Portland Jones #1

via Byrds and Bees

Becki, let's grab cappuccinos at Crema, my favorite light-filled renovated warehouse coffee shop in Portland, and then saunter across the street to Una to look at Mociun & Krantz necklaces!

There's a wave of giddiness that comes and goes, that washes over me when I realize that I will be in Portland very soon.  It's been too long since I've seen dear friends, or had a cup of Stumptown coffee (another one we should go to, Becki).  There's been so much life that has passed in this year for myself and loved ones, and there were many times when I wished I could share in those moments more intimately with those who live thousands of kilometers and a vast ocean away. 

Wedged between me and Portland, however, are several long days and nights of writing, writing, writing and then revising, revising, revising - and technically, a shopping layover in Seoul, some time in Los Angeles, and mountain cabin time in Colorado.  

Concentrate.

Packing for Kep

Yes, it's another holiday in Cambodia.   For the King's birthday, Ethan and I are off to Kep, a coastal town about 3-4 hours from Phnom Penh, for some lazy days and seaside adventures. As much as I love travel, I really hate packing. I hesitate for ages and it's rare that I'm not up late or awake early before a flight, frantically throwing things into my luggage and cursing my procrastination.

I'm trying to remedy that right now. But, as you can see, I'm not quite done. I've limited myself to one striped thing so far - also very uncharacteristic of me.

Tonight, I have a farewell party and a birthday party to attend.  I dislike goodbyes in general, but this one is to a dear friend and colleague, who has helped me keep my sanity at work for the past year.  He leaves for Australia and then NYC!  I'm sad.

Happy weekend, everyone.

mociun.

This is a rather late response to news that Mociun is closing shop.  Mociun has been one of my favorite artisans, with her beautiful textiles and easy shapes.  I brought only one of her pieces with me to Cambodia, but a few dresses, including my favorite ikat tie-front dress, sits, waiting for me, in Los Angeles.  My sister, Jennifer, has another Mociun dress from a later season, which I have been stalking for a few years now.  When I am back home this winter, I hope to convince her to give it to me.  She never wears it.  What a waste.

A Glimpse

via StyleBite

Caitlin Mociun's fall 2010 collection . . .

That Didn't Take Long At All

via Mociun

My poor saintly friends! They spent a good chunk of the weekend befuddled by my ability to hoard everything in sight and annoyed by my reluctance to purge in preparation for my move. Mami, in particular, remarked how ridiculous my habit was.

For some reason, I thought the move would be easier. I envisioned getting rid of non-necessities and leaving only with items that I love, use, and cannot replace. In my mind, I thought this would be a perfect way to begin this journey abroad -- pared down, bare, free. How easy is that?

In reality, however, my furniture was the least of my concerns. I had boxes and boxes full of clothing and shoes. Most of those boxes are en route to Los Angeles as I write. Others sit in my friend's storage, waiting to be reviewed and purged one last time in April, before my move to Phnom Penh.

Enough, I thought.

At the heels of this move (literally, not even a day) and in light of the sunshine that blinded me this morning, my hoarding eye has already set sights on pretty spring things ... like Mociun's new collection which is bright and silky. And dangerous.