TEN IMAGES OF INSPIRATION : LA ON INSTAGRAM.

I love my city. I know a lot of people complain about Los Angeles, but we have been here almost a year and we are enjoying it more and more as the days go by. (Tank tops and beach trips in January? I just can't complain.) Here are some photos from some of my favorite fellow LA Instagrammers...

Users above (from top to bottom): studiodiy, jengotch, teamwoodnote, kimgenevieve, designlovefest, dchaussee, lindak68, girlpartyshop, mollycranna, and bonnietsang

TEN IMAGES OF INSPIRATION : CITY OF ANGELS.

Before I moved from Portland to Los Angeles in March, I had no idea if I was going to like it here. I left southern California when I was twenty-three with such a bad taste in my mouth, bitter and positive I'd never come back. After my husband (then fiancé) and I decided to move down here for career opportunities and family, I was quite weary about how I would feel being back again. Let me tell you: I love it: the weather, the architecture, the food (the tacos... oh, the tacos), the bars, the beach, the constant things to do, the style... we are quite happy we decided to do this. Los Angeles, I'm loving you.

Sources (from top to bottom): Bronson Snelling, Viktor Vautier, Myan Soffia, instagram: designlovefest, Tiny Bee Photography, Lauren Natalie, Keri Bevan, Mariposa Fuerte, Bree Madden, and My Modern Met.

MUST SEE : LITTLE BRIGHT STUDIO.

Check out: the beautiful accessories by one of my best friends in the world, Amy Nieto of Little Bright Studio. Not only are her products bright, cheery, and stylish, but she also donates 10% of all proceeds to teachers in low-income school districts to help provide the tools necessary for their students to succeed in science. Bags for science- yay! (See also: LBS website)

FILM TOURS : WANDERLUST VINTAGE & HANDMADE.

Good evening! I would like to welcome you to a new series here on Design is Mine. Taking photographs with my film cameras has long been one of my favorite things to do, especially when it comes to visiting beautiful homes and shops (see Andrea & Ward's home and some local shop pictures here). Now that I have a new favorite camera, I plan on doing regular photo tours and interviews with some of my favorite folks around town, as well as (hopefully) in other cities.

First off, I would like to show you a peek inside one of the cutest shops around, Wanderlust. My lovely friend Vanessa owns it- she has an incredible eye, I tell you. Vintage beauties and handmade treasures galore.












Vanessa, tell us a quick background on how you came to own Wanderlust...
I started Wanderlust just over three years ago when I opened the first mobile fashion cart in Portland. I ran my shop out of a small trailer for almost two years until I opened a brick and mortar location in Southeast Portland in July 2012. I come from a family of entrepreneurs so the idea of opening a retail shop never seemed that intimidating to me. Now I can't imagine doing anything else!
Where did your love of vintage come from?
I discovered thrifting when I was 13 years old and quickly started dragging my mom to thrift and vintage stores around Seattle. I've loved dresses since I was a kid but around that time I also discovered style icons like Pattie Boyd and Marilyn Monroe, still two of my favorite stylish ladies. I loved wearing late 60s mod dresses and 70s bohemian (we called it hippie then because it was the 90s) style. When I was young I just liked wearing things no one else had, but as I got older I started to appreciate things with a history. Now my cupboards are filled with old glassware, my windows are covered with barkcloth and vintage has taken over my life.
Where do you look for inspiration?
Heading out on a road trip and discovering a new antique mall or cute vintage shop is really inspiring to me. I also love magazines like Uppercase and Frankie, browsing blogs (like yours!) and checking out Instagram for inspiration. Lately I've been collecting old Montgomery Ward catalogs and yearbooks which really inspires me when I'm out picking clothes for the shop.
How would you describe your personal style?
This is a really tough question! I'm definitely girly and a good floral print dress always has my heart. I also love classic silhouettes and I'm not afraid of color. I like to mix up prints and layers, as the weather is getting colder I'll add a bright geometric print sweater over a striped dress and somehow it works out.
Now give us 10 of your favorite things!
- kittens (duh)
- cuckoo clocks
- Biba
- cava sangria
- rayon jersey dresses
- David Bowie
- lucite purses
- tattoos
- old windows
- Paris (always)

Thank you so much Vanessa! You can visit Wanderlust here in Portland at 2804 Southeast Ankeny.

VINTALIER.

Such a pretty lookbook from Portland-based vintage shop Vintalier. Everything is so well-curated, and shot in gorgeous Pacific Northwest locations. (Via Honey Kennedy)

EVE IN EDEN.

Good evening! I hope you had a glorious weekend. If you live in Portland, I want to share a brand new spot in town: Eve in Eden, a bridal shop now open in the back of Eden, one of my favorite boutiques in town. The new shop features non-traditional bridal goods: dresses, jewelry, headpieces, and bags, both vintage and designed by local artists. Also, how pretty are these photographs from the lookbook, shot by Eric Rose? (Eve in Eden in located at 221 NW 11th Ave., Portland, OR)

KICKSTARTER : HEARTSTORM.

I do love a good Kickstarter project, so I was happy when my good friend (and totally talented graphic designer) Michael Buchino directed me to his: Heartstorm. Mike is asking for your help to create a number of posters of his new beautiful linocut. Everything is done by hand, which is something I always deeply appreciate. Isn't it awesome? You can check out more about it here, as well as back it right here.

THE NEWEST EDEN LOOKBOOK...

...is truly breathtaking. The concept: "off Kensington’s swinging High Street, and into the artists studio go two muses – one light, one dark… possessed with the eccentric allure of rock star girlfriends, rivaling the strength of Gaelic warriors, the dark glamour of high priestesses, their closets heaped to the brim with opulent furs, tweeds, silks and sequins, bodies stacked with glittering metals and stones…"

See more: Eden shop and blog.