Category Archives: Fav Places

Final notes on PDX for now…

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pfw08-092_2.jpg  Portland Fashion Week organized a great opportunity to educate folks at the Better Living Show about the sustainable stories behind the landmark designers/brands showcased this weekend.  Nau, Lizzie Parker and Anna Cohen all have one thing in common and that is, they are pioneers in the industry.  With limited resources in the past available to fashion designers, each of them have been innovative in their use of and sourcing sustainable options.  With great design that is appealing and yes, even stylish and sexy, consumers have options now more than ever to make a sustainable choice with the clothing they wear.  My favorite quote of the event was one that related to the stylish and sexy approach to sustainability.  It was from Lizzie Parker who said, “In the end, it’s about a hot chick in a great dress”. I love this and interpret it to really mean…it’s about great design.The Eco – Panel was a well attended event that garnered many excellent questions and observations from the attendees.  We can look forward to future practices by the fashion industry that will help consumers make sustainable choices by a seal of sustainable approval by Sustainable Style Foundation, as well as, a standard by fashion designers that includes a baseline of sustainable business and design practices. The lively discussion led by me representing  Sustainable Style Foundation,  and Leslie Hoffman (Earth Pledge/Future Fashion – NYC) had a honest and open tone that led to sharing and creating a sense of community that will be necessary for us all to make sustainability a mainstay in our world.Had a great night out with some of the PFW crew and rounded out my last day in the city at Portland Art Museum checking out my favorite painters, Degas, Toulouse- Lautrec  and Forain, and thier work on one of my other favorite arts,  Dance. If you have a chance to check it out by May, 11. I would. It was done exceedingly well.On my train ride home, I was ready to get back to lovely SEA and prep for NYC. RLphoto credit | Tana Thurman, Portland – OR 

PDX

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Just got in last night from a couple of days in Portland.  I headed down to participate in Crave Party’s Shop 08 Conference for Independents. One was held in Seattle last week and I was thrilled to be able to participate in the Portland event.  The panel I was on focused on Trends and the effective use of them in your business whether it be a retail business or not.  My co-panelists were really amazing (go to the list on the conference site to check them out).  The biggest message we left the attendees with was being true to your business and yourself, despite trends, by really focusing on your customer, their experience, needs and feedback.  Check out the link to get all the info and follow the links to all the speakers.  It was an incredible crew and congrats to Erika and Melody for a job well done.  I would definitely note this on your calendar to attend next year…

Of course I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t check out the scene in PDX while I was there.  It is pretty evident that there is a relative hipness around the city that it harder to find here in SEA.  The epi-center has to be the Ace Hotel and the surrounding block on Stark. The two restaurants flanking the hotel rock not only for the scene, but the food and of course, Stumphouse Coffee can’t be beat. If you are planning a stay in the city, stay there.  Each room is unique and has fun elements like record players and found objects from the city.  If you live in PDX, hit the bar.  They have a great happy hour and the Fig infused vodka Martini  is the cocktail to try…for lunch, yes, I went there twice, try the egg sandwich and a bloody mary…

I ended up on my own in the city Monday night and really wanted to seek out something super local. It was recommended to me to go check out Karaoke from Hell at Dante’s, apparently a Portland institution.  The first thing I said was, “isn’t that the strip club?”…”well, yeah…but it’s not in that part of the space…” I couldn’t resist and headed out….I wasn’t sure what to expect, but wow, so much better than watching TV in my hotel room.  This list of characters couldn’t have been cast better.  I stayed the entire time and even got up and to dance.  The concept is a live band; super talented musicians, backing you up as you live out your dream of being a rock star.  We had a run of this for awhile in Seattle with Rockaroke at the Sunset Tavern…remember? These guys however, blew ours out of the water.  The host was funny and a complete a#@, but that made it better.  There were obvious regulars coming up to the stage.  My favorites included the conservative suit wearing guy who was super funny on the mic, a bit like Steve Carrel, who sang ACDC’s Shook Me all Night Long, and sang it well.

Portland folks are super friendly and by the end, I felt quite at home.  By the way, I met people not just from Portland, but also Manhattan, Saudia Arabia, Puerto Rico and well, Bend, OR…check it out next time you find yourself in Portland on a Monday night. 

And, of course, I did shop for clients and did my regular turn of stores in the Pearl and Zelda’s shoe bar on NW 23rd.  I finally got to check out my friend and designer Rachel Mara’s store Moule’ in the Pearl.  It is a beautiful space and I they have a great selection for men and women.  They also have amazing jewelry, great home accessories and yes, even something for the bambino’s and pets in your life. It was fun to meet all the folks working there who are super nice…spring is just coming in, so if you head there in a week or so, you should have lots to choose from.  RL

Bringing Winter Break Back

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Hola friends…I know, I know…no entries since the Oscars? What kind of blogger are you? I am the kind that is bringing Winter Break back baby…I just recovered from my fabulous trip to Mexico with our fantastic friends.  Where there were no phones, no Internet, no work…just the roosters, the dogs, the beach and friends.

 We decided to join our lovely friends Corinna & Rob as they celebrated their wedding in a charming fishing village north of PV.  It was absolutely incredible and so relaxing.  Traveling with friends can sometimes be difficult. But, of course, our friends rock to travel with.  Even more fun for me, was all the incredible style we had in this little town.  It helps that the bride is a designer friend of mine and the our traveling companions are in the style industries…but it is nice not to be with group that doesn’t resort to khaki shorts and baseball caps. 

There was a lot of prep involved with me going on this trip. We planned it last minute so I only had a month in the gym to get my self comfortable in a bikini.  I did actually try the Bliss Spa products for this purpose…I couldn’t exactly tell if it helped? But somehow, I felt better and that is all you need right? I had to dial in my wardrobe as well as my husbands and yes, I know, what do you need if you are going be by a pool or on a beach drinking cervazas all day? Well,you know.  My gal pals all had fabulous looks as did our guys and we all had a fab mutual admiration society going on.  Our guys definitely appreciated the effort and we girls had fun…My cutie pie bff ,V, had a line that was so fun I adapted it…”has there been a picture of me taken in this outfit yet?” Now this may all seem superficial and not relaxing, but I tell you, it made it so lovely as we all had confidence in ourselves that allowed us to let loose and have fun…and that my friends is the ultimate lesson.

We all adapted Mexico names that ranged from Coco to Rico and Juan Carlo.  My name is Rita…as in…All of this just helped melt all the pressures of our other life away. A winter break rocks and it has to be done in the most relaxing atmosphere…I recommend it to all.

Off to Portland now to participate in Crave’s Shop 08 conference for retailers…stand by for a full report. RL or Rita till the tan fades…

p.s. later this week I will post my fav finds for shopping and prepping for a bikini clad week…stand by

If you build it…

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Yesterday was my favorite day so far in 08.  It was kick-@#$. I started the morning meeting with my new tailor/alteration partner, Ivy, who has 30 years experience in costume, dress making and teaching construction. As you may know, I do in-home tailoring appointments for my clients. It is part of my full image consulting service.  I can’t wait you all to meet her. She is a gem

I went from Ivy to a meeting with Lizzie Parker, a local designer who just was featured this week in WWD (Women’s Wear Daily) highlighting her innovative use of design with less fabric use.   On top of that, she uses bamboo and is all about sustainability. I have shown one of my favorite Fall 08 look of hers. “I think it is a compliment when people ask me if it is okay when they wear my pieces dirty cause its their favorite and the can’t bear to be parted with it” is a fabulous quote from my lunch with Lizzie which put a smile on my face.  Watch for her. 

After lunch, I ran a few errands which included bring my husband some dinner at the office; how 50′s is that? Yikes…then I ran up to Capitol Hill to Moe Bar to do a bit of schmoozing at the City of Seattle’s Film & Music Offices’ monthly Happy Hour. Some fabulous conversations about film in the Seattle area and got to complain, with no sympathy, about the not so cool crowd at Bryant Park that I am going to encounter next week in New York.

Then, I ran back down the hill to my favorite tapas place, see my blog in fav places, to meet Julie the rock star owner of Olivine in Seattle. I couldn’t believe that she has been open for ten years…that is amazing and her store on Ballard Ave is a destination location for shoppers.  We had a fabulous conversation about her move to make the store sustainable and stylish.  She and I will be partnering in the fall on one of my les Egoistes Wardrobing Salons…stand by for more info on that.

After that I ended my night at Zoe; my favorite place to end up where the bar tender, Tom, makes the best flatliner in town, besides my hubby.  I wound down reading a movie script that I will be working on as costume designer in the near future. Why do I bother to share all this with you? The day was full of meetings and conversations about things I am passionate about.  I have spent the last twenty years keeping my passion alive and being consistent with building how I want to see my life…today was an example of that. I encourage you all to go for it. RL

A little piece of “The City”…

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Admittedly, I pine for most things french or from “the city” (code for NYC). Tonight I met my ever so stylist gal pal, LV, at a newish little tapas, or pinixos, place ~ Txori.  I felt like I was in “the city” and could have stayed there for hours, much to our waitress’ chagrin, the flavor combos are fab both with the food and the drinks, and the prices even better. Top it off to the presentation is fabulous. I am hoping the slower service was because they were doing the “euro” thing ~ I choose to ignore it because I loved it so much that I want you to keep it between you and I. However, we want this place to make it in Seattle, so do check it out. RL