Outfit Post: Summer Sweater

I'm going to come out and say it: this outfit doesn't feel like "me." As I adjust to different summer conditions than I'm used to, (going from sunny California to rainy Seattle takes some adjusting for me) so I'm tweaking my style to meet the challenge of a cooler clime. As Sacramento hits the 100's, my Seattle summer days are sometimes cloudy + rainy; even a "warm" day barely touches the 70's on its tippy toes. 

Hence the embracing of the summer sweater. I need a little more cover, a little more warmth in my clothing. So pulled on a pair of long  pants, summer white skinny jeans and a comfy loose fitting cotton sweater from JACOB. I love the cut of the sweater, kinda modern and classic- and I love the boxy cut with the tighter sleeves. The tweedy colors are beautiful, the salted black + white with a satuated amythest,  but personally, purple never feels like "me." If it were a different color (and by different I probably mean RED,) I'd probably be wearing it 24-7. But it went beautifully with my magic glitter booties, and the elegant art-glass necklace.

Blue Skies, White Clouds + Links Ala Mode

I'm going to declare it outright: I am officially in love with Seattle. More specifically Ballard and its near-by districts.

As is my way, I'll often explore a neighborhood by shopping its shops. They are often a good indication of the character and flavor of a place. So here are a few of my faves so far: 

Lemon Drop Boutique: This Ballard boutique on 24th is just about the cutest little shop that you'll ever lay eyes upon. Darkly lit and expertly merchandised, the vintage found here is top-shelf, and there's loads of  fun tschokies to ooh and ahh over. Funky accessories mingle with vintage (and vintage inspired) tops, lingerie and dresses, with a dressing room so adorable, you'll need hours to play dress up here.  I wrote about this sweet boutique in my Ballard shopping guide posted over at The Big Mac Blog, which you can read (again) by clicking HERE.

The Sneakery: This fantastic shoe shop carries, you guessed it: sneakers. But awesome stylish, cool as school, hipster sneakers. And walking shoes. And shoes for biking. And socks. Set in a charming shop/cafe corridor on 65th Avenue between Phinney Ridge and Ballard, the Sneakery puts you smack dab in the middle of some of the most helpful + friendly customer service around. BONUS: great deals on the clearance shelves. See those saucy chile red Saucony sneaks in the photo collage above? Yup, they were on sale for $38 bucks, they're now mine, and I love 'em.

The Frock Shop:  After hearing major buzz about this dress shop, I had to stop in and check out this  Phinney Avenue boutique. This is where you can find the local label that specializes in recycled vintage fabrics, Glam Spoon. Glam Spoon is the love child of Seattle designer/blogger Tina Weatherspoon, and Glam Spoon's latest design, the Saturday Market dress is all of the above: super cute and comfy and kimono inspired! How cool is that? (Answer: as cool as a summer day in Seattle. Which makes it pretty effin' cool.) Also cool is the incredible volume of must-haves hanging on hangers in this beautifully lit retail space. Indie darlings, Knitted Dove can be found here, as well as a handful of up + coming local designers.

Do you have a favorite shop? Let me know in the comments.

And on another note, it was good to see IFB choose my interview with Ari Seth Cohen of Advanced Style to include in this week's Links Ala Mode.

Enjoy the bonus of this week's Links Ala Mode with the header image including gorgeous +50 blogger Judith, The Style Crone: 

Summer starts here!

Edited by: Emily of Sugar & Spice

My first week editing Links a la Mode and so many amazing posts to choose only 20 from! Today marks the first day of summer for the northern hemisphere and judging by my choice below, I am willing summer to start in earnest in the UK! In the meantime, there’s tips on keeping stylish in the rain. One of the things I love about the fashion blogging community is the creativeness that it breeds and this week is no exception with a few brilliant and on-trend DIYs for you to try at home. If DIY-ing isn’t your thing but you still like to save your pennies there are posts for splurging or saving too.

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: JUNE 21ST

• Capital Fashion: The fashionista’s bucket list
• Citizen Rosebud: 5 Quick Questions for Ari Seth Cohen
• Fashion Pastiche: how to wear hot pink this summer
• Fashion, Trends and More: how to dress stylishly on a dime
• Fashionopolis: dressing stylishly in the rain
• Kaaty McDonald: DIY your own skull and spike statement necklace
• Law Moda: Ikat: a history of this summer’s print
• Lazy cat style: collages for this summer’s trends
• Life.style.flash: working forgotten pieces into your outfits
• Lifestyles of the Thrifty and Shameless: on why the only way to make a statement this season is via a statement necklace
• Lovelee: Summer’s nail palette
• Mia Moore: Asymmetric skirt DIY
• My Vintage Curves: summer of love
• Oranges and Apples: on whether or not we’re out-growing blogging
• Pink Chai Style: Top tips for picking your prefect red lipstick
• She like ruffles, he like ruffles: splurge or save on this season’s most wanted maxi dress
• The Chic Street: some accessory inspiration for brightening your day
• The Closet Coach: When to save and when to splurge on your wardrobe
• The Simply Luxurious Life: Style Commandments to live by
• WWelcome to my Closet: on saying goodbye to an old favourite

SPONSOR:
New Bags Shopbop: Ferragamo, Gucci, YSL, Totes, Addition, Chloe, M. Williamson, Valenentino Bags, Rachel Comey, Tucker, Hindmarch & Margiela Bags

If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

Outfit Post: Españolas de Flores

Don't tell Sacramento, but guess who's the inspiration behind my outfit today? (Hint: the reigna in Spain-a flies mainly on a plane, ah) From London to Berlin to sunny Espana, the charms of Sacramento bloom where ever she visits. And, who else can pull off such a frenzied mix of colorful florals with such a grand gesture of love + sunshine?

The Art Glass Necklace + Advanced Style Pow

When I stepped inside a little charity shop in Old Ballard for the first time, I didn't have a lot of time. I was early for a job interview, but couldn't resist spending my 10-minutes-to-kill in the cozy confines of the R-Shoppe. Turned out it was time well spent,  especially when I spied this unique art glass necklace. It reminded me of something Iris Apfel might wear. Spinster chic is what I called it; I picked it up and made my purchase.

Looking at snapshots of me modelling the necklace, I can clearly see the Advanced Style influence- the mad mix of floral and leopard is very akin to the wise style of Advanced Style. For me, leopard print is officially a "blogger's neutral," as in it goes with EVERYTHING, and it feels nearly necessary to "doll up" for day-to-day activities. The exquisite statement piece was an effortless fit into the eclectic elements of the outfit.

And speaking of leopard + florals, THIS is what I was wearing the other morning while browsing through Advanced Style the book: 

As I ooohed-and-ahhhed over the silver fox's leopard bow above, you'll notice that I was wearing a coordinating leopard cardigan. And my floral shorts blended right in with artist Beatrix Ost's riotous floral jacket. Is this a case of Life imitating Art?

Or is it possible that ART IS LIFE?

The art glass necklace is now available in my ETSY shop. I'm offering free shipping in the U.S. when you use code BUDZFREESHIP. I now can ship worldwide. I'm working of getting more items in the shop- so in advance: THANK YOU for your support!

You can view the gorgeous art glass piece by clicking HERE.

Que Sera, Sara

I've been following Sara's vintage fashion blog for 3 years now! She was a wee Finnish 12 (EDIT: 17) year old girlie when I "found" her. Now she's grown into a lovely young lady, and she's still loving and rocking vintage outfits like nobody's business.

Happy As A Clam

Feeling happy as a clam in these new Clam-shell Round  Flip-up shades c/o AOSAP

(available in red, black and tortoise-shell)

This post is joining Patti's ongoing series, Visible Monday, going on every Monday over at Not Yet Dead Style. To join is simple, just visit Not Yet Dead Style and share your post on what make YOU feel more confident and visible! 

Picture Perfect: Concrete + Jungle

Concrete + Jungle: Seattle Paradise (iPhoto Credits: Bella Q)

Peony for Your Thoughts?

Inspiration: Advanced Style

"I was never fearful of being extraordinarily different. I would rather be considered different and somewhat mysterious than ignored."-Lubi, Advanced Style

I wasn't sure how much Advanced Style, the blog, has had an influence on me, until I read the book. "Read" is a bit of a misnomer, as there isn't much to READ per say, as there is to LOOK. The beautifully bound hardcover (quite a bargain at $20.58 on Amazon) is luscious to look at- wonderfully turned-out street style as photographed by Ari Seth Cohen.

The Red Door Blogger Meet-Up

Hello lovelies! Happy Monday to you. I hope your weekend was lovely and you've got a good week ahead of you. 

Last week, I was delighted to meet Christine Mac, aka the Big Mac, a U.K. designer/blogger who with her sis is touring the U.S. for the summer.  The uber lovely Jean, of Jean of All Trades joined us, along with some of the Mac's ex-pat U.K. friends who are living here in Seattle.  We met at the Red Door in Fremont, and had a blast introducing ourselves and talking travel plans, and of course blogging. How I can work that subject into almost any conversation is both highly alarming and lowly amusing; I can't seem to help myself. BUT- we had a wonderful time sipping beers, nibbling of fries, and shooting the shyte. It was a pleasure to meet Christine and her sis, and I wish them much fun on their U.S. tour. 

Christine blogs over at the Big Mac Blog, where she had me guest post. I wrote about my favorite shopping spots in Ballard, so if you want to get a taste of my favorite neighborhood in Seattle, DO visit The Big Mac Blog, for a bite! You can do so by clicking HERE. She also wrote about our Seattle/UK blogger meet up at the Red Door in Fremont, and you can get her version of the meet-up over HERE.

So a big Monday shout-out to Christine: it was great to meet you! 

and to the always delectable Jean: you are so fun to hang with! 

Wishing you all a very pleasant week.                                                       -Bella Q

5 Quick Questions: Ari Seth Cohen

Advanced Style: Ari Seth Cohen captures the style of the sterling set.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to snag an interview with Advanced Style's Ari Seth Cohen in the midst of his whirlwind book signing tour. The following is an excerpt from our correspondence. -Bella Q

The Citizen: You've quietly changed the fashion landscape with your blog and now your book, Advanced Style. Tell me, did you imagine that you were going to cause a sensation by photographing stylish people "of a certain age"?

Ari Seth Cohen: I've always revered the older people in my life. I never thought that photographing older people would be so extraordinary; it should be normal to give respect, attention and visibility to people with great wisdom, creativity and experience.

All age appeal: Cohen talks with icon Iris Apfel and rookie Tavi about style.

Leaving Early

Leaving Early by Sylvia Plath

Lady, your room is lousy with flowers.
When you kick me out, that's what I'll remember,
Me, sitting here bored as a leopard

Better Off

"I think if women put some more of the time & money they put on their heads, in their heads, they'd be better off."    
                                                                                                                 -Iris Apfel

Some of the most inspiring quotes come from Advanced Style, Ari Seth Cohen's street style homage to the "stellar style of the sterling age." For those of you who don't know, Advanced Style is a street style blog, (and now book) that chronicles the well dressed and well expressed women and men in their  60's, and beyond. It is capsule proof of the old Coco Chanel adage: Style is eternal. While the folks that grace the pages of Advanced Style are from an older generation, the style captured in Cohen's lens appeals to all ages. Advanced Style is commonly found on the blogroll of teens, the 20 + 30 somethings, on +40 blogrolls, as well as a daily read for the internet savvies of the boomer generation (and most pointedly, my mother.)  

Last month was the launch of the heavily anticipated book and I was stoked to get my copy last week.  I'm also excited to learn that Ari is collaborating with film maker Lina Plioplyte, and working on a documentary film. Style inspirations such as Tziporah Salmon, Valerie + Jean of The Idiosyncratic Fashionistas, Debra Rappaport + Iris Apfel, amongst others, were interviewed and share their take on fashion, aging and style. 

This is such an important document and testament to the power of personal style; I can't wait to see it in the theatres. But, before that happens, Lina and Ari, need our help to raise some capital to finish this important film. Cohen + Plioplyte started a Kickstarter campaign to raise $35,000, and I hope you'll join me in contributing to this cause. With 18 days to go and $16,000 to raise, we have a chance to help get this incredible + inspirational project off the ground.

For more information about the Advanced Style Film Kickstarter campaign click HERE.

Bloom in June

Already, it's June. This year is rushing past me; does it feel the same way for you? If you haven't been keeping up with the ebb + flow of my little tidepool, let me update you on my year so far, in a nutshell, I-

• fell in love; moved to Seattle.
• committed in making a go of it selling online for a living. 
• decided to go all profesh on the blog, got a new header, signed on as an affiliate with some good companies, and got some great blog sponsors.

As you know, one of my sponsors is Karina Dresses, a Brooklyn-based, woman owned company that believes style should feel comfortable. I'm so proud to be a part of Karina Dresses, and love the easy wear, easy care aspect of their products. Karina offers Citizen readers a $30 discount off your purchase when you use coupon code ROSC30 at check-out. I say: DO IT! 

I'd also like to introduce you my newest blog sponsor, OMHU, a design company that makes premium medical equipment + accessories. Best known for its award winning walking canes, OMHU was founded by a woman Danish designer, Rie Nørregaard.  She saw a need for vibrant design in "outfitting the differently abled." At first glance, this might seem like an odd sponsor for a personal style blog, but I think it's a good fit- I felt an immediate affinity with this design company creating beautiful products made to enhance mobility.  And I love the tagline: Life is Imperfect and Beautiful.

This month marks the start of a good season here at the Citizen. I've got some great posts lined up to share with you, but I've also got some great offline plans for myself. I'm going to unplug a bit, disconnect from the virtual world,  and soak up the sights and sounds of my new hometown. I'm always happy when I have a moment of your time to share my slice of life with you. I am so grateful for your community. Here's to sun in your shine, Sunshine. Happy June!