Clockwise from top left: Black and White Something Else Scarf. Hillside Selvedge Chambray Scarf – can also be purchased in Portland at the Woodlands. Knight’s Cowl. Pauper Voile. Navajo Printed Scarf. Franco Ferrari – Printed Stole. Pergolina Floral and Stripe Scarf. Matta’s Dupatta. Center: Soopascarf.

Am I the only one who just realized it’s September the second and I didn’t tell you about the last week of my August spending hiatus? OK, so maybe this is boring stuff to you, but I have to brag a little. I did such a great job. The spending hiatus was actually good for me. I was able to step away from buying on a whim and out of habit and buy only what I need. Consciously think about my purchases and why I needed them. Or often didn’t. No cash was exchanged the entire month, except the unnecessary lunchtime champagne I bought for an impromptu midweek picnic with girlfriends and a green dress I exchanged for clothing I sold at Buffalo Exchange. So that doesn’t really count.

And the one thing I learned? I don’t really need as much as I think. There, I said it. You can hold me to it too. I’m also going to try to keep this new habit. I want to buy only what I need and what I love. That sounds simple enough. But there are times when something is cute and/or cheap, and it’s the witching hour. You know the time. When you are in dire need of something for say, a party, and you buy because you are running out of time. I’ve learned when it comes to that, it’s usually better to turn around and walk away. I even tempted myself on my last day of the hiatus. As for my last day, I went into Woodlands, Alder & Co, Canoe and West Elm and didn’t break, even though there was good opportunity in each spot and no one would have known except me. Just my dirty little shopping secret. Now that is cause for celebration because it easily could have been a failure.

To celebrate the end of the hiatus and the beginning of fall, I’m putting together a new post each week dedicated to the essentials of the season. These essentials are the key ingredients needed to give fall that nostalgic feeling. To me, it wouldn’t be fall without walking through crunching leaves, warm apple pie, thick tights and carving pumpkins. Whether it’s something to wear like riding boots or corduroy, something to eat like apples and caramel or something that resides in the home like plaid wool blankets and thermoses filled with cider, I want to post here. And if there’s a category you would love to see on here this fall, you should tell me about it. I would love to hear from you.

Necklaces as art? Sure, why not? EINTR8 is jewelry made from everyday things.

Via the Color Collective. Photographs taken by Mareen Fischinger

Days with My Father is sad, witty and the best part, it’s real. It’s also well worth your time and may give you a different outlook on things. Just know, if you are feeling the slightest bit emotional, you’re going to be tearing up after about the third photo then laughing out loud about the Hooters comment by the 8th photo. So at least make it to the 8th for a laugh. And that photo above, the one with the hand written note that says, “I want to think seriously about what I can accomplish with what is left in my life.”, should give us all a little inspiration.

Photos: Philip Toledano.

Looking at the photos I took this weekend, apparently my first weekend living in Portland was all about the food. While food was high on the list, other things happened too. Only I don’t have a single photo to show for it. Maybe I’m feeling a little too shy to take photos of people just yet. Non food related things of the weekend included the official celebration of Sam and Meg’s marriage. There was a gorgeous reception at the Overlook house followed by hours of dancing (and mini ramp skating for those brave enough to drop in) to DJ Hostile Tapeover. He DJ’s 80′s and 90′s tape singles. And to be completely honest, I was a little sore on Saturday. This must mean I’m not dancing often enough.

That was Friday night. Then came Saturday and the food. After Saturday brunch we hopped on our bikes and explored most of the day. We stopped for an oyster shooter and a beer at EaT. We talked about pizza too. After our oyster cocktail (Nick’s first!) and without much of an agenda we headed east, with pizza still on the brain. We heard Ken’s Artisan Pizza opened at 5 and thought it would be perfect for a late lunch/early dinner.

We arrived at Ken’s a few minutes before 5. There was a line of 20+ standing outside before the doors even opened. We opted to wait and ended up with a great spot at a communal table near the large, open windows. Four of us split two Caesars, a Margarita & Arugula Pizza and the Amatriciana Pizza. There was just enough room for dessert. Of course we went for it. Dessert included a blackberry crisp with peach gelato and blackberry sauce. And my favorite, a brownie with salted caramel gelato and toffee crumbled on top. The pizza at Ken’s is well worth the wait (as is the dessert). It’s what I look for in pizza; simple, quality ingredients and a good crust that’s bubbly and even a little charred in places. It’s unpretentious, my kind of food.

Sunday morning after some coffee and a chat with my mom, I walked to Cartola, the coffee shop a few doors down from my house. A few doors down is almost too convenient. I can see myself walking over to pick up a buttery croissant and latte more often than I should. This time, I picked up a mushroom manchego biscuit and an almond apricot muffin for breakfast back at the house, split with Jevan, of course. I don’t want to jump the gun, but I’m in love.

The rest of the day was spent unpacking and errand running. I picked up new sneakers from the Adidas employee store (thanks Meghan!) and went for a run. We played tennis later that afternoon and it really feels like fall around here. For a late lunch, we split a Chickpea sandwich from the Garden State food cart on Mississippi and enjoyed it outside. For dinner and the first one in our new home, we made an End of Summer Salad complete with peaches, arugula, blue cheese and candied walnuts and Jevan made bread. It was a perfect first weekend in Portland. And now it’s drizzling outside and 60 something. Goodbye summer, hello fall. What was your weekend like?

This week’s music post is by one of my favorite Coloradan’s. Elbee, LB, Betts, Butts, Butters, Buttress or as most know her, Lesley. With so many nicknames, you can’t help but think she’s well loved. And loved, she is. Guys want her. Girls want to be her. And if that’s not enough, Lesley and her a few of her gal pals are the instigators of 30 days of awesome. An entertaining, witty and always awesome account of the antics of four 20-somethings for 30 straight days. With one goal in mind, who can be more awesome.

As for the mix, it’s not to be missed. There are some old favorites that will make you smile and some new to me songs too. I think you’ll enjoy as summer is winding to a close. What are you up to this weekend? We have a wedding reception tonight. That’s right, no wedding, just the party. Remember Sam and Meghan who eloped earlier this spring? They are officially celebrating with friends and family tonight. And the rest of the weekend? I’m sure we’ll be off exploring the city too.

You can check out all the mixes this summer here.
Download here.
Click the icon below to listen.

1. Devil Town – The Builders and the Butchers
2. Don’t Walk Away – The Chain Gang of 1974
3. Everlong – Foo Fighters
4. The Trapeze Swinger – Iron & Wine
5. I’d Rather Be With You – Joshua Radin
6. Slow Show – The National
7. Folkin’ Around – Panic At The Disco
8. The End – Pearl Jam
9. War Clouds – We Are Barbarians
10. Death – White Lies
11. Queen Bitch – David Bowie
12. The Hazards of Love (The Whistles Won’t Wrestle The Thistles Undone) – The Decemberists
13. Lubedence – I-Shine
14. Black Hair – The Romany Rye
15. Oh My Sweet Carolina – Ryan Adams
16. 1979 – The Smashing Pumpkins
17. Song from the Soundtrack Ripple Effect - does anyone know who this is?
18. Time Of The Season – Zombies

Photo: Jetbluestone

We’ve made it. We got to Portland late Monday afternoon and it already feels like I was always here. Thanks to our family for help with unpacking the truck. I have my desk set up and it’s looking out a window. You heard it right, out a window. There are vintage hydrangeas growing in my front yard and we have a tree that three people wouldn’t be able to wrap their arms around. It’s that big. I’m still getting settled so I thought I would pass along some great other links. Happy Wednesday my friends. Or at least I think it’s Wednesday.

We had dinner at this really great Phở place last night.  I had the Tái Chín and wish I had some leftovers for lunch today.

I want to make this pizza for our first dinner in our new house.

Joslyn’s scenes of Germany make me wish I had a work travel adventure in my near future. I have family that lives in Germany and hope to someday visit them.

I still love stripes and have a thing for Heath Ceramics.

And some shameless self promotion. Sorry, couldn’t help myself.

xo.

casey

Is the summer really nearing it’s end? I simultaneously hate and love this time. Excited for cooler weather and the change that fall brings but sad to see summer go. To combat that, Rachel over at Black Eiffel put together an end of summer inspired mix. It’s perfect for that last little taste of summer. You know, the time when the long hot days turn into cooler nights. And those last few weekend getaways before the weather turns. She picked some of my all time favorites too. Hello Beach House and Tallest Man On Earth.

If you are on the hunt for more music, Rachel posts regular Music Monday inspiration. And if design is more your thing, her blog will have you coming back for more and more. She was also featured in the September issue of Martha Stewart Living 100 Great Finds the home. Congrats!

You can check out all the mixes this summer here.
Download here.
Click the icon below to listen.

1. Big Jet Plane – Angus & Julia Stone
2. Clean Getaway – Maria Taylor
3. Days – Sambassadeur
4. All Day Day Light – the Morning Benders
5. Thin Air – Aqualung
6. July Flame – Laura Veirs
7. Tonight, Tonight – Passion Pit
8. Last Goodbye – Jeff Buckley
9. 10 Mile Stereo – Beach House
10. King of Spain – Tallest Man On Earth
11. Voyage (Sunset Sound Session) – Charlotte Gainsbourg
12. My Boys (Animal Collective) – Taken By Trees

You’ll be proud of me. I haven’t bought a thing. Or at least an unnecessary thing. Unless you count the bottle of champagne I picked up for a picnic lunch with some girlfriends earlier this week. I know, not exactly a necessity for a Tuesday lunchtime picnic but we needed it. Go ahead, you can say I cheated and I’m ok with that. It was totally worth it. Other than that, no cheating. I’ve been good. Promise.

During this hiatus, this Portland map is the only thing I’ve come across that I really want. I think it will help me get to know all the Portland neighborhoods. I’m a visual learner. But I can wait, at least until the spending hiatus is over. They have NYC, San Fran and Seattle among others. On another note, Jevan’s doing well with his hiatus too. From what he’s told me at least. He can be kinda sneaky that way. He’s cheated too. Just once and on something completely forgivable. Tickets to see Arcade Fire in Portland at the end of September.

Photo: Ork via Sally

I have been on the lookout for interesting magenta pillows for a client. I came across these silk and cotton ikat pillows last night and it wasn’t until this morning that I realized they would be perfect for her charcoal and white bedroom. Found here. Thanks to Ink + Wit for the introduction.

Over on twitter, Kim and I briefly discussed the possibilities of wallpaper in the kitchen. She mentioned wallpapering the cabinets and I immediately said sure,  you can wallpaper just about anything with a smooth surface.  After a little research, I decided to revoke that statement. While you can wallpaper just about anything, kitchen cabinet doors may not be the best. Because they get so much wear and tear, are touched, opened, wiped clean, there’s a chance the wallpaper may degrade over time. Then you are left with peeling wallpaper. But, if you can’t give up the idea of using wallpaper. I think the interior of cabinets is perfect or even an accent wall to make the kitchen feel a little more glam. If you go for a backsplash, be sure to use glass or plexi to cover it at wet and cooking stations.

Photos: 1 and 2. 3, 4. and 5.