What We Wore: In the Navy

Heather and I got together for a day of fun and took a few pictures. We were digging the sailor polka dot and stripe look in navy, white and ochre.
I wore a vintage navy and white polka dot shirt, urban outfitter shorts, woven oxfords and a thrifted red purse. Heather wore a vintage navy and white striped dress, woven flats and a tasseled purse from Morocco.
-Alea

What We Wore: In Stitches

It is a good night when you laugh like this. . . we laughed in doors, and went out later to play bar stool match game. I wore a long Zara black t-shirt and leggings, a *sale* dress from Urban Outfitters, a thrifted leather belt, angora hat and cowboy boots, a vintage cashmere cardigan and a silly grin.
-Ladybird

What We Wore: For Drinks

Out for drinks at Bryant Lake Bowl. I wore: a vintage navy blue skirt, Anthropologie flowered tights (on super sale!), gray leather shoes from Spain, a gray T from Target, a vintage angora sweater. and a pocketwatch necklace. Great conversations, great debates, great night!
-Ladybird

The Shop: Etsy!

 Hey Fab Readers, Twill and I are working on starting an etsy shop. Below are the pictures of our first ware for sale! Some handmade, up-cycled headbands made from vintage fabrics. We will have more vintage clothing and accessories soon.
-Ladybird

What We Wore: Sun and Ales

It was sunny with blue skies and 45 degrees here in Portland over the weekend! I have to say I like the winters here much better than in MN, I think all the talk of rain, rain, rain is just an attempt to keep sunny Californians from moving here. If you are coming from the Midwest, it is a piece of cake, with freshly whipped cream on top, and a bowl full of cherries. Fiona, my cat, was enjoying the weather (from inside the house) as well. We have a lovely little window ledge just big enough for furry ones to bask in the sunlight.

I wore: vintage long-sleeved autumn paisley dress, black tights, Target, black braided cotton belt, American Apparel, camel ballet flats, Gap.

In the afternoon we walked to the Holiday Ale Fest downtown. It was our first actual festival since moving here, and Portland has many to choose from. They set up a heated clear tent in the middle of Pioneer Square so you could see the city's architecture and huge lit tree while cozy indoors. The beers had the funniest names (Very Noddy Lager, Lost Glove, Blitzen) and the people were a hoot. I think they were having a "woo-girl" contest to see how many loud "woos" would carry through the crowd. Yes, winter ales have higher alcohol content and you could tell by just looking around, but it made for some very interesting people watching! I also loved the cinnamon sugar crusted roasted pecans from the Nut Lovers stand. I will have to find a recipe for that soon.

Outside, I wore: vintage inspired 3/4 sleeve wool coat, Ambiance San Francisco, camel scarf, thrifted, red mittens, Gap.

-Twill

The Shop: Vintage Trailer Love

The Happenings: A Note in the Pocket

I was at an estate sale last weekend, and found some great vintage goods. As I was checking out, the granddaughter of the woman whose things were being sold said, "Did you check the pockets? Grandma was always putting things in her pockets, little notes and things." It was busy, so I didn't do it right then, but as I was organizing things for the Mighty Swell sale, I checked the pockets. Inside of this lovely sweater coat was a detailed handwritten list, on a page of a tear-off desk calendar, all of the times she had worn this coat and when/where she purchased it: the date, where she was, what she did, who she was with, etc. I for one am a big list maker, constantly trying to organize my life, my belongings, my to-dos, but I have never thought of doing this. What a grand idea to remember the simple details of life through clothing!

-Twill

Repurposed: Vintage Suitcases

I have been on the lookout for vintage suitcases lately, mostly in hopes of using them to carry our vintage dress up clothes to children's tea parties. In my search, I found these creative ways to repurpose vintage suitcases that are quite swell.

-Twill

Nature Table/Collection

End Table

Jewelry Case

Cat Bed

Beautiful Stack

Cosmetic Case

Chalkboard

Suitcase Boombox

The Shop: Pile of Vintage

My days worth (very good day) of vintage finds. I have really been digging vintage gloves, they add that perfect vintage touch to any outfit.

-Ladybird

What We Wore to the Happenings: Aladdin and Polka Dots

So all in all it was a good week. I got a part-time nanny job here in Portland, right near my house, with two delightful little girls who will appreciate my vintage dress-up style. I went to a Great Big Sea concert (one of Alex's favorite bands) and I love all of the different instruments they use: mandolin, flute, accordian, bodhrin drum, and the new addition of the harmonica, on top of bass, guitar, and drums. It was funny because we were at the HUB bar before the show at the Aladdin and some good old Bob Dylan was playing and I said, "Boy do I love me some harmonica." Alex said, "Great Big Sea uses a lot of instruments, but I don't think they play the harmonica." Low and behold, their new album is filled with harmonica playing. Loved it.

I wore: Vintage wool olive green polka dotted high-waisted skirt, black tank (Target), thrifted black cardigan, black tights (American Apparel), green vintage leather purse, black moccasin booties (Minnetonka Moccasins).

For a cherry on top, yesterday was Portland's Largest Garage Sale, and I met some lovely older women who were parting with some great vintage goods! I came home with my trunk full of new old things for the shop and a few I just can't part with.

-Twill

Recipe + Vintage Apron: Butternut Squash Soup Deux

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons: the abundance of food, the colors and the smells make my senses dance. Butternut squash soup is one of my Autumn staples.  It is packed full of nutrients and uses seasonal and local produce.

I noticed that Twill made a similar soup last week. Two soups, two cities, two aprons, one main ingredient! How great lovely minds think alike!

This recipe is so simple, perfect for a lazy Sunday.  Today this soup was especially apropos, being that it is Halloween!

***A note about my cooking. First of all, soups to me, are a lot about what I have on hand, or mixing interesting combinations. So I hardly ever measure things out, if I have more carrots, I use more, if I am feeling spicy I will amp up the ginger or cayenne. So although I have a list of ingredients, I hope this doesn't limit you. Second, this soup is so flavorful, that I don't use any vegetable stock, just water.  I am a vegetarian, so I of course do not use animal stock, but feel free to use what you like. 
 Using water also cuts down on the sodium.

Ingredients:
1 butternut squash
10 carrots
1 small apple
1 red pepper
fresh ginger root
2 cloves of garlic
olive oil
curry powder
cayenne pepper 
sea salt
salty cheese
cashew nuts
water


First, I wash and chop all the ingredients, the squash is rather tough, using a really sharp knife helps. I love when you cut into the squash and the moisture starts to bead up on the surface. Beautiful! Today, I only had a very large apple on hand, so I used about 1/4 of it. I don't bother peeling it, because it softens in the boil. I love ginger so I used a lot, but my suggestion if you are unfamiliar with the strength of this root, is to just chop up about 2 quarter sized chunks.

Once everything is chopped, I throw in a drizzle of olive oil into a large soup pot and lightly saute the garlic. I always buy a big head of garlic and then mince it and put it in a glass jar for later use, this way it saves me time and my hands don't smell like garlic every time I need some. Then add in all the ingredients, water to just about cover all the produce, add some curry and cayenne (not too much, you can always add more later). Then let simmer until the carrots are tender enough to stick a fork through them with ease.

Once everything is tender, add a little salt, and blend it, I love my immersion blender for soups.

This soup looks, smells, and tastes like autumn, serve hot with crumbled salty cheese and cashews. I used feta because I had it on hand, but I also like cotija.  Enjoy!

-Ladybird

What We Wore to the Happenings: Pumpkin Patch

I had purchased a Living Social deal for Kruger's Farm on Sauvie Island a few weeks ago, and despite the mud and rain, the sun made a grand appearance and we made it there this weekend. Bright orange pumpkins, roasted sweet corn, caramel apples, and fresh brewed beer to compliment a vintage purple floral dress, navy tights (Target), vintage rain booties, vintage brown scarf, vintage stamped leather belt, and Columbia hunter green overcoat.

-Twill