The loudest thing you can do with money

The loudest thing you can do with money, is to speak with your dollars.

Who are you giving your money to?

Where does that money go?

Who do is positivly affect?

Does it stay in your community?

Does it help your comunity?

Who made or grew what you are buying, and was it done ethically?

Is it only making the rich richer, while keeping the poor poorer?



I ask myself these things every single time my money and I are parted. I go out of my way to go to local stores that are involved with the community. I purchase local produce. I look in every thing that is not edible for country of origin.

I fully understand too that sometimes you have a selection of cheap crap and cheap crap. 3% of apparel sold in the USA is made in the USA.

This holiday season I urge you to think about what you are buying. There is a fantastic holiday event going on in Portland called Little Boxes. The community is so wonderful. 170 stores have banded together to promote this 2 day event 11/23 and 11/24, and have 90 prizes. Sounds better than a sharp elbow in the ribs around dessert time on Thanksgiving to get some cheap crap at a big box that will most likely break in a year.

Full list of stores here:
http://littleboxespdx.com/shop/

My what a busy month......

Halloween was awesome! I'm still trying to find some photos from the costume party at the Fez, but so far this is my favorite candid one at my friend Terra's Halloween party.

 

Yes I'm a pin cushion. And yes, Honey Boo Boo is next to me.

I love this time of year, but there has been SO much going on. 

Here is a write up of Fashion Speaks. I didn't sound like a crackhead. Bonus.

http://www.portlandmercury.com/mod/archives/2012/10/15/fashion-speaks-at-the-hazel-room

Here is what is coming up!

Friday 11/9
Dove Lewis benefit DoveAdore featureing Boutiques Unleashed. I LOVE this event. I have a few pals that work at Dove Lewis (though I hate to see them there, because it usually means I'm there with one of my brood), but I have to say I am sure glad they are there the times I have needed them. I'm showing two looks and Max, the cutest dog in the world, is making his runway debut at the ripe old age of 15! I am dressing two humans and 2 dogs. Both boys, so of course they will be wearing dog tuxedos.
Invite here: http://www.facebook.com/BoutiquesUnleashed


Saturday 11/10
Not just a trunk show, but a Trunk Sioree at Rhapsody Boutique. Sahlia Jewelry Designs, Ms. Wood, Clair Vintage Inspired, Tarte, and Maple XO. Local fashion photographer Lavenda Memory will also be on hand. I'm super excited just to go hang out with all these awesome people!
Invite here: http://www.facebook.com/events/527477533945055

Saturday 11/17
Friends and Family Studio Sale!!!!!! Clair Vintage Inspired, Hubris Apparel, Carolyn Hart Designs and Orange Exterior are all participating in this special one time sample sale event. Prices are so low we are not publishing them. Cash and cards accepted.Ger there early.
http://www.facebook.com/events/424309007618979


Friday & Saturday 11/23 & 11/24
I am not personally a part of this, but several stores that carry my line are! This holiday season SHOP LOCAL! Speak with your spending. I cannot believe how may stores are participating this year. Plus no sharp elbows at 4am with crazed shoppers holding lattes. 
http://littleboxespdx.com/shop/

 All November
Also check out my pal Sarah Giffrows photo-making month. See it happen here:
http://www.sarahgiffrow.com/2012/portland-professional-photography-a-photo-making-month/
She already snapped one up of my car:

Inspired by National Novel Writing Month which oddly enough ended up in my always accurate horoscope by Free Will Astrology by Rob Brezney:

Every November, thousands of writers participate in National Novel Writing Month. They pledge to compose at least 50,000 words of a new novel in that 30-day period. In accordance with the astrological omens, Aquarius, I propose that you commit yourself to a comparable project in your own field. Is there a potential masterpiece on which you could get a substantial amount of work done? Is there a major transformation you've long wanted to undertake but have always had some excuse to avoid? I predict that you will attract unexpected help and luck if you summon the willpower to focus on that task.  


On that note, back to my world domination plans. Because they're on.

Trunk show this Friday!

YAY! Come to Union Rose  between 6 and 9 for pretty dresses, pretty jewels from Moss and Halloween candy.

Also, enter the raffle to win the perfect holiday outfit. A Clair Vintage Inspired dress and a pair of Moss earrings.

See you Friday.

xo

Weekend of Trunk Shows!

I've got a busy weekend ahead of me! At the same time I'm super excited to have all my goodies from this season on display, and see people try them on.

So if you are in Portland please come see me Friday night (10/7) at Union Rose with Seaworthy.
And if you are in Seattle please come see me Saturday night (10/8) at Veloura with Nikki Jacoby.

Clair Fall/Winter 2011 - model : Nicole Prevost

Nicole is the owner of Union Rose, a shop in Portland, Oregon that I am proud to sell my clothing in. Everything in the shop is actually made in Portland, Oregon. With 95% of apparel sold in the United States being made overseas, that's pretty amazing.  Lucky for both of us the people of Portland are great with supporting local.  Nicole also sells her line, Big Brown Eyes at the shop. You may catch her on any given day making garments in the back room.If you don't live in Portland - don't fret - you can order online as well.
If you'd like to come see both of us - Union Rose is hosting my Fall/Winter trunk show on Friday October 7th from 6:00-9:00pm. We'll have candy, pretty dresses, a fortune teller, wine and some more candy.

Union Rose - shop now online!

Yay! You can now shop online at Union Rose. (plus check out their snazzy new web design.) Everything in the shop is made in Portland.

Spotted! No Muffin Top Skirt

I spotted this lovely lady in one of my skirts last week. She said owns several, and it was a huge nerd moment for me.


Get them while they are hot. Vintage limited edition spring colors available at Pin Me Apparel now.

H&M in Portland?

As of today it has been confirmed:
http://pdxneatsheet.com/neat-shop/hm-opens-portland-oregon/

My brain is fighting with itself right now. Crazy shopper that racked up a mountain of credit card debt in the 1st half of my 20's (almost gone phew!!), is screaming YEAH YEAH YEAH!! H&M!! The more mature half that has spent most of the 2nd half of my 20's paying off my debt, and working my ass off sewing clothes says BOO!

This year one of my resolutions was to be more mindful of practicing what I preach. It's kind of pointless for me to bust my ass making things locally and then turn around buy cheap shit at Forever21, Target, ect.

So I'm going with the "no can has" on this. I deemed 2010 the year of No Can Has personally for many reasons. So I'm not setting foot inside the H&M. Instead I will be a conscientious consumer. I will spend my money locally and on the 5% of apparel that is actually made in the United States.

That being said, shop local. Look inside your labels. Know where your things are coming from, how they were made and who is making them.

xo

Clair 20% off sale at Union Rose

You need a new dress! Go get one this weekend at Union Rose. All Clair items are 20% off. Plus don't miss the mega sale rack where there are some past season goodies at 60-80% off!

xo

P.S. Can someone call Mother Nature and let her know is almost summer?!?!?

oh la la! Union Rose has a fancy new website

Check it out here!
http://unionrosepdx.com/

You can see a few items of my spring line in the shots. Another reason I love Portland so much, the lovely model is my old next door neighbor.

If you haven't been in to the shop, you really should. Everything is locally made.