Rooney Mara in Givenchy

Although I'm still not sure how I feel about Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (I loved Noomi Rapace in the Swedish version), I loved the Givenchy white cutout dress she wore to the NYC premiere. Delicate and tough all at the same time! And the detail shots really show what a work of art this dress is. Kudos to Rooney Mara's stylist, well done. Very much looking forward to seeing David Fincher's take on this dark thriller.

Peacoats

A.P.C. Caban Court 70's Peacoat - $500 at Stuart and Wright

VS.

J.Crew Majesty Peacoat - $258 at jcrew.com

Long term, I'd be happier with the A.P.C. one for sure - better quality, classic fit, less pilling usually -- but the price is pretty steep for something so basic.  Also the J.Crew one comes in a rainbow of great colors, including a sunny yellow. I was in the market for just a plain navy one. Hoping for a sale to start soon on either one, which would make the decision much easier...

Muuto teapot and mugs

I am loving my new "bulky" teapot and mugs in dandelion yellow from Scandinavian design collective Muuto. A cookie jar and sugar are also part of the collection, which is available in grey, white and yellow.

Muuto is slowing taking over my home as I now have multiple pieces from them including: lights, flower pots, fruit bowl, and some great wool storage bins made from recycled plastic that I use for toy storage.

And I have several items on my wishlist - mainly lights:

Muuto is sold at DWR and other small design boutiques.

Milk magazine - kids street style

I just discovered the "look de rue" street-style section on Milk magazine's website. Milk is a French magazine (with English text in the back) that is specifically a children's fashion magazine but has many other interesting things besides kids stuff. Their website is just as inventive. The only thing cuter than stylish kids - think Suri Cruise - is adorable stylish French kids walking the streets of Paris. I really like how all the kids are posing without actually looking like they are posing.

1960s Cameo Earrings

In desperate need of new earrings, I stopped by Gilt, an estate jewelry store here in Portland. I found these beautiful 1960's cameo drop earrings in 18k gold. The pointed triangular trim is my favorite feature.

Tartan Plaid Repetto

 

I spotted these new tartan plaid creations from classic ballerina brand Repetto while reading Milk, the uber-chic French children's magazine. Then I discovered that the classic ballet style - the BB - is available in adult sizes at saks.com. And Opening Ceremony is selling both the oxford - the Zizi - in adult sizes and the ballerina flat in kids sizes. I am a sucker for plaid and these are a nice refresh of Repetto's classic styles.  Adult ballet flats are $265 at saks. Adult zizi are $325 at opening ceremony. Kids ballet flats are $150 at opening ceremony in euro sizes 28-34.

what I'm keeping - Alexa Chung for Madewell

Ugly Cardigan - probably my favorite piece

The word on the street is that Madewell will be re-launching some of the topsellers from the Alexa Chung collection on November 11th. So if you missed out the first time, here's your opportunity.

Shrimp Coat - my 2nd favorite piece, not in my original order but picked up in-store. get several compliments on it every time I wear it.

Penny Dress -  a casual everyday dress which is hard to come by

Hamish Wrap Scarf - super soft, sure to be a go-to item in winter

Amelia tee - a new twist on the classic striped boatneck, I got it in the navy stripe

Cassie Crewneck Sweater - I ordered this is a medium because that's all that was available and ending up loving it as an oversize sweater. I think most of the sweaters ran small, because I sent back the Aimee Fisherman Knit in an XS when it looked like a cropped sweater on me.

Patrice Top in white - this is one of those that you have to see in person. I was very on the fence about it when I ordered it and it IS a specific piece that necessitates a specific outfit. That said, it is very cute.

Thora Cords in rust - these I also picked up in the store, as they were sold out online immediately. They are a great fit: high waist, fitted leg, ankle length. I got a size 27 so they would be a little loose for a more boyish look.

my new black Filson bag

Purchased at the original Filson store in Seattle, my new handbag is very much a "man-bag". I had always admired the small cross-body messenger bag from outdoor hunting brand Filson but couldn't decide on a color and felt that it might be too authentic and not enough fashion for me. When I spotted the new black color - a first for Filson* - I took inspiration from Coco Chanel and her love of manly items and purchased one for myself. The body of the bag is a soft black wool and it is trimmed in black leather. And with a lifetime guarantee, this bag seems to be a relative bargain at $175. After one week with this bag, I am loving the sheer utility of it:

• the long strap means it is perfect to wear cross-body but it also has a short strap on top so it can be carried one-handed as well.
• there is a "tip" pocket on the back, similar to the classic Chanel bags, that is a great spot for the iPhone
• the roomy interior easily holds my large wallet, makeup bag, two baggus, sunglasses, keys and even a small notebook
• the front flap pocket is a good place to tuck things (like important papers) that you don't want to get lost
• lastly, it is not nearly as heavy as the twill Filson bags I've used in the past

*(To note: Filson has also done black in the medium messenger size as a collaboration with Blackbird, the men's boutique in Seattle. This limited edition run of 66 is a black twill with dark brown leather trim and only available in the larger, double pocket silhouette.)

my new custom No6 boots

I'm so incredibly happy with the new No6 clog boots I received yesterday that I just had to share some photos. Both items were custom orders, so not styles/color combos that No6 specifically makes. The only problem with doing this is they are not returnable. Luckily, both pairs fit perfectly and came out exactly as I'd imagined. The green boot is the Pesto leather (I had featured it previously in the Pesto nubuck, which is more of an emerald color while the leather is more hunter green) ankle zip boot on the higher heel with a black base. And the laceup is the natural nubuck with fawn shearling on the mid heel (the lower one) with a natural base. Absolutely stunning boots with amazing craftsmanship. These will be favorites of mine for a long time.

Alexa Chung for Madewell - my order

So after the Madewell site crashed Wednesday night, I thought I'd skip the latest Alexa Chung collaboration but then I reconsidered the following morning when I spied the "ugly" cardigan and the hamish tartan wrap. I might end up returning quite a bit of it but thought some items were too cute to pass up. I'm still considering the Carine dress but at $265, I'd rather try it on when I'm in Seattle next week.

Betty Tea Dress

Penny Dress

Cassie Crewneck Sweater

the "Ugly" cardigan - I love this one!

gold Patrice top - on the fence about this one

Amelia crewneck tee in navy

Grandma skirt in black

Hamish wrap - also loved this one

Carine dress