Styledfortheadventure

I spend a lot of time looking at photos of Marilyn Monroe and ones that always stand out in my mind are the early photos of her lifting weights and jogging. In the 1952 photos taken by Philippe Halsman she’s wearing a terry cloth bikini style top and jeans. Today we see photos of celebrities working out all the time so to see these images of an Old Hollywood Icon working out really blew my mind!  If you’re a fan of Marilyn then you know she was open about her exercise routine and eating habits. I love this 1952 excerpt from Pageant magazine where she said: “Frankly I’ve never considered my figure so exceptional; until quite recently, I seldom gave it any thought at all. My biggest single concern used to be getting enough to eat. Now I have to worry about eating too much. I never use to bother with exercises. Now I spend at least 10 minutes each morning working out with small weights.” She goes on to say she couldn’t stand exercise if she had to feel “regimented about it.” Marilyn was a woman ahead of her time in many ways and I think her approach to fitness was definitely one of those ways! 

For the most part fitness has always been apart of my life but it wasn’t until 2009 that I really started making it a priority. It wasn’t until the last year or so that I started to view working out as an essential part of my self care routine. I can honestly say I look forward to my daily at home spin classes! Each class and instructor has something different to offer which keeps things feeling fresh interesting.

Is exercise part of your self care routine? I’d love to know how you stay active!  

Special thanks to Marilyn for inspiring this post AND shout out to my Mom who recently completed a half marathon at 60!!! 

1950s style Western Jeans from Vivien of Holloway, Nike light-support shimmer sport bra. 

Photography by Little Photo Fox.

What’s the first thing you do when you get home from vacation? If your answer is “start planning another vacation,” I like the way you think!

This shoot with Vanessa Wolf Photography actually felt like a mini vacation. Maybe it was the sun, sand and good company! When it comes to content creating, I rarely shoot on weekdays or evenings but for this shoot I did both of those things; thanks to Vanessa! I’ll be the first to admit I am very dedicated to my routine and it takes a lot of mental prep for me to break the cycle. It turns out breaking the cycle was exactly what I needed in the midst of a crazy work week and the relaxing shoot location was definitely a bonus. Maybe I’ll be breaking the cycle more often…

Real quick, what you don’t see in these pictures is me falling flat on my backside on the way to this shoot location….I was trying to get down the steep trail that led down to the beach, I slipped, regained my balance then fell SO hard. Vannessa, who was walking ahead of me at the time, looked back as soon I said “Fuuuudge!” Only I didn’t say “Fudge. I said THE word, the big one…” Followed by “yes, All Glam No Filter just dropped an F bomb and I think I broke my tail bone.” Real life and a true Ralphie moment guys, it’s never a dull moment on location 🤣!

Floral hair clip custom made by Most Everything Vintage, true vintage wrap skirt from Most Everything Vintage, white sport bra from Forever 21, vintage inspired hoop earrings from Tatyana Clothing Company (P.S. these earrings are my absolute favorite! They’re almost always sold out but you can buy a similar pair here,) lipstick is shade Red Hot Red from Beasame Cosmetics.

Growing up I loved collecting Barbies, I actually still have all of my favorite dolls unopened in their original boxes! Barbie introduced me to fashion at a very young age. She also taught me it was ok to push personal style boundaries, even if that meant “standing out.” I mean, when has Barbie ever worn anything practical🤣?

Since I most definitely have Barbie to thank for my love for fashion, I thought it would be fun to combine my love for Barbie and vintage for this shoot! I also used a few items from my childhood, the 35th Anniversary doll and the Barbie Bazaar magazines, as props which added a special touch. This shoot took months for me to plan but it was so much fun watching it all come together!

When it comes to photo shoots/content creating, I love creating images I know I’ll treasure forever more than anything! Life is short, make your dream photo shoots a reality!

Barbie replica swimsuit from Unique Vintage, True vintage pink peignoir found on Etsy, Bettie Page Lingerie retro inspired spiral bra, Vixen by Mitcheline Pitt pencil skirt (I love this skirt so much, I have it in red and leopard print), Poodle topper hair piece custom made by vintage stylist Stevie Rosalie, special thanks to Diminson 7 salon for the platinum refresh.

Photos take by Michaela H. Photography at  Cobalt Studios PDX. Book a session, maybe even your dream session, you won’t be disappointed!

”I’ve got a book of matches. I’ve got a can of kerosene. I’ve got some bad ideas involving you and me. .”-Alkaline Trio

I’ve done a lot of concept shoots but I’ve never done one inspired by a song! So when Jacob Haber of Jacob Haber Photography asked me if I wanted to do a shoot inspired by the Alkaline Trio song “This Could Be Love,” of course I said yes! Hell yes, would have been more appropriate though right? 😉

I’ve always been drawn to Alkaline Trio’s macabre yet upbeat tunes and the twisted love song that inspired this shoot is no exception. “This Could Be Love” is the first track on the band’s 2003 release titled  “Good Mourning,” and ultimately lays the foundation for the tracks to come. If you ask Jacob why he chose this particular song he’ll say, “I think it tells a really cool and interesting story. I like the way the chorus uses steps, the chorus always draws me in.”

You might not know this about me, but Alkaline Trio is one of my favorite bands! When I left North Carolina for Chicago in 2008, I did so knowing I’d probably get to see the band live a lot more often. I always love meeting other Alkaline Trio fans so getting to partner with one on a project like this was so much fun!

Special thanks to Jacob Haber for partnering on this post! Be sure to check out more of Jacob’s work on Instagram @jacobhaberphotography !

Cigarette pants from Vixen by Micheline Pitt might be my new favorite thing. I love the back zipper, the true high waist and how amazingly comfortable they are!!  I love Vixen’s twill like cigarette pants but the ponte stretch fabric version is definitely a wardrobe game changer for me. I purchased the navy knowing they’d be something fun and different for spring! I’ll eventually order the ponte stretch in black too though simply because I love them that much!!

When it comes to deciding on the best size/fit for you, Vixen size charts are spot on!! I’m normally a Small in all Vixen pieces but there are a few items I can size down on when I’m in between size chart sizes. I also find the customer reviews incredible helpful so be sure to check those out as well!! 

Pants, top and scarf from Vixen by Mitcheline Pitt. 
Photography by Seattle based photographer Sarah Wolfe of @swolfephoto!

 I rarely get nervous before a photo shoot these days, but the night before this shoot I couldn’t sleep! I think it was a mixture of excitement and nerves, basically proof I still really love content creating.  Honestly the idea of this shoot intimidated me from the start but as I told Michaela (the amazing woman behind the lens), “I’m not worried about you, I’m worried about ME!” Channeling my inner Marilyn is one thing but recreating her looks and poses is a whole different story, especially when you’re recreating iconic Milton Greene sittings. 

When I found out Michaela was having Valentine’s Day mini sessions at Cobalt Studios, I thought about this concept almost immediately and pitched it. Friends, this is about as boudoir as it gets for me and it was still a little out of my comfort zone 🤣. 

The weekend before this shoot (and the day after a 6 hour shoot) I did a wardrobe test and practiced each pose in front of the mirror. Because I have the upmost respect for absolutely everything Marilyn did, I’m very mindful when paying tribute to her. Marilyn worked hard at her craft and took it very seriously, I would never do anything disrespectful of that. 

I love every photo of Marilyn but the images Marilyn and Milton created together will forever be some of my favorites. They just emanate trust and I think there’s real beauty in that. 

Special thanks to Michaela Photography for being my Milton. 

Images inspired by Milton H. Greene’s 1955 Marilyn Monroe “White Robe Sitting” and Milton H. Greene’s 1955 Marilyn Monroe “Red Sweater Sitting”.

If you’ve been following me for a while, then you already know I’m obsessed with holiday style!

I love combining old holiday favorites with new holiday favorites and this look is a perfect example of that! Every holiday season I really try to style looks that are completely different from previous years. It’s kind of a fun personal style challenge I look forward to every year! There are really so many holiday color palettes and prints out there to work with so it’s not as difficult as you would think!

For this look I decided to combine holiday sparkle with classic Christmas! I know, I sound a contestant on Project Runway or a holiday baking competition on The Food Network 🤣…But sparkle and classic are two of my absolute favorite things! This wristlet from, female owed small business, Land and Kamp was the perfect addition to my holiday wardrobe this year! I purchased it on Small Business Saturday already knowing I would be pairing it with sequins. The Pendleton wool upper on the wristlet ended up matching a holiday blazer in my wardrobe so perfectly I had to add the blazer complete the look!

Dress and beret from H&M // wristlet from Land and Kamp // shoes from DSW // Vintage plaid blazer from Most Everything Vintage//

Photography by Vanessa Rosa Photography

On this last day of fall, I thought it would only be appropriate to pay tribute to the season the best way I know how, through a blog post.

Although the fall foliage, in Portland, took longer to arrive than normal this year it was 100% worth the wait. Each autumn Mother Nature seems to have a way of convincing me to add more fall inspired colors and pieces to my wardrobe. For example, this 1960s wiggle dress from Dela Deville’s Vintage possessed so many fall characteristics that I look couldn’t pass it up. The leaf print gold brocade and brown velvet just emanated fall! I styled with a faux fur stole and gold clutch to enhance the dress’s vintage charm and added a fall inspired fascinator from Whisker Pinch Designs as a finishing touch!

Photos by Vanessa Rosa Photography

Happy Holidays everyone! I was recently given exclusive access to Santa Land at Lloyd Center, and it was truly a dream come true! I can officially check “Sitting in Santa’s chair” off my bucket list!

I know this holiday season might look a little different but that doesn’t mean Christmas is canceled! This year Lloyd Center is offering a contactless Santa Land experience that’s fun for families and kids of all ages! To visit Santa at Lloyd Center, head over to Lloydcenter.com and make your reservation today!

Also for the second year in a row Lloyd Center is partnering with Howard’s Heart, a local non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Portland teens in foster care, so when you make your reservation to see Santa, you’re also contributing to an amazing cause! Be sure to use this link to learn more about Howard’s Heart and the amazing work they do to make a difference in our community! If you’d like to make a donation but you’re unable to visit Santa, no worries! You can make a donation to Howard’s Heart anytime via their website.

Lastly, if you’ve never been to Lloyd Center during the holiday season, you’re missing out! The holiday decorations at Lloyd Center are always spectacular but this year they have made some incredibly festive additions!! Aside from Santa Land being bigger than ever, they have added photo backdrops throughout the property so you can take the perfect holiday photos and selfies! When you share your photos to social media (because you’ll want to, trust me) be sure to tag @shoplloydcenter for a chance to be featured on their platforms!

* Paid partnership with Lloyd Center. Special thanks to Lloyd Center for partnering on this post!
* Photography by Shauna Penchie @littlephotofox , be sure to follow her on Instagram to see more of her work!

Small Business Saturday is November 28th and right now, small businesses need our support more than ever! If you’re looking for a way to make a difference this holiday season, remember to shop small! I’ve always been a firm supporter of shopping small but since Covid, I’ve been shopping small more than ever! If you’re looking for some small businesses to support this holiday season, I’ve compiled a list of my absolute favorite small businesses! Remember if you’re not sure sure what to buy the people on your holiday shopping list from the shops below, most offer gift cards!

Most Everything Vintage: Based out of Vancouver, WA this shop is my favorite local small business and my go-to for most everything (you guessed it) vintage! If you don’t live in the Portland area, you can easily shop this small business on Instagram. The shop owner and her staff post new items almost daily and their hand made masks would make perfect stocking stuffers! If you’re local and able to stop by the shop, I definitely recommend it! Most Everything Vintage always has the most incredibly decorated store front windows and there’s nothing like actually visiting this shop. Also, be sure to stop by Compass Coffee, another small business right next door, before or after your trip to Most Everything because they have the most amazing chai tee lates!

Dela Deville’s Vintage: Based out of Springdale, AK Dela has so many amazing true vintage and vintage reproduction clothes and accessories. Dela’s shop offers free shipping and recently started a rewards program so you can earn points on every purchase. Be sure to follow Dela Deville’s Vintage on Instagram for the shops latest arrivals and promotions. Warning: no one knows holiday style quite like Dela, so you’re going to be tempted to buy something festive for yourself! Trust me!

Witchwood Bags: This small business is guaranteed to have that special something for the spooky person on your Christmas list. I love this shop’s berets, umbrellas and makeup brushes! Shopping tip: be sure to set Instagram post notifications for this shop to learn about the launches of their new releases. Witchwood products tend to sell out quickly!

Vixen by Micheline Pitt: Did you actually think I could do a small business post and not mention Vixen?? This CA based shop has quickly become one of my favorite places to shop. Micheline’s vintage reproduction is on par with true vintage quality which means her pieces are made to last! Not sure what size the Vixen on your list wears? No problem! Vixen has great accessories and even offers gift cards!

Del Rio Vineyards: Holiday gifting made super easy! Who doesn’t like wine?! Whether you’re looking to buy a bottle of wine for a friend, co-worker or the hostess of a socially distanced holiday gathering Del Rio has a wine for you! I personally recommend the Rose’ Jolee featured in this holiday gift box – it’s sweet, bubbly and oh so perfect for any holiday moment. Del Rio Vineyards is hands down my favorite Oregon vineyard!

Cobalt Studios PDX: To all my local readers: there’s no time like the present (no pun intended) to give the gift of photography this holiday season! On December 5th, Michaela Higgison, owner of Cobalt Studios and one of my favorite local photographers, is offering 30 minute holiday mini sessions starting at $75! For your mini session you’ll get a choice of backdrop and you can pick your favorite images at $10 per edit! Pick 10 edits and the 11th will be free!! My holiday photo shoot with Michaela was last weekend and it definitely got me in the holiday spirit!! Be sure to book your session now as spots are filling up quickly!

Land and Kamp: Another amazing Oregon based, female owned small business!! Established in 2015, the owner Jesse, makes unique purses designed to fit your lifestyle! Land and Kamp pieces are made from the highest quality fabrics and hardware. The craftsmanship Jesse puts in to every purse, backpack and wristlet is truly incredible! So if there’s someone on your holiday shopping list who loves timeless accessories that are made to last – give the gift of Land and Kamp this holiday season! Also now through November 27th take advantage of 15% off (site wide) with free shipping!

Happy shopping, everyone!!