It’s been a crazy week, you guys.  And this is only the beginning, until the new year.  My goal, though, is to refrain from neglecting the blog as I have this past week.  My other goal is to look at all that lies ahead of me and retreat from feeling dread (which is what has been happening, intermittently, this week).  Rather, I’d like to look at all of it and feel joy, excitement, and gratitude…and I’d like to share that with you here.

This became my favorite outfit of the week.  I put it on and immediately thought it was too much and needed to take it off; it looked like I was about to take flight with the bright turquoise alien brigade.   But instead, I sucked it up and went with it.  It’s been a week of wanting only to throw on the first pair of jeans and slothy tees I see…  I had to remind myself that I feel better when I offer some thought to my morning dressing ritual.

pants: tight overalls from Noa Noa in DK

tee: royal blue undershirt from American Apparel

sweater: bright turquoise (ish) geometric sweater vest from a thrift store in NYC

scarf: local, from Sloan Boutique

shoes: Dansko zip boots from local Imelda’s

necklace: brand new from betsy & iya, the Frank and Ava necklace

click on the pic below to be directed to my online shop

Don’t forget, nearly every weekend in November and some of December, you can catch me at awesome craft shows, art shows, and trunk shows.  I’ll be sure to announce them all here.  This weekend, come say hi at these places.

Y’all are awesome.  Hang in there and have great weekends.

I’ll be back.

***Song of the Moment: Fly, by Nick Drake***

This holiday season we’re going to be ALL OVER THE PLACE…starting this weekend!

Please come visit b & i here on Saturday, it’s going to be ridiculously warm and fuzzy:

There are lots of wonderful vendors in the line-up, including my sweet crafty friend, handmade julz.

If you can’t make it on Saturday, no fear, I’ll be over at Seven Dees on Sunday, November 8th!!  Bazaars bizarro bravo shmavo!

This is just the beginning, you guys.  Seriously.  Stay tuned for announcements of MANY more holiday events to come!  Including:

Crafty Wonderland’s Super Colossal Holiday Event

and at the fashion show JUNK to FUNK at the Crystal Ballroom!  (I’ll be unleashing the whole of my Old Turns New line.)

Also, lookout for many more Outfits of the Days (the easiest way for me to stay in touch with the blogosphere while maintaining a crazy holiday season!).

For now, it’s time to make my fingers fall off.  (I need to make at LEAST 40 pairs of earrings today).  Have lovely Mondays!!  xo-betsy

***Song of the Moment: The Season, by The Dodos***

The theme will be:  things that I would wear (maybe. if I were just slightly cooler).

From Copenhagen Street Style blog.  Man, I love those Scandinavians.

I love everything about this photo, also from Copenhagen.  Helga, Lisa, and all my other Scandinavian beauties—I miss you.  Bring your style back over here and visit me!

YES!!!!  This one hurts a little—it’s so good.  From Style Clicker.

Dirty Vintage.  love it.  From Face Hunter.

…will never be cool enough for those boots.  But Portland might dig it.  From Toronto Street Fashion by way of Shark Vs. Bear .

Cigar Chic.  From 2 Threads.

And this is what I would be doing in my cool outfit.  My travels have proven incredibly valuable…but I’m not finished yet.  I have 2 more days in NC to sell to my oldies but goodies and find new indie boutiques wishing to sell b & i.

In the boots/stripes pic, the only thing I would do differently is sport some rad betsy & iya earrings to balance out the elephantiasis-esque condition of the boots.

Inspired back into bold style, I must prepare myself for another day’s selling adventure.  Raleigh, here I come.

***Song of the Moment: Don’t Hide Away, by Bishop Allen***

A few years ago, a good friend cut bangs for me (had not had them since I was in 4th grade).   It took a little time for me to get used to them, but eventually I cut half my head into bangs because I liked them so much.  I rocked them for about 3 years, in varying lengths and thicknesses.  It was sort of a reinvention of me.  In that time, I finished graduate school, moved, started betsy & iya, fell in love harder, got engaged, married, etc.  big things.  big bangs.

BANGS???

bang

bang

bang

bang

Just the other day I realized that I had accidentally lazily let my bangs grow out.  So much that I’ve seen myself in a different light:  a no-bang light, one that I have not considered in a long time… Like, big grown-up no-bang betsy.

NO BANGS???

no bang

no bang

no bang

no bang

HELP!!!!!!!!  please cast your vote below.  if you have something more specific to say about it, please say so in the comment section.  your cooperation is very much appreciated.

(earrings pictured in no-bang pictures are newly listed in my online shop.  you can click the picture below if you want to purchase.)

Thank you and HAPPY WEEKEND!!

xox~betsy

***Song of the Moment: Weekend Wars, by MGMT***

I’ve been rambling on and on and on about so much giddily mushy stuff, that I’ve forgotten to announce all the good biz news.  Yes, it’s been tough to get back into the groove of things after such a vehement love infusion, but I haven’t left you to fend for yourself, betsy & iya, no no.  Oh those wheels, maybe I had to add a little juice in the past few weeks, but friends, they have been turning.  And boy oh boy, do I have something in store for you:

frillier frills, frosty metals, drippier drips, wackier color combos, necklaces…lots of them (delicate, bold, refined, raucous), vintagier vintage, harder hardware, subtler subtleties, lightness, humor, human, hungry, handmade, hi – YAH!!!

(click on any of the photos if you want to be directed to the online shop to purchase!)

SNEAK PEEK: English Tea Time earrings--- lookout for a new listing in the next few days.

SNEAK PEEK: Frosty Goldy Pop earrings---lookout for a new listing in the next few days.

Stay tuned.  It’s all on the way.

***Song of the Moment:  Secret Meeting, by The National***

Fashion does not have to follow the trends of the seasons.  Somewhere someone says that bright popping summer color is forbidden in the darker quarters of the year.  And we believe them??  Not this gal…  All the more reason to color me up.  Fight the norm I say, FIGHT IT.

Or at least, make your own molds.  (And then keep breaking them.)

Shirt:  Pink by Nature, Maui

Scarf: Sloan Boutique, local pdx

Pants: from high school (what!??  …not a pack rat, just a saver)

Belt: Buffalo Exchange, pdx location

Shoes: Shoefly, local pdx

Socks:  (my fave) Sock Dreams, local pdx

Earrings: (you guessed it) betsy & iya (in teal)

(click on the earrings to purchase…make sure to specify which color you prefer)

Brightly colored accessories can completely transform an otherwise mundane outfit.  Literally and Figuratively.  Do it.

***Song of the Moment: Weeks of Rain, by Hauschka***

we got married just days before my birthday.

My birthday was on our honeymoon.  Yeah, you heard me right.   What the heck was I thinking!?  That decision would leave one to believe that I am not a big birthday person and that I don’t care much about a perfect excuse for indulgent celebratory attention.  Wrong/Lies.  The truth is, we couldn’t think of a more fitting month wherein to marry and somewhere in my secret betsy dwelling was a strong hope that my birthday would not get overshadowed.  Welp, hope lost this time.

Funnily enough, it’s the first time that I didn’t care.  If I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.  But I am a year older and it feels a little like my birthday is just waiting around the corner for me to come and get it.

W helped by giving me tickets to see Grizzly Bear.  We went to the show last week.

For me, not much compares to impressive live performance.  I am always surprised by the swell.  Everything becomes enhanced.  The music stands before me, it enters, then expands, then leaves.  I am left bouncing, resonating, with futile words—trying to make sense of what I’ve just seen, felt, etc.  And then it hits me, that I don’t have to.  It will run through my brain until I stop having memories; then it will have found its way deep into my heart and be buried with me.

squishy and mushy, I know, but it’s true. and it only happens if you’re there—present, in time, with the music.

While my experience was still smooshy and wonderful, a little bit of that was squashed, nay vilely-spat-onto-my-face, the other night.

I think modern technology is great.  I think using that technology in lieu of experiencing something (that is awesome) firsthand is dumb.  Not only were the people in front of me using their iphones and digital cameras to record their favorite GB songs (to listen to later??  to brag to their facebook friends?  I’m not sure what, really…)…but they were WATCHING the LIVE show happening 20 FEET in front of them, THROUGH their IPHONE AND CAMERA SCREENS!  What the haydoogie!?  I mean, REALLY!??  What’s more, they were obstructing others’ views with the placement of their sweaty phone-hands.  I got SO irritated.

Then I realized that I had allowed someone else’s removed behavior to affect me in such a visceral way that I had actually joined forces with what I was fighting against.  I allowed myself one last mind battle with the live music patron imposters, and then I returned to the show.

that little white thing on w's foot is found coral, btw

Grizzly Bear was incredible.  Really, it was the music that fiercely thumped me out of it and back into it.  The light was dim, blue light mostly while high hanging mason jars with little lights inside asymmetrically blanketed the band, like giant vintage glass fireflies dancing to the music.  I loved that they created atmosphere, that they created place and perspective.  The music ran from them into me, then went out through the top of my head and my fingers and toes and back to them.  A beautiful circle, it was.

Record THAT, iphone.

(other pictures are from our honeymoon.  we tried to stay in Hawaii while we were there and experience each moment for what it was.  some pictures for sharing and remembering.  balance.)

***Song of the Moment: While You Wait for the Others, by Grizzly Bear ***

I did a fair amount of gushing, yesterday.  But seriously, everyone’s generosity, love, support—I can’t get enough of it!  I love all of you fancy pants people!!

Again, I’ll leave the pictures to speak for themselves.  If anyone is interested in getting hi-res versions of any of these, let me know.  You can check the whole lot out on my flickr page.  If you were at the wedding, you can bet there’s a great photo of you in there somewhere.  I loved them all—these are just some highlights, basically chosen at random.

Love.

***Song of the Moment: Love Dog, by TV on the Radio***

While this is not usually the road my blog wanders down, today is Blog Action Day 2009, and I felt compelled to play a role.  I was watching an OPB story on Joan Baez last night, and I felt even more inspired to speak up for something I believe in.

I came across this nifty (or not so really) site naming the top 100 effects of global warming.  Instead of beating you over the head with why I think it’s important to really understand what’s going on with our earth, I’d like to tell you a little bit about what makes me sad.

I’m sad because even though it’s kind of a silly tradition, I really like Christmas Trees.  When my sis and I were younger, our family would trek out into the Christmas Tree forrest wonderland and cut our own 16 footer.  I felt so proud of that thing.  It wasn’t just a tree.  It represented home, warmth, love, friendship…and yeah, that…really cool gifts.  I’m really gonna miss you, CT.

I’m sad because snorkeling is one of the most enchanting things I’ve ever done.  Just a wee month ago, I swam alongside a massive sea turtle with the kindest eyes and 4 manta rays who danced more gracefully than anyone on So You Think You Can Dance ..and also scared the crap out of me (fear is good for the soul).

I’m sad because it took me an incredibly long time to overcome my fear of seafood.  And now my favorite fish might be waving goodbye.

I’m sad because the Mediterranean Sea is where I first fell for the fleeting love who became my infinite love.  I want to go back and say hello some day.

I’m sad because floods, hurricanes, and fires are so uncool.

I’m sad because if I ever had to burn poo to enjoy a fire-roasted marshmallow, I think it’d be kind of nasty and because in certain parts of the world, it’s already happening.  That’s disgustingly ridiculous.

I’m mad because of the large populations of innocent people already being so unfathomably negatively effected and infected by climate change.

It cannot end here.

The good thing is, it doesn’t have to.  Do Something.

***Song of the Moment: Amazing Grace, sung by Joan Baez***

The official pictures are here. I have never been a woman who thought or said hyperbolically, “my wedding will be the BEST day of my LIFE!!!!!!”  That’s why it feels funny to admit that the entire weekend had me smitten indescribably-in-awe … and it actually was one of the most memorable times in my life (and hear me out…it’s got A LOT to compete with).   It wasn’t just the strength of our love that had me, it was the ineffable feeling of support and love and joy seeping from every corner of every room and every tree and every single person who graced us with their presence.  It wasn’t just a union between me and W.  It was a celebration of all that is good in the world—shared by all of my favorite people in the world.  That is what love is to me.  And this wedding was pure love.

I will not dirty this image feast by saying too much; I think the pictures speak for themselves.

(we’ll start with the rehearsal dinner and pre-wedding.  there are sooooo many awesome photos, I will do my best to share some of my favorites here.  lookout tomorrow, for more of the wedding)

Ummmmmmmmmm

my "bridesmaids" ...rehearsal dinner emcees

family

the running sequence

surprise love song to betsy

you guys made me laugh SO hard that night.

best lift I've ever seen

who knew?

yes, there was magic, lots of it

stcjeeeeellllan

o.m.g. favorite rap team of all time, right here.

pre-wedding hair and fellowship

beautiful sister of honor

pre-wedding jitters

mama hepburn...absolutely stunning

we beat off the nerves with comedy, people

sneak peek into the coolest hairstyle I've ever had

THANK YOU…everyone—family and friends.  You made this what it is.  We love you.

(lookout for the wedding pictures, PART 2, tomorrow)

Also, if anyone is itching to see ALL of the photos, go to my flickr page.

***Song of the Moment: Love on a Budget, by Benji Hughes***