let's party!

as soon as i heard there was a new store, seawall, opening on wharf street, i have been dying to check it out. even though it is only a hop, skip, & a jump away from my house and only a hop away from work, i still haven't managed to find the time to stop by. now they are having a party to celebrate their pop-up shop with boast, so i have no reason not to make time to go. join me there on thursday!

WHEN:
The Boast Pop-Up Shop will be open from August 29th through September 5th

WHERE:
SEAWALL - 37 Wharf Street Portland, Maine

COME ONE COME ALL PARTY:
Thursday August 30 from 6-10pm

WHAT:
The first concept retail POP-UP SHOP ever to take place in Portland, Maine.
SEAWALL will turn its space into a living, breathing Boast retail environment, Boast Signature Polos, Shorts, Jackets and special Minnie Mortimer for Boast Collaboration pieces will be available all week. Stock is limited. 

picnic in the park.

if you missed the 5th annual picnic music + arts festival this past saturday, or if you just want to see my favorite things there, check out my guest post on bangor daily new's fashion fixation blog!

vintage, clothing jewelry + good food at picnic

portland pins by kris johnsen.

and while you are there, read up on all of katie's other fashion finds and things related to maine.

90s modern: saved by the bell.

so the other morning before work, i was watching a little saved by the bell. just like i use to do in the mornings before high school. that is, if i could get up that early. but as i was watching, i kept thinking how much i loved their outfits, especially these bright floral high waisted shorts on kelly. and the more i watched, the more i realized that everyone at work dressed the same as zack, ac, kelly, jessie, and lisa did back in the 90s.

 yes, i know the 90s are back, but i didn't realize how in exactly the same way they are back. and as i asked some of my employees if they had ever watched saved by the bell, half of them (born in the 90s) didn't even know what i was talking about, but how much it looked like they had just watched a marathon for a little style inspiration.

do you see what i mean? printed denim, chambray, high waisted cut offs, skinny jeans, man tanks.. luckily, hairstyles don't return as often!

what was your favorite thing about 90s fashion? are you happy to see it return or are you staying away from these looks altogether? and most importantly what was your favorite saved by the bell memory?

fall into: backpacks.

there is no doubt that fall is on the wall. unfortunately, there is no way to stop it, so i decided to just embrace it and get excited. i am going to ease in slowly and start with a few fall trends that will help get ready for back to school and back to real life.

no matter if you are lugging books or your weekend gear, a backpack is a cool way to transport your good again. i found a handful of ones that won't make you feel like you are back in middle school. these ones are a bit more mature and hip.

the leather bag:

clava 3000 turnlock backpack

$182.99 from wayfair.com

cairo distressed backpack

$498 at free people

(on the dream list)

the eco-friendly bag:

100% recycled cotton backpack

(also comes in a nylon version)

$34 from baggu

anschtecka backpacks

$300 at specks & keepings

(it was just worth checking out this beautiful site)

the classic bag:

heritage backpack

$54.99 from the herschel supply co

settlement backpack

$89.99 from the herschel supply co

original junior book back

$29.95 from ll bean

the boho bag:

ecote fringe pattern bag

$39.99 from urban outfitters

oakland fringe backpack

$88 from free people

the super hip:

deena & ozzy acid wash backpack

$42 from urban outfitters

xhilaration gold metallic backpack

$29.99 from target

this is just a very small roundup of the many new styles of backpacks out there for fall. don't forget to check out thrift stores and goodwill for backpacks, since it is obvious that styles always come back. buy a cheap plain bag and diy a fabulous new one. all you ever really need is some studs, lace, patches, fabric/spray paint and you are good to go.

dress for success sale starts today!

if you are looking to update your wardrobe and help out a great cause, today is the day to start shopping! in the past, i have found some really great pieces for a very, very small price. so take my advice and get there early! but not to worry, there will be plenty to go around!

sara hallie richardson: what would it be like.

sara hallie richardson premieres her music video for 'what would it be like' today online. i was lucky to be able to work on the wardrobe and styling for this video and was so happy to see that i was able to capture what sara was looking for. i am honored to be able to work with such a talented singer and can't wait to see her do so many more amazing things like this video.

sara is also having her cd release party this friday for her new album, restless, at one longfellow square. come out and support her and have fun with me while listening to great music.

6 pieces, 12 looks.

i put together a presentation for a class i have been teaching at dress for success about how you can only have a few key pieces in your wardrobe and create an endless amount of outfits with them. besides these 6 key pieces, you only really need a few fun accessories and a pair of flats and a pair of heels. these added accessories don't need to be expensive. you really can find fun, inexpensive pieces at places like goodwill. the first necklace shown, as well as both belts, were found at goodwill for only a few dollars a piece. these are just a template for the many variations that can be made with pieces like these, with your own style. hope this can inspire a little creativity to get the most out of everything you own!

pencil skirt

casual:

dressed up:

little (navy) dress

playful:

 classic:

 casual:

as a skirt:

 layered:

 professional & pretty:

dark jeans

weekend:

casual:

 dinner & drinks:

buttoned-up:

airtran's go magazine: maine style.

as you may remember, i posted some photos from a few photo shoots i had done recently. well here is the finally product from those shoots! a page in airtran's in-flight magazine, go magazine!

go magazine had contacted me a few months ago asking if i would be interested. not only would the article feature me, but i would be able to showcase some local maine designers as well. of course, i had to say yes! it was a very cool, very fun experience. so if you are flying on any one of airtran's flights during the month of august, you will see me in the seat pocket in front of you!

and of course, i could not have pulled this off by myself. here is another BIG thank you to everyone who helped me out:

matt cosby

genevieve drzewianowski

brook there

sea bags

proper vintage

portland flea-for-all

akari

bliss

black parrot

if you havent already, check out these amazing talents!

olympic inspiration.

wearing:
circle dress - urban outfitters
sleeveless searsucker button-up: j. crew scored at SWAPmaine
shoes - urban outfitters
necklace - yarmouth clam festival craft show at least 15 years ago
this outfit may not win a gold medal in fashion, but it does score high marks for tennis inspired looks. i am blaming it on the large amount of olympic events i have been watching because when i got dressed today, sporty was all i was feeling.

but for today's competition, i take on the neighborhood jungle cats. and let me tell you, they are tough.

1 piece, 3 looks: SWAPmaine pixelated floral skirt.

at the last SWAPmaine, this floral skirt was one of my finds. along with most other things from the swap, i didn't try it on before taking it home. lucky, this was one of the pieces i am glad i took and super glad it fit. i love that the print is not just your regular floral print, but more of a pixelated version of one. with the length and shape, the print makes it look a little more modern.

worn: with a little edge.

wearing:

tank - rogues gallery sample sale (cut into tank myself)

skirt - SWAPmaine

bralette - urban outfitters

shoes - salvation army

if you know me, i am not very edgy. i like to try many crazy styles and trends, but no one will describe me as edgy, so this is almost a little funny for me to be wearing. when i bought the t-shirt, the idea was to cut it into a muscle tank and wear it with girly things. that is just what i did here with this outfit. they done each other down and make for a fun, interesting look.

worn: from work to dinner.

wearing:
silk blouse - j. crew
skirt - SWAPmaine
shoes - urban outfitters
whistle necklace - anthropologie

this is perfect for those hot summer days turning into hot summer nights. the silk blouse dressed the skirt up and along with a fun wedge, it makes for an easy outfit to stay cool in no matter what your after work plans may be.


worn: to brunch.

wearing:
shirt - gap (years ago)
skirt - SWAPmaine
shoes - urban outfitters
necklace - christmas gift
rings - multiple found treasures

one of my favorite ways to mix prints is with stripes and florals. for this particular sunday outfit, it was great for brunch and roaming the streets of portland (and then working the rest of the day). it is more of the 'casual' look, but i added some accessories that made it a little more exciting. i gave the skirt a different length and look by knotting it in the front. this is one of my favorite ways to change up the look of things i tend to wear most often. this is the perfect way to be comfortable (yes, the dreaded word to use in fashion) and still look put together and with style.

all of these looks are interchangeable with similar items, making it easy to get a lot of wear out of a skirt like this. and one other cool things, i found out who brought this skirt to the swap! i love knowing a little bit about the pieces i find there.