Sunken City, California

In 1929, a landslide in San Pedro, California, caused a neighborhood of exclusive homes to tumble into the ocean. At its peak, the land movement was measured at an astounding 11 inches a day.

Today it's called Sunken City.

You can view Sunken City at the south end of Pacific Avenue or the east end of Point Fermin Park at Paso Del Mar and Gaffey Street.

Or you can ignore the "no trespassing" signs, duck under a fence and explore the lost city and its wonderful street art on your own.

Photos taken by John Kingston. My rolls will be developed eventually. You can view more over on Facebook.

Angela Thornton of M O R P H knitwear

Two years ago I met Angela Thornton, reigning goddess of M O R P H knitwear, through a mutual friend.  She walked into the restaurant wearing a delicate little antiqued chained harness over an all-black outfit.  I immediately asked her where she got to which she quipped, "I made it!"

You see, Angela is well known in the NW modeling scene for her beauty, her ingenuity and her creations.  She had been coming to photoshoots in her own handmade knitwear and jewelry far before the inception of M O R P H.  When I photographed her last year I asked for her to bring something dainty and feminine.  She came to the shoot in the most perfect hand knitted shawl.

Everything at M O R P H is created and designed by Angela.  I spent all night drooling over Siren Call, her new s/s '13 collection.  It seems rather fitting that she be the first artist I interview in a new series of people who inspire me.

Top:  M O R P H huldra knit bustier // Bottom: M O R P H nix asymmetrical hooded vest

MPB: What is M O R P H knitwear?  

AT:  Morph Knitwear started out as an experiment- I have a constant need to be creating, and once I discovered that I could knit, and was pretty good at it, I couldn't stop. So instead of making scattered, disconnected pieces from other people's patterns I decided to create an original, cohesive line of knitwear that I would want to wear. The experiment was to see if anyone else would want to wear it too! Morph has turned into a full time job, an obsession, and a form of communication. As much as Morph is about the end product, it's also about the production process- I am very personally connected to each piece, as I'm the sole designer and creator. What it all boils down to is that Morph is my imagination and dreams taking a physical, wearable form.

MPB: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

AT: My inspiration comes from all over the place. Music (mainly heavy metal), other designers, nature, mythology, badass women I know, fairy tales, and the occult all factor in. I want to create clothing that is empowering to wear, beautiful and delicate, but also has an element of toughness, mystery and danger, so I suppose having an end goal to focus on is a form of inspiration as well.

Top: M O R P H hefring pale grey cropped top // Bottom: eli one shoulder silver maxi dress

MPB: Describe your perfect outfit

AT: Oh man, my perfect outfit... would probably all consist of draped black things, lots of layered rings (I'm partial to big heavy ones and tiny above the knuckle ones), and silver necklaces. Not far from what I wear everyday anyway, but I'd certainly love to throw a few Rick Owens, Ann Demeulemeester, and Barbara i Gongini pieces into my closet. Texture is a big thing for me, I love clothing that feels good to wear while maintaining an element of structure and form.

MPB: If you were to use three words to descripbe M O R P H, what would those be?

AT: Dark, textural, esoteric.

M O R P H knitwear  // Angela Thornton 

You can purchase M O R P H online @ SHOPMORPH & follow them on Facebook, Twitter and  Instagram.

xo,
Aayla @ My Painted Bird

spring fever

I think it is officially safe to declare that spring has arrived in Portland. Today will hit the high 60s and most of the weekend will hit the low 70s. It will still continue to rain throughout the next few months but the birds are chirping so I am happy.



Shoes: Hinge // Dress: xxi // New Hair: Lauren Archer @ Entrust Hair

Last year at my mum's wedding us daughters were to wear floral prints.  I went shopping with my mum, sister and grandmother when we found this dress.  I tried it on and surprisingly enough, my mum LOVED it.  She essentially forced me into buying it as I watched my sister side-eye me. We both felt it was a little much for a church wedding but our mum wouldn't have any of it.  A few days before the wedding I couldn't bring myself to wear it.  Instead I opted for this dress which was more conservative and worked better with my sister's dresses.  Momma, I hope you're happy that I'm finally wearing it!

Happy spring, everyone!

Vegan Peanut Butter Carrot Puppy Biscuits

My friend Courtney and I made a very large batch of vegan peanut butter carrot puppy biscuits (as seen here) tonight.  I don't own food processor or even a box grater so we just kept the carrots chopped up.  I think the carrots finely shredded would have helped out when we mixed all the ingredients together but it still worked out in the end.  Also, I don't own a rolling pin either so we improvised with a bottle of my very classy balsamic vinaigrette.



The ingredients call for:

• 5 cups flour
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 2-1/4 cups water
• 5 large carrots, finely shredded
• 2/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• Cute cookie cutters
• A dog

Most of you may already have these ingredients in your pantry. Bake them for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees. They're super quick, easy and pretty fun to make.

Ava loved the treats.  Peanut loved the treats.  Courtney and I loved the treats.  We spent most of the time eating the batter after dipping it in peanut butter.  We're probably gross.

Puppy, cats and human approved.

dresses!

I know that "April showers bring May Flowers" but come on. It's March and the torrential downpours and bipolar weather is getting a bit tiresome. Spring, sweet spring, I know you're out there!

A dress a day to keep the rainy blues away!

one month

Today is my one month anniversary of adopting Ava!  Happy one month, my little California bear. I love you.



I also just got back from Vancouver, BC today which was a lovely extended weekend filled with bubble baths, hikes, suspension bridges and Ava. She's not even three months old yet and she's already been to two countries and has visited three states. What a spoiled brat.

xo