October 1, 2012

STYLE MUSE - NIKKI PORTMAN

Nikki Portman is the creator and mastermind behind the Columbus Flea.  Before I even met Nikki I respected and admired her for starting the Flea... Nikki is one of those people that act on their great ideas, instead of just talking about it like a lot of us.  After I met her, I could add to that list of qualities I admire and like {not to mention she's just really cool... like, sings in a local band kind of cool}.  

What started as the "Summer Flea" has grown quickly to include a Spring and Fall Flea, thus the name change {and it's still growing}.  All three fleas feature a wide variety of handmade jewelry, original artwork, antiques, vintage clothing, unique crafts, and more!  The Fall Flea will take place this Sunday, October 7th from 11am - 5pm at the Seventh Son Brewing Company parking lot {1101 N. 4th St. in Italian Village}. Proceeds from the outdoor markets benefit Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

Thank you, Nikki, for being a L+R Style Muse!  And for introducing me to my new favorite drink {at the Rossi}.  And for my fabulous Flea Bag {modeled by Nikki below}.  It has already made its way to Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and my little hometown.  


L+R:  How would you describe your personal style?
NP:  It can be pretty random at times.  I like to mix modern and vintage and I like finding ways to carry my favorite pieces throughout the seasons, so you’ll often find me in dresses or shorts and tights with big sweaters. 

L+R:  Where are your favorite places to shop?
NP:  Ladybird, Madewell, Thrift Stores, and my seasonal flea market events

L+R:  Are there pieces in your wardrobe you find yourself wearing constantly?
NP:  Oh yes.  I have a crazy Navajo sweater that’s become sort of a signature for me.  Every time I see a picture of myself in it, I’m like “I swear I have other clothes,” but it’s my favorite-what can I say?  Also, my buffalo check flannel, and of course, my jean shorts…worn to death, they’re a part of me. 

L+R:  Your favorite fashion "find"?
NP:  I found a black Christian Dior chiffon skirt with accordion pleats at the thrift store for $4.99.  SCORE!

L+R:  Who is your favorite band?
NP:  Calling out a favorite is tough, but to name a few of my current loves: Ty Segall, Kurt Vile, and Beach House.  Oh, and Divine Fits (go get ‘em Sam Brown!).

L+R:  Tell Lovely + Rust readers a little about what lead you to start the Columbus Flea?
NP:  When I was little and we would visit my grandparents in Florida, my grandma would take us to the outdoor flea markets (you know the real classy ones with the airbrush tees and gold plated chain spools) and I LOVED that.  And now I go to New York somewhat frequently, whether it’s to visit my sister and brother-in -law, or my friends , or for work, and I spend time at the Brooklyn Flea or hitting up the various street vendors and the jewelry market in Nolita.  And it occurred to me on one or more of these visits how much I wished that we had a little of this going on in Columbus.  It wasn’t until I was in between jobs during the dead of Winter in 2009 that I found the time to brainstorm what a flea market in Columbus might look like.  I wanted to create an environment that combined the cool, well-curated Brooklyn Flea feel with a hint of the tacky (in the best possible way) Florida markets that I loved so much as a kid.  I like to call it my up-scale dirt mall, and it came to life it August of 2010 with the help of my buds Erica Anderson, Tony Collinger, and Aaron Beck J 

L+R:  What are your favorite spots in Columbus?
NP:  Ace of Cups for drinks and music. The El Camino Inn for chicken tacos (I’m newly addicted). The Rossi for my favorite pizza and cocktail menu in town.

L+R:  Three beauty products you can't live without?
NP:  - YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick (I have 5 shades)
        - Morrocan Oil for my hair and skin
        - Le Labo Cologne in Patchouli


September 28, 2012

THE GLAD GAME - OVERDUE

Happy Friday, friends.
I think I'm way past due to play the glad game.

I am glad for the following... 

> being challenged, and learning, at work.
> wearing my favorite sweater for the first time.
> a few really good, meaningful conversations that made me think.
> a really sweet, honest, and encouraging email from a new blog friend.
> tortilla soup for lunch {El Vaquero, there is a place in Pittsburgh that could give you a run for your money}.
> I'll soon be sleeping in my own bed, and not be kept awake by loud hotel neighbors {seriously, 4 of the 5 nights here... ugh}
> the white noise app on my iphone I found this week {it came in handy at 12am, 1am & 2am... I'm not bitter ;)}.
> the bottle of wine I brought with me this week {see above two}.
> going to bed last night knowing I'll see my Mr. tomorrow.
+
> this view on my way into Pittsburgh Sunday night.


What are you glad for?
Have a wonderful weekend, friends.


September 27, 2012

FEELING INSPIRED

Just a few images that are getting me excited for fall clothes...
and making me want to shop {don't tell my husband}.
I love every single thing in every single one of these images... 
except maaaybe the shoes in the eighth outfit.
I'm still deciding about those.

{shoes...yes or no?}
{sources here >>> pinterest}


DREAMY DRESSES

I wish both of these dresses would just magically appear in my closet...
but I would even be happy with just one.

{both images via Pinterest}


September 24, 2012

ON THE HUNT: THE PERFECT SWEATER

Hey there, hi there. I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. We had a wonderful time in Cleveland Friday night at our friends' engagement party. {Congrats again, LB and BP!} Then Sunday afternoon I hit the road for Pittsburgh again... making it to the hotel just in time to see the red carpet arrivals for the Emmys. And boy was it chilly when I stepped out of my car. Fall has most definitely arrived.

Finish this sentence: When fall is in the air, I get excited for ______________.
I would answer it like this:

boots
candy corn 
apple cider
my Minnetonkas
pumpkin flavored everything...
+ sweaters

Based on my recent posts, I think you can probably tell fall fashion is on my mind. And there is nothing better than a cream chunky knit or slouchy sweater. I have a mild obsession. At one point way back, I had too many to count. But over the years {after cutting myself off from buying more} my collections has whittled itself down to nothing. We need to remedy that. 

one. / two. / three. / four. / five. / six. / seven. / eight.


The below Free People sweater is my favorite, but unfortunately it's from a previous season and even my super-human-google-shopping-skills can't locate it.



September 21, 2012

A LITTLE ON LIFE LATELY: VACATION EDITION

Eventually I’m going to get through all of the pictures we took with our phones and camera, and do a Portland post full of all sorts of recommendations for when you go there! I know you’re dying of anticipation… but for now, here is a bit of our trip to Seattle and Portland – according to my instagram {and the Mr’s}.

Happy weekend, friends.  We just arrived in Cleveland to go on a party boat {I’m on a boat!} for our good friends’ engagement celebration {Yay, LB and Brian!}.  I hope you all have a wonderful few days! As LB would say – Holla!




September 19, 2012

WANNABE BOOKWORM

I love to read {always have}, but the last few years I just haven't done much of it.
Over the summer I read the Fifty Shades trilogy {I'm only slightly embarrassed to admit it},
but I'm not sure that really counts.
I really want to start reading again, but I desperately need recommendations.

I know I want to purchase oh joy's new book, Blog INC...
but beyond that, I'm sort of at a loss.

Below are a few books I've heard buzz about recently.
If you have a moment, I would love any recommendations in the comment section below.


{Blog INC by Joy Cho}

{A Wanted Man by Lee Child}

{A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness}

{Sutton by J.R. Moehringer}