Pretty Wonderful Lady

dear vera ellen,
i wish hollywood still made role models like you. you are beautiful, charming, talented and the perfect example of a lady. i love that you smile so big and that your hair bounces and that little swing in your step. you're the audrey hepburn of dance and i just adore you!
xxoo chelsea

reason #36 i love the holidays:

watching vera ellen dance in White Christmas!

Trendy Thursday: Colorshow

As I've been building my collection for renegade, I've been finding a lot of inspiration in strange places and I wanted to build a few inspiration boards for each of the colors and inspirational photos I'm working with. All images courtesy of weheartit. Enjoy!
Xxoo Chelsea

Trendy Thursday: Portland, Oregon

Photo by Everydaydude

It seems to me Portland is becoming a trendier and trendier each year. The rent is low, every street has a bike lane, the people are mellow, and there is a coffee shop or bar on every street corner. If you can get over the 4 straight months of rain and gloom, this is hands down the best city to live in the US for someone creative. In this post I'm going to share with you some of my favorite spots around this city I've called home for 13 years.

This is my block where I live. I've lived on Hawthorne for 5 years now and its super mellow and it has everything. Hawthorne has vintage shops, record stores, music, movies, book stores and great food.

You can't go wrong just parking and crusing these streets, you'll find awesome food, art, music and boutiques.

Toro Bravo is my favorite dinner spot in Portland, along with Andina in the Pearl District. I highly recommend both of these restaurants if you live here or are just visiting. Portland is also known for its breakfast spot and every weekend you'll see lines out the door of people waiting. The best breakfast spots are Genies and Tasty and Sons, but be prepared to wait. All my friends and myself love burritos and our favorite spot in town is La Sirenta in NE. Food carts are huge right now in PDX, so be sure to hit a pod or two up and definitely try Koi Fusion

Aalto Lounge is where you'll find me spinning records on most Saturday nights or bellied up to the bar having a whiskey. If I'm up in North Portland, I'll hit the Bye and Bye for some drinks with friends. The Bye and Bye also has an amazing vegan menu. If you love cocktails I suggest Beaker and Flask at 720 SE Sandy, they make some of the best cocktails in town.

Portlanders love coffee! My 3 favorite spots to grab coffee when I have time to choose is Stumptown, Red E, and Albina Press.

Thrifting and vintage shops are everywhere in Portland and the little I know about vintage these 3 shops are rad.

Compound and Upper playground are my go to shops for clothing, sneakers, and anything Street Art or Streetwear.

These are the two record shops I mainly buy my vinyl at, but Mississippi Records and Everyday Music are both awesome alternatives.

Broadway Books is a great locally owner and operated bookstore owned by one of my best friends mom's. They have everything you'll need, great service, and awesome recommendations. The Together Gallery has the best assortment of independent magazines in town a long with really cool art and crafts from local artist.

"Portland is just one of those city that if you give it a hug, it will give you a big hug right back" via my friend Jeremy from SF

This is my breakdown of the city that I love and few spots to check out. I'm sure if you talk to someone else from here they'd have there own list for you. If you live here, ever lived, or have visited I'd love to know some of your favorite spots!

Keep PDX Rad!

-C.O.C.

Trendy Thursday: Print + Paint

I love love love searching out and discovering new sources of inspiration. Lately, it's been print + paint artists. I love viewing handwritten type treatments, colors and personalities that really evoke the spirit of the artist. Below are some of my favorite paint + print artists of the moment, all whom I'd highly recommend looking into for some inspiration of your own!

Carson Ellis - acclaimed illustrator-in-residence for the band, The Decemberists as well as a freelance book cover illustration artist based out of Portland, Oregon
RIFLE - a darling paper goods, design and illustration company headed by artist Anna Bond, based out of Florida
Beau Ideal - Artist Jill Clee's work comes from her love of art, design and textiles. Each piece is hand printed with love.I'm always looking for new sources of inspiration. What has inspired you lately? Any blog posts, images or lifestyle choices you'd like to share? xxoo Chelsea

Tick Tok

Home + sick and wanting to share the Things I love for this time of year:

1. Banana Brown Sugar Bread + Butter Pudding, found here2. A Single Man
Directed by Tom Ford, this film is honestly beautiful from opening to ending credits.

3. This cute illustration of a bear headed lady, found on etsy4. Hats, lots of em!5. This chic DIY hair tutorial, by this is glamorous
6. Espresso - need I say more?7. Cozy up in Knitwear. I love these big + cozy sweaters

8. Stargazing, I Love it9. Faux Leopard Prints, miss Alexa Chung dons them beautifully xxoo Chelsea

Trendy Thursday: Nouveau Navajo Print

Being raised in Oregon, I've always been surrounded with Native American Influences which is why I am completely in love with the current Navajo print trend. What a beautiful way to transition into cold weather by adorning your home and person with a lovely (and local) traditional print. Below are my selections for favorite Navajo Print Items! Enjoy loves:

Free People has the most lovely selection of navajo printed footwear

I must try to re-create these pants by April77

Prettiest cloaks ever by Lindsay ThornburgThese cozy Over-the-Knee-HighsThis Idealistic Jewelry Collection
Beautiful Saddle Blanket

It's so bohemian and so natural. I love it! Happy Thursday everyone, I'm off to make caramel apples and add the finishing touches on my Halloween costume!

xxoo Chelsea
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