This week, someone hit me with the creativity stick, because I’ve been churning out paintings and drawings left and right. I should have new items in my Etsy shop within the next few weeks.

I picked up the Sure Lock Dress this week, after reviewers said it was very similar to the Anchors Aweight Dress. I would say that’s true, except the Sure Lock Dress runs a bit smaller. The dress has quite a deep V, so for chestier girls or more modest gals, you definitely need to wear something underneath it. I prefer to wear my halter dresses with a tank top or blouse underneath, like a jumper. This way, I’m covered, but still get to wear cute dresses.

Last night, I went out with Kristin Cutie and her BF Ben, and of course my partner in crime, to go see a bunch of local bands and the Dum Dum Girls (SubPop) at the Hawthorne Theater in Portland. It was a completely awesome show, and if you haven’t listened to them yet, I highly recommend it. They’ve got a great Sixties rock girl vibe going on that I’m really into.

One last thing–I want to tell you how much I absolutely love Portland because it was easy-peasy to get to and from the concert last night, even parking. I never could have driven all over DC (where I was recently living) without being accosted by someone, nearly in an accident, not able to find parking, or all of the above. I’m deeply in love with Portland, and I think it’s getting serious

In this outfit:

• Sure Lock Dress
• J.Crew Favorite Tank
• Anthro Picholine Wedges
• Orla Kiely Textured Midi Sling Flower Check
• Cutie is wearing the Midday Garden Top
• Ben is clothed head-to-toe in plaid, as per usual
• Curiously absent is Mitch Madness, who prefers to take the pictures

I love being a girly-girl. I love clothes, make-up, shoes, bags, jewelry; any way to express myself visually. Since I love these things so much, I also spend a lot of time looking for The ONE. You know, the perfect shoes, the perfect lipstick, the perfect bag…

Well, I can cross bag off my list (for now!). For my personal style, I have found that Orla Kiely Etc. Shoulder bags are the perfect size, shape, perfect everything. I love how each season she comes out with three or four new patterns for this bag shape. I currently own four (yikes, I know), but I almost always carry them with me. They are my every day bags. I love how they are polished, but cute, and can carry everything I need. I may stray and carry a different bag every so often, but I always find myself back at my Orla’s.

Have you found the perfect bag/shoe/lipstick/etc.? I love hearing about other people’s must-haves. I find a lot of good ideas from the blogs I read (you gals rock!!) and have tried things I might never have tried before.

Please let me know what your favs are. I can’t wait to read about them