The Hound will accompany us, of course).

So...

via Pinterest

Or in my case, a bottle of cheap sparkling Pinot Grigio from Trader Joes.

I'm treating myself this month, needless to say. Gotta get through somehow.

The best red lipstick I've come across in a long, long time (maybe ever, and that's saying a lot for me):

Source: google.com via LB on Pinterest

Armani's Rouge d'Armani 403, a rich bordeaux red

Source: beautyhabit.com via LB on Pinterest

Christophe Robin's Regenerating Hair Mask, got it with a sale code at BeautyHabit (because it's expensive, believe me). Only a small amount is needed each use (it's very rich) and it makes my hair look fabulous, if I do say so myself. Worth every penny.

And I just ordered this from Etsy (another sale code!). I hope it's half as beautiful and useful as it looks (UPDATE: It is!)...

Handmade black deerskin bag with calfskin lining from DalleDieMani.

In keeping with my rules (one-in-one-out), I have to sell one of my other bags. Now, to decide which one...

Pretty things

Ambrosia Maple cuff from May Furniture through Fab.com

These PERFECT black leather boots at La Garçonne. Yes, they are perfect.

Kapital hand-embroidered gauze UFO scarf via I'm Revolting

Mina Perhonen skirt.

Source: mina-kaitori.com via LB on Pinterest

Lust

Source: shabdismyname.com via LB on Pinterest

These, from here.

Yet another ring. This one from Elephantine.

abk leather shoes via honeykennedy

Pretties, etc.

Well, you know me, I'm not immune to pretty things!

First up: these mittens, found via Pennyweight.

Next, some French Picardie Tumblers, from Alder & Co.

 Hedgehog boxed note cards from B Designs Letterpress. How cute is that? (I don't care if the post office is cutting their service!)

Any or all of these Color Block Scarves from Martha McQuade's Scarfshop.

Source: eloisegrey.com via LB on Pinterest

And last, this gorgeous, gorgeous skirt from Eloise Grey. Just perfect.

And now for something completely different.

Thought I'd take a break from politics for a bit and so it's time to lighten up.

This ring from Jeanine Payer is lovely. The quote is from Walt Whitman: "The strongest and sweetest songs yet remain to be sung.":

Source: jeaninepayer.com via LB on Pinterest

Love this marbelized scarf from Ilana Kohn:

Source: shopprettymommy.myshopify.com via LB on Pinterest

A perfectly simple bracelet from brvtvs:

And...
Happy belugas (via Chemin Faisant):

Current obsessions, part two

Neutral colors.

(River Birch texture photo by Blake Hall.)

(from the brilliant Martha McQuade.)

(via Ill Seen, Ill Said)

(via Pinterest) 

Rings. I've never worn many rings until the past year or so. Now I am slightly obsessed. Nothing dainty, either.

I have gradually collected a few rings from Jessi Taylor's Etsy shop. Here are some of my favorites (not all mine, sadly):

Anne Arden McDonald is a sculptor in Brooklyn. She says, "I wanted to make rings with content, pieces that would be intimate and symbolic to the wearer, which was something I didn't see in the world around me." Her rings are organic, a little bit rugged, always graceful.

A few more--

This is a dark drusy with diamond by Jamie Joseph:

And a Helix ring from Leah Sakellarides: