Summer Lovin'

At Day After, we have a very precise idea of what summer should be like: fabulous. In fact, we have a list of fabulous-ness that should be strictly followed if one wishes to be quintessentially fabulous this summer (see it at http://dayafterpdx.com/2010/06/28/summer-ado-to-do/), and I for one am doing my part to stick to it:

-White sands? Check. (I'm jetting off to Southern Spain tomorrow.)
-Day-Glo colours like electric yellow? I have a watch in that exact shade.
-Honey coloured highlights & daring swimsuits & kaftans? Just got the highlights today, along with the swimsuit and kaftan (see above, both from Topshop).
-Read the NAAG blog? Well, I'm kind of addicted to it, so, yes.
Drink frozen bellinis? Mais oui.
-A black bikini? See above (all-over sequin black bikini, Topshop).
-Long sailboat excursions? They have them in Spain, and I'm totally going on one. We'll see if it lives up to the private catamaran trip I had once in Bora Bora...

Dramatic + demure = damn sexy

Alima Pure Concealer Product Review

Alima Pure concealer in Amber is a little like a Sudoku puzzle: tricky to manage at first, but with intensely satisfying results. The main source of difficulty is in its formulation: it's an opaque powder so it can apply quite thickly and is near impossible to blend, leaving you with small yellowy patches on your skin. But use the right technique, and tools, and you'll be fine.

(For specific usage instructions see the full article - details at end.)

The main benefits of Alima Pure concealer are its natural look, long-lasting coverage, reduction of oil and shine and its complete lack of negative effects upon the skin (I have pretty oily, acne-prone skin, and I think wearing Alima actually made my skin look better!). Also, my incredibly fair skin usually means I have to wear the lightest shade of anything, no matter what brand; I still found the Amber shade very workable.

All in all: 3 stars for ease of use, 5 for satisfaction - see the full article at Day After (dayafterpdx.com).

Stop the press! Saks leaves, H&M arrives...

...But not before a totally marvellous closing sale.

It's in sad times like these, at the closing of one of our favourite stores in Pioneer Square in downtown Portland, that we have to hold on to what we can - primarily, the 40-60% off Chanel bag that we're viciously fighting over with another shameless socialite...ahem. Anyway, that and the fact that, along with an insanely tempting closing sale (until July 7th), Saks is being replaced with Portland's first H&M store!

I cannot articulate my joy at this news. H&M is, essentially, the monochrome, cheaper version of Topshop, and I have been waiting for a store opening in Portland since kingdom come. You can bet I, along with many other fashion-crazies, will be camping outside the store for 24 hours before its official opening to storm the barracks...I mean, clothes rails.

Is this artsy-cool? That's what I was going for...

One Dress, Two Looks

Dress, $20, Nordstrom Rack.
Jewellery, stylist/model's own.

Delicious Disharmony: Maroon 5 vs. The Pretty Reckless

My favourite new songs for summer, somehow, are these.
'Misery' by Maroon 5, 'Make Me Wanna Die' & 'Goin' Down' by The Pretty Reckless.

Portland is the new NYC

Portland has been heating up recently - and not just in degrees Farenheit. It's long been known as an art-central, but now its more fashionable side is taking the stage. The new daily Portland style and culture blog, The Neat Sheet, has been a major part of making this happen. What can I say? Hot Portland designers, street style, restaurants and shops, plus a SICK upcoming launch party and fashion show on the Hotel deLuxe rooftop complete with cocktails, DJs, and indie designer booths for chic shopping (which, by the way, I might get to attend as a Day After writer!!) - IS there anything else? I think not.

Check it out at pdxneatsheet.com

Trendsetter: Voodoo for the cool kids?

OK, check it out: NAAG (Agyness Deyn's super-awesome online fashion magazine) recently blogged about the Kamibashi String Doll Gang. What is the String Doll Gang? Pretty much what it sounds like: little artisan Asian-made voodoo-esque dolls made from string and imbued with unique magical powers - like my own, Lover Boy, who, aside from looking cute, is supposed to have the added benefits of atrracting love, passion and loyalty. I have owned 2 adorable members of the String Doll Gang since 2 or 3 years ago when I picked them up at a boutique. Now, as cited by NAAG, they're a fashion hit, making Chanel bags even MORE fashionable, if possible. I, of course, having been a fan for years, am chuffed. Not only are they not-geeky, but they're fashion-approved. What does this make me? Say it together, folks, A TRENDSETTER. Yay!

Check out the full coverage at http://naag.com/fashion/want_to_hang_some_mini_creatures_off_your_chanel

Sneak peek: Chanel Inimitable Intense Collection

I'm the new contributing writer for Day After

My first contribution, a summer reading list, above.

Day After (check it out at dayafterpdx.com) is "a publication devoted to the increased awareness of fashion, style & culture" with an emphasis on local Portland stars in all three areas. We were recently honored for contributions to fashion by the Art Institute of Portland, and cover local designers, makeup, and art, among other things. Check us out and follow us on Twitter!

Geeky? Yes. Awesome? HELL yes.

Choosing the Perfect Wine

Choosing a great wine - and I mean a really great wine, a personal classic, something you could drink like a fish and a critic simultaneously - is one of those cultured life goals that can often seem impossible: alcohol, let’s be honest, is an acquired taste much of the time, and it is easy to feel swamped - your few, inexperienced taste buds against the world of popular (and often unpalatable) wines, and fabulous (and often totally unheard-of) vineyards. In truth, the key to finding a great wine isn’t about trying all the vogue favourites, listening to the pretentious wine critics advertising ‘a lime and angelica flavour with hints of aniseed and vanilla’ (when all you can taste is, well, the standard, one-dimensional fermented grape), or trying to ‘go indie’ by trying wines at all the obscure bistros or vineyards you can find on your summer vacation (and risking sounding like a pretentious music critic). Of course, your journey to finding your personal favourite may include any, or all, of the above: however, the real key to finding a great wine is this: experimenting, and adhering to your personal taste.

See the full article at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5487148/choosing_the_perfect_wine.html?cat=22

Date Night in NYC

Items in this Look:

• VW Ultragirl Stamp Flat
• Silk Drape Dress.
• Feather Necklace
• Studded Cuff
• Vintage Lace Shrug
• Autum Scarf

My favourite look so far; I know I styled it, but I'd totally love to wear this, if I say so myself!

Check it out at http://www.couturious.com/c/Date-Night-in-NYC/50263

London Girl

A trendy, Topshop-worthy look for a fashionable London girl.

Items in this look:
Malina bootie by DKNY
Boyfriend Dolman dress by Free People
Knitted Feather necklace by Mirit Weinstock
Brass Cuff
Embellished Bangle
Vintage Embellished Cream Shrug
Pala Handbag by Calleen Cordero

See the look at http://www.couturious.com/c/London-Girl/50167

Little Red Bistro, Seattle

Little Red Bistro, Dexter Ave N. A great spot for lunch, this intriguing cafe yields a whole new atmosphere and experience. Inside the conspicuous, scarlet-painted building lies what seems to be a theatre or studio masquerading as a cafe. And that's exactly what Little Red is, being tied to the Little Red Studio as it is. Inside the dark studio space, the cafe 'shop' and exquisite bar/oversized elegant cedar liquor cabinet lie side by side, flanked by scarlet walls and selected full-length paintings (the rest of the art is stored overhead in rooftop spaces, in neat formation), and a grand chandelier complements the scarlet revelry with soft golden lighting. The real attraction, though, is the musician's space. Not content with a stool and a music-stand, the geniuses behind the Little Red Bistro have dedicated an entire corner of the restaurant to the visiting musician, with a themed decor that would appeal to any guitar-strummer's artistic senses: a miniature theatre stage, complete with floor-length scarlet curtains, oversized playing cards tacked to said curtains, and a lap-sized minstrel-esque harp. The unusual decor complements the equally eclectic menu at the Little Red Bistro: they serve Bloody Marys along with cinnamon rolls, sweet and savory crepes, and my favourite, the Little Red Veggie Signature panini (a roasted red pepper, sun-dried tomato and Chevre and Mascarpone cheese blend).

Ear candy

Ralph and Duchess ear cuffs, as seen in Nylon

Photography: Mr. Prusiewicz

Wildfox Couture Fall 2010: It's Witchcraft

Dear God/Father Christmas (wait, scratch that, way too long to wait)/Tooth Fairy,

Please bring me the entire collection of the Wildfox Couture Fall 2010 Witchcraft campaign, especially the 'Love Potion No.9' shirt. Delivery by sling-toting stork/first-class sleigh/magical under-the-pillow sneakery not required.

That's all.

Love,

Laura