I’m in Portland to teach my creativity course this week, so I only saw it fitting to post an outfit that is equal parts sassy, fun, young and quirky. All the things I like to radiate when I walk into a room.

I also like to radiate polka dots, but these shorts already do that for me.

[Silk top: F21 from years ago, Silk shorts: Vintage, Socks: Kate Spade, Wedges: Jeffrey Campbell, Handbag: My grandmother's, Bracelets: Collected over the years and I cannot for the life of me remember. Photo: Betsy King]

Pattern pairing is pretty much the best invention ever, right? Sing it.

And look! Proof that I watch much too much Tyra Banks TV.

I’d like to officially re-name Emily Counts’ ceramic figurines “The Hip Hummels.”

p.s. Check out Emily’s installation A Battle Lost. It’s sort of amazing.

LINK: EMILY COUNTS

Time to get a leg up on this weekend, friends. See you Monday (from Portland!)!

LINKS:  YOUR MOTHER SHOULD KNOW & IN A LUXE

Samesies is a weekly guest series from M. Fay.

Some very pretty colors showed up to this party.

LINK: ANN PIBAL
via design milk

Color Mankind is a weekly guest series from Lauren Willhite.

I see you!

LINKS:  CHRISTOPHER GRAY & BEN NEWMAN

Two-Faced is a weekly guest series from Justina Blakeney.

Dude. At The Portland Garment Factory, there’s a swing in the workshop for workers to clear their mind and enjoy a breezy memory. Forget smoke breaks; they’re taking swing breaks.

Am totally going to pay them a visit when I’m in town next week. Swing break!

LINK:   WORK.PLACE

I’m back with another animal instincts round-up, which is quickly becoming an obsession. Friends — I am seeing four-legged creatures in everything. Save me soon.

But for now, I’m having fun. Today? The mouse!:

[a]. Moonspoon Saloon Backstage Dress ($237) at I Don’t Like Mondays
[b]. French Vintage Industrial Zinc Cheese Crates ($225) at 1stDibs
[c]. Linda Farrow Projects Sunnies ($464) at Zappos Couture
[d]. Handmade Knitted Power Cord Necklace ($44) at Uncommon Goods
[e]. Marc Jacobs Mouse Pump ($292) at FarFetch
[f]. Segment Coat Rack ($198) at Chiasso
[g]. Bow Tie Necklace by Lazy Oaf (£10) at The Alternative Store
[h]. Faux Fur Ear Mitts ($15) at The Ear Mitts Shop
[i]. Swiss Cheese Board & Knife ($72) at Michael Aram

You guys knew I’d be all over this, didn’t you? Albert from Otaat sent a link to these awesome limited edition bags ($100), and I’m ready to flea market away in each of them. Also of note? The canoe bag, which is all sorts of genius.

LINK:   OTAAT

My Google Reader starred items are bursting at the seams with beauty. Here are a few awesome posts from around the Internet, and all of the below sites are well worth a bookmark. I’m warning you!:

ONE: Awesome jewelry from A Merry Mishap, via Shiny Squirrel.
TWO: Illustrator Bernadette Pascua via KonfettiForm.
THREE: Dots via Iiiinspired.
FOUR: Sculpted leather, also via Iiiinspired.
FIVE: Fantastic nightstand design from Leon Ransmeier via SwissMiss.
SIX: David Gilbert art from Little Paper Planes.

Happy clicking!

Wrk-Shp makes quirky garments inspired by architecture and building materials. I love this bizarre grassy dress, made with Tyvek and wheatgrass.

LINK:  WRK-SHP