Mz Story Bag: Vanport Outfitters - Amanda Reed iPad Case

Vanport Outfitters - Amanda Reed iPad Case in Grey

I wanted to channel my Hipster today so out came something from Vanport Outfitters. Vanport Outfitters is a Portland based company and everything they make is done by hand. The craftsmanship is exacting and the aesthetic is inspired by Northwest living and is decidedly Hipster-esque. I love this little waxed canvas pouch, and even though it's made for an an iPad, which I don't own, it's a must have for this Portland Girl. Why? Because it's the most Northwest-centric clutch a girl can own. Think Danner boots and an evening gown and you have what I like think of as the Portlandian Purse.

Vanport Outfitters - Amanda Reed iPad Case

Vanport Outfitters

My Volcom scarf below adds a nice pop of color and being an infinity design I know I won't be losing it crossing Burnside Street trying to dodge the crazies on their cells phones driving in their Smart Cars.

Aveda's essentials envirometal compact™

And just to change subjects from crazies in cars and put you in a more relaxing mood, I have to tell you this, Aveda has the best tea!!! If you haven't visited any brick and mortar locations, then I really recommend that you make it a point to do so. Not only will they greet you with a cup of their famous tea, they will offer you a complimentary hand massage. Additionally it always smells divine and the products are thoughtfully made. The Pure-Fume^TM Aromas below was a birthday gift from the store (a perk of the rewards program) and it was wonderful sitting down with the Aveda representative and asked to smell all the options before they custom made my fragrance below. It ended up being this wonderful mix of floral and woodsy amazingness. The essentials envirometal compact™ above is made from recycled materials to help you get your full environmentalism on. The Compact has a magnetic system that holds the shadow and blush panels in place and has a place for their lipsticks, each designed to fit snuggly in the tube that also acts as the lids hinge. Because you can buy each blush or shadow carte blanche, you have the ability to mix and match your entire palette to suit your mood. I chose the Clover shade in the Nourish-Mint line of pigments as my lip color today. The nourish-mint lip colors not only taste like mint but they make your pucker tingle.

Aveda pure-fume spirit

Broner Hats is a North American company out of Michigan. The Lite-Felt Fedora is one of those hats that you can shove in your bag and when you pull it out again, it'll spring back to life, rim still holding its shape. The felt is thin enough that it has movement and thick enough that you still get the look and characteristics of a classic fedora. It's my urban headwear and I adore it.

Broner Lite Felt Fedora and No-Name Yet Cool Sunnies

Smashbox makes good stuff, no doubt about it and I own two of these Photo Op Eye Shadow and Liner Trio's, one in Aubergine called "Vignette" and the one below called "Girls Night Out". Smashbox brushes are also very good and make the application of the eyeliner so easy.

Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio

It ended up being the perfect day to wear my Broner fedora and Volcom scarf as I visited a new location on Burnside Street. It was just south of the Pearl (A district of Portland) and opposite the famous Powell's City Bookstore called Union Way. What an amazing collection of stores Union Way offers its pedestrians. The arcade joins Southwest Burnside and Southwest Stark Street. Walking through this boutique filled tunnel, each store, bakery, coffee and ramen house gives you an aromatic overload. There is Wills Leather, Danner Boots, and Little Bakery to name just a few of the delights the thorough fare has on offer. You smell not only the lanolin of the wool, the tannins of the leather, but also the sweetness of freshly baked goods. It's how heaven would smell.

If you plan on visiting Portland or you are lucky like me and live here, then stop by on your way to Stumptown Coffee at the Ace Hotel, you won't be sorry you did, it's a promise.