s w or d + f e r n

08 February 2012

Healing Signs of Spring

My fingers are still tingling from yesterday's harvesting adventure along the banks of the Columbia.
One of my favorite signs of spring are the young reddish green Nettles sprouting up, ready to heal all my winter ailments.
February, the dreariest part of winter, always gets me thinking and re-evaluating my state of wellness and health- emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Like any good Northwesterner, I go to to our forests for retreat and focus.
Winter is a great time to gather herbs like young nettles & black cottonwood buds and take long breaths and enjoy the endless expansive views.
Nettles are one of the richest sources of magnesium and iron that you can find- they contain 860 mg of magnesium per 100 grams of nettle, and they are free!
One of the basic reasons it's so important to maintain your magnesium levels is because it helps all your major organs deal with the overwhelming amount of toxins we are exposed to in the world everyday.
I happened to read one of my favorite blogs last night, Seattleite artist/stylist Ashley Helvey, and she mentioned she was reading some articles about magnesium deficiency.
Here is the link to a great blog that focuses on the benefits of maintaining your magnesium- she mentions it helps everything from insomnia to Lou Gehrig's sufferers.

I'll be adding lots of new beauties to the apothecary very soon in the spirit of spring de-toxing and wellness boosts- bulk herbal teas, new tinctures, aromatherapy sprays, and organic fragrances..check back in the coming months for new additions..
In the meantime I still need to check out Loyly spa, get a massage, get a haircut... anything to get myself out of the bottom of the winter barrel..

04 February 2012

Winter Light

After recovering from a week of getting hit with a January sick bug, I had a chance to bring some much-anticipated life into the shop.
Fresh plum blossoms opened in yesterday's sunlight and gold-dipped Japanese Aucuba leaves soak up the window rays.I couldn't help taking multiple macro shots of my Lunaria seedheads with the sun shining through.
new to the shop:
-The sale shelf, with new and vintage from 20-50% off
- New re-stock of Debbie Carlos poster prints: Owl profile, flowers spilling, mountains in fog, forest.Not all are displayed, ask me for more
-Wildcrafted white sage bundles, from Native land in Central California, where First Nations tribal elders harvest and re-plant native species of Salvia apiana or Buffalo sage. All proceeds go to tribal efforts.
-My dad, the sweet scientist, gave me a scientific lightbox years ago and I finally put it to use in the shop, displaying slices of banded agates, vintage slides, and recycled glass pieces..looks really cool at dusk with it all lit up and the neon light pushing the patterns and scenes through the dark..
Happy Late Winter to all..see you soon

06 January 2012

O P E N for First Friday tonight, until 9 pm

new bracelets in the shop

31 December 2011

January rest: shop hours this week

The shop will be closed from Sunday January 1 until Thursday January 5- for replenishing, re-stocking, and rejuvenating..shop will re-open at 12 on Friday January 6- and stay open until 9 pm for First Friday that evening. I'm already hunting new treasures for the coming seasons!
A big thank you to all for your love and visits during 2011, and wishing you a healthy, happy, & perfect 2012..

image via the whip smart googling hands of Lisa Radon

29 December 2011

Hello twenty twelve, we're glad to see you

Marjorie from the PDX Mercury asked Portland designers and fashion industry folks to name their favorite style moments of 2011, and extend their predictions or ideas for the future. Some of it was published today in her year-end Sold Out edition but here's the rest of my two cents-love it or not:

FAVORITE PORTLAND +BEYOND FASHION MOMENTS 2011:

Pendleton Portland Collection, the Golden Rule lookbooks, the textiles designed by After All & Afton Hakes for Gretchen Jones SS12 collection, Anya winning Project runway, Sarah Burton's Alexander McQueen collections, Jenna Lyons/J.Crew creative director coming out as a lesbian and finding love with Philip Crangi's hot sister,Erin Considine Jewelry'11, Mociun Jewelry'11,Prism Factory(in-house dyed/vintage t-shirt line at Palace), Boet Jewelry, Ms. Wood leather bags and shoes.

Jenna-n-Courtney 4Ever

PREDICTIONS 2012:

Personally for 2012 I see both men and women reflecting their newly heightened -consciousness through fashion, now more than ever- and really fearlessly.

Example looks:

DAY:

-Androgynous version of Stevie Nicks, communicating with peaceful aliens while alternately floating in nebulas,and riding horseback in a prairie.

-Ritual/Meditation/yoga-ready gear:flowing fabrics, soft materials, interesting prints, easy to wear.

Everything we wear will send telepathic messages, we will talk to each other through our special way of dressing.

Anything that promotes this message, garden/floral/plant/space/galaxy prints, especially on tailored tops and bottoms- things fit us perfectly.

NIGHT:

-Crisp, clean, handsome looks for men+women, menswear, androgyny,worn-in but tailored, you just got finished working in the garden, and now it is on to the disco- with flowing skirts, tailored jackets, wild plant prints everywhere. LED fabrics.Celestial Greenhouse Disco Apothecary vibes everywhere.

Materials: sheer metallic, white lace for both men and women, natural fibers, raw silk.

Hair:shave crop circles into the sides of our heads,really tiny ones or oversized ones too, alongside shaggy or flowing natural locks.

Amulets/jewelry: mirrors,high shine metals,circles, extremely personal, meaningful adornments, everything has a meaning,nothing is frivolous,and everything sends a message of non-violence and peace.

Every graphic will be designed in the effort to increase peace and the understanding of peace in a completely conscious way, no more violent/old world iconography, i.e.: guns, hater slogans, hunting, killing, cultural appropriation.

Everyone finds interest in creating their own personal symbology and connecting with designers telepathically is the new way of creating very personal wardrobes.

Everyone clears up their issues with anything that has lead them down that old path; everyone becomes completely clear in their understanding of what their own personal message is and finds the perfect fashion to portray their message.

Essentially we all become extreme empaths and our fashion will reflect that.

It will be super easy to find the perfect thing to wear!!

Find it in Portland:

MARY MEYER @UNA: