Sahlia Michelle: Jewelry for the Urban Explorer

I recently discovered this wonderful Portland artist while cruising the web one day and I immediately fell in love with her designs.  Each piece is designed and handmade in her Portland studio. 

She uses semi-precious gemstones, hand-pounded sterling silver and her signature recycled molten silver droplets in many of her designs.  She is also a fan of using organic materials such as reclaimed leather, and feathers.  

Her jewelry is no unique, I just love it!  Not to mention, she also happens to be a total babe!  Here is just a tease of the beautiful work she has created:

The Designer in her Portland Studio (I told you she is a babe!)

This is my favorite look! The necklace is "5 blades"

Necklace: "Obsidian Toggle"

Earrings: "Hurricane Hoops"

From her Bridal line; Necklace: "Aquamarine with Silver Lace"

To check out more urban looks you can visit Sahlia Michelle or check out her Blog!  Man, I love it all!

Meet Cricket

This is Cricket, my perfect little kitty. She keeps me sane when I'm alone and in need of a companion.  She's very protective of the things she loves (one more reason to love her). I once watched her growl for an hour at a tree trimmer cutting branches on her favorite tree...Do you have any pet stories to share? 

5 Things I learned this week

1.  Palio Dessert & Espresso Shop is the perfect spot to cozy up, read a good book, drink yummy coffee, & eat even yummier desserts.  

2.  Don't leave your cat locked up in your apartment for 14 hours, otherwise you come home to an unpleasant surprise...

3.  How to live well:      1. Serve others

                                    2. Do something of real value

                                    3. Continue to grow

                                                     Wisdom from Temple Grandin PH.D.

4.  Sleep is for wimps, so I guess I'm a wimp

5.  H&M is a great place for fashionable work attire on a budget.

Another weekend all Alone

Sorry I've been Away

This has been a crazy week filled with school, studies, and the Portland Bridal Expo.  You may be wondering how the heck I got involved in the Portland Bridal Expo...Well, long story short, I volunteered to help a friend and fellow classmate, Kim Morrison, in her attempt to enhance marketing for Cocoon Silk (a small bridal boutique in NW Portland).   

A little bit about the company: Cocoon Silk’s gowns are custom designed by Yun, a Portland transplant, and his mother who still lives in Cambodia. Gowns are custom made for the client. Yun and his staff work with clients to decide upon the gown design and client measurements are taken in-shop. The gowns are constructed out of 100% silk which is hand loomed and dyed with natural vegetable dyes in Yun’s home town in Cambodia. Cocoon Silk and Yun’s family’s silk farm employs Yun’s family in Cambodia as well as approximately 200 villagers. Once the gown is returned to Cocoon Silk’s NW 23^rd shop, clients return for free alterations for an amazing custom fit done by Yun, his sister Leak, and Cocoon Silk staff.  For more info on the expo check out the Masters of International Management Blog!

Check out some of the pics from the Expo! 

                            

Modeling dresses in the booth from Cocoon Silk 

On stage in a bridesmaid gown by Cocoon Silk

On stage in a gown by Cocoon Silk

A Side Note: Go Ducks!!!

Courtesy of Nike.com

So the day has finally come!  After a month of waiting in anticipation, today the Oregon Ducks play for the Championship!  I'm giddy with excitement.  Check out these awesome uniforms Nike designed special for the game!

Getting to Know me

Since I haven't really given you all a fair chance to get to know me yet I thought I 'd give you a little insight into the things that make me happy.  So for the next 10 posts I'm going to show you...

1. Dancing

Dancing: I used to dance everyday. I miss it.  It's amazing how something can make you feel so good.  Ya know that feeling that runs through your body when you begin to move? It starts in your fingertips and travels all the way to your toes.  I love that feeling.  When I dance it feels like a familiar friend is joining me to play, a friend you can tell anything to, be crazy with, and have fun with.  Dancing is an amazing feeling, an outlet. It is freeing, so freeing.