Shopping Out Loud!

So many fashion shows so little time. And brain cells. Portland Fashion Week 2009 wrapped up, tied pretty and put away for another season. Oh the names I dropped. Some I didn’t pick back up! Ahem… It’s not going away this week you fashionista you.

It’s the 4th week of Fashion by Flashlight on Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m.

Only in Portland would you need a flashlight at that time of night! You know those Alberta Street retailers and designers are always dreaming up something new. So … there are 9 … yes 9 retail outlets open to showcase their goods and celebrate … well, who needs a reason to celebrate?

Here’s the A LIST Team Fashionista. You’re going to have to be there at the opening kickoff to get the best deals.

Portland. Fashion. Week. It’s the hot spot to be in Portland during the week of Oct. 7-11, 2009. Be there. Need a reason to believe … Two of P-town’s extraordinary designers - Anna Cohen and Michelle Decourcy are launching new lines. Reason to believe No. 2 … Jantzen is launching its 100-year anniversary swimwear collection. No. 3, 4 and 5? You the audience will get to vote on the best new designer, four of the biggest NW designers from Seattle and BC AND It is so, so, so fun.

I’m especially excited to see the Jantzen Swimwear 100-year swimwear collection… can’t wait for that. Oh and the old (hehe) designers that have graced the runways of Portland for the past few years like Idom and Amai Unmei – plus I also can’t wait for  the likes of Lizzie Parker (Seattle) and Mountains of the Moon (Chicago).

♥ ♥ ♥ Jantzen

♥ ♥ ♥ Be still my beating heart!

Lisa Dixon, Jantzen’s Senior Designer says this about that … “For the ‘09 Jantzen collection, I was inspired by the glamour days of the 1950s, its Hollywood starlets and the timeless styles of this iconic fashion decade. The collection represents the juxtaposition of classic vintage with a modern interpretation of swimwear. Silhouettes include retro inspired maillots to ultra high waisted belted bottoms with tiny bandeau tops to ruffled corset-like tankinis.”

1930

1940

1950

1960

Shop on!

I was out and about today … shopping of course. And I had to check out what Nordstrom’s is doing. Have you ever been to Nordstrom’s on a Saturday evening? No? Let me tell you it is dead dead dead. Worse than dead, the clerks are all talking to each other since there are no shoppers to help. And if you’re trying on clothes, they will drive you crazy these bored sales clerks, because you’re the only shopper in the store for them to help.

Have you seen bandaid dresses? Oh My.

Harve Leger at Nordstrom's

This is the Harve Leger bandaid dress. It retails for $1,450. Can I get into it? Probably. Would I wear it? Of course not.

This is the kind of dress that shows instantly if you drink a glass of water and eat a pickle.

I did adore the shoes they showed with the dress. They are Jimmy Choo’s and while you can’t see it, there’s a tiny zipper that runs up the back. Lovely aren’t they?

Jimmy Choo's 'Karina' Stud Mesh Pump

The shoes sell for $1,095. Such a bargain don’t you think?

If you want to look hot and sexy this is the dress for that occasion.

I’m feeling extremely guilty that I haven’t blogged more this summer. But I’ll get over it!

Shop on my friends!

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originally uploaded by masonmasteka.

Love this photo my masonmasteka on Flickr!

Did I mention the NE Alberta Sidewalk sale? I have been remiss if I have not. Because I will be there my pretty.

I was at the Frock Boutique last week and took some cool photos. I’m taking my 15 year old niece there to shop this week. She lives in La Grande (hates it, you know 15!!!) so I thought that a little bday retail therapy would cheer her up for her belated birthday gift!

Check out some of the cool accessories, kids clothes and funky jewelry and assorted merchandise you can’t find just anywhere in P-town!

And don’t miss the sidewalk sale on all of NE Alberta on July 11-12!

SHOP ON my friends!

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Frock on NE Alberta is one of those tiny boutiques where you could spend three hours and still not see everything. OK maybe two hours. Which I did the other day. The store, owned by Angie Coffin and Ali Wythuis, is a hoot… ah as are the owners. The other day when I was there Ali was carrying baby around strapped to her front and happily waiting on customers, chatting with people on the phone, telling me she loved my bag because she has the same one…

It’s a fun, upbeat place that makes you happy just seeing the displays. Although I’ve been there before, I noticed a poster I hadn’t seen before. It’s probably been up there for years. Well, not years they haven’t been there for years. But it’s the two of them with the hair salon owner next door, outfitted in sixties regalia, sporting hairdryers pointed right atcha!

If you’re looking for accessories they have the up-to-the-minute funky jewelry, sunglasses, clothes for you and baby, belt buckles, hats … the list is too long for me to remember at my age. hehe

They used to be much further up on Alberta but moved to the new location about a year ago? Anyhoo stop in and say hi, grab a funky new hat, earrings, sunglasses and brighten up your day. They’re at 1439 NE Alberta.

Shop on!

Urgent! This just in – Kate Spade sample sale is over today! Can’t help myself … may have to sit down until it passes. Crying out loud! Check out the site and here are some of the bags etc:

Fabulous tri-fold calendar

Yes, I'm into the green and this is roomy!

I had to order this one ... so cute and summery!

Still all about the red!

When did I start putting exclamation points at the end of every sentence. I hate that! I caution everyone of my clients against that sort of thing. Back to basics. Of course the next pair of boots are basics for the garden and mucking out the garage. No exclamation point here:

So cute for mucking.

Did I mention HALF PRICE???? That’s another thing I tell people are no no’s — CAPITAL LETTERS. I guess it’s OK though unless you say CAPITOL LETTERS. It’s a journalist type joke.

Shop on! I’m off to tea and scones! So bad and SO GOOD!!!

I’m looking for the perfect dress for summer weddings one of which I have in late June. You know – the dresses that make you look like a size 4 …. Okay okay a size 10. Hehe

Nordstrom’s has a Your Best Dress – fit tips by body type on their site. They’re recommending dresses for you depending on your shape.

Here’s their list:

STRAIGHT- Little definition between bust, waist and hip measurements.

Embroidered Crepe Sheath Dress - Ralph Lauren

PEAR-Fuller at the hips and bottom and smaller on top.

Suzi Chin Dupioni Party Dress

Donna Ricco Open Back Dress

HOURGLASS- Curvaceous, with fiull biust, defined waist and full hips.

Muse Ruched Dress

Adrianna Papell Shutter Pleat

APPLE- Weight is carried around the middle, without a well-defined waist.

FULL BUST-Bust measurement is fuller than hips and bottom.

I was looking for I’VE BEEN WORKING FROM HOME VERY, VERY LARGE body type. It wasn’t there. But I’m full of determination I tell you. I have to lose 40 lbs by June 27 and I’ll be the best dressed, hot grandmother at the party!

Shop on!

So many things to do so little time.

Went to the Women and the Trades Conference last weekend and was blown away by the numbers of women there and the amount of information available on the trades ie construction, electrical, plumbing, masonry etc. etc. It’s amazing how many apprenticeships are available to women. Did you know Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. existed? No, me either.

I was welding!!! Seriously. I welded a nameplate with stars! I also made a frame, tiled a mosaic, saudered a pipe and got tons of information about available careers for women in the trades. My dad was a carpenter so I had a lot of exposure to building stuff and such when I was growing up, but I never thought a about actually training for a career in the trades myself. And I’m not totally sold on it but I’m going to definitely look into more information on the subject.

They had exhibitors, workshops and volunteers at the fair as well as companies like Bonneville Power Administration, Hamilton Construction Co., and PacifiCorp/Pacific Power. Based on the data collected they said 23 percent of participants were minorities and 93 percent had graduated high school or pursued further studies in college. Amazing! Imagine becoming a cabinetmaker, electrical lineworker, glazier or glass installer, painter, plasterer, millwright or a mason and making $17 to $35 an hour as a journeyman. Or journeywoman. And you actually make a salary when you’re in an apprenticeship program.

The fair is over for this year but the Oregon Tradeswomen is located at 1714 NE Alberta St. and the number is 503.335.8200. Click on their name above to go to the web site. They offer classes and there are several videos available online to get you started. Go girlfriend!