Honey Kennedy

(Yes, I realize my last post was about Karen Walker, but this is true love, people.)

WOW. We’re waving goodbye to summer here in PDX (not that summer ever really started this year), but look at the cute clothes they are just starting to wear in the Southern Hemisphere. I love New Zealand fashion designer, Karen Walker. Karen’s “Hi There” Summer 2011 Collection is my nautical, stripy dream–I love every single piece. It all looks so easy… it is the lighter, breezy sister to Walker’s amazing “Salzburg USA” 2010 Collection ♥.

all images courtesy of ©Karen Walker

Dear Karen Walker,

If dreams really do come true, someday I will own everything you make.

xo
Jen
P.S. Your Salzburg USA 2010 Mainline & Runaway Collections are a couple of my all-time favorites.

all images courtesy of ©Karen Walker

I was playing virtual dress up with some of the things I’ve been admiring lately. After I had it all put together to my liking, I realized that the past week’s frequent listening to and watching of older Madonna videos had definitely left its mark. I know it is a little much, but I really do love all of it together. Now, I’m thinking of it as my loose interpretation, Madonna style pastiche. An updated, unconscious noughties nod to some of Madge’s looks from the eighties.

Top (accessories & shoes): 1. Sunglasses by Karen Walker Eyewear (she is so amazing!) 2. Laurel Wreath Modern Crest Necklace by Alisha Louise 3. Fleur-de-Lis Modern Crest Necklace by Alisha Louise (more about Alisha Louise in my earlier blog post here) 4. Grey Enamel Locket Necklace by Trois Petits Points 5. Rose Gold Loulou Ring by Ca & Lou 6. Classic Silk Pump by Marais 7. Vivier Re-Make Bag by Clare Vivier 8. The Briar Rose Scarf by Pauper Voile

Bottom (apparel): 1. Mercury Nicole Jacket by Kate Spade 2. Vintage 80s Ocean Life Wool Plaid Skirt from Clever Nettle on Etsy 3. Stormy Seas Tights from Anthropologie 4. Rouge Allure Lipstick in Lover by Chanel 5. Angeliques Sous La Pluie by Jean-Claude Ellena from Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle (one of the most beautiful perfumes that I have ever smelled–quiet, but insanely sexy) 6. OB LA DI Top by Secret Squirrel (more about them in my earlier blog post here)

I know we just started talking about the excitement of fall, but let’s just take a moment for a wintry little daydream. I love the Red Square Wonderland inspired Mademoiselle Winter Collection 2011 from Anne Valérie Hash. It makes me instantly excited to bundle up and go see The Nutcracker in a couple of months. The photographs by Fabrice Laroche are so beautiful! I’d love to spend a cozy Sunday leafing through the pages of their lovely collaborative set of books. Seriously, why can’t I be a fancy little French child? Sigh.

all images courtesy of Anne Valérie Hash (photographer: Fabrice Laroche)

I am often gobsmacked over how clever and incredibly talented my friends are. This recent Twigs & Honey lookbook photo shoot is a perfect example.

DREAM TEAM TIME!

Myra Callan of Twigs & Honey makes these magnificent hair adornments and accessories. She only sleeps about 45 minutes every night (OK – maybe it is more like 5 hours) because her mind is a constant swirl of silk and feathers. She has really knocked herself out and created the most elegant collection. I’m in awe!

Elizabeth Dye makes the most beautiful, special gowns and other garments at her shop, The English Dept.. She is part of the backbone of Portland’s thriving fashion design scene… and she is fun to have a cocktail or three with.

I think Chelsea Fuss, from Frolic! and Project Wedding, may actually speak some sort of botanical language because plants, flowers and the props around them seem to adore her enough to do whatever she fancies. She is a fantastic stylist and an endless fountain of ideas to make special occasions even more memorable.

Madeline Roosevelt of Madi Cosmetics is a genius with dolling people up. I’ve spent a lot of time looking through photographs from local fashion designers and other creatives. When I stop to admire the hair and makeup in the photo, 9 times out of 10 it was a shoot that Madi had a hand in.

Then, of course, to document all of the loveliness that these ladies are creating, there are the incomparable photo skillz of Lisa Warninger. She has an ability to capture a moment, the tiniest glint in someone’s eye that makes you feel like you know them and are transported right there too. Amazing!

The models for this shoot are a trio of even more wonderful and creative Portland ladies. Olivia Bee is a fantastic photographer. I don’t know Olivia, but I feel like I have been watching her grow up as she hones her craft via her Flickr posts over the past few years. Jade Sheldon is an accomplished visual artist with piercing eyes and fiery red hair. Kate Troedsson is greatly talented, has a clear love for fashion and always stands out to me because of her gorgeous freckles.

(L to R: Jade, Kate & Olivia)

Seriously amazing, ladies! Myra couldn’t have picked a better group to elevate her already stunning work to such a magical place. You are all great inspirations to me. I know you each work so hard at your craft and it absolutely always shows.

More, please. ♥

photos by lovely Lisa Warninger

We got a couple dozen tomatillos in our farm share last week and I was a little intimidated. Having never set my mitts on one of these cute green wonders, I sent out a plea on Twitter for recommendations as to what I should do with them. Every single person virtually shouted, “MAKE SALSA VERDE!” So, I did.

I doubled this recipe from Smitten Kitchen (see below) and my only tweaks were to add a couple handfuls of orange cherry tomatoes, use only 3 peppers (as opposed to 4 when doubling the recipe) and a little extra garlic. To me, too little garlic is a much worse crime than a little too much, but it really did turn out perfectly. I think the addition of cherry tomatoes may have mellowed out the additional garlic and the hotness of the peppers.

It was so easy! We brought it over to our friends’ place for a dinner on Sunday night and everyone said it was delicious. I think they were even telling the truth. I think they might even organize a parade in my honor… or in the honor of the salsa verde at any rate. I also got to break in my handy new Weck glass storage jars from Canoe. YAY for tomatillos!

Tomatillo Salsa (Salsa Verde Cruda from Smitten Kitchen)
10 tomatillos, husked and well washed, quartered
1/2 bunch of scallions, roots and green ends trimmed, cut into big segments
5 garlic cloves, smashed
2 jalapenos, roughly chopped
Pinch of allspice
Salt to taste

Puree all ingredients together until very smooth either in a blender or food processor. Season with salt.

all photos by me, Jen McCabe

I love the A.P.C Fall/Winter 2010 Collection. The black wool dress is just perfect–I love the diagonal and vertical panels. The “70′s Pea Coat” in coral is very sweet with its patch pockets and slight flare. It is available in navy and grey, which are nice, but not as special. I am particularly enamored with these pieces, especially those Porselli Ballerinas in brick red!

all images courtesy of APC

I noticed a funny little theme with the rings that have been catching my eye over the past few months. Golden bears, birds, cats and snakes–these designers amaze me.

1. Fighting Bears Ring by Digby & Iona 2. Kitty ears pinky ring by P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 3. Victorian Swallow Ring by Annina Vogel 4. Venenum (serpent heart) by Aurelie Bidermann 5. Black Diamond Snake Ring w/ruby eyes by Ileana Makri 6. Lion & Lamb Ring w/brown diamond eyes (!!) by Elisa Solomon 7. Endless Love Ring w/one diamond by St. Kilda ♥

Cute stuff from the Founders & Followers online boutique…

all images courtesy of Founders & Followers
  

1. Belaeste Italian wool “Virginie Cape” 2. Devastee Birds – “Printed Corbeaux Babydoll Dress” 3. Dieppa Ristrepo Shoes – Grey “Cali Oxfords”

I love black and blue. I also really love these beautiful Fall/Winter 2010 Collection pieces from Gothenburg, Sweden clothing label, Velour. The idea of hanging out around the house in an oversized crewneck sweater and tights is making me go a little crazy. I’m getting so excited for stockings, coats, boots and woolly sweaters! There are some nice things for the fellows too. Check out their lovely little “behind the scenes” video HERE.

For some of us, this season never comes soon enough…

all images courtesy of Velour