Spartan Journal

Patrick and I managed to escape for 6 days to Nosara, Costa Rica this month, certainly one  of our very best adventures yet. Going through the photos really makes me hanker to be back there. Like right this moment.

With the lengthening of the days, I have been so taken by the layered colors of the light against the hills and trees on my dawn and dusk runs. These prints by Israeli Artist Zipora Fried capture this light so beautifully.

So drawn to the grey skies and coffee color palate of the early works of this Irish painter. Perfect for a Portland spring.

to these lately.

Finding inspiration in the past.

As we all start to transition out of the stagnant winter months back in to the garden and farmers market, may we suggest some gorgeous volumes to inspire your hands into the earth and to ignite some spirit in the kitchen and on the table.

Tender and Ripe chronicle the love affair between UK chef and writer Nigel Slater and his garden / orchard, and include loads of simple, gorgeous recipes, gardening instructions, and color-stained photographs. Both are a pleasure to behold and use, and make outstanding gifts for food lovers and gardeners.

The premier volume of Cereal, our newest magazine in the shops, is a beautiful publication out of Britain focusing on food, craft, travel, and other little bits of nature and goodness.

Patrick keeps excitedly rattling off the details of his boys dirt road motorcycle tour, slated for late this Spring. Days on end of being hammered by cold wind and pelted by grit does not sound like a vacation to me, however this little piece shot on Super 16 oozes the romance and adventure of lost roads winding into nowhere.

Obi and Alli of Juniper Ridge are bringing their sweet Field Van to Beam & Anchor this to distill deliciously woodsy aromas live in Portland! We will be serving up spiked hot cider (courtesy of New Deal) and enjoying the gorgeous holiday smells from 1pm-5pm, this Sunday, December 2nd!

All you Portland friends please stop by, enjoy a warm cup of ginger cider, & grab some aromatic stocking stuffers for you and yours!

Emily Bixler has a beautiful, easy way about her. A few weeks ago she had me by the studio to see her latest creations, we shared tall cups of coffee, traded hiking & swimming hole secrets, and I fell head over heals with her stellar collection. There is something so fresh, yet so warm about her work. Utterly akin to fine art and installation pieces, but tactile and wearable.

We are delighted to have her work at Spartan.

Bay area friends, Emily has a current installation at Gallery Lulo in Healdsberg

My sweetheart and I are moseying on down to Austin this weekend to visit family & friends, and Spartan will be participating in the Feliz Holiday Sale!

Join us to get a jump on your holiday gifting provisions, and check out some talented designers and great shops showing off their wares at the Palm Door. Drop by and see us this Sunday the 4th and cross a few of those hard-to-shop-for names off your holiday list!