Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

A little "letter from the editor" if you will
As you may have noticed, this blog has been under a few different names since I first began posting... Oops! 
You know, at first I felt good about just putting this blog under the domain of Candace Mae, as that is my name. However, as the weeks went on it just began to seem a bit lazy to me, and kind of temporary in a way. It just wasn't representative of what I want this blog to be. I am growing up and making changes in my life, I don't expect that those changes will stop anytime soon, but I want this blog to kind of represent that. Although I'm not currently living inside of the city, I still go to school in the city, and I honestly like to consider myself, and anyone else who has a deep love and undersanding for the city, a Portlander... Do people outside of Oregon really even know where Oregon City is? Didn't think so. I love my city of Portland, and I also love other cities as well and when I travel or if I happen to move somewhere temporarily, I would want this blog to be of my perspective, not just me and what I'm into; but also what I'm seeing and doing. So, to settle any confusion, Perspectives of a Portlander will stay... for now. I'm not going to make the promise and say forever because who knows what the future holds. To me this seems like a very fitting name. It's the same name as my photo blog and is my favorite so far. I hope my choice in names hasn't deterred you from wanting to keep checking in on my posts... If so, I'm sorry, but you are more than welcome to create your own blog with your own favorite name; in fact I encourage it!

Edit: 10/18/14 I have switched hosting sites and have moved my domain name over to perspectivesofaportlander.com

The Business of Traveling

I recently stumbled upon tons of photos from a trip to Europe I took with my parents when I was younger. We were fortunate enough to be able to travel around Europe for a little over a month, seeing everything from London, England to Santorini, Greece to visiting my brother Cracow, Poland. (Where he lived at the time)  Although I was extremely grateful to go on this trip, I remember not appreciating it as much because I was so young. However, seeing these photos made me realize how good traveling can be for a person. I feel like one should do a trip at least once a year. It doesn't have to be on a massive scale like my parents and I did, but I truly believe that travel is good for the soul. It can really help to broaden a persons horizons or, at the very least, keep you from catching a case of Cabin Fever.

After looking through all of the photos from Europe I decided to make a promise to myself that whether it's on a larger scale, or a small scale I will travel to someplace I've never been to at least once every year. Luckily, Oregon has many places to explore so doing it on a smaller scale will still work (and save me some money). I believe we spend our time on this Earth endlessly creating ourselves. You will never be the same person at 20 that you are at 35. I'm still figuring out who I am as a person, and who I want to be, and that's okay. But traveling is something I know I need to do for myself. I need to be out of my element and experience something new (at least once a year) to be able to learn and to grow everyday.

Got any travel plans, or places your hoping to travel to? Let me know. 

Also, if you'd like to see more photos from our trip, the link to my photo blog is in my header

Much love

Music Festival Attire + Essentials

Spring is upon is and Summer is not too far away which means that concert season is just about here!
To honor the kickoff of Coachella, I've put together a couple of outfits that I hope will spark a little inspiration for your concert attire. I've also added a few things down at the bottom that I think every concert goer should take with them to survive the festival madness; Enjoy!

Keeping the Peace

I took a trip with my dad to the Japanese Gardens yesterday. I hadn't been there in a few years and we thought it would be a nice day to go explore the area and take some photos. When you first arrive to the gates they ask you to turn your phones on silent and ask that you don't talk on them to kind of keep the atmosphere peaceful and not disturb others walking in the gardens. Now I don't know if it was the quiet or the beautiful plants but I felt an overwhelming sense of calm in this place. I'm talking more than you would get from just being inside of a Library. It was amazing what an effect this place had on me. When I left I felt more at peace than I have in a long time; so it got me thinking, I need something like this more often in my life.

I've been really into finding new relaxation methods because these past few weeks I've been feeling like crap. This new term in school really kicked off with a bang that I was not ready for, and the fact that I'm getting less sleep than I used to isn't helping. I keep waking up in pain, feeling like my head of going to explode from grinding my teeth due to stress or sleeping on my neck wrong. However, I found that when I would take deep breaths every morning it would help to calm me down and, somehow, ease the pain. I know that some people like to meditate, or light candles/incense to get that sense of calm, maybe some do yoga...

I'm really looking for something to give me that peace of mind. Not just when I wake up, but throughout my day. I've been working on being less attached to my phone because I hate the fact that my phone is the first thing I reach for in the mornings. I've also been trying to read more. I think it's important for all people, but mostly young adults to really take a step back and relax even if its only once a week. So much is changing in our lives, we really need that time to ourselves. To relax for a moment and have everything be still and be okay.

I left the Gardens with a little souvenir; Tama. Maneki-Neko is based on the tale of this cat, Tama who brought happiness and good fortune to his owner. I thought he was cute but who knows, maybe Tama will bring me a greater sense of happiness this term. If you haven't been to the Japanese Gardens recently, or at all, I suggest you take a trip; especially if you're starting to feel like you need a little break from reality, or need to find your sense of calm.

What to Wear to Portland Fashion Week

Since I am now a student at the Art Institute, it's pretty important that I attend the events it puts on to support the school and get an idea of what it has to offer. I recently got my ticket for the event on the final day of Portland Fashion week in which the students showcase their "Future of Fashion" collections! However, getting the ticket is just the first step. Figuring out what to wear is the next giant leap forward.
 So, I've narrowed it down to two looks I'm thinking of wearing:

Both outfits are very simple, and very neutral, but classic. I chose to go with a romper or a pantsuit because I think they both could be considered staples for Spring. One must be very careful when choosing one of these, because in my opinion the fits can be very particular, but I like a bit of a challenge. Both rompers and pantsuits go well with strappy sandals so I've added a pair to each look, as well as a gold accessory and a clutch bag. Whichever look I choose I'll pair with this makeup look. Again, staying very simple with neutral colored eyes to go along with the neutral outfit, but with a darker lip.

Let me know what you think or, if you're also planning to go to fashion week, what ideas you were thinking as far as what to wear or bring!

Spring Lookbook!

Spring is here! 
In h0nor of tomorrow being the first official day of Spring, here's a little lookbook I've put together to showcase a few different styles I'll be wearing this season. Hopefully this will help any of you who are looking for some inspiration on those days when you just can't figure out what to wear.

Florals are such a fitting print for Spring. I've chosen to give this look a little bit of a city feel by adding the cut out boots and the hat. 

Spring in Oregon can still be kind of chilly so I chose to layer a cardigan on top. This could easily be edged up even more by adding something like a leather jacket or a darker necklace.

Dress & Hat - Forever 21
Cardigan - H&M
Necklace - Shop Dixi
Boots - Target

Still such a fan of the lady button-up fad. I've chosen to make it a little more feminine and springlike by pairing it with this neon skater skirt. The pattern of the snakeskin flats just adds a little more texture into the outfit. 

Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters

Button Up & Snakeskin flats - Old Navy

Skirt - Nasty Gal

When in doubt, go with stripes, am I right? I chose to keep this look very simple. Although this outfit is black and white I kept the styling very modern and chic. A cropped top and high waisted pants or a skirt is something we'll be seeing a lot of in the upcoming seasons. I adore the cut out flats and thought that they worked perfectly for an outfit like this. A pop of color would be great for an outfit like this. A neon clutch, or brightly colored necklace would work great.

Top - American Apparel

Pants - H&M (Imitation of American Apparel's Disco Pants)

Shoes - Zara

This is just an example of how you can work colors into an outfit. I wanted to show the different ways that they can be presented, (in any color not just mint blue) Although boots are a good alternative to add to an outfit when it's slightly cooler out, a flat would also appropriate with an outfit like this.

 Necklace & Shirt - Forever 21
Blazer - Nordstrom
Pants - Charlotte Russe
Boots - Target

Another floral print! But, what can I say, they're a staple print for spring. I absolutely adore this sweater because it's so comfortable and the floral tones are muted so this could go with any colored bottoms. I chose to keep this look simple and just pair the sweater with leggings, but that's what makes outfits like these so great, you can use your imagination and start building on it. Pairing this with a skater skirt on warmer days would be lovely. You could also add a brightly colored bag to this look, as well as edge it up with a leather jacket, or the boots from the first look

Sunglasses - Red Light Portland

Sweater & Leggings - H&M

19th Birthday Celebration!

Well, it's officially my last year of being a teenager. I turned 19 yesterday and I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel even a little weird. I celebrated my birthday by going to a concert in the city with some of my best friends, and I really just wanted to take a second on here and thank everyone for the amazing birthday I had. Last night truly was cinematic and I don't think I could have asked for anything more. If, for some odd reason, you haven't heard of G-Eazy or Kyle, check them out ASAP because their performances last night were some of the best I've seen in a long time.

Late Winter Purchases

Although the first day of Spring is roughly around the corner, the sad truth is that we Oregonians know the weather won't be looking much warmer until about July. I'm a fan of cooler weather so I don't mind it, especially because it allows me to take advantage of the seasonal sales on Winter coats.

 Leather Sleeved Button Down - $30.00 at Forever 21

 Light Grey Fleece - $22.00 at Forever 21

I've never really owned any Winter coats so it was definitely time that I invest in a few. I'm really happy with the two that I've found. They're both neutral colored so it gives me a lot of freedom to style them with other pieces. Neither of these coats are too heavy, and the fur collar on the first coat is removable so I will definitely be wearing these on the cooler Spring days.

Quick + Easy DIY: Decorated Phone Charger

I wouldn’t really consider myself a “crafty” girl. I have a good eye for design and organization but when it comes to actually putting something together.. Well, let’s just say I try my best. Although I don't do very many DIY crafts, there are so many cute designs for phone chargers out there that I just had to try one out for myself! Now, I've chosen a DIY process that involves glitter and I think I speak for most girls when I say GLITTER CAN BE TROUBLE. It’s messy and it gets everywhere! I swear I still have glitter in my hair from a Ke$ha concert I went to a few years back. Anyway, the reason I am so in love with this technique is because it allows you to decorate with glitter, but with no mess. Yeah, you read that right. So let’s get started!

You will need:

iPhone / USB Phone Charger

Glitter Crafting Tape / Glitter Wall Border - $4.00 from Walmart

Mini roll of Ribbon - $1.00 at your local craft store (Design or color is up to you)

Scissors & a Glue Gun or Clear tape

Start off by sizing the amount of craft tape / wall border you will need by wrapping it around your phone charger. I love using the crafting tape or wall border because the glitter doesn’t rub off as easily and create a mess. If the width of the crafting tape or wall border is too big for your phone charger, simply cut it to size. Once you have enough to wrap all the way around, use your scissors to cut the craft tape or wall border and stick it onto your charger. If you are using the wall border this step is a little easier because the paper in front of the adhesive allows you to size accordingly, without having to worry about it sticking on too soon.Once you’re finished with that step, you may already like the way your creation looks, so this next step is optional. Take the small roll of ribbon then proceed to size, cut, and wrap one strip around your charger. Use a glue gun or clear tape to keep it in place and you’re finished!

This is such an easy and fast way to decorate. You can use this stuff to decorate the bottoms of candles or even vase’s, anything you like. Hope you enjoyed, and thanks for checking out this post! Much love.

Black + Gold

Because of the snow storm that hit my city last week, I was stuck inside for an entire weekend and caught a little cabin fever that caused me to do some online shopping. (I'll use any excuse to shop online.) Anyway, the aftermath is beginning to make its way into my mailbox and these babies arrived sometime last week. I've had my eye on the cut out boot style for quite a while now, I just could never find the right pair for me. Jeffrey Campbell has their own version but I was not about to drop $180. That's why when I spotted these I was so excited. They were a great deal less than many of the other booties I came across. (SCORE!) And the best part? They're from Target! That's right, Target continues to impress me with their selection of styles. I'm so not ashamed to admit that I'm a bargain hunter. These are the perfect little booties. The heel is only 2 1/2 inches, so you're not walking around with sore feet within the first 15 minutes of putting them on. The front and back of the boots are taller, which I love, so nothing is rubbing against your heel all day, and I'm obsessed with the gold buckles. I'll be flaunting these beauties all Spring!

Women's Mossimo® Lina Buckle Ankle Boot in Black - $40 Target

Revlon ColorBurst Balms!

I’ve been thinking about how exactly I’m going to incorporate colors this Spring and then it hit me: Lips! the perfect bright lip color is a great way to add a little pop of color to whatever it is you're wearing. Like a bright, plump little accessory!

Now, I hate to admit it, but I am not a lipstick girl. It’s true, they can just be so drying! Even with most of the higher end lipsticks I’ve found myself putting a lip balm on before applying. So when I heard about these Revlon ColorBust balms I popped down to my local drugstore and with the BOGO 50% off deal I couldn’t help but pick out 4 of my favorites.

*Left to right (040 - Rendezvous; 210 - Unapologetic; 245 - Audacious; 220 - Showy Flamboyant)

Gorgeous right?! I mean it’s a lip balm! I chose to try out 3 Mattes and 1 Balm Stain because I’d heard that the Mattes can be drying. I wasn’t super impressed with the appearance, or lack there of, of the stain 040 - Rendezvous. It seemed to be lacking in pigmentation but is always a nice alternative if you’re not looking for too much color, or want more hydration. The smell of both balms is quite minty, which I’m fond of. They also last a good amount of time. I think I went about 4-5 hours without a touch up! Both are very hydrating and the Mattes seem to become even more pigmented once they’ve had a chance to settle on the lips.

Solestruck Event

Last night I attended an event hosted at Solestruck. If you’re not familiar with Solestruck they’re an up-and-coming company that sells killer shoes. They have a flagship store located in Portland just off of Burnside.

The event was essentially a pop up shop for an LA-based company by the name of “Stone Cold Fox” they sell trendy apparel for women. The amount of clothing there was limited, but (I’m assuming) was purely for the intention of giving everyone who came out a little taste of what was to come of this brand. I was quite fond of the clothing that was there. Mainly some Lace or Chiffon tops and a few skirts. Great pieces for Spring and Summer.

Of course I couldn’t stop by Solestruck without sneaking a peek at the shoes on display. They had some gorgeous snake/gator skin booties.

But what are trendy shoes and trendy apparel without some trendy accessories? Well, fear not because the event also featured pieces from an LA jewelry company, LUXLA and Australian Eyewear brand Quay Eyewear. Both gorgeous, both trendy, both had me eyeing pieces I wanted for these upcoming Spring/Summer months.

Many people came through to check out what there was to offer, and no one left disappointed. Thank you Solestruck for a lovely evening of drinks, live music.. and more drinks. More photos on my photo blog. (Link is in the header)