i’m sad you can only faintly see the floral pattern on her tights. have you been wearing tights this june? yeah, me too.

what a week, right? so many fun events happening this lovely spring in seattle… i’m savoring all that i can…

be sure to check out the BEAUTIFUL bags at the head to toe event at mario’s- supplied by the moore and giles airstream (happening 10am-5pm). and for all of the pictures from the needle+thread photoshoot… click here.

moore and giles have driven an airstream trailer all the way from virginia. that alone should pique your curiosity. outside ballard’s very own blackbird, the trailer (with all of their delicious, sumptuous leather bags) is parked, and will remain in the vicinity through the week.  if you miss the blackbird event, be sure to catch them at mario’s downtown next friday and saturday.  want to see some of these beauties?  then you should click

they started with men’s bags, and have recently launched a women’s line.

of course i’m a sucker for a bright pop color

these clutches were beautiful. this one had a light gold sheen to it.

the perfect size.

and red… !

beautiful (and funtional) details. waxed canvas… perfect for seattle.

this belle picnic/market tote was a perfect bag for the market.

moore and giles started as a leather company, then thought… why not make some bags ourselves?

with hand staining, subtle pattern and burnished leathers… they’re line is simply classic.

be sure to catch one of their events here in seattle, and coming down the coast to portland and san francisco…

thank you to moore and giles for letting me photograph your bags in our city, and emily, erin and patrick. not only were you amazing models, but thanks also for schlepping all that stuff through the market on the sunniest, busiest day.

i’ve looked through some of my earliest posts, there’s probably no one more critical than me… that being said, i’ve come a long way.  i’ve learned a ton, both about my camera, and myself… and really what more could you ask?  i’ve been invited to some cool events (some are coming up) i’ve been contacted by people all over the world, and right here in seattle.  i’m glad you find inspiration here.  i’m glad you’ve visited… i hope you continue to check back.  this has been an evolution, and when i needed it most, a labor of love.  i love grabbing my camera and walking around our beautiful city… below- my very first post, above- the very first picture i took… here’s to another year of visually capturing all parts of seattle… i hope you have a great weekend!  xoxo- n+t

from april 3rd- 1st post of needle+thread

i’ve lived in seattle for 9 years.  before that, i lived an hour and half north of here, and when i came to seattle, one of my favourite places to meander was the market.  even now, as a local, it never seems cliche’ to me to go there to connect to my city.  i never get tired of wandering there.  poking through new corners.  going a little further than i went last time.

a new goal has been to document some seattle fashion. seattle is a land of individualists. people who don’t conform to the rules of other cities. it’s a joke that we wear fleeces and socks with sandals, and i won’t even argue with you, i own more fleece than i did when i lived in arizona. and my tevas are beloved, although i would sooner set fire to hair than wear them with socks. but i get it.

i want just a little bit of what my city looks like here. from the man selling produce with the wicked style, to the girls walking around in herds starting the new grunge. i love living here, and i’ve always loved people watching. this is my way to connect to where i live and be inspired.

we all have our favourite haunts, that being said, a few last minute ideas for finding your sweetie something special…

From needle+thread

ballard sip and ship is a one stop TROVE of easy finds. glittery cards with sappy (or clever) lines, balloons!, fran’s chocolates (can you EVER go wrong with salted caramels?), tokyo milk bath products, pretty accessories, and if your love isn’t local, buy it and mail it!  (and don’t forget- ballard blossom is RIGHT NEXT DOOR!)

the market- (you know- pike place market…?) the market is full of easily hunted down treasure.  just last week i found this sweet little hand-made dish by from the heart pottery… (and amazing knitted goods from kim strang!)

From needle+thread

and although i don’t normally go for the trinket… trinkets can be sweet. and edibles!   hand-made mini cheesecakes, olive oil, local cheese, and if you’re not in the hunting mood, buy your love (or yourself!) some fresh fruit and a dozen fresh tulips. roses are nice… but tulips last longer, seem more cheerful and remind us that spring is just around the corner…

From needle+thread

i’m a hoarder. i’ll admit it. ok, it’s not that bad. but as it relates to female unmentionables, i DO have a problem. slips, pretty underthings, and a recent obsession… stockings. last year i did some serious damage at sock dreams. i have the warm legs to prove it. enter kim strang.

kim and i have one of those odd seattle stories of meeting each other, and then realizing we’ve lived in the same places, and know some of the same people. i call it seattle serendipity, if you live here, you’ve probably experienced it. ‘i lived in bellingham. i lived on forest. my dog used to run around and chew up frisbees…’ ‘oh you’re THAT girl. small world’.

anyway, a friend introduced us (maybe RE-introduced us), and i decided to go check out kim’s wares down in the market…

From needle+thread

a little bit of sparkle

From needle+thread

the talented knitter- kim strang

From needle+thread

i’m not given to shopping in the market. if you’re a local, you pick up some produce, grab some fish, people watch. i rarely see something that catches my eye. but when i checked out kim’s knits, and have since seen her wearing them a few times… i’m in. they’re perfect weight. the right height for boots or shoes, and the pretty details make them feminine without being too precious.

looking for that perfect valentine gift for your sweetie?  want a unique look above the boot?  visit kim monday through thursday down in the market or visit her blog to see recent creations.

update: thanks wendy for getting back to me… see wendy’s handmade jewelry in her etsy shop- eyefun

i love that the butterfly on his tie was an actual butterfly pin… and that hat makes me swoon.

there are some truly talented musicians who play in our streets. one of my favourites was a violinist who used to play right outside macy’s in the metro tunnel. i wanted to ask this girl for a close-up of her pretty accordion… they’re so interesting.

so many details here that are wearable right now, and she puts them all together so well… leather jacket, fingerless gloves, legging, boots, cowl sweater. she looks warm AND stylish. perfect.

also posted to the P-I edition – our new weekly, wednesday street style feature!