Sunday, September 28, 2008

11 most favorite things and First Friday Party, October 3

Photo: Elisa Lazo de Valdez
You're invited this Friday.

It's a special party celebrating the photography of Elisa Lazo de Valdez and the paper mask sculpture of Phillip Valdez. The husband and wife team are our featured artists, this Friday at Anne Bocci Boutique & Gallery in SW Portland's Multnomah Village, October 3, 5:30 to 9:00.
Elisa specializes in luxe fashion and creative nudes. Her work has been used internationally for book covers, magazine features and gallery exhibition. Her photographs are lovely and provocative at the same time.
View the paper mask sculptures by Phillip Valdez. These intricate masks are precisely designed, cut and manipulated into form by the artist, by hand. They are not machine lazor cut.

Please stop by this Friday night, October 3 and celebrate Fall in Multnomah Village. The artists, Elisa and Phillip are truly remarkable. And well, the boutique is tiny, but packed full of gems. Hand-sewn designer clothing, fine art and unique jewelry. The Village is quaint, darling and real.
Meet these talented artists, shmooze, and enjoy some refreshments. Hope to see you!

My top 10 favorite things:
#1 is the photography by Elisa Lazo de Valdez and the paper mask sculpture of Phillip Valdez.

#2 This sweater is sooooo soft, I want to sink into an overstuffed chair and cozy up with my Kensie "cuddle" sweater $88
(no kidding, that's what it's called...yeah, I know, it is a silly name, but it IS the most cozy sweater ever). Anyway, I just want to snuggle in with the new Fall issues of Dwell and "W" and simply drift away into my own magazine world. That's why it ranks as my #2 on my list of favorites for Fall.

#3 on my list is this tweed coat from Suzabelle. It's just plain sharp. $258

#4 on list are my gemstone earrings in Fall hues of carnelian, green onyx and chalcedony. $46
#5 on my list of favorite things is this lovely red coat from Suzabelle. It's the Ballard Jacket and it's rounded collar, tie, and asymmetrical zipper make special, as well as its stunning color. It's $298 at my boutique, which is $50 less than if you purchased it elsewhere.
#6 on my list of favorite Fall things is this leather cropped jacket from "Live a Little." So darned cute. Metallic suede. 3/4 length sleeves, suede covered butttons, stand up collar. $169

#7 and #8 on my list of favorites are the handmade leather handbags from Gordon Dent and hand-turned wood vessels from Dr. Carroll Simpson. Truly gallery pieces.

#9 on my list of favorites is this new silk, jewel-toned dress from Suzabelle, my Seattle designer.

#10 is this black Trench coat from Suzabelle
So there, that rounds out my favorite list.
Except for one thing.
#11 on my list of favorite things for Fall are the luscious baked goodies at St. Honore Bakery in NW Portland.
Truly it's a treat. I have no connection there, no family ties, no friends in the biz, just a sense in my heart that that's where I belong every Sunday.



So my girlfriend Sharon in Kailua, Hawaii phoned me today and said she just read my blog. I laughed and said "Well, at least ONE person is reading it."
Aaah-ha, I feel like my blogs are like Jack Nicholson's writings to Ndugu, in that movie, "About Schmidt."
Let me explain... In the movie, Nicholson's character, Warren, is watching a TV ad about a foster program for children in Africa. He sponsors a child, and soon Warren is relating his life and experiences to this boy, Ndugu, in a series of letters. It's obvious to the viewer, that Ndugu couldn't possibly understand about what Warren is saying. But Warren gratuitously writes on, in his cathartic diary.

Yes, I think, blogs are like this. Often words simply go out into the cosmic universe...into the "ether" and then just as quickly dissipate and vanish into thin air. But it's all about the process.
Photo: Elisa Lazo de Valdez

So, on that note, all blog readers who mention they read my blog can take $20 off any Suzabelle coat or dress at Anne Bocci Boutique. Offer good through October 31, 2008.
Any comments and typo corrections appreciated at annebocci@yahoo.com or here.
Photo: Elisa Lazo de Valdez

xo
anne

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

So my local couture designer called me today...


This flapper inspired dress/tunic with satin piping is now $27.50, regularly $110. Plus all of Seth's one-of-a-kind dresses, coats, and gowns are 75% off as well.

So my local couture clothing designer, Seth Aaron Henderson, phoned me at the boutique today and told me to drastically mark down his entire collection by 75%. I said, "Seth, are you sure about this?" He said, "Yes, I want to blow it out and then bring in my new line." So I took out my red marker and went to work.
I decided either I'm buying everything myself, or I'll let a few folks know in this blog. But with dresses under $30, his designs are going to go fast.

And I just marked down select Ipseity designs, 25% OFF, also hand-sewn by Portland apparel designer, Keri Roberts.



Be sure to stop after work on October 3 for our First Friday party, featuring the works of Elisa Lazo de Valdez and Phillip Valdez. We're open until 9:00 pm every First Friday of the month with live music, wine, art, sales and fun!





See you,
xo
anne
http://www.annebocciboutique.com
http://www.annebocci.com

Friday, September 12, 2008

Artist defies economy



I just got in my new Fall collection of wool and tweed coats from my Seattle designer, Suzabelle. They are classic, cozy, and reminiscent of Hollywood glamour from long ago.
And they are priced from $250 to $298. And I can't keep them in the store. Last night, I emailed Suzie of the Suzabelle line in Seattle and let her know that her new Fall coats are flying out the door of my boutique. She immediately wrote back and said thanks for the news and that surprisingly she had quite a few boutique owners contacting her lately with the same good news. She ended her email to me, with "recession...my foot."
And I thought she's right. If a design is good, and the piece is timeless, it possibly maybe defies the current economy.

Yes, I thought, a sublime Northwest designer quite possibly defies Bush.

Monday, September 1, 2008

You're Invited! October 3, 2008 First Friday Artist Reception Party for Phillip Valdez and Elisa Lazo de Valdez at Anne Bocci.







You're invited to stop by to see the photography of Elisa Lazo de Valdez, and masks by paper sculptor Phillip Valdez.

October 3, 2008
Meet the Artists, Reception Party


5:30 to 9:00 PM
Anne Bocci Boutique & Gallery
7824 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, OR 97219


503.452.3711


refreshments provided