Fall Harvest

Exulting in Autumn’s glorious harvest of slow-food and thrifted fashion, UrbanTerra’s owner, Lydia Smith and model Amanda Abrain, show off some “Little Red Hen” swagger. Fashion photographer, August Smith, captures the essence of the season fabulously. Lydia, a self-proclaimed stylist enlisted wardrobe stylist, Elena Chavez, as a consultant to attain that final fall fashion flair and Lindsey Watkins brought an autumn glow to the model’s face and hair. By the time you get through this editorial you’ll be wanting a harvest of your own.

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Here at UrbanTerra we have a Fashion Philosophy. According to
the EPA's office of solid waste, each year sixty-eight pounds of useful clothing products per US household finds its way into the landfill. We believe that Fashionistas everywhere can reduce that number and still sport the hottest trending looks all at a thrifty price. Not convinced? Here’s proof.

This vintage Coltalia mink collard sweater will take you from office-to-lounge in style when paired with “sleek and sexy” silhouette pants from Halogen. To transition simply change out the black Forever 21 ankle booties with a platinum sling-back pump and add sparkly accessories. Amanda is poised to take to rockin’ the streets with this Mango tweed moto jacket and reworked denim gladiator skirt and studded booties. Inspiration from St. John, Badgley Mischka, Marni, and Victoria’s Secret.

I’m a born treasure hunter. That’s what makes me a great thrifter. But you don’t have to thrift shop to gain great used or re-worked fashions. I love companies like Gold Dog in Seattle’s Fremont district who offer fabulous reuse items at reasonable prices. Also, consignment shops like The Redress Shop in Bellevue on the Seattle area’s Eastside who carry couture fashion at a fraction of new retail prices. Whether you source your finds at bargain prices from Savers/Value Village, Goodwill, Salvation Army or have the budget to snag a Chanel bag at a consignment store, when it comes to earth-friendly fashion the outcome is identical. The poundage of clothing waste in the landfill is reduced. Now isn’t that what we all want?

Foraging for fabulous accessories, this fox fur collar and statement belt brings the Cabi  coat into current trends. Pairing it with Jones New York black leather pants and Clark's ankle booties takes the outfit off the farm and onto the runway. Inspiration from Valentino, Givenchy, and Alexander McQueen collections.

Let’s get specific. I scored a pair of L.A.M.B. platform oxfords for $12.99 at Value Village. It looked as if they had never been worn (even the soles were clean). What would they have run me new? Around $300! How about a Theory plaid blazer trimmed with leather elbow patches $14.99, retail around $500. These are not unusual finds. Your local thrift shop isn’t what it was 10 years ago and nowhere near the second-hand your mother shopped.

Genteel equestrian living. Ralph Lauren laced leather skirt, Eddie Bauer down vest, Pendleton blazer paired with Lux plaid pant. Inspiration from Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren collections.

Continuing into Autumn, graphic tees and butterfly prints when paired with houndstooth and boots are still trendy.  ALC Diamond Girl butterfly dress, Seven for All Mankind houndstooth pants, Mac & Jac sweater, Aeropostale owl tee. Inspiration from Lie Sang Bong and fashionistas everywhere.

A petal dress in trending midnight-blue paired with organic inspired jewelry will carry you through fall and winter formals. Inspiration Theia.

I hate to be the one to break-it-to-ya but fast-fashion equals fast-waste. So here’s a solution. Only buy signature trend pieces from your favorite designers then go have some fun treasure hunting for basics, vintage, and fabulous finds at your local thrift shop. It’s a perfect way to stay current and take care of the world around you! Did I mention all the good things those thrifted dollars are accomplishing? You’ll be amazed!

Also, check out a new phenomenon on Facebook, your local Shop N Swap and the Buy Nothing Project for your area. Supporting the barter system helps everyone!

Behind the Photo Shoot

L to R: Lindsey Watkins, Elena Chavez, Me, Amanda Abrain

This project was seriously so fun! I look forward to bringing you more ideas and inspiration for thrifted fashion finds! 

Snippets From Vashon/Maury Island

Modern ferries were preceded by Puget Sound's "Mosquito Fleet"

From the 1850's to the 1930's the Puget Sound's "Mosquito Fleet" carried passengers from port to port. Today, the Washington State ferries transport commuters and tourists to outlying islands and the Olympic Peninsula.   

See an 1892 photo here of the historic Presbyterian church in Center

If you've been following my posts you know that this year I installed three colonies of honey bees at Vashon Ciderworks on Vashon Island, a short 15 minute ferry ride from bustling West Seattle. In that short ride your psychy begins to transform. The salt air unites with the seagull's cry and the soothing shoosh of seawater sings the mariner's song that begins to work it's magic on your mind and soul. Time begins to slow, your eye pauses to examine details it passed by before and seemingly insignificant things become a memorable moment. You've now slipped into "island time" where a whole day can be spent in luscious languor.

Beach combing on a sun-washed day will reward you with small shells and agates but best of all a refreshed spirit. Beaches here are usually rocky or small-pebbled sand yet two here are fine-sand where you can dig your toes in. If your goal is to find a comfy place to lay a blanket try Point Robinson Park where you can take in a bit of history too.

In 1841 the Wilkes Expedition named the lighthouse in honor of John Robinson, a member of the expedition.

Another fine-sand beach worth trying is the Pt Heyer KVI beach so named because of the radio tower that dominates a portion of it. There is minimal parking on the street. Please respect the "no parking" signs. A beach I had a hard time finding was Lisabeula Park. Apparently located on the west side of Vashon Island, I felt like I was wasting too much time driving and abandoned the mission. The best map I've found is here.

Depending upon the time of year, seafood foraging can be a fun and adventurous pastime. There are local laws requiring permits for gathering everything from clams to seaweed and you can purchase these online at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Cabins along Quartermaster Harbor

 When lunch time rolls around you'll want to sample some Island fare. For prepackaged organic picnic foods, island brew Cliff's beer, tea, coffee, fresh made goodies and homemade ice cream stop into Vashon Island Coffee Roasteries. You can do some shopping for other Island made goods here too and stop next door to do a little wine tasting. You'll find a variety of restaurants in town as well for sit down meals or stop into the Thriftway's deli for to-go orders of sandwiches, carved meats, and other made-to-order hot foods. Don't forget to pick up some Island made Dragon's Head Cider to wash it all down with!

 

My favorite nursery on the island is DIG. Situated along the main highway just south of town, it bursts with creative displays and a kaleidoscope of color. Drop in and wander around. You won't regret it. 

From sunup to sundown you'll have been able to explore every crevice and navitgate every road that Vashon and Maury have to offer. I hear that the nightlife can be fun too so check out the local happenings and events beforehand taking note of the last ferry sailing time unless, of course, you've booked one of the many island bed & breakfasts or beach houses for the night.

Sunset on Mt. Rainier

Sailing back to the mainland, life seems a little fuller. The explorer within satiated, one indulges in a few more lungfuls of salt air letting the wind draw it out until breathless. As quick as "island time" washed in, it rushes away, like the tide.

Fig Season

Some people get a little squeamish when it comes to figs. Not me. They are the most exotically luscious, sexiest fruit I've encountered. Each bite inviting the next.

Like a gift from heaven I happened upon a fig tree in a small yard who's owner disdained the fruit. Sweet Bertie's husband planted the tree over 30 years ago and now she has given me permission to "Take as many as you can eat. I don't like them!" So come late summer I load my ladder onto the Hummer and head to Bertie's 1940's bungalow to rescue as many figs from the birds as possible. The only thing I know about these figs is that they are LARGE, elongated and that Bertie's husband was given the whip by a German workmate at the Boeing Company. I'm assuming they are a hardy German variety as Bertie told me her husband simply "stuck the stick in the ground". I have yet to find anything resembling them from my research.

So, what to do with all those figs? First and formost...eat as many as possible fresh from the tree! That means Figs with Goat Cheese...

Mission figs with goat cheese drizzled with honey served with rosemary flatbread

 Grilled figs...

Drizzled with honey and espresso balsamic 

And then process figs to substitute when fresh figs have become the makings of only dreams.

Fig Jam

Bertie's tree is large and keeps on giving into early Autumn, as long as our Indian Summer lasts. It is a tree that sets a breba crop in late fall that, in my area, does not make it through our cold winters. Then in Spring it sets the Autumn crop of which we are harvesting now. So, this tree has unripe fruit on it all year except in the coldest part of winter when the breba crop shrivels and falls to the ground.

In two weeks I'll visit Bertie's fig tree again and then again in two weeks until the nights are crisp and the Grand Dame gives up for the winter.

UrbanTerra prides itself on gleaning fruit from homeowners who are unable or unwilling to do so themselves. In return to the homeowner, we give back some of the processed fruit as "payment" for their generosity. We love meeting our neighbors and making new friends like Bertie. If you have fruit trees you'd like us to harvest and live in the Seattle/Bellevue area, please contact me either by commenting on this blog or emailing me at lydia@expressionslandscapedesign.com.

Happy Harvesting!

Another Reveal

I'm hoping to get another great response to the next new addition to UrbanTerra, UrbanTerra Lifestyle Nest, home decor posts that will inspire your nesting urge, again with a nod to recycling, upcycling, reuse, and repurpose. So when you take that trip to the Second Hand or Thrift store for wardrobe items don't pass by the rest of the aisles. You won't believe what you can find!

Let's start with a look I love, Wine Country Farmstyle. I like the comfortable feel, the earthy tones, and the artisan handmade objects that bring the look alive, tell a history, and speak to the very nature of farm life. Because I'm eclectic I mix California wine country with Italian wine country. When I'm out and about in these areas I take lots of pictures of decor and then replicate them as best I can. Let's look at a few examples.

My husband and I visit Napa and Sonoma almost every year. On one trip we stopped in for dinner with friends at Olive and Vine in Glen Ellen. There I noticed on the wall a collection of hand forged aluminum serving pieces. I had been collecting these for some time because of their soft patina, botanical imprints and hand made elegance. I used mine for the purpose they were intended for. It never occurred to me to hang them in a group as artwork! So I snapped a picture and replicated it at home mixing it with some decor I had found in Italy (which I had taken a photo of to help me remember it when I got home).

Taken with my phone camera as I was leaving Olive and Vine.

My replication at home. Hand forged aluminum can be found readily at most thrift stores and cost not more than $14.99 for the largest pieces. Many are very simple but some have ornate handles fashioned into leaf shapes, curly cues or floral lid pulls.

Take a look at the curtains and the sofa. I found the two raw silk panels on clearance at Tuesday Morning and the settee at World Market's furniture sale. Now look at the photo of our room I took at Hotel Casa Pavesi in Grinzane Cavour, Italy.

Not exactly the same but the feel is captured adding elegance to the rustic farm style.

Curtains at an Internet Cafe in Greve in Chianti, Italy

Applied in my Bedroom

The curtains above were found at TJ Maxx in the clearance section. The button(s) came from an ugly vintage coat bought for $4.99 in the 1980's. I actually bought the coat just for the buttons!

When traveling leave some room in your bags to bring home finds from the region. I ALWAYS visit thrift stores, garage sales, or flea markets and occasionally an antique store when I travel. You'll find mementos of your trip for far less. In Hallstat, Austria I found hand painted tiles from a local building that had been demolished, in Arizona I found a hand-turned, turquoise-inlayed wood bowl, and in Calistoga I found a barrel stave candle holder - all for a fraction of the retail cost.

Here are some other Wine Country Farmstyle items I've acquired at Thrift stores.

The forged iron & rock candle holder is festa & co from Glen Ellen, Ca. ($6.99) It is sitting on a wine barrel lid lazy susan ($35). The rooster is Herend (Hungary) hand painted by Helsey Tamas' and inscribed as a gift from one couple to another in November of 1999 with the sentiment "Happy Holidays" ($9.99), and lastly another hand forged aluminum platter sporting leaping deer (I placed a marble cheese plate in the indentation intended for a serving plate, $14.99).

Hopefully I have inspired you to feather your Nest in Second Hand style!

Lydia

A New Dimension

I'm sure you've noticed the changed name and purpose statement of my blog. I hope it has piqued your curiosity as to how the content will change.  One major addition will be adding UrbanTerra Lifestyle fashion posts. These posts will show how you can save hundreds, if not thousands, on your wardrobe and still be current, stylish, less participatory in our throw-away society and help those in our community that need it most all in the process of choosing your wardrobe. Welcome and I hope you enjoy my first UrbanTerra Lifestyle Trunk post!

I'm gearing up for Fall and Winter in my closet. I've perused all the runway shows, fashion blogs, and style magazines and have condensed them down to four major looks for you. If you are like me, an eclectic soul, you'll be sporting all four throughout the Fall/Winter season. Most everything you see here has come from a Thrift Store. If not, it was purchased for 50% off or more on clearance at major department stores or Premium Outlets. Rarely do I ever purchase full price!

"Florals in Earthy Colors"
Choose patterns with slate gray, tawny brown, and/or midnight blue. Fennel green, clear crystal blue and rustic red will brighten things up a bit. Adding fur extends your outfit into winter.

Go Urban with slate gray and tawny brown. This slate gray chainmail knit brings out the lovely silvery blue tone of the fur. Add some chunky artistic jewelry to bring the look together. Like leather? This is the outfit that cries out for a sleek pair of caviar ankle boots.

Fair Isle knits are in. Nordic patterns can work as well if you choose those patterns that incorporate many colors. Pass by patterns with snowflakes.  Look for faux seal or faux otter accessories (these boots are vintage found at a small church thrift store).

The Russian-style fur cap and ankle boots warm up this crystal blue and ice necklace. Pair with a brightly colored folk-inspired floral print.

And lastly, my style forecast for fall/winter formal wear. A trend toward medieval, a nod to "The Game of Thrones".

Shopping Tip: If you know the color, print, or material type you are searching for there is no need to slog through each item on the rack. Just walk the isle with your eye looking at the tops of the hangers. You'll spot what you are looking for with more efficiency using this method.

Do you like this UrbanTerra Lifestyle Trunk post? Tell me what you think!

Spring Arrivals

 The Mighty Honeybee. Does she know the power she holds? Driven by the instinct of survival and the greater good of the hive, she literally flies until her wings are shredded and expires crawling on the ground. A lowly demise for a noble creature. In her short few weeks of life she has pollinated millions of plants, in fact 1/3 of the plants that produce the food we eat. She has helped produce pounds of honey for our enjoyment and beeswax for lip balms, soaps, candles and lotions. With so much impact on our world it's no wonder images of the honey bee have been found since the beginning of civilization.

This Spring I set up six hives. Three at UrbanTerra and three on Vashon Island, Wa. at Dragon's Head Cider where Wes and Laura Cherry grow fields of apples destined for fermentation. My husband and I have planted our fair share of those apple trees and now our bees will pollinate them. 

I installed the hives at UrbanTerra first. I inspected the queen for health, placed her in the hive and then dumped in the workers. They tumbled into their new home and went straight to work. They were created for that purpose. 

In just two days after being gathered into their package for shipping comb building began around the queen's cage in preparation for her laying. Little did they know that the wire box was not their permanent home. Isn't this a great visual for "Busy as a Bee"?

The following morning we headed west to catch the ferry to Vashon Island to install the prepared hives at Dragon's Head Cider. It was a brilliant Puget Sound day!

The still snow-laden Olympic Mountain range soared above the Sound waters and the unusually warm spring air was welcoming and refreshing. 

This ferry was headed towards Downtown Seattle. The Puget Sound ferry system allows commuters to live on the offshore islands yet only be a few minutes from their offices in the bustling city. Island life is a sanctuary and reprieve from the daily grind.

 Two ferries run between Fauntleroy, Vashon, and Southworth making the trip less than 30 minutes from West Seattle. From UrbanTerra to Vashon including a wait in the ferry line is usually only around 1 hour if my timing is right. Once I'm done working the bees I head out to explore the island's farms, beaches, sights, restaurants and shops. Soon I'll be posting about touring Vashon Island on my travel blog. www.expressionstravel.blogspot.com

Meet Wes. A young man with a big dream that he's living! Yes, we are drinking his lovely cider and enjoying one of the most beautiful Springs I've experienced in years strolling among his flowing orchards. Creating a symbiotic relationship with a local company who shares similar environmental ideologies is an ideal situation. Responsible farming that benefits local food producers that serve our communities creates a full circle of healthy living. Fabulous honey, fabulous cider.

I have now taken on the moniker "Bee Whisperer" by my husband. It's a pet name by which he bestows his complete approval and admiration for my activity as beekeeper. The only time I don a coat and veil is during a full inspection or if I have to get into the hive during inclement weather when the bees will be very unhappy of my intrusion. He finds that amazing and thinks that I have some special calming vibrations that the bees can perceive. I think it's because my bees are happy and content and I know when to leave them alone!

The hives at Dragon's Head are in an open situation and the entrances face east to capture the first rays of the sun. The trees to the north will give protection form cold north winds in the winter. Wes tilled up the grass underneath the hives and sowed wild flowers to make the bees happy and create a picturesque scene from the house.

My friend, Aaron Russell,  is filming a documentary video for my website. He has amazing talent and spent the entire day with us documenting the installment and interviewing me about beekeeping and UrbanTerra. These things take time and I am busting at the seams to see the finished product. 

Beekeeping is an integral part of a complete urban farm and a smart addition to a lifestyle of self-reliant living. If you live in the Seattle area attend my Natural Beekeeping presentation at Olson Kundig Architect's "DabbleLab" in Pioneer Square located at Jackson and Occidental next to Starbucks. It will be held at the lunch hour on May 22nd from 11am to 1pm. You can sign up for the class or just drop in.

Check back soon for more UrbanTerra Lifestyle.