FRANCES MAY

Still obsessing over Frances May.

I feel certain it will be a hard place to stay away from once we make the move.   Impeccably well edited and full of unknown and up and coming designers, I am sure to forever suffer a case of the wants after visiting.

I am even more smitten after reading more about the shop...

Frances May is a carefully curated boutique blending modern silhouettes with nostalgic charm. The joint venture between Grandmother, Connie Codding, and Granddaughter, Pamela Baker-Miller, strives to bridge the gap between form and function, trend and timelessness, elegance and edge.

Who better to own a shop with then your grandmother?

My Memaw had the most incredible taste!  Small town, maybe, but so chic.  In her younger years she had an intense love of  fashion and traveled often.  Her treasures fill my jewelry box and my closet (my bookshelves too).

follow here, here and here.

shop here.

all images + selected text:  Frances May

Put a Bird On It

We try very hard to limit the amount of television we watch, but there are a few exceptions. Portlandia is number one on that list. WE. LOVE. PORTLANDIA.

After taking a trip to Portland a couple of years ago, we have fell in love with the city, head over-heels in love! We spend hours and days imagining what it would be like to live there. We buy photography books about the city, we drink Oregon beer and Pinots.....if it is from Oregon, we assume it is better. We are a little out of control!

Obviously, when Portlandia started last season we were beyond thrilled! It's a great way to laugh at ourselves and our obsession.

So, when Cuyler found out that the Portlandia Live Tour had added Atlanta on to the schedule, there was no question we had to go. The show was held in Little Five Points, without question the hippest part of Atlanta, at the Variety Playhouse (love!). We grabbed a single beer (cheating our cleanse, whoops) at The Porter (love!) and then walked down to catch the show.

It was a combination of clips, new and old, Q&A, and music with Fred Armisen and Carrie Browntstein. Margaret Cho and Jack Mcbrayer came out at one point, hilarious! It was super fun to be surrounded by a bunch of other people that enjoy the same thing and believe in the magic of Portland!

Check out Portlandia tonight on IFC and let me know what you think. The intro alone is worth watching! Also, because like I said we obsessed with all things Oregon......check out the line up for the Sasquatch Festival this year- INSANE!

Filly Designs

Anyone that has spent time with us, or even spoken to us, in the last two years is fully aware of our affinity for all things Portland. We went for a visit in March of 2010 and have been OBSESSED ever since. It is official, we are head over heels in love with the city!

So.......

When I imagine life in Portland, I picture myself wearing beautifully crafted clothes such as these, sipping tea, and eating homemade bread with talented and creative people like the designer for Filly, Emily. Her writing is truly inspiring and she makes The most beautiful clothes! She has a fantastic website and an amazing blog, and she constantly writes things like this:

'Nothing is haphazard, or casual, or accidental. It is all part of the same project: Beauty. A curated life.'

and this:

'I hope Filly expresses my love for the unexpected moments when life is happening and you are in it. And you are amazing. Simply living and simply beautiful. '

and this:

'My inspiration for Fall 2011 is a young married couple in the place they live, work and entertain. One undemanding setting in harmony with nature. Two individuals in harmony with each other.'

Yikes, how romantic?
Oh Portland, how I love thee!

all images: Filly Designs, via Honey Kennedy