Me in Melange

A Garden of Beauty

We are having a flower-clip moment here at Melange!!! These GORGEOUS new accessories from SRA are the perfect touch this holiday season! They are so well-made, and put us in mind of the stunning art-nouveau ladies of the early 20th century - such natural beauties with their tresses entwined with flowers! These are no ordinary flowers either, they are made of luxurious fabrics - silk, chiffon, taffeta, in lush layers of color, with just the right amount of holiday
sparkle! Just lovely worn individually clipped to your hair, your lapel, your favorite purse - or our favorite way, worn two or three or four together, under an updo, or crowning your temple, they are like tiny ball gowns each one of itself, and together they not only make the most festive holiday bouquet, but evoke images of lavish, romantic parties of the past. Just beautiful, and irresistible! We need them for ourselves, and every lady on our list! :) xoxoxo DR

Mug Rugs and Milo for President

Happy election day!  I think everyone, party lines aside, can agree that we are super sick of the election and are happy that this day is finally here so we can figure out the deal and move forward.  We talk a lot of politics in our home (or argue politics as the case may be), and we have watched debates with the kids, regularly discuss it around the dinner table, and generally speaking try to educate them on the process.  So it seemed especially fitting last night that after patiently listening to Ava who voted for her in her mock election at school, and who "so-and-so" among Lucia's friends were supporters of "so-and-so", that Romeo declared he was voting for MILO for president.   That's right, our dog.  I know there are people who are voting 3rd party candidates, and some writing in people to the ticket....but here's another option:  Milo.  Seen here dressed up for Halloween as a "girl" ( courtesy of Romeo of course.)  Who couldn't vote for that face?  

Secondly, and not less important, is my much desired need to write about this AMAZING gift from dear Amanda.  It's called a Mug Rug...i.e. coaster, but "Mug Rug" is the much more popular name, but it's a bit annoying and sounds strangely pornographic (although I can't put exact words to why.)  

First off, let me back up.  Some weeks ago, I was having a particularly harried day.  Filled with all kinds of running around, redirectly the kids, pulling Milo off the new couch, fielding work calls...you know, the general normal, crazy, semi-manic day.  I sat down at my desk in the evening to open my mail, and had the most lovely surprise I've had...well, probably all year.  Amanda had written me a beautiful and sweet card (yes, telling me how much she loves & appreciates me because, well, I'm just that kind of lovable person) :-), and gifting me this hand made and super cool coaster.  Tears actually welled up in my eyes.  She made it HERSELF...and it's ADORABLE.  It's quilted, and look, on the back it even has a heart!!  I was completely touched, and have shown everyone and anyone who enters my home, my adorable gift.  I tried to show my friend twice by mistake and got a "yeah, yeah, I get it....it's cool."  HA, she's just jealous for sure!!

Anyway, besides making me so happy, it made me think of how important those kinds of gestures are, and how rarely we do them (even if we say we will and want to.)  I have vowed to try and do more things like this for the people in my life that I love and adore.  I vowed to remember how great it felt to have it done for me--because it seriously did feel great.  Most people, and definitely most women, go thru their days doing all kinds of things they never get thanked for, and that's fine.  Some of it is our job, some of it is our obligation, some of it is just because we are nice people.  No matter the reason though, it ALWAYS feels good to be recognized and thanked....for the job well done, for the friendship cherished, for the love given.

I'm just sayin' people...get out there and do your part to show your love because you will feel good doing it and it will make the recipient seriously happy!!

ox

Signed, ME {lv}

A Few of Our Favorite Things

We're getting in the spirit. And in the spirits, lol! I had the best glass of red wine yesterday! In fact it was so good I had another one. "Take two, they're small" doesn't really apply here, BUT if you add "....in comparison to the entire barrel." it works great. And we all know that somewhere in the middle of glass two you start thinking things are very "remarkable". At least I do. And of course I then remark upon it, and this particular remarkable thing was the color of the wine itself. Red wine is beautiful - such a rich color, a deep ruby red that calls to mind jewels, royalty, ripe fruits, rich seasonal velvets, a crackling fire. Hold it up to the light and it GLOWS - its fluidity catching the light in the glass - it also sloshes, which is what I would

have done if I'd had a third glass, lol!

As it was it got me appreciating the glorious color of wine, and of the holidays ahead, and I realized we had quite a few wine-colored things in the shop! Perfect for the season, and perfect to drink wine in. (It won't show!) I truly love the Prairie Underground Cloak Hoodie in Beet. Talk about a holiday hoodie, this gorgeous topper is in the most amazing color and with Prairie's tailoring and lush details - all in organic cotton - it could not be more perfect for doing holiday shopping in, for visiting friends and relatives in, for stuffing our faces with thanksgiving 
feasts in, and of course - for drinking wine in. And for a pop of wine-colored print, we love the Banaris Silk and Merino Stole with the Sunspot Print in Maroon. Soft and silky and so beautiful! The Velvet Ashanti Print Top in Sangria (Sangria!!!)
is another wine-colored love. This delicate print on a plum-colored background has won our hearts. Looks so pretty with sassy jeans, boots, and a cute fall jacket. We also fell hard for the Velvet Button Cuff Tee and the Elizabeth Gillet Celia Lace Print Scarf! So whether you love wine or not, these beautiful pieces capture the spirit(s) of the season. Happy Monday everyone, wassail!!! xoxoxo DR 

Holiday Road Trip

I love Thursdays, or "Friday Jr." as my friend calls them. All the anticipation of the weekend ahead, with none of the angst of a Monday - and we are still being productive so...it's kind of the ideal mind-set. Today is extra-nice because I am planning our weekend road trip to...wait for it....EUGENE! I live in Portland, and work on the shop's website. Our fabulous stylistas who work in the shop are all in Eugene, so we communicate online most of the time. And I don't get down to Eugene often because of my bad back which makes traveling very tricky, and until now because we had a teen in the house, and you can't leave them alone for long. And they never want to go with you anyway, lol!

But now it's just the two of us which makes for a more-mobile unit, and my back is doing "ok", and we're only going for the day so...look out Eugene, the Rioses are on their way! PLUS, we get to drive our new car, so it will be a comfy cruise, no doubt - so excited to take it on the road and rock the Pandora app! lol. (Doesn't take much to get this old lady goin'!)

But the shop WILL be exciting! We are celebrating our SWEET 16 this year - the 16th year since we moved to the 5th St. Market. 16 years of glorious fun, fashion, and friends,and we are grateful for every one of them. Lauren will be there with decorations and probably champagne, we're all going to make the shop look festive and beautiful. I promise to take pics and share them with you. The 5th St. Market is SO pretty at Christmas! Lots of fir, pine boughs, garlands, twinkly lights, good coffee, sometimes even carolers. In costume! It's exactly where you want to do your holiday shopping, and believe me there is something for everyone there.  

So come join us this weekend, or drop in the shop anytime, do a little holiday shopping, and see our shop all dressed up for a party! Celebrate our 16th anniversary with us, have a sweet treat, and see what's new and fabulous for your holidays!!!! xoxoxo DR 

What Fall Weekends Were Made For

Ahhhh, it's raining! Whoever thought we'd be starving for rain in Oregon?! But starving we are - it's like perpetual summer around here these days! But today....ahhhhhhh. It's not quite a downpour, but a good, steady rain for at least an hour now, turning into a consistent drizzle. Everything looks wet, smells good, and there are hardly any people on the street. With perpetual summer comes perpetual motorcycle engines, leaf blowers, bumping stereos and loud porch drinkers. Right now it's cool, calm and quiet, just the way I like it!  

 ON to the snack portion of this post: THE PERFECT RAINY DAY CHILI CHEESE NACHOS

These babies are full of flavor, texture, silky, cheesy smoothness and savory satisfaction, BUT - they have no dairy, no meat, no processed food of any kind! They are actually healthy chili cheese nachos! Serve em to your kids! Serve em to your footballers! They'll be so intent on the game they won't even notice they're healthy! 

Here is the recipe for the amazing "cheese" sauce, of which you'll need two batches so DOUBLE THIS RECIPE.(So easy!) 

Cheese Sauce

Ingredients: 1/4 c raw cashews soaked for at least one hour. 1 1/4 c diced potatoes, heaping 1/3 c diced carrots, 2 - 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast, 2 Tbsp coconut oil, 2 Tbsp water, 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 medium clove garlic, 1/2 - 3/4 tsp white wine vinegar, to taste.

Directions: Simply boil the potatoes and carrots until tender, drain and put everything the blender, blending until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding tiny bit of water to taste. This stuff is SO GOOD!

Chili Nachos

Ingredients: 1/2 package of morningstar griller crumbles, a double recipe (2 batches) of vegan cheese sauce, 2 c diced onion, 1 red bell pepper diced with juices, 1 Tbsp tomato paste, 14 oz diced tomatoes, 1 can red kidney beans, 1 can black beans, 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 c sliced black olives, 1 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1 Tbsp pchili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano. 

Directions: Sautee griller crumbles as directed, set aside. In a large skillet sautee onion and garlic until tender. Add beans and tomatoes and spices and sautee another ten minutes. Remove from heat. In a glass container, or large dip container, pour a layer of bean and tomato mixture, topped by a layer griller cumbles, a sparse layer of olives, and then a layer of cheese sauce, and continue layering until cheese is used up covering the top, saving 1/3 c of bean mixture for a "garnish", topped with olives. Place chips as desired. Serve. Enjoy!

xoxoxo DR

 

Ensemble du Jour

We're so completely in love with the new Eileen Fisher collections that have come in recently - They are so full of fall color and luxurious fabrics, designed in every-day silhouettes that are complete knock-outs! Take, for instance, this amazing combination - Eileen's smooth and sexy Fine Merino Jersey Bateau Neck Long Top in golden arnica, paired with her AMAZING Parka Trim Funnel Neck Vest and the luxuriously soft Modal Twill Scarf - chilly morning? Just add her super-soft Merino Glovettes in that sweet arnica stripe for a totally fashionable, functional, urban-cool and classic kind of look! Don't forget the denim - check out these sexy mid-rise Agnes jeans from Citizens - so perfect for fall and beyond! It's so fabulous to mix and match all of Eileen's pieces - this vest looks incredible over her striped top, and her sleek black turtleneck top - and they in turn go effortlessly with that adorable striped skirt - and how about with Citizens's incredible Velveteen jeans?!!! So fall-fabulous, and ready for the holidays! Ahhhh, it's the best time of year!!! xoxoxox Happy Monday! xoxo DR

 

 

 

Outfit of the Day!

It's one of our favorite times of year in the fashion calendar - and PERFECT TRANSITIONAL SUMMER-TO-FALL ARRIVALS ARE HERE!!! At the end of August summer is still blazing outside, but by now it feels stale, tired, burnt-out. As September approaches we all anticipate that first crisp chill in the air, the crackle of leaves underfoot and the shortening daylight hours, leading to cozy nights. And fall fashion takes us there. From cool cotton to creamy cashmere, we have the layers that create the perfect ensembles for the change of seasons. 

Check out this casually-cool ensemble featuring Margaret O'Leary's gorgeous evergreen cashmere v neck sweater. This piece is easy, comfortable luxury any time of year. The kind of classic you will wear for years, in a fabulous color that will draw so many complements, and can go with so many things! We love it alone or layered over a cool collared shirt like this one from Velvet. Add some sexy dark wash jeans like these from Citizens, and top it off with one of these incredible scarves from Ink & Tailor. Should a chill hit the air, add Margaret's incredible knit peacoat and your boot-of-choice. Now that's an adorable fall outfit! xoxoxo DR 

 

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Eileen!

I couldn't help it, I had to add to the previous post about the "Everyday Elegance of Eileen" because MORE everyday elegance just came in the door!

Oh we are just so in love with her gorgeous silks, linens and organic cottons. So breezy, SO EASY, and clothes we get to love forever! Happy Eileen Fisher Day. Take $50 off any EF purchase of $200 or more! oxoxo Ahhhh, that's better. 

Everyday Elegance of Eileen

If there is one designer who captures the essence of living the Good (and easy) Life it is Eileen Fisher. Her designs are ultimately wearable, flattering, natural, MODERN and sophisticated. They are classic as well as timeless. So clean, so lean, so...effortlessly beautiful. Eileen Fisher's fashions look amazing on every age. And we mean it! Teens can rock her organic cotton box tops with summer's short shorts and skinny crops, young moms will look and feel amazing in her beautiful, functional open cardigans and soft boyfriend jeans, and those of us of a certain age will glow with radiance in Eileen's amazing colors and comfortable fit. Her clothes not only stand out from the crowd with their high quality and superb workmanship, they go ANYWHERE.  Work, play, weddings, vacations, you name it, Eileen will go there. It's ALL good in Eileen's world, and we are just delighted to be a part of it! Here are a few of our favorite recent combos - they all just GO, right?! And the feeling of the fabrics against the skin...well, you gotta' try it to believe it! 

xoxoxo happy Monday everyone, last day of FRIENDS AND FAMILY EVENT, take 25% off your purchase, Eileen included! 

Butterfly

I called this post "Butterfly" because that is what I keep telling myself I am going to be. Right now, sure I may feel, look, sound, and act somewhat like a pupae, a larvae, a grub on the worst mornings, but that it is simply a transitional stage and I will soon emerge as a beautiful, shimmering butterfly. Or a goddess, whatever. In fact I am not actually a pupae or a grub but a chrysalis. Now, that's better.

I may sound delusional, but you do what you gotta' do, right?! And menopause will drive you to it! I mean, what else is one to think or tell oneself when one's body is consumed by fire every ten minutes, and left shivering and clammy the next?! What other explanation for this sudden hijacking of the body? How else to explain how, when you've been a healthy vegan for 15 years, never had head aches in your life, you suddenly start suffering from 24-36 hour migraines?! Those are no joke.

The great irony is...in four months my teenager is moving out. Each day that goes by brings the week to a close, and each week another month. It is going by quickly - in two weeks it will be 3 1/2 months, soon it will be two months, and then....I will have my bathroom back, my kitchen back, my budget back, my sleep...well, probably not my sleep thanks to my being a chrysalis and all, my peace of mind and serenity back....now, I realize not every mother feels this way. Some mothers have a hard time letting their children go, and even allow them to stay for years or even decades past their high school graduation day.
 

But that is not this story. It is not a story the teen wants, either. Our house is very small, the only tiny teensy bathroom sandwiched between the two bedrooms...there is just no privacy. And now that we're old and go to bed so early she has to be quiet by about 8pm which I don't think is "cool" in any book. So she is definitely ready to go whether she knows it or not, and it is just. plain. time. for it to happen.

Luckily it won't be a hard transition for her, she's moving in with my mom. :) Now my mom is cool, she is hip, she is very nice and she will dote on Cora. She also has a sweeeet, bohemian pad in Eugene filled with essential oils, great tea, an amazing garden, etc that Cora will love.She also will not tolerate lazy, lay-about behavior and big messes. So Cora will learn some badly-needed life-skills. I'm not worried about Cora. I'm excited for me! 

So to continue about the irony of all this - I am poised on the verge of a major life milestone/breakthrough/liberation. I can already feel the intoxicating anticipation of imminent freedom welling up inside me, periodically making me dance on the spot - and then - I am felled by one of these strange, gripping fevers (hot flashes), or a sudden debilitating POUND in my temple (migraine) that will warn me that I had just better chill out. And I am obedient.

Believe me, this stuff won't let you do anything else. Nature is bigger than us, it is bigger than our milestones, our clean kitchens and bathrooms, bigger than my peace of mind or serenity - it is in control. And so, chastened and humbled I chill. I hold all things lightly in my mind, waiting, curled, hidden, in limbo - a fabulous chrysalis that will eventually dissolve, into a butterfly. Stay tuned. xoxoxo DR

 

Pina Coladas

"If you like Pina Coladas, and gettin' caught in the rain..." that song from the 70's conjures up some Santa Monica moments for me, as a child I must have heard it a thousand times on the radio. The only thing was I didn't understand what personal ads were, or what cheating on your "lady" was, or anything else that the song is really about. Back then I just thought it was about drinking punch and hanging out on the beach. Such innocence!

Well, speaking of drinking "punch" and hanging out on the beach - this beautiful ensemble from Eileen Fisher would be the PERFECT one to do it in! The soft coral "Flora" color she has  come up with is not only the freshest, creamiest sherbet-colored hue in the world and JUST right for spring and summer, but it's also totally on-trend! Coral lipstick, nail polish, and home accessories are all the rage, and did you see that amazing coral-colored gingham suit the Duchess of Cambridge rocked the other day?! So beautiful. 

So because it's Monday and raining here in Oregon, because this collection is SO beautiful and SO evocative of the spring sunshine we know is hiding right beyond those clouds...we have to share this look. Thank you once again, Eileen Fisher, for bringing the sunshine, the super-style, and the casual luxury that we NEED!!! xoxoxoxo DR

 

Spring Forward

Fashion mirrors nature in some ways - with the seasons we bloom, fade, cozy up for the cold months, then bloom again in the Spring. We are blooming here at Melange, the garden is growing right before our eyes! The new arrivals have been so beautiful, so colorful, and so soft! Cottons, modals, silks and fine merinos are the perfect weight to keep you cozy but not overwhelm in this transitional season. We Oregonians know how to layer, and we're having a blast layering up with all these incredible pieces from Banaris, Velvet, Tees by Tina and the brand new Margaret O'Leary! 

This ensemble is one of our new faves. Casual, comfortable, with perfect pops of color and unique details, this look is ultimately practical too, keeping you warm and dry on a cool day, but with all the festive brilliance of the season. LOVE this sweet pink cotton pullover from Margaret O'Leary, and the chic Primavera Trench from Anni Kuan, super-comfy and sassy denim from Henry and Belle, and topped off with this stunning scarf from Banaris! 

Ah, Spring. One of the best seasons for fashion, and so much fun after a long winter of cold weather! Bring it on - and let your fashion garden grow! XOXOXO DR

Pokemon Life Lessons

I learned everything I need to know from Pokemon cards. True statement. This is my theory, it’s a work in progress, but I think I’m watching this becoming true for Romeo.   He became obsessed with Pokemon cards about 3 months ago…maybe a bit longer. It was introduced to him by kids in his pre-K class that have older brothers and started the whole trading Pokemon card thing early. For those of you without boys, Pokemon cards are a Japanese trading card (think Baseball card type thing), and apparently it’s an actual game (as in, there are rules and what not), but the kids at this age in particular are entirely focused on trading the cards based on real (or perceived) value in terms of “good cards” or “bad cards”—based on passing statements from older brothers, the shimmer of the card, and all kinds of other things.   Romeo walks around saying things like “this card has damage”…and this is a “powerful card”. They all have funky name like Picachu, and Chaizaru….you can’t really pronounce them and the cartoon pictures of them look plain weird which is probably why the kids love them. Not sure when they got popular, or why, but it’s the rare boy that doesn’t go thru the card trading stage.

It takes time to get into the swing of trading cards. The social dynamics around it are complicated and here are the life lessons I think he’s coming away with:

1. Sometimes you have to play the game, even when you don’t know what “the” game is.
2. Don’t give away something you want, you can’t get it back.
3. Giving away something valuable to someone makes them happy…it also encourages them to ask for more so you have to learn to say NO.
4. If you give everything away, you have none.
5. Some people are pushy in life, and some people are the pushovers, and you have to learn when to be each.

Pokemon has caused floods of tears, loads of school anticipation (in a good way and sometimes bad way), and jars of confusion on “how the game is played” (literally and metaphorically).

I spent some time last night (after hearing Romeo talking about his lack of good cards because he gave them all away) thinking about how those life lessons noted above…I’m STILL working on (could it be because I didn’t have the real life Pokemon card lessons?)   Sometimes I have no idea what the game is, and I have to smile, nod and play anyway. I give away time recklessly, that I can’t get back. I try to make people happy, and they only want more, more, more. I give away all my energy, and then have none left for myself. I’m too often pushy when I don’t need to be, and a pushover when I don’t need to be. Clearly, I need some intervention…Pokemon style.

Signed, ME {lv}

Dog out, Dog in

My kids never love the dog as much as when he’s lost, it’s the classic “romanticize the past,” even if the past was just yesterday.
Most days Milo (almost 100 lb Great Pyrenees/retriever mix) is too hairy, too big, and too needy.   The kids argue over who is going to feed him, or let him back in to the house after he’s gone outside (honestly, they will watch him at the back door barking and looking at them like ‘seriously, am I not cute enough, don't you love me??”)   They yell at him for following them around, or trying to lick them, he's like the annoying younger brother, always in their grill and all they want to do is brush him off.  

Sure Romeo gives him love (see pic), but I’d say Milo gets maybe 18% love, and 82% verbal abuse from the kids (some of it in the form of general emotional neglect). 

Milo’s fatal flaw (really his only flaw other than being incredibly hairy) is that he is a sneak attack runner. He is 99% lazy, but he’s like a camel, he stockpiles his energy for short bursts and the bursts always happen when he’s seemingly lazing out on the couch, but then the door gets left open for a second and then it’s like a switch is flipped and he goes from overweight couch potato dog, to cougar, in 4 seconds flat. So what I’m saying is that we are no stranger to having to go and track Milo down, usually it’s in our car, and we lure him back into the car by throwing treats at him while he’s running like his tail is on fire. The only thing that will get him to slow down is food. Last time he went to the vet they informed me he was “a bit chunky and should go on a diet today, as in ASAP”…might be due to his great escapes.

So that’s our dog.  On with the story.  Yesterday, at lunch time, I took him for a short run….not for him because honestly he looked like he couldn’t be bothered (sleeping feet up in the air on the couch), but for my own stress relieving purposes.  Ironic since the next 24 hours would prove to increase my stress to max levels. Big mistake going on a run, BIG.  This was one of those situations where I can honestly say being physically inactive would have far benefited me.

Milo pulled a classic “dog running-dog sees squirrel-dog goes crazy” scenario. My problem is that I didn’t have firm grasp on the leash and it slipped from my hand and he was gone. Even if I was puma runner status (which I'm not) I couldn’t have caught up with him. That didn’t stop me from trying, weaving in and out of private property trying to find him and screaming his name as if he'd actually come when I called.  I looked ridiculous.  The big problem, we were dangerously close to a "pet cemetery" type highway/road, and Milo is not good with cars.  He's also not smart enough to wander home on his own.

I told the kids after school that he ran away and they were devastated. Is this the same dog that you refused to feed yesterday?  The same dog that you refused to throw a ball with?  Lucia said that she was scared and couldn’t go to sleep without Milo there. Gia said the “house felt weird” without him. I asked Romeo if he would forgive me if we didn’t find Milo. He looked at me and said “I u-give you if we find him, I not u-give you if we don’t”. When he saw the sad look on my face he instantly back tracked and said, “no, no…I u-give you”. Thank god I have one sweet boy that wants to make me happy. Lucia just wanted to know why I didn’t hold the leash tighter (coupled with that look that tweeners give that says "you're an idiot and I'm on to you.")

So he was MIA for 24 full hours, until just about an hour ago, when a kindly neighbor down the road called me and said “do you have a big yellow dog?” AH, yes indeedy, he’s big…and yellow, and thankfully alive. OK, crisis over, now the kids can get back to being annoyed by Milo. There will be a 5 minute lovefest when they see him, and then Ava will yell at him for getting fur all over her running pants.  They will be devastated all over again on his next great escape (and let's face it, that could happen any time). 

Signed, ME {lv}

Resurfaced and feeling all grown up!

So you know how I'm a big sucker for scientific studies….especially the ones that promise youth and happiness :-).  I bought this Philosphy resurface


"kit" and got to say, I added myself to the list of "100% of the people" and the "84% of the people" because I did it last night and this morning my skin does look pretty fantastic.  I bought mine on Amazon (because I use the Prime overnight since immediate gratification is always more fun).  It was way cheaper on Amazon too I might add, but now that i have I I would have paid more for it anyway (knowing how much I like it).  So there you go, advice on skin products you didn't ask for and didn't know you needed (but maybe you kind of do)!!

 

I also got this new Eileen Fisher cardigan, which I feel like it is a grown up and sophisticated version of my beloved Hard Tail Slouchy Cardigan.  

It's cozy…soft, I can throw it on with everything, I love the two-tone detailing and seam work.  It's pretty all around awesome.  Signed, ME {lv}                               

 

Things that bug late at night...

So here's my (maybe) short list of things that bug on this Monday night at 11:10 p.m. :

 

1. Why did I ever promise (out loud) that I would do a blog post Monday thru Friday?  That was just dumb.
2. Why does my hormonal cycle at 45 years of age take me on a sleep roller coaster?  Some days during the month I am literally WIDE awake at 11:00 p.m., other times I feel like I've been clubbed over the head at 8:30 p.m….I'm fine one minute and then it's like someone slipped me a roofie and I'm out.  I've done the evaluation, it's not caffeine, therefore I am guessing it has to do with "other" hormonal factors unique to my age/stage.  Yuck. I just want to sleep normal for pete's sake.  I should have been sleeping 2 hours ago!  
3. I'm almost out of my beloved RMS coconut oil face cream, which i have lavished on my face nightly since I got it a couple of months ago.  The irritating part is that EVERY time I use it now I think of Ava & Lucia making fun of me because my face was greasy.  Apparently I look like a greased turkey and smell like a bowl of popcorn.  I feel better that way than dry and crackly, but they said it like it was a bad thing so that bugs and now I can't get the image out of my head.
4. I'm tired of waiting for MOL.  I'm super excited…it's adorable, and it needs to come already.  I'm ready for some Spring wardrobe planning.  I know I can't wear it yet, but when the bell goes off, I'm jumping out the gate looking awesome. How am I going to do that unless I obsessively plan?
5. Why does it have to be meatballs for school lunch tomorrow (never mind the quinoa and cauliflower salad)??  Gia has already refused it eat it which means I have to wake up in exactly 6.2 hours (if I fall asleep in the next 2 minutes), and try to scrape together lunch.  Alternative?  Make her get hot lunch, she won't eat it, I'll pick her up at 3 pm and she'll be famished, irritable, and her hunger will have obscured her ability to learn her times table all afternoon (which will lead to certain doom and failure as an adult).
6. I think #1 deserves repeating.  What was I thinking? (note to self, maybe don't wait until 11pm to try and scratch out blog commitment.)
7. Quite frankly, it bugs that I'm bugged.  I think besides my hormonal sleep issue, I just have an overall irritation roller coaster problem.  What is that?  It's like some crazy mid-40's thing…and no, I'm not para menopausal (which my mom has been telling me for the last 5 years, enough times that I actually went and had it checked and no, turns out I'm NOT).  Suck it mom.  Sorry, that was mean.  But something must be up.  Unless my true personality didn't come out until I was in my 40's and I had secretly been suppressing it.  That would be a bummer.  My doctor put me on some "cocktail" about a year ago of Vitamin D, magnesium, iron, and something else in the same vein (i.e. non prescription hocus pocus…all intended to boost my energy and smooth out my irritation.) Think I've been off my meds.                                                                                                        I'll do better tomorrow.  

Signed, ME {lv}

Friday laugh!

This was outside a hipster restaurant, and it gave me a good laugh!  Happy Friday everyone!!

 

Signed, ME {lv}

October here I come….

Its officially October…which for some reason feels like its officially Fall. I know September feels like a very fall month, with the back to school activities, football starting, and the leaves already changing and of course Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but there is something about October that makes it seem that much more real. Even with our highs still being in the mid 70’s, I can wear a scarf, with long pants, and not feel like I am going to pass out from heat - because it doesn‘t really feel as hot as 75 does in June. And that makes me more excited than it should. ;) Being that it is now October - its now time to buckle down, and get ready for the next few months. Things are starting to get busy, the holidays are coming up and its my goal to be way prepared for it all! So, I set up a few goals for myself to make the beginning of the crazy season as smooth as possible. Writing them up, and making them public seems like a good way to be held accountable - read somewhere once that you are more likely to accomplish your goals when you tell someone because then they aren’t just ideas, but out there, to be done. So here you go!

1. Work out 4 days a week! This is going to be a stretch for me…but I gotta start getting ahead of the stuffing and spice cookies (those things are seriously out to get me. I canNOT stop eating them) in the coming months.

2. Have all my Christmas gifts bought/made/figured out BEFORE Thanksgiving. I know this seems like pure craziness, but it totally saves my sanity. And, leaves time for enjoying all the parities, events, dinners, and late nights working the month of December. Did this last year and it totally saved me as I was completely out of commission for 2 weeks in December with bronchitis and pneumonia, at the same time. My body totally betrayed me during my favorite time of year, and I spent days on end in bed with a 102+ fever, sending really crazy text messages to my husband. That won’t happen again this year, knock on wood, but I have to be prepared for anything, at all times…its who I am!!

3. Buy a new piece of cashmere each month thru December. Okay, twist my arm. ;) This month I have my sights set on the Velvet Indra sweater.

4. Pick apples, and can homemade apple pie filling. A festive, fun, fall activity, that will save me time in the coming weeks, and be more amazing than ever.

5. Drink more champagne. Because what isn’t made better when you are also holding a flute of champagne? And, when you see our holiday/anniversary sale decorations, it will all make sense. ;)

6. Take better care of my clothes. I felt like I was doing a pretty decent job of it…but just the other day our dear friend/customer Jill and I got talking about caring for cashmere and wools. Now, I know its better to hand wash them, if you are good at blocking. Dry cleaning just breaks down the fibers faster, and hand washing is actually good for them. I just can’t wrap my head around dunking my St. Moritz in a sink full of water. She shared this website with me that is totally cute, and easily spells out caring for your clothes, as well as a detergent for each specific kind of fabric. There is even a “sport” kit designed for washing all your work out clothes, and keeping them fresher. All my Hard Tail Supplex is about to get spoiled. J So, I need to gather up the courage, and start giving it a go - the champagne from #5 will help with that!! ;) Here’s the link The Laundress - just think of how cute your laundry room will look with those bottles lined up!  I can’t wait!!

7. Try new things!! (as far as food goes). I get stuck in a rut for sure. Have the rotation of 4 different items I order at Café Yumm, or my favorite 2 dishes at our Thai take out place, but this month, I am switching it up…being brave…and going for the daily special.

8. Take more naps with this guys…because how cute is he?!
And how great are naps?! ;)

OKAY, and I think that should do it! My OCD is kicking in because there are 8 things…but 5 just wasn’t enough, and 10 just seems like too many. Sure it will be okay though. Haha.

Cheers to October! And starting the month/fall season with your best self. :)

Signed, ME (AT)

My first blog post….get READY!

Well, for some reason I thought it only fitting that my debut blog post be about my most current obsession, blogging. Now, I know I am a little behind the times - people have been following their favorite bloggers for years already, shared in their highs and lows, moved on to new ones, and even started their own - but I guess that's just how I roll, a little behind! ;)

I think mostly what started it was finally getting an Instagram account over a year ago (I know, WAY behind). Scrolling through all the beautiful, filter enhanced lives of strangers from all over, picking out a few to dig a little deeper into their lives, and then finding out THEY HAD A BLOG!! Now I could do more than just stare at a little snip-it of their lives at that moment, I could read their words...get to know who they were, what they did, and what they had for dinner. ;) Why is it SO addicting?! I sit down with the intention of it only being for five minutes, needing to "check in" (yes, I am nervous I have reached stalker status) on my favorite fashion/lifestyle blog, and before I know it, an hour has passed, the dishes and laundry still need to be done, and I have nothing to show for my time except for now knowing the perfect technique for yogurt finger painting for little ones...and I don't even have kids!!! Something about it just draws me in, and I can't get enough. Recently I came across Flax and Twine, and OMG...I think I need to take a month off and make every craft and recipe on her blog (yes LV, consider this my official request!). I spend hours scrolling through there, memorizing every detail of the project, picturing it in my own color scheme, and realizing that I never need to buy anything for my home again...I can just make it! And it will be so easy, save money, and be just what I want  (my husband has heard that entirely too many times)! ;)Then the phone will ring, or I will remember I am starving and its back to reality, and my house that doesn't have nearly enough DIY woven rugs out of old tee shirts, no outdoor furniture made out of old pallets, or a freezer full of homemade, ready to go crock pot meals for the next year.

So, in true blogger form, here is a little about me (the reader's digest version since I don't have years and years worth of blog entries for you to get to know me!)

My name is Amanda, and I live in Eugene, Oregon. Pacific Northwest born and raised, which means camping is totally normal for me, I don't use an umbrella (that's how we spot the tourists), and despite the amazing coffee culture here, I don't drink it.

 

I have an awesome husband of three and a half years named Todd (but I call him Toddy when I want something, or want him to help me pick which shade of green chalk paint is the perfect color to accent with), who patiently puts up with all of my antics, shopping habits (I mean, I work at Melange - how do I NOT buy everything?! I consider that in itself a win!!), and says he wouldn't trade me in for anything - guess we shall see! :)

 

I was able to talk him into getting a giant dog for our first anniversary that we named Winston, and I can't imagine anything cuter (well, maybe two dogs, each laying on their hand quilted beds, embroidered with their names - saw that on a blog once). I fear that Winston gets more kisses on a day to day basis than Todd, but what can you do? ;)

We eat out more than we cook, although I do enjoy cooking (just not on weeknights, and not when I am not feeling inspired. haha). I love cashmere, and feel most glamorous with an MOL travel wrap draped over my shoulders and the perfect shade of Chanel lipstick. Linen is my favorite fabric in the summer, and recently I have been loving anything even remotely poncho related - summer or winter. James Perse has a Cashmere Blanket Poncho that I have my eye on right now...how do you not drool over all three of those words?!?

 

I have been at Melange since 2008 and LOVE it. My favorite part is connecting with people and making friends. In case you have noticed from this long winded post, I like to talk. ;) So being in a place where I get to meet fantastic women, talk about anything and everything, drink wine in the middle of the day, and try on clothes, it's like living a dream. In 2012 I brought my little sister Danielle into the club , and it made working here even better. Could have gone either way, but luckily it worked out for the best - which shocked everyone who know how well we got along in our younger years (aka fought every day). People always think she is older than me...think it's her more quiet and level headed presence - helps balance out my bubbly behavior a little more. haha. I feel a lot more productive working with her...we really "jive" and can anticipate each other's next moves/needs in only a way a sister can, which means we can get a lot more done. We also don't have to sugar coat anything when "critiquing" each other. ;) It's easy to just get it all out, work in silence for ten minutes, and then pick up right where we left off deciding on what we want for lunch, or the perfect outfit to be a little too be perfectly dressed up, but not too stuffy at the next family BBQ. All in all, it works out, and I couldn't be happier, which gives me energy for all the blogs I have to follow now. How else would I be able to continue on if I didn't know what some random girl in TX is doing, and how she is celebrating her little girls first birthday - which was crazy adorable, by the way!!!

Okay, think that should be all for now, have to save something to talk about for next time! Maybe we can touch on all the people and celebrities I stalk in Instagram that DON'T have a blog, but wish they did. ;) As a thanks for making it through this whole post, use coupon code "bloglovin" for 30% off your purchase, thru 8/27/15.

Signed with NEW blogging love, AMANDA 

What We Love Nau!

Ok, I need to have a little rant about how INCREDIBLE the Nau clothing company is, and how much we loooove their clothes! Nau is an eco-friendly, philanthropic, small business out of Portland, Oregon. (Yay! Portland!) A small team of 20 people run the entire place, designing clothes that are tailor-made for beautiful, cool, comfort. No matter how cold it is, or how wet it gets, you're warm, dry, gorgeous, and supporting the planet! Their use of sustainably-sourced, organic fabrics and modern design has a high-function as well as a high-fashion factor that is so impressive and so beautiful!!!

And these people know what works.They do what we do. As the Nau team puts it, "We work hard. We play hard. We like to go outside. A lot of us ride bikes. We also ski, snowboard, climb, surf, run, make music, see music, take pictures, grow food, eat food, stay out late, have families, and have dogs who clack around and sleep at our feet." 

 And they like to look great and feel great doing it, no matter what the weather! Us Oregonians understand that difficult balance, and finding Nau made it all came together effortlessly, with the ultimate in comfort. Fashion that is designed to move! 

A quote from their website explains their simple, unpretentious aesthetic and focus on long-term use. "No logos. No fleeting hues. Just simple, clean, well-crafted silhouettes built to move with the elements, but still look sleek in the city."

Nau that's what I'm talkin' about! They also are a philanthropic company, donating 2% of every sale to humanitarian and environmental Partners for Change. They also provide free public transpo for their employees! 

So, we love Nau, and we are proud to have them be a part of Melange. Check out our new arrivals from this fabulous company and see what a difference it can make, and look fabulous darling, while you're doing it, xoxoxo DR

Ladies, We Love You!

Hooray for our annual "Women Helping Women" event! Along with our dear friends at Eileen Fisher we support the women and children and families that are victims of domestic violence. We want to help them move forward into a new and brighter future. We are donating gently-used clothing to local centers for Domestic Violence, and we urge you to take a minute and do the same. For our sisters, mothers, daughters and friends, we want to help smooth the path to a safe, healthy, and fulfilling life! 

Women! You are the heart of the world!  xoxoxo

 

Ensemble du Jour

 

We are head over heels in love with this GORGEOUS Eileen Fisher Striped Linen Gauze Ballet Neck Short Sleeve Boxy Tunic,  and we just have to show you what we are going to wear it with!!! A light-as-air whisper of gauzy linen floats and falls beautifully on the bod, and looks especially beautiful with a sexy pair of jeans. 

 We plan on layering it over any tank, but especially this matching peony tank, and rocking it with these amazing jeans from Citizens. Add a cool sandal, maybe even a nude platform sandal for extra WOW, and some beautiful hoops, and we're off to a wonderful summery-stylish day! Hooray !!!

 

Feeling the Love

     

 

Is there anything more cheerful than a paper valentine? We got crafty here at Melange and made a few sweet little hearts ourselves. Now our little boutique blooms with the love we feel every day for our friends and customers! Enjoy this at home too! No matter where you live a hanging paper heart or collection of hearts will add a little artful love and creative cheer to your life! 

xoxoxo

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Silk Wreaths

It's been a crafty wonderland around here lately! I had an epiphone when looking for fabric wreath ideas online. I spotted a yarn wreath that had a felt ruffle tied to it, and thought, "Hey, what if I covered the entire wreath in ruffles, perhaps made of ivory silk and champagne-colored satin? And...what if I made FIVE of them and hung them all around the shop?!" My vision was fantastic, but I doubted my ability to make it come to life. And I wondered if it might end up costing too much? I needed to make five of them, after all! The biggest concern of course was really...would it be CUTE enough? Our fabulous little boutique must only have the best, after all. I didn't want to end up with a sad wreath situation.The big question was: 

Could these homemade fabric wreath really rock the runway?

Well, turns out, they do! And they are super-easy to make! And not very expensive! So go for it! Here's how:

I went straight to Fabric Depot, and spotted some beautiful ivory polyesther silk (cheaper than the real thing!), and a champagne-colored satin, and then a super-super-cheap bolt of light, almost sheer muslin.The kind of fresh white cotton muslin they used to make petticoats and chemises out of! It's only like 1.99 a yard, so I got two. (remember, I was making five wreaths, for one, you'd only need a little.

 

 

 

 

I went to a craft store then and bought yellow straw wreath forms.(Do not take off the plastic shrink wrap, it will keep the straw tight and tidy, and is great for pinning!) I bought four smaller ones of 12" and one large one of 16". 

I took the fabrics home and figured out how long a piece needed to be in order to wrap around the wreath arm. Each piece of fabric you cut will be this length, which is about 12".

Then, I decided to put the cheapest fabric on the bottom because I would use the most of that, so that was the muslin, and I cut out several pieces of muslin 12" x 6". The next layer would be the satin because I wanted to save the most luxurious, shimmering fabric (the silk) for the top. So I cut pieces of the satin 12" x 5". Then I cut pieces of the silk 12" x 4". And layered them big, next smaller, smallest.

 

Sew down the middle of each pile of strips with a basting stitch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, take the string at the end of your basting stitch, and gently gather, wiggling it a bit as it creates the ruffle. Be careful not to pull too hard and break your string!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Now, final step, just pin each gathered stip around the straw wreath form (do not take off plastic covering!)I like to trim each piece a bit so the fraying effect is at a minimum, before I pin them to the form.:)

 

 

 

 

 

It takes about 7 piles of the 3 ffabrics to cover the smaller wreaths, and about 12 for the large. 

When all the pieces are in place you can pin a length of gross-grain ribbon for it to hang from! So beautiful, and if I do say so, so chic!

Stay tuned for a matching fabric garland!  

Whispering Summer Silk

 

 

 

"The dress must not hang on the body but follow its lines.  It must accompany its wearer and when a woman smiles the dress must smile with her." ~Madeleine Vionnet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This light-as-a-cloud silk blend top from Velvet has us floating on an exotic wave of summer happiness! The open, draped silhouette and delicious pale pink printed fabric recalls the delicate beauty of a Japanese print, and makes wearing it a vacation in itself!

 

  Recipe for summer bliss? The palest blush of gossamer silk and cotton over comfy denim and simple sandals. A pedicure, a pair of sunglasses and big fat Vogue magazine, and we are in a zen frame of mind!  ( xo DR)

  

jean hemlines 101...

It's back to school for many this week and for us that usually means an influx of girls looking for a brand new pair of jeans.  New jeans are the best way, in my opinion, to boost your confidence.  They make you feel great and they're an instant staple in your wardrobe.  The worst thing you can do though, is not get your jeans hemmed properly.  I'm not sure why anyone would spend so much on designer jeans and not spring for the extra $15 to get the original hem at the correct inseam. In fact, we believe so strongly about original hems that we now offer FREE HEMMING to all of our IN-STORE customers... come see our smiling faces in person and we will not only put you in the perfect pair of jeans for your bootie, but we will also hem them for free. 

(Emily pinning for one of said, back-to-school-ies)  Now, unfortunately we can't offer this to our out-of-town web customers... but what we can do is give you all of our good 'hemming jeans know-how'.  First.  Pick a good seamstress, try not to just go out on a limb... get references from girlfriends or go to a local boutique and ask them who they would recommend.  Next, be sure to wash your jeans before you get them hemmed.  Denim tends to shrink up a bit after the first wash. So always wash and dry first.  And speaking of drying... I always air-dry my jeans.  If you put them in the dryer they will continually shrink upwards getting shorter and shorter, until one day when you're like, 'when did I buy high-waters?'  Air-drying will save your inseam and help keep the wash it's original color. Finally, ALWAYS ask for the original hem.  ALWAYS. I've been going to the same lady for 4 years now and I still specify that I would like the original hem.  Why risk it... cause once it's hemmed, you cannot take it back.  We have a super cute new shipment of Citizens coming in tomorrow.  I might have to treat myself to a back-to-school pair just for fun.  signed, me {CA}

05.22.09

Last Friday I turned the big 3-0, and I have to say it was one of the best birthdays I've ever had.  My husband got me an amazing new digital camera (right in time, since I'll have a new lil' subject to photograph soon!) and took me out to an orchid farm in Eugene... Briggs Hill Orchids... wall to wall orchids in their greenhouse, it was like heaven for the 2 of us.  I took pictures with my awesome, new camera and thought I'd share some of my favorites, can you guess which one of these beauties came home with us?

Simply gorgeous!  Wish I could have brought them all home.  If you ever find yourself in Eugene, a trip to Briggs is definitely worth the drive (it's a scenic one out bailey hill road).  signed, me {CA}