A Slideshow of a Day

We have been trying to make the most out of our last week in Portland. Taking many walks around the neighborhood, trying new places, taking in the sights and sounds, and enjoying the weather (so much). Here is a look into our day yesterday, slideshow style.

It was a lazy morning, filled with numerous refills of coffee, a few packed boxes, and a phone call from my Ladybird. We headed out on a walk from our neighborhood to the Pearl district, stopping at Deschutes Brewery for a beer. I had the sampler, 6-4 ounce glasses that looked cute, but hit hard, since our plan was to eat lunch afterward. It made me happy to write out my own list of beer choices, as I like to take any opportunity I can to hand write a list.

We went to lunch at a taqueria called CHA CHA CHA! and then to Henry's Tavern where they have 100 beers on tap. We stopped one last time at Whole Foods and got some essentials: bread, eggs, oranges, apples, granola, almond milk, coffee, and some new tea. We tried some bulk vanilla rooibos and I swear it tastes just like my favorite Tazo tea from Starbucks by the same name and at a fraction of the price. We came home and watched Dinner for Schmucks, it was quite funny. Have a great weekend!

-Twill

The Happenings: Rainy Day in Old Town

So it is official. Alex and I are moving back to Minneapolis in two weeks! It has been an adventure living in Portland and we love this city so much, but economically and logically speaking it wasn't making sense to stay too much longer. It is a place where I could live with my wheels just spinning, not moving forward, just barely getting by for years, without making much of myself. However, at this point in my life that isn't what I am after. I wish I would have discovered it before or right after college, but I have to admit to wanting to be a grown up and make something of myself, not just getting by doing what is comfortable forever. I will be happy to be returning to family and my lovely Ladybird soon and planning our business in person rather than over the phone. If I am somewhat absent the next two weeks, this is why, as we have so much to pack up and organize in so little time. This weekend, we decided we should explore a part of the city that we haven't really been to yet. We went to a place called the Davis Street Tavern in Old Town, thanks to a gift certificate my bosses gave me for Christmas. It was so cute, with tons of exposed brick, cozy corner booths, and the food was delicious. It was pouring rain, so my thrifted vintage rain booties and hooded trench coat were put to good use. Also, I am loving my navy floral Anthropologie tights, a lovely gift from 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

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

Vintage Inspired: Jack O' Lanterns

I found a bunch of vintage Sesame Street picture books and they reminded me so much of my childhood. When Alex and I were at the pumpkin patch last weekend, we found some pretty uniquely shaped pumpkins, one that looked remarkably similar to Bert's ovular head. It was then on the spot that we decided we would make Bert and Ernie jack o' lanterns this year. I worked on Bert and Alex created Ernie. It was the first time that we have carved pumpkins together and it was a fun new tradition for us on our first Halloween in Portland.

-Twill

The Happenings: Camp

Alex and I spent the weekend at Lost Lake. It was the last weekend they were officially open for the season (I guess if you are brave you can go throughout the winter as well) and it was the first time I have seen Mt. Hood up close since moving to Portland. The drive there was beautiful, we passed many orchards filled with pear, plum, and apple trees. We pitched our tent in the dark, zipped our sleeping bags together (they fit perfectly), and roasted marshmallows by the fire. I had the idea of using Halloween candy (almond joy, kit kat, and reese's) in addition to plain chocolate for our s'mores and boy were they tasty. It was so very chilly at night, it had to be in the thirties, and our wool blanket inside our sleeping bags was a necessity. I wore exactly two pairs of pants, two pairs of wool socks, four shirts, and a wool hat to bed and it was still a bit nippy. During the day, however, the weather was absolutely perfect. The sky was blue, the leaves were changing colors on the hills, and the trees were taller than skyscrapers all around. Out on the lake, we went fishing for rainbow trout, drank some pumpkin beer, and paddled our old row boat enjoying the view. On our way home we saw a barn owl, just sitting on a fence post alongside the road, at the old farm where I dream of having a photo shoot for our shop. Fields of wheat, dark brown horses, and an old barn in need of a new coat of paint.

I love being away from it all for a while, simplifying life, if even for a few days. My vintage scarf really kept the unwashed hair at bay.

-Twill

The Happenings: Wine

This weekend, some friends from Minneapolis came to visit. We started out at one of our many favorite brewpubs in our neighborhood, New Old Lompoc, then headed to the middle of the eastside industrial area, literally under the Morrison bridge, to Le Bistro Montage for some deliciously creamy garlic mac and cheese. They wrap your leftovers in quirky tin foil animal shapes and are open late.

Early Saturday we met for breakfast at Besaw's, where we sat on the heated three season porch (one of my favorite things about going out in Portland are the heated porches and outdoor seating, even when it's drizzling). The rest of the day was spent in wine country. Angela and Chris had lived in Portland for many years before moving to Minneapolis, so they had the inside scoop of where some of the best views and pinots could be found.

My bright vintage skirt, along with the seemingly endless rows of grapes, really brightened up the dreary day (not to mention the glass of wine, or three).

-Twill

The Shop: Running Out of Space

Our ideas are still brewing, but we are on our way. Our vintage and thrifted finds are piling up in our respective homes, hers in Portland and mine in Minneapolis. My reading chair stacked full of the "red family" finds so long I have yet to finish my month old read  Klosterman's latest, Eating the Dinosaur.

-Ladybird

Eco Cup for Tea Lovers

I have a new item on my autumn shopping list, perfect for strolling the streets of Portland: the Eco Cup Tea Lovers' Ceramic Cup. It comes in blue or red floral and I honestly can't decide which one I like better; they both remind me of vintage teacups. They even have a little teapot on the side to wrap the string of your teabag around to keep it in place. So cute, you can find these, plus other patterns here.

-Twill

This Old House

I thought I would give a little glimpse into my new home in Portland. We were so lucky to find this place, it was a one hundred year old house that was restored to its finest, with vintage touches and original details in every room. I love a home with character and history! I found these old wooden fruit crates at an antique store in town, and Alex actually had the idea of turning them on their sides as little end tables for our living room. How cute! Throw in a slip covered vintage couch, an old family lap quilt, and some hand sewn pillows and it's starting to shape up quite nicely.

-Twill