The Happenings: April Showers

 April showers bring May flowers and wellies (love these vintage inspired floral pattern digs)! This week has been dreary save for a few cheery spots to brighten my mood. Here are a few things keeping me going this week.

* Spring romance budding? Take a listen to this smitten mix!
* A feast of color to brighten the dreary rain 
* The perfect bike seat to keep me dreaming of two-wheel weather
* A fun activity to try out with my little ones
* Art in Bloom, if you are from the Minneapolis area, check this out! 
* May Day, ding, dong, run! Or run for the amazing May Day parade!

* And of course, the Mighty Swell sale!!!

Happy Spring!

-Alea

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

What We Wore to Happenings: Rock, Flag, and Eagle

The midterm election is coming up in a little over a week. For many states, this election is close, and Minnesota is no exception. Being the political minded person I am, I volunteered to help out at the DFL rally where Obama came to speak on behalf of Mark Dayton. The line to get into the field house was ten thousand people long, snaking all over the U of M campus. It was a pretty incredible turnout for a gray "tut tut it looks like rain" day. Inside the field house, we heard some passionate speeches. Al Franken was a highlight, he is an amazing orator. Obama, as usual, was inspiring. What a very patriotic day. Get out and vote!

-Ladybird

What I wore: a vintage democratic donkey bought at a swap in San Diego and a red, white and blue plaid button up blouse with jeans and vintage leather loafers, to top it all off I sported my grandmother's glasses!

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

What We Wore: Porto

Just got back from an amazing long weekend in Porto, Portugal. We stayed in this quaint old apartment with vintage touches, from an old theatre seat to a darling glass lamp. The apartment was not equip for the cold and rain, but Isa and I kept toasty with tea and layers of clothing. On our day out, I sported my new-vintage (quite the oxymoron) plaid lined navy blue raincoat. The hood was perfect for the changing weather. Porto was the respite I needed from the hustle and bustle of Madrid, friendly people, quaint town, and lovely tiles.

-Ladybird