Saturday, December 6, 2014

If You Build it, they Will Come...?

If you read the title above in your best James Earl Jones voice circa Field of Dreams in 1989, spot on my friends. After living in the Foster neighborhood for a year and a half we are loving our home, loving the neighbors, and loving the neighborhood (I say that last one with my finger in the air, a pinch your nose sort of tone, followed by a "....but" implying there are just a few caveats). In the time spent living one block south of Foster rd. I have gotten  to see the good, the gritty, and the shitty gritty sides of the street. So without further ado, let's get right down to the real nitty gritty shall we:

In a city where every main street is filling in with condos, the rumor mill (aka the news) states that Portland is bracing for  its population to double in the next 20 years,  I find it odd that in the Foster neighborhood development is trudging along (two steps forward one step back). Don't get me wrong, Foster is filled to the brim with charming eats, drinks, and walkable to dos (here, here, here, here....). There is a good gritty feel to the neighborhood,  a variety of people, and some shops that reflect a diverse demographic. 

The shitty gritty mentioned above are the vacant buildings that sit glumly (with the occasional adorned boarded window), and the plethora of adult shops.  I'm referring to the 3 adult shops that line the blocks between 52nd and 54th on Foster rd. (not to mention the Strip club on the same block). I get it, humans have basic needs that get met in a variety of ways. For me placing 3 adult shops that  openly state on their website such services as "rub downs,"  and have colorful phrases on their signs such as "santa's little ho ho hoes," makes me wish the neighborhood would pick up its pace on changing (Couldn't we close down at least two of the three? Three is excessive.).  

I will note, within a year we have seen some really fantastic businesses move in  (Renaissance Guitars, Mid Point Cafe, Foster Row...which houses a variety of makers and creators, and Nayar Taqueria).  It seems like Foster could use some outside neighborhood development love to get the extra boost of TLC it needs. The City has plans for a future streetscape renovation which will change Foster road (in a nut shell: increased bike traffic, decreased car traffic, less lanes).  With the rate it has taken to get a streetscape plan passed (10 years, I believe ), and the history of pushing development dates back in this neighborhood, I'm concerned that a 2016 building start will turn into a much later date. 

It seems neighborhoods like Division have drastically changed in less then two years.  I don't imagine or want this type of change for Foster. Whatever happens next on Foster I hope is a balance of out with the old (shitty gritty) and in with the new (while keeping a bit of the good gritty to boot).  Below are neighborhood snaps of the good, the bad, and the ugly. A message to Portland developers or people who have visions of good businesses and money to back it (in my best James Earl Jones voice, ahem) If you build the businesses, open the shops, provide the good grocery stores... people will support you. My message to the local shops that are already hustling and bustling (Stumptown, New Seasons...etc.) if you open a business on Foster, other businesses will follow you.

Vacant dry cleaner building.

Local hot spot.

Carts on Foster.

Vacant Autoshop, mural states "our cars sell themselves."

1 of 3...go away.

Wolf and Rabbit gallery to open in the neighborhood at Foster Row. 

Darling Letter Press with a new store front...neighborhood gem! 

Foster Burger (adjacent to 1 of the 3 adult shops).

This building has been for lease for over a year (come on something good, make us proud). 

Friday, September 12, 2014

I Left My Harp at Sam Clam's Disco ....

When I was a kid I used to know a joke,  the type with a huge set up, and lots of memorizing. Unfortunately I invested my joke memory in two other jokes (ask me, I know two good old fashion jokes to my name) and all I remember is part of the punchline.  So here's what I remember,  and you can go ahead and figure out how to get yourself to this part of the joke: "I left my harp at Sam's Clam Disco (to the tune of "I left my Heart in San Francisco")." It's actually starting come back as I typed the punchline, it was something about a club called Sam Clam's disco, and someone (most likely a musician, and I'm even going to go as far as saying it was a harpist...) goes to the club. Some things happen, funny things, forgetful things, and voila  in your best Tony Bennet crooner voice "I left my harp at Sam Clam's Disco." Anyways we were just in San Francisco (see photos below for living proof), and I couldn't help but think about Sam Clam's Disco as we trudged up and down the beautiful hilly streets. 

Alex and I went to SF for a wedding that took place in Prisidio Park, just a walk, skip, and a trudge  past the Palace Of Fine Arts. Presidio park is a beautiful part of the city that over looks... whelp, it over looks the city, not to mention a lovely view of the Golden Gate Bridge.  I didn't take many photos at the wedding, so you will have to trust me that it was beautiful: romantic vows, beautiful couple, dancing, delicious food, spending time with delightful relatives...the works. We ended up staying in San Francisco for three days after the wedding below are some adventure blips. Oh, and I would like to note on our anniversary we went to a bar near our Air BnB we stayed at in the Mission district called  Makeout Room, and there was a fantastic soul night DJ spinning gem after gem (it was a memorable way to ring in our love + we were strangers in that city, so we felt at ease pulling out our extra kooky dance moves).  

San Francisco, I didn't leave my harp,  and my dear heart came riding back with me on the plane. It truly was a pleasure, and I look forward to the next chance I can walk up your hills, admire your views, and dance to your music.  
1. no explanation needed here, am I right?

2. We saw the sweetest sea lions under a pier. 

3. Us doing our best sea lion.

4. Day trip to mountains, admiring my mother's garden from the deck.

5. Travel companion #1 (fill in  your favorite thumbs up-y emoticons here).

6. The Mission District.

7. At the wedding, a lovely guest from Montreal, Canada gave me this necklace. I had complimented the woman on her necklace when I first met her. The combination of wine and generosity is a powerful thing, and it resulted in me receiving this gift. Her name is Maude, and she told me in a beautiful thick French accent "this necklace will pimp up any plain shirt you wear." Thank you Maude.  Don't worry folks, addresses were exchanged and a thank you package is in the works. 

Friday, August 15, 2014

Auntie Em


Being an aunt is the best. This sweet video starring my niece Harper Joyce makes my heart melt and my weekend start off in good spirits.This smart cookie is not even two years old mind you. 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

The Cat's Meow




Hearts of my hearts man! I mean seriously, would you take a look at the darling gems above?! Exibit C, waking up for work bright and early with Francis's paw delicately perched (in his sleep mind you) on Alex's size 13 foot. Or photo one, Fran looks like he has been studying the Sistine Chapel. Hearts of my heart! 

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Uku-le It On Me







Here's me letting you know that I recently became a proud new Ukulele owner (photo one, happy as a  ukulele inclined clam). If you live in my neighborhood, (or don't) I highly suggest checking out Renaissance Guitars on Foster. This charming little shop is a new addition to our neighborhood, chalked full of friendly (not pushy), know it all (in a know their shit sort of helpful way), guys (make that two) ready to sell you your new instrument (to join my ukulele band). But seriously folks, stop in. Learning to play the Ukulele has been on my to do list for awhile (naturally inspired by the duet with Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters above). Next Stop, tap dancing, and I'm one step closer to a new goal (the man in video three, am I right?!). So if you know anything about ukuleles (altos to be precise) and you have been aching to teach someone something (tap dancers welcome too), the above are just a snap shot of what I would like to be strum dum  dumming in the next year (yes, "strum dum dumming").



Thursday, July 31, 2014

These Boots Were Made For Walking (Sneak Peek)


Just some vintage leather shoes that will make their appearance at the Delicate Doilies' August pop up shop at Foster Row. 

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Success





The Foster Row grand opening came and went. Surely a success (yes a success but don't call me Shirley... Airplane anyone?).  Delicate Doilies represented in homemade floral crowns (it was very doily of us). It appeared that people who joined in celebration seemed excited about the new neighborhood space, and everything happening inside. People seemed pleased with the music, and I was pleased that only one record skipped (it was due to a couple dancing too close to the turntables, with too many jumpy moves...come on  people quit having fun!).    There was probably a steady flow of 80-100 people including my friend Brooks above  next to the Foster Row lights and Delicate Doilies signs (photo two). With that, Delicate Doilies will kick off a month long pop up shop in August at Foster Row. I will be playing shop gal one weekend day a week and sure would love to see you.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Foster Row Grand Opening (aka see you tomorrow)





Foster Row is currently the home to a variety of different creative studios (from wood working, letterpress, weaving, to a pottery studio).Saturday commences the latest addition to Foster Rowa new storefront space that will open August first. Upon opening, Delicate Doilies will have a small pop up shop for the whole month of August (vintage goodies for one and all) accompanied by featured crafts and creations Ã  la the Foster Row studio spaces.  If you are around this Saturday from 7-10 stop by for a sneak peek of the space, meet your neighbors (or our neighbors), and support a local business that is oh so good for the Foster Powell neighborhood. Did I mention I will be DJing? Kid friendly too. Would love to see you and yours... tell your friends (all of them please).

Monday, July 21, 2014

Polkadots and Moonbeams

The ceremony (chimes from the officiant started off the hurrah) 

Each tier of the cake had a different flavor (lavender, orange, and lemon to name a few). The cat is ala  cat paint ( I thought the neighbor's cat or one like him would look so dashing next to the cake. 

Dahlias, hand picked and placed. 

Welcoming flowers and guest book (it's hard to tell but this overlooked a banquet style table that seated 60 people). Oh and I had a hand at making these paper beauties with John and Steve. 

Alex and some lovely guests we chatted with (side note, this woman was wearing some great gold fan shaped earrings).

My love, admiring the beautiful garden.

Dear Shola, the photographer extraordinaire.

Yesterday Alex and I had the good fortune to join in celebration at our neighbor's wedding. For those of you that know our house buying saga,  the future neighbors sealed the deal and our sights on our home (we used to eat dinner on the back deck while we were waiting for the offer to go through, and were sold on living next to John and Steve from day one).  Though we have only known each other for a year, they are the type of people you instantly love, funny, fun, witty, smart, kind like it's going out of style, good style, good taste, cool house (you get it, they're grand). One thing that's very apparent early on about these two people is their fantastic relationship, and love for one another. They have been together for 27 years, and are still extremely kind,considerate, caring, loving, and affectionate  to each other (inspiring to say the least). It was truly a beautiful ceremony and celebration full of tears, cheers, so much color (from the grooms bright digs to the dahlias on the table),  not to mention all the people who loved and cared about the grooms from near and far.  Above are the only snaps I took at the wedding, just a sliver of the night (sans eating, dancing, toasting, an adorable baby who whizzed passed me in a ruffled yellow dress... pretty much all of it, but just enough to give you a taste of the evening). Congratulations to the happy couple. Below is one of the songs I played at the wedding  (cough, I  DJ'd), and  my DJBBJ playlist for the dancing portion of the evening. 
Polkadots and Moonbeams- (first dance y'all)
Inspiration information- Shuggie Otis 
Heatwave - Martha and Vandellas
Money- Barret Strong
From Head to Toe - Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
You Won't See Me- The Claradonians
I Wanna  Be Loved - Jean and Dean
Just One Look- Dorris Troy
Twisting the Night Away - Sam Cooke 
You Never Can Tell- Chubby Checkers
Cry to Me - Solomon Burke
Hand Clapping Song - Shirley Ellis
Ride Your Pony - Betty Harris
Give Him a Great Big Kiss - The Shangralas 
 Stomping Foot - The Flares
Shake a Tail Feather- The Five Du Tones
The Boy From New York City- The Ad Libs
Bad Boy- The Jive Bombers
You and Me - Penny and the Quarters






Monday, July 14, 2014

Bad News Bears






Bears in clothes, particularly tennis shoes, hats, and dapper accessories have been on the drawing docket these days (because hey why not). #1, #2 and #5 were fliers for a friends recent DJ gig.  Need a bear themed something?...I'm your gal!

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Smokey Robinson and The Miracles...For your Listening Pleasure


I stumbled upon this song yesterday via a new thrifted record. It's good, and when I say good I mean on repeat all the day long!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Aww Shoe-t











The world is filled with fantastic prints and patterns. Recently my brain and my feet have been scanning the world for these gems. Stay tuned for more of my best feet forward here.