for the salt fiend...

...like myself, a potato chip necklace. I must say, it looks good enough to eat. ($25)

springtime ensembles : yellow & pink.

Ah, my two favorite colors of the season. Spring... I am mighty glad you have arrived.



Yellows: 1. Yellow Heart Confetti Crook Handle Umbrella ($30), 2. KIT Gloves in Chartreuse ($34.99), 3. Silk Linen Drape Neck Dress ($535), 4. Yellow Hunter Women's Short Boot (£56), 5. Boo and Scout Tee ($45), 6. Steven Alan Erin Short ($158), 7. Tipsy ($198), 8. Roar Badge (au$10), and 9. Gracie Bag (£59)



Pinks: 1. Tom Ford Plastic Glasses ($363), 2. Petite Light Pink Tiered Peter Pan Collar Blouse ($66), 3. Kathy the Redwood Pin ($18), 4. Coral Battenburg Shorts (£28), 5. Eyes of Mars Sandal ($94.99), 6. Date Night Ring ($55), 7. Pink Tulip Pattern Fifties Dress ($100), 8. shady side magazine tote ($255), and 9. MONK Pink Soft Lace Up Shoes ($60)

loving the colors...

...of this flea market scarf from Madewell. They almost look like they were painted directly on the fabric with a paintbrush. ($45)

oh, lovely sky blue dress...

...why must you be so far out of my price range? I'd love to wear you this spring, I would. ($360)

more beauties from ulalá...

...or this ring, specifically. It might just be one of the most beautiful and unique pieces of jewelry I have ever seen. I want, I want. ($26)

old-fashioned style.

This look from the Fall/Winter Confezioni Crosby collection is totally my cup of tea. Sweetly nerdy, classic, and in my opinion, the buttoned-up kind of sexy.

i'm no square dancer...

...but I am positively smitten with this square dancing queen dress from ModCloth. I'm not quite sure if I could pull it off, but I am more than willing to accept the challenge. ($129.99)

apparel & accessories collection : colors of spring.

Winter, I am done with you. Bring on more frequent sunny days, blooming flowers, cherry blossom trees, less layering, and the soft & sweet colors of spring.

1. Sheer bow top ($375), 2. Silk Linen Drape Neck Dress ($535), 3. Adult Tiffany Teal Parasol ($54 CAN), 4. beautiful in bows one shoulder dress ($39.99), 5. Yellow Scallop Button Shirt ($50), 6. pointelle cardigan ($39.99), 7. Frill Blouse by Rare ($52), and 8. Caroline Skirt in Floral ($320)

the perfect jacket?

Yes, I think it just might be. Classic, stylish, and with floral lining to boot. (£132)

collections : the fabulous forties.

I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend. Tonight I am listening to Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters, which led me to search for pretty 1940's finds. Aren't they all just lovely?

1. Stunning 1940s Cocktail Dress ($149), 2. 1940 Raeths 12" Black Slated Globe (£695), 3. 1940's photo Young woman dancing in yard ($2.75), 4. Metal Flour Bin ($368), 5. Vintage Drugstore Salt Petre Canister - 1940's ($21.50), 6. Avant Garde Black Feather Fascinator ($25), 7. 1947 Bakelite Telephone GPO 332F (£645), and 8. VINTAGE STONE MUSHROOM STOOL ($595)

apparel & accessories collection : ruffled layers.

Ah, the romance of ruffles. I adore when they are piled on top of each other, like soft layers of tissue paper...

1. Premium Terracotta Chiffon Ruffle Bolero ($90), 2. Twinkle Shooting Star Blouse ($316.50), 3. randi ruffle skirt tank dress ($396), 4. KAPOW! WOW! Tulle ruffle neck piece ($106), 5. higher than heaven ruffle vest ($49.99), 6. chiffon cascade skirt ($59.99), 7. Premium Taupe Wool Ruffle Shorts ($105), and 8. Memphis Style Dress ($134.99)

help a girl out.

Hello, readers. I wanted to write a short post in regards to my friend Lisa who runs one of my all-time favorite fashion websites (based here in Portland), Urban Weeds. Lisa has recently had some bad luck- poor girl just had both of her cameras break simultaneously. So now, with Lisa being a deep lover of their cameras, she is wishing to partner up with Nikon as an Urban Weeds sponsor (as well as getting help fixing her own equipment.) I ask of you to please show your support by commenting on this post, reblogging this, or donating money here. Thank you, and good luck Lisa!

lusting after...

...this Marimekko dress. Completely loving the two-tones and peter pan collar. I want. ($195)

apparel & accessories collection : from the heart.

I cannot say I'm the biggest lover of Valentine's Day, but I will say one thing: I will not deny my love of heart shapes and prints and I truly appreciate the abundance of them around this time of year.

1. Petite Knitted Cream Heart Jaquard Top ($90), 2. I Heart Umbrellas ($29.99), 3. The Language of Love (£9.50), 4. Whisper Sweet Nothings Dress ($105.99), 5. Jim Drain Hearts Sweater ($700), 6. Wood You Be Mine Necklace ($14.99, currently out-of-stock), 7. ban.do heart shoe clips ($25), and 8. Cream Flock Heart Vest (£18)

leather bows...

...strung on long chains: the Hello I love you necklace from ulala. So pretty. ($24)

color me red...

...in these vintage cranberry flats from sponsor Becky Drolen. Completely perfect for Valentine's Day? I'd say so. ($35)

stripes and diamonds...

two geometric patterns I always seem to be drawn to: Striped Shift Dress (currently out-of-stock) and Neon Diamond Print ($15)

a neutral garden.

I am usually not a big fan of 1980's clothing, but I am smitten with this heathered sweater from clever nettle's shop. That neutral floral pattern is to die for. ($41)

apparel & accessories collection : seeing the world...

...in black and white.

1. Paw Stripe Tee ($176), 2. How-Tie ($18). 3. Shell and leather necklace ($315), 4. Natalie One-Piece ($148), 5. Black Pearl Collar Top (£38), 6. Black and White Fingerless Wool Gloves, Missoni (£95), 7. Tokyo Bay Petticoat Watch ($80), and 8. park avenue perfection polka dot dress ($40.99)

guest post : (inspired by) stephin merritt & the magnetic fields.

(The following post is by a new Design is Mine contributor, my dear friend Christopher Williams. From time-to-time, he will be posting his favorites for style and design inspiration. Hooray for finally having a male guest blogger!)




To celebrate the release of "Strange Powers", the documentary about Stephin Merritt and his band The Magnetic Fields, I've chosen some items that (to me) carry a touch of Mr. Merritt's personality and signature themes that run through his songs.

Pour yourself a nice stiff drink, que up your favorite ABBA vinyl, and enjoy.

1. 69 Love Songs Vinyl Boxset ($99.98), 2. Chaplin ($38), 3. Original Gin, 4. Yes, a Voyage to the Moon is Possible! ($49.99), 5. Mandolin -10 different woods ($1200), 6. Greeting Card, Just Arrived in New York City ($4.95), 7. THE MAGNETIC FIELDS ($25) and 8. Stephin (price unknown)