A Thanksgiving Placesetting

I LOVE it when customers send me photos of what they do with their Passionflower goodies.

A sprig of rosemary, a wee bit of velvet ribbon, and a gratitude card make for a most charming placesetting at this Thanksgiving table.  Thanks Julie Benson for inspiring me. 

A Winter Coat

Some people are just born with it.   Case in point, the lovely Iris, modeling a fabbie, mustard colored jacket from upstairs.  Alas, there are others of us who must work at it.  If you are one of them, come in and we'll help you find the perfect something.

photo of Iris courtesy Becky Tonkin from her iphone

Rock Star on Premises

Hello All - Chelsea Fuss (she of the great blog Frolic and also the concept behind the Portland blog Urban Weeds) was at the store looking for some props last week.  She was doing a shoot at the Eugene Hotel featuring her 100 plus year old grandmother Grace for Kinfolk Magazine.  We'll let you know when it's out.
In the meantime, I was a little star struck and Chelsea was kind enough to pose for this photo with Becky. And I know you're not supposed to follow superstars around your store and beg for photos.  I just couldn't help myself because Chelsea Fuss really is one of my visual heroes.  I suppose you could say her look is all about the simple life.  And she has styled some shots of "the simple life" that have really seared themselves into my mind. Click here to go to Frolic.  And click here to go to Urban Weeds.  And click here if you want to know more about Kinfolk.  It's a magazine about uncomplicated entertaining and  features lots of fun outdoor dining shots.  And  ssssshhhhhh.....don't tell them but  it's the kind of party giving  we've been doing in Eugene forever.

Festivites & Shopping Make the World Go Round

 It's Party Time Chez Passionflower.......

 Won't you put on your party hat and join us for some Holiday Cheer?

 This holiday you have not one, but two occassions to do a little after hours shopping with a most festive air.

First Friday Artwalk in Eugene Oregon this December 2nd , we'll be open 4-7......Meet jewelry designer Katy Kippen and Sabrina Ridge from Poppy & Moe.....and if you can't join us then you'll have a chance to raise a glass with us during our Broadway Pearl Holiday Open House on Friday December 9th......

Should be a lot of fun.  Bring your friends and family!

Easter Bonnet Contest

We're giving away $100 gift certificate for the best Easter Bonnet that crosses our door at Passionflower between now and Easter.

Here's a few photos of some hats the crew made just to get you in the mood.

Here's Alison channeling her inner Jane Austen. She made her hat at lunch.

I thought the dangling egg was a particularly nice touch.

And here's a hat that proves once again, Tara looks good in anything.

And our beautiful customer Kara Lee showed up with a nest full of eggs on top of her hat!
Thanks to everyone. It's been fun.

Halloween Costume

..Bolivian Tin "Wolf Mask"

The better to eat you with my dear!!

Happy Halloween from all of us at Passionflower.

Passionflower is a Dog Friendly Store

Can we say,"Princess"?

Karen Russo's Show Opened at Passionflower

A good time was had by many last Friday when Karen Russo's beautiful show , A Walk in Her Garden, opened upstairs in our Attic Gallery. The show runs through the 29th of May.

Here's Martha making music at the opening.
I think she was channeling Edith Piaf cum Cowgirl.
It was rich and deep and enchanting.

Beautiful Bumblebee Tattoo Spyed at Passionflower

How fun is this?

I think the larger than life size scale of the bee is just right. And those are orchid flowers on the side. She's going to have it colored in but I like it in this stage too....

Passionflower Design's Holiday Party

As promised, pictures of the party. It was fun. Katy Jane came with a trunk full of her fabulous jewelry.

Vern Haffner & his partner Michael brought me the biggest bouquet of hydrangeas ever. These are the last of the season picked from their place at the coast. Who knew, local hydrangeas in December.

Our hardworking mayor Kitty Piercy was kind enough to once again pour wine.

Here's a picture of Kitty and our highschool intern Grace who attends school down the street from us at the Network Charter School.

Shhh.....don't tell these anonymous partygoers that we're not in Manhattan.

A good time was had by all and if we didn't see you this year hopefully you'll have a chance to join us next year. It's a great way to kick off the holiday season and celebrate our charming if underrated downtown.

Indian Textile Wall Hanging

Remember these colorful wall hangings? We've had them in the front window for awhile. I always thought they would look great in a child's room. I was thrilled to sell one a few Saturdays ago to a lovely customer from Sisters.

.

But I was even more thrilled when she sent me these photos of the textile hanging in her house. She originally hung it between her kitchen and what she called her "plant room."

Really Fun.

Changed the whole shape of the archway.....


But it finally ended up in her studio where she teaches people how to teach art to children (and other great classes). Way to dress up a pretty simple sliding glass door. Find out more about taking classes here at Annie Painter's studio. And send us photos of what your Passionflower finds look like in your home.

Dogs Shopping at Passionflower

You know you're in trouble when you start posing shots for your blog.

But how could we resist?

So happy together. - Sitting on the jewelry case.

A more pensive moment.

Passionflower is a dog friendly store. Your well behaved pets are always welcome. Stay tuned for more Dogs of Passionflower.

Senator Wyden Shops at Passionflower Design

Here's Lindsey with the Senator. He was here with his wife Nancy & they were shopping for a little hostess gift.

Trendspotting - Kids in Sunglasses

One of the joys of working a retail store is we get to see some of the world's cutest kids on pretty much a daily basis.

More Passion Fashion - Bike Helmets

Welcome back to Passion Fashion where you get to see real live people who've walked into our store who happen to be sporting something we think is noteworthy, fun, and fashionable.

This week how could we resist?

The world's cutest bike helmet.

Looking good with those bike bells.

IThe company is called Nutcase. They're out of Portland.

The Gentle Dandelion

I was happily perusing my new Roger & Gallet catalogue. (Getting catalogues from great companies who really pay attention to packaging and presentation is one of the joys of being a buyer. ) And I was struck by this image.

When lo and behold, within moments, someeone walked into the store sporting this lovely tattoo.

And our customer was kind enough to let us photograph her tattoo for the blog.

It's a dandelion flower with the seedheads blowing in the wind.

Something almost anyone who has ever been a child in dandelion country can relate to.

G
Got me thinking about dandelions and so I looked up Dandelion in my Flower Essence Repertory - which talks a lot about the emotional healing qualities of flowers.
Here's what they had to say about dandelion.
"The soul needing Dandelion essence feels a natural intensity and love for life. Such individuals are compulsive "doers" who enter with great zeal and zest into many activities. Unforutnately, they can overplan and over form their lives beyond the natural capacity of the body to sustain such intensity. Furthermore, such persons may become unable to experience more contained moments of reflective activity. The unexpressed inner life of the soul and the harsh demands on the body collide to creat extreme tension, especially in the musculature. The dandelion flower taeaches these individuals how to listen more closely to emotional messages and bodily needs."
Here's a link to a great dandelion photo and a little more information.

Silly Girls - Clowning Around at Passionflower

How blessed are we to have the pleasure of happy go lucky children crossing the threshold of our store and finding in it ? - well let's just say there are times when Passionflower can function like a big toy box -

I like it, she's doing a monochromatic olive palette with her choice of accoutrements.

Clowning can be serious business.


And then again -


Maybe not!!!


"All the world loves a clown" - Cole Porter

Saw it on The Street

Here's some fun summer shoes we've seen crossing the floors of Passionflower. Our customers are kind enough to let us share these photos with you. Stay tuned for more Passion Fashion.

Happy Feet - Summer Sandals

Lindsey was so taken with these sandals from Urban Outfitters, she ordered herself a pair.