Stylish Portlanders lined up for three blocks to shop the H&M grand opening in Portland last week, but little did we know those super-stylish Swedes were holding out on the best stuff. Expect long lines again tomorrow when the Lanvin for H&M collection arrives at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Yes, we said 8 a.m. You weren’t planning on sleeping in or anything, right?

Lanvin artistic director Alber Elbaz created the affordable Lanvin line for H&M, designing a full collection of 30 pieces and 15 accessories for women, and 25 pieces and 10 accessories for men. The women’s line is full of frothy dresses and short skirts with ruffles and vibrant prints, and it’s all so impossibly French we’re surprised they’re not selling live poodles to accessorize with.

As party season kicks into gear, this is an affordable option for party wear and cocktail dresses. Our neat picks include metallic ruffled and one-shoulder cocktail dresses, ’80s inspired skirts and cool evening coats in slick prints.

View the entire Lanvin H&M Collection here. And good luck with that whole 8 a.m. thing.

H&M for Lanvin Shopping Party
8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20
H&M Portland at Pioneer Place
700 S.W. Fifth Avenue; 503-228-5800
www.hm.com

If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook

By Anna Reed, NEAT contributor

Whether or not the moniker ‘betsy & iya’ rings a bell in print, you’ll recognize the bold and beautiful pieces from jewelry designer Betsy Cross as ones you’ve seen dangling from the necks, wrists and ears of Portland’s best accessorized ladies — her wares know no bounds when it comes to size, color and sass. For a company started somewhat on a whim, betsy & iya’s old-meets-new aesthetic has landed in Portland and hit the ground running, being featured in many of your favorite local boutiques, as well as in retailers across the country.

Much of this success can be attributed to the down-to-earth nature of the woman behind it all. Cross is humble, and genuinely flattered when consumers gush over her unique pieces, as they are often apt to do. Her willingness to collaborate and customize gives each design a spark of personality and ensures maximum satisfaction with every purchase.

NEAT People is proud to profile the designer as the grand opening of the newly expanded betsy & iya studio and showroom in Northwest Portland draws near. Cross invites one and all (that means YOU) to her store from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. this  Frday, Nov. 19th for a pre-holiday sale complete with drinks, discounts and a free copy of the event soundtrack, compiled specifically for the opening.

A dancer turned theater graduate student turned jewelry designer who also moonlights as a personal DJ?! Ladies and gentleman, the multi-talented Betsy Cross:

Congratulations on the new space! How did it all come together?
Thank you! I was operating for two years out of a much smaller unit in the same building. I caught wind that this space would be available in April and things just started to fall into place. We moved in that same month, but haven’t had the time to devote to a grand opening until now. The main goal of our event on Friday is to serve as a sort of “coming out,” a chance to say that we are here and open for business. I welcome the chance to meet and chat with people coming in to the shop, as it can sometimes get very reclusive when its just me working away in the studio.

How did you decide on the name ‘betsy & iya’?[ sound it out with me: ‘bet-see & eye-uh’]
The name comes from the idea of opposites coming together in a harmonious way. The unexpected combination of old and new, the beauty in the perpendicular. The ‘betsy’ part is obviously taken from me, but it also represents a name that is very traditional and old timey. Combine that with ‘iya’ which is new, exotic and foreign, and you have exactly the fusion that defines my work. I love mixing vintage with handmade and I wanted a name to reflect that. It is also an homage to my older sister, Ashlyn. I couldn’t quite pronounce her name when I was young, so I called her ‘iya.’ She has been a life-long source of comfort and motivation, always pushing me to do my best. We are also very, very different people, so again, the name is a combination of two separate worlds colliding to create a strong bond.

Tell us about your background and how you got involved in jewelry making. Did you come out of the womb with wire cutters and a sketch book?
No, thankfully for my mother’s sake! This whole venture came later in life. My original intent was to become a dancer. The dance program at my college was housed in the theater department, and I quickly shifted my focus to acting. My performance based background still helps me today and manifests itself in a sense of movement and fluidity that is hopefully conveyed in my pieces.
I moved to Portland in 2006 after finishing up my graduate degree in theater and I fell in love times two, with both Will and with the city, and saw so many opportunities for my artistry to grow.

What else inspires your designs?
I have always been inspired and intrigued by native American and African tribal cultures. Color, dance, narrative, all speak to me very strongly and breathe life into the ideas that can begin from a simple image or piece of art. As a part of my grad work, I taught in Mexico City and was extremely inspired by the Mayan culture, ruins, remains, and the idea of adornment that has been around for so long. And I do feel inspired by people, but there is not one specific designer that I aspire to emulate. Through my work, I just want to find out who I am and be different from what is already available out there.

How would you describe your design process?
Perhaps due to the fact that I do not have formal training, designing is freeing for me because I do not get hung up on a certain step-by-step protocol as being the correct or incorrect way to create. The design process is so organic and expansive. It often starts with an idea and then blossoms and grows, which cannot ever be forced, it just has to happen. I seem to get my best ideas when I have moments of calm and silence, when I do not have to be any place but where I am in that moment. Flights are very good times for this head space to occur because you cannot be anywhere but on the airplane. My Morse Code pieces (right) were inspired by the lines and circles created by crops and grain bins seen when I peered out the window on a flight. Conversely, the actual production process is more mindless and structured, so I often set manageable goals for myself in order to accomplish pieces efficiently. I’ll give myself till the end of a song to complete a certain task and that helps keep me focused.

Wow, SO much of your hard work is put into each piece, your website even describes the items as being “lovingly birthed.” Do you ever find it difficult to part with certain babies, er, pieces?
Yes, absolutely. A necklace that I recently crafted from an old apartment number (#3) just sold and that one was difficult to let go, although somewhat relieving because I am close friends with the buyer. It is those one-of-a-kind pieces that shock even me when I actually see them finished. And it is hard to let them go, especially if I haven’t taken the time to properly document the piece before it is sold. All that being said, the process is overwhelmingly positive. Just the fact that someone wants and is willing to pay for something I’ve created never ceases to amaze me. Making work that is accessible and that people feel a response to eases the separation anxiety.

Clearly, jewelry can be pretty personal stuff. What tips do you have for giving jewelry as a gift this holiday season?
It is important to be aware of who you are buying for, but I also think it is much more interesting if you put a part of yourself into what you’re purchasing. I would suggest narrowing it down to a few items that you are drawn to right away, and then edit down based on the recipient’s personal style and what you could actually see her wearing. An initial necklace is a great gift item that is both unique to the person and easy to wear. Just don’t over analyze; go with your gut and what you think is cool. If it is coming from a place of love, it is probably going to work out.

Let’s talk a bit about your own fashion sense. Describe your own style in three words or less:
A Victorian break-dancer.

Whoa dang! I think I just saw one of those on Burnside St. last night.

What can we most often find you wearing?
Boots. Neutral colored T-shirts. Cords. My personal style is comfortable with a masculine influence, especially when it comes to my shoes. I have three pairs of boots that I have in steady rotation. I got married in this pair of red cowboy boots that have been resoled countless times. I rarely wear heels. I do like to spice things up when it comes to my accessories, though. I’ll throw a belt from an estate sale around my waist to give my basic T-shirt some shape. Colored and patterned tights look great when paired with a simple dress and boots. Yes, big shock, I mention boots again!

Oh, you know we understand! Boots are in fact made for walking, and we definitely plan on strolling by your grand opening. What else should we know about the event?
It is truly meant to be a celebration of this new space and an invite for people to shop and mingle. We’re offering 10 percent off every purchase, as well as greater discounts on some discontinued items. There will be a raffle to win one of three gift certificates worth $25, $75 and $100, respectively, and the only way to enter is by showing up! Oh, and everyone gets a free CD featuring songs played at the event. And did I mention champagne yet?!

Sales, drinks, jewels…let’s all rejoice at the death of the “omg.what.am.I.gonna.do.on.Friday” question for this week at least. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat, Betsy. I believe there is a hammer calling your name, we’ll let you get back to all the opening preparations.

betsy & iya Grand Opening Party
3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19
1722 N.W. Raleigh St.; 503-227-5482
www.betsyandiya.com

If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your site. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook

Flora is four-a (ok, sorry, we couldn’t really help that)… and downtown Portland’s most luscious botanical boutique will celebrate its fourth anniversary with a party and sale from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. this Wednesday, Nov. 17.

Stop by to save 20 percent storewide on modern, nature inspired designs for you and your home. Everything in the cheery shop is hand-picked or hand-made with a botanical bent, including colorful art, jewelry, cards, tea, scents and lotions, personal accessories and more.

Enjoy tea and cupcakes while you shop for new treats, including Theo and Cleopatra fragrances; local leather wallets and handbags from Nicole Cipriano; candles and soaps from Lucia; jewelry from Paper Wings and more. Plus, to celebrate the event — and give you a nice way to relax post-shopping — Flora is offering a special giveaway for The Neat Sheet readers:

Win a post-shopping relaxation spa gift set! As part of Flora’s four-year anniversary sale event, the boutique will gift one lucky Neat Sheet reader a set of natural modern spa goods. The set includes Rose Aqua Vitae floral water fragrance; three French Broyee soaps; an Ayate exfoliation cloth; a Lucia Tea Leaf and Wild Honey organic soy candle (shown top); and Le Palais de Thés Fleur de Geisha muslin tea bags. To win this set (worth $68), just leave a comment on this post or send an email with the subject title “FLORA” to neatsheet@karenvitt.com. We’ll pick a random lucky winner on Wednesday, Dec. 15 — just in time for relaxation before the holidays kick into full gear, or to gift to a friend.

Now do you see why we got all excited and started rhyming?

Flora
917 S.W. Washington St.; 503-227-056
www.florapdx.com

If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook

As fall starts to close its fabulous curtains on Portland, we went out searching for the perfect winter coat (following these local coat shopping suggestions from our neat Portland style guru, of course), and we spotted social work student Nicole Cook in the perfect winter warmer of her own — this insanely cool fur-trimmed Navajo inspired winter coat.

Cook was shopping at Pioneer Place in downtown Portland, wrapped in a stunning wool blanket coat by BB Dakota (get your own similar style online here) in earthy shades of brown and tan with teal and orange accents that added interest and balance to her overall outfit.

Cook said she is naturally drawn to indigenous designs and color palettes. “I’m half-Cherokee, so I like native prints and Pendleton’s collection with Opening Ceremony,” she said. She got this coat, which also has a faux fur hood and horn toggle fastenings, at the Urban Outfitters online store. She toned down the eclectic pattern with Silence and Noise jeans, also from Urban Outfitters, and solid reddish-brown Frye riding boots.

We must give her accessories a shout-out, too. The amazing 1970’s bangles on her left arm and turquoise silver ring are from her mom, she got her gold double-ring from Lower East Burnside’s Redux, and the tan shell ring is from local hippie-luxe jewelers The Gold Door Jewelry and Art on Hawthorne Boulevard.

Besides digging through her style savvy mother’s closet, Nicole takes style inspiration straight from street blogs. Her favorites are The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman and his girlfriend’s blog, Garance Doré. Hmmmm, maybe now she can add The Neat Sheet to that list.

Photos by Neat STREET style reporter Sora Yi. If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook

Our roots are showing and they’re fantastic! The literal Neat SHEET is back for November with holiday endorphins on our side. We’ve gathered up a few of our local fall favorites for your purchasing delight: Bubbles for spiking your bath, things to set and stock your Thanksgiving dinner table, the perfect dress and accessories to cook and consume in, and activities that will keep your November nights filled with neat stuff your friends will place at the top of their wish lists. These local goods are just waiting to be gobbled up, by you!

1) Handmade vegan Hot Toddy Bubble Bars, inspired by the traditional Scottish drink, $7 each at Lush, 708 N.W. 23rd Ave.; 503-228-5874. 2) Prairie Pheasant Earrings, $68 at Owlita, 17 S.E. Third St; 503-888-2411. 3) Diestel Organic Free-Range Turkeys, available raw, cooked or for curbside pickup, $16-$60 at New Seasons Market (10 area locations), or call the Turkey Hotline at 503-473-8695. 4) Reverdito Barolo 2006 Wine, $21 at Great Wine Buys, 1515 N.E. Broadway; 503-287-2897. 5) She-bible Carpenter Dress, $135 at Pin-Me Apparel, 3705 N. Mississippi Ave.; 503-281-1572. 6) Unison Larch Cotton Tablecloth, $80 at Relish Design, 1715 N.W. Lovejoy St.; 503-227-3779. 7) Belgravia Linens Kitchen Apron, $17.95 at Kitchen Kaboodle (five Portland area locations), 1520 N.E. Broadway; 503-288-1500. Totes Bubble Umbrella, $16.99 at Target (12 Portland-area locations), 9009 S.W. Hall Blvd., Tigard; 503-624-0273. 9) Kombucha Brewing Starter Kit, $30 at Lion Heart Kombucha, S.E. 78th and Division St.; 503-956-2980. 10) Let it Bead Beading Parties, $20 per person per hour at Let It Bead, 1426 N.W. 23rd Ave.; 503-228-1882 (beaded necklaces shown by brokenfab of Paris.)

If you have local goods you’d like to see featured in the December Neat SHEET, please e-mail ideas to neatsheet@karenvitt.com. If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your site. We need your help to spread the word!

Share on Facebook

By Karen Vitt, NEAT editor in chief

Popina Swimwear is all set to make a splash with its second location, opening in downtown Portland’s Pearl District tomorrow night. As we reported last month, Popina will celebrate the second addition to local swimwear designer Pamela Levenson’s retro-inspired swimwear empire with a Popina Swimwear Pearl District Grand Opening Party from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4 (First Thursday!).

Stop by the grand opening party for a swimwear fashion show produced by Back Fence PDX, drinks and treats, manicures and hand massages, plus you can enter to win two round-trip Alaska Airlines tickets to Hawaii (drawing will be December 31) if you sign up for Popina’s mailing list, Club Maillot.

The 1,800 square-foot space will be the largest women’s swimwear store in the Northwest, and in addition to the Popina Swimwear collection (top and right) you can shop for brands including Vitamin A, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren and Aerin Rose. And as if all that isn’t enticing enough….

Win a free Popina Swimming Suit! As part of the grand opening celebration, Popina Swimwear will gift one lucky Neat Sheet reader a Popina swimming suit of your choice! You’ll be able to choose any suit you like from Levenson’s new collection, and the Popina Swimwear experts will help ensure you find a flattering fit. To enter, just leave a comment on this post or send an email with the subject title “POPINA” to neatsheet@karenvitt.com. We’ll pick a random lucky winner on Wednesday, Dec. 1.

Popina Swimwear Grand Opening Party in the Pearl
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4
318 N.W. 11th Ave.; 503-282-5159
www.popinaswimwear.com

If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your site. We need your help to spread the word!

Share on Facebook

By Karen Vitt, NEAT editor in chief

‘Tis the season. Not just the holiday season per se, but the beginning of Portland’s seasonal pop-up shopping. The Flurry Pop-Up Shop, home to a host of local designers offering clothing, accessories, jewelry and gift items, will open its temporary holiday home in downtown Portland this Thursday, Nov. 4.

Back for its second year, Flurry will show and sell goods from a stellar lineup of local designers including Michelle DeCourcy (right), Betty Jean Couture, Lizzie Parker (of Seattle, as seen above at Portland Fashion Week), Christa Taylor, O’Pearl Jewelry, Brehan Todd Jewelry, The Opulent Project, Qunique Shoes, The Real McCoy Handbags and more.

In addition to offering a unique local holiday shopping experience, Flurry will hold stylish events every week, including trunk shows by many of the featured designers, shopping happy hours on Friday afternoons, and free parking at Smart Park garages on Thursdays in December if you enter between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Stay tuned to The Neat Sheet for deets on weekly Flurry events as they happen!

Flurry Pop-Up Shop
720 S.W. Yamhill St.; 503-267-5505
Mon.-Sat. 10-7; Sun. 12-7
Open Thursday, Nov. 4 through Friday, Dec. 31

Top image courtesy of Lizzie Parker. Michelle DeCourcy photo by Yi Yin. If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook

Well guys, it happened. The Project Runway 8 season finale went down in all of its fashion-y glory. So, which tattered, beaten down Phoenix rose up victorious from the ashes of the runway? Why, that would be Portland designer Gretchen Jones! Yes, for the second season in a row, the Rose City has claimed the title of winner of Project Runway, and from the looks of it, victory is sweet.

It was a welcomed, exciting surprise that Jones nabbed the top title after we had all but given up hope that the showmanship and drama-loving judges would pick her muted, carefree hippie-chic style over Mondo Guerra’s over- the-top costume pieces.

It wasn’t an easy decision, that much was clear. The deciding panel of Micheal Kors, Nina Garcia, Heidi Klum and guest judge Jessica Simpson (um, no thanks…) was split right down the middle. The designer and fashion editor Kors and Garcia loved Jones’s ’70s safari-inspired collection, while the model and pop singer gravitated towards Guerra’s fun, bold and colorful looks.

Oh yeah, and Andy South was there too. Unfortunately for him it was clearly a two-person contest that he just wasn’t a player in. His collection was very “tranquilized alien heads east.” South missed the mark by going too soft, too neutral and too narrowly focused. It was safe, boring and simply did not compare to the work done by the other final designers.

We can definitely report that it was super fun to watch Guerra’s clothes come down the runway. His collection blended catholic influences fused with his own Mexican heritage, and Guerra did it with a sense of humor and pizazz that is an undeniably important part of fashion. The judges continued to love the brightness and personality in his clothing. Even though both Klum and Simpson gushed about how they would totally wear his stuff, Garcia was ultimately right when she said that Guerra needed to learn the ability to edit, because otherwise his looks have a tendency to look overly young and costumey.

On the other hand, Jones created a collection of looks that was adult, sophisticated and very “of the moment.” Her collection was titled “Running through Thunder” (right), and it beautifully encapsulated a very modern and relaxed way of thinking about dressing (one we would love to imitate). We died for every piece of her final collection, which was made up of ready to wear separates in gorgeous sun-kissed desert tones. The styling was dead-on, and each piece looked very causally sexy — a direction that both Kors and Garcia agreed was the future of fashion.

And there you have it. We (and by we, we mean Jones, and the city of Portland by association) did it again, for the second year in a row! It was an amazing season to watch, and Jones took her laid-back style to the top and showed everyone that style doesn’t necessarily need to scream. We loved her so-called “hippie” aesthetic and are happy that she stayed true to her roots throughout a difficult season. We can’t wait to see what Jones has in store for us next.

We also can’t wait to see what the Portland fashion scene has in store for us next. Coupled with last season’s win by local designer Seth Aaron Henderson, we feel poised for some much deserved attention. Bring it on!

Watch video of the final judging of Gretchen Jones in the season finale of Project Runway 8:

Photos courtesy of Lifetime Television. If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook

It’s not easy for a store to stand out on Southeast Portland’s super hip strip of Hawthorne Boulevard, but the Red Light Clothing Exchange does just that because of its dedication to buying directly from the public and keeping prices affordable for those of every age, shape and degree of quirk.

Red Light is not only the city’s largest independent clothing store, but also “Halloween Central” every October. Whether you’ve been planning your ensemble since November 1 of last year, or you’re scrambling to put something together on October 30, Red Light is Portland’s one-stop shop for all your Halloween needs.

As the days before Halloween get fewer and far between, staff at Red Light go into “Christmas Eve mode,” helping frantic last-minute shoppers craft the perfect costume before the big night. Given the busy time of year, getting the chance to chat with Red Light store manager Erica Easley is sweeter than the sugar rush felt post candy corn binge.

In between managing The Red Light, owning her own knee-sock company, Rock Socks, and keeping homes in both Portland and Los Angeles, Easley sat down to discuss why Red Light shines so brightly in October, who she’d love to trick-or-treat with, and why you are what you eat AND where you shop. Ladies and gentleman, ghosts and goblins, the Queen of ‘Ween herself, Ms. Erica Easley:

What makes The Red Light a special Halloween costume destination?
We plan for Halloween all year. Since we are constantly buying clothes, we see things that we specifically set aside for October. The Portland store opened in October of 1999, so the Halloween tradition has been with us since the beginning. It really is a group passion here, and I think it shows in the way we are able to offer people so many affordable options.

Inquiring minds must know: What is your costume this year?
I still do not know! We all spend so much time around here dedicated to helping others find their outfits that we often don’t consider our own until the day of. Last year I went as Robin Hood. Assisting people wherever they are in the costume planning process is one of the things that makes Red Light special. We can help you if you have an idea a month in advance, but we’re also open Halloween day, just in case. No need to have it all figured out, we just ask that you come in with an open mind. Be creative and flexible and you’ll find exactly what you need.

Do you have a favorite costume from your childhood?
Yes! When I was 6-years-old I went as a punk rocker. Dyed my hair hot pink, shredded my clothes, wore an amazing Boy George T-shirt that I so wish I still owned! Another year I went as a Chinese take-out box, which I think was very creative.

Any favorite scary movies?
Hands down my favorite scary movie is called “The Watcher in the Woods.” It is actually an old Disney movie, but it is very dark and gives me the chills just talking about it! Bette Davis stars as this creepy old lady with an intense voice and you just don’t know what her deal is. Why is she evil? I am definitely more drawn to the psychological thrillers than anything gory or bloody.

Who is your dream Trick-or-Treating partner?
David Lee Roth. No costume, just him as himself, as he is his own best creation. He is so entertaining wherever he is, full of zingers and one-liners, a real performer.

The past few years have seen a rise in the celebrity-parody costume (i.e. Sarah Palin, Jon & Kate Gosselin, The Many Phases of Britney). Who is this year’s most mockable public figure?
People seem to be a bit maxed out on the political stuff as well as the overtly sexy costumes, both of which I am glad to see. The New York Times predicted that BP Oil Rig workers would be big this year, but we haven’t seen any of that yet. A few Chilean Miners here and there. Always popular are the blonde bombshells, Marilyn Monroe, classic movie stars, etc.

Ok, so no Tiger and not a lot of French Maids. Darn. What are you seeing this year?
It’s funny because it hasn’t been a specific person or costume, but rather general themes: circus performers, fairy tail/fantasy creatures, still some Vampires from the Twilight craze. Lots of sequins, spandex, color. It makes it more fun for us to help when people have one piece — a wig, a pair of shoes, a hat — and are willing to go off that and build something really unique.

Apart from Halloween, who or what most influences your fashion aesthetic?
Having fun with clothes is really what shapes my personal style. Everything I wear is based on that notion, and I think colors and patterns are great ways to be creative and experimental. I’ve always been over the top when compared to most people in terms of fashion. I love to wear shorts and knee socks and again, the more color the better. I am influenced by those who embrace the playful, flamboyant side of fashion like I do. People like Cyndi Lauper, Boy George and my ultimate style kindred spirit, Riff Randall from Rock ‘N’ Roll High School (right).

Did your own personal style needs lead you to create Rock Socks?
Yes. Like I said, I love wearing brightly colored knee socks, but it was so hard to find any options other than plain, striped or argyle. It started during the 2008 Presidential Election with a pair of Obama socks and just took off from there as more and more people started asking about them. Now Rock Socks (below right) are carried in several shops locally as well as all over the country, and even in Canada and Japan.

Speaking of local shops, what other stores do you frequent in Portland?
Smut, The Monticello Antique Marketplace, a shop on Mississippi called Flutter that has such unique displays. And of course, I love shopping at Red Light!

Do you feel a sense of community among independent store owners?
I tend to keep a low-profile when associating with other business owners, but I do wish more consumers would start thinking about clothing and retail like they think about food. The big push out here is toward restaurants that source from local farms and the whole green movement that encourages consumers to buy locally. That same sense of responsibility needs to translate to the retail industry because it supports the same goal of making neighborhoods and communities unique and sustainable. There are so many opportunities in Portland to shop in beautifully curated stores and get a very personal experience that you cannot find at malls.

As the seasons shift, what is your must-have list for Fall/Winter?
I am always in the market for a great pair of boots that can withstand all the stomping around necessary during a Portland winter. I am also on the hunt for some great gloves, I have a hard time finding good ones that are warm and durable but also unique.

So, one more Halloween question before we release you back into the frenzy… It is you vs. Freddy Krueger in an epic battle over who gets the last piece of Halloween Candy from your stash: 1) What is the Candy, and 2) Who would win and why?
Oh man. The candy is definitely Junior Mints, chocolate + mint is my winning combo. And I regret to say that they would belong to Mr. Krueger. I would totally lose and be torn apart while trying to run through the woods! I am scared so easily, it would be no contest.

Easley is not only the epitome of effortless personal style, but she also gains points for her honesty! Thank you so much for your time. We’ll let you return to the store and work your magic. Until next year, Happy Halloween!

The Red Light Clothing Exchange
3590 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.; 503-963-8888
www.redlightclothingexchange.com

Rock Socks
www.rocksocks.net

If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook

By Samantha Lockwood, NEAT contributor

We love the holidays and the neat treats that accompany them! Halloween’s just behind the dungeon door, and while we know costumes are fun and parties are a spooky blast, we’re most excited that Halloween marks the beginning (and the best!) of seasonal treats.  A whole day — or really a whole weekend — in which the demand for candy skyrockets over and above the witch on her broomstick soaring across the moon.

Local sweet shops Pix Patisserie, with all its quirky charm, and Moonstruck Chocolate, which captures the essence of autumn and immerses it into gourmet chocolate, are two frighteningly good favorites for Halloween concoctions that give candy corn a run for the money.

If you’re not already a regular or somehow haven’t visited one of Portland’s two Pix Patisserie locations, we suggest you use this sugar-fueled occasion as inspiration. Trick or treat for chocolate ganache-covered pecans draped in marzipan with a marshmallow Jack-O-Lantern, available through Halloween day. Or maybe an Ichabod Crème — a crisp crust filled with spiced almond crème and pecans, golden caramel and topped off with pumpkin crème brulee. More options are chocolate port fig tarts, nutcrackers and, le tigre d’epice… oooh, my!

At Pix, you can also wash these sweet dreams down with one of the largest champagne selections in the nation, including sections of the menu for Special Club Champagne — basically the producers best of the best! Pix offers two rotating glass pours of grower champagne at both locations, which is definitely a more sophisticated approach to Halloween than cramming Kit Kats in your mouth on the living room floor. (Ok, we like doing that, too.)

Over at Moonstruck, they’re celebrating Owl-o-ween with a haunting holiday collection that’s almost too cute to eat. The precious owl truffles (top) will hoot hoot right into your hearts. Or enjoy the entire Halloween truffle gang andpurchase blood orange bats, extra-bittersweet pumpkin, peanut butter & jelly eyeballs and popping Frankenstein truffles. These ghostly treats will scoot little trick-0r-treaters right off your stoop or delightfully surprise your party guests.

‘Tis the season to indulge your taste buds — not only with Halloween treats, but with gourmet sweets to celebrate all the holidays. Find ‘em at Pix Patisserie and Moonstruck, where they always serve up the holidays sweet.

Pix Pâtisserie
3901 N. Williams Ave.; 503-282-6539
3402 S.E. Division St.; 503-232-4407
www.pixpatisserie.com

Moonstruck Chocolate Café (Six area locations)
526 N.W. 23rd Ave.; 503-542-3400
www.moonstruckchocolate.com

If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up.

Share on Facebook