Happy Anyway

Allie Yacina at Happy Anyway

Dear Liza,

Auntie Bridgett and I walked out in the rain the other day to see the new show at Happy Anyway. This small, delightful shop is just a few blocks down on SE Belmont here in Portland, and is one of our new favorite places.

Besides the usual quirky antiquities and tchatchkies, there is a show this month and next of Allie Yacina’s sketchbooks and art.

I quickly fell in love with Allie’s color palette and blend of observation and style, almost like Matisse… but not quite. I stared at the opened sketchbooks posted on the wall, and flipped through the one on the counter. Each one seemed to show me a new way of seeing.

Because these are Allie’s sketchbooks, we see the lines and corrections, the process of how she makes the image happen. This makes all this beauty feel very “do-able”… very possible, even for me. Allie is holding a small workshop and “sketch time” on January 19th, so folks can all hang out with this talented lady and do art together!

Since Allie lives in our neighborhood, and paints what she sees, many of these sights are familiar to me. Lone Fir Cemetery. Shop fronts on Burnside. Laurelhurst Park.

Steph Sheldon, the owner, is always fun to talk with, about art or any other subject. She has a positive attitude that is not starry-eyed, but strong and almost defiant. “Happy anyway” is her response to “The world is a mess”.

We spent a delightful hour at the shop and walked back home through our dear, soggy neighborhood. As so often happens after looking at art, every curb and branch became an object of wonder and appreciation.

And that’s why we love art!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Open House at Happy Anyway

Dear Liza,

Last Friday was the holiday ‘Member only’ Open House at Bridgett’s new favorite shop, Happy Anyway, down in SE Hawthorne. This tiny, delightful boutique sells handmade items and quirky vintage thingees.

We got there just a bit after opening, and the place was decorated to the gills and very crowded. It was a series of negotiations to get around the room to shop, then a few more to get through the line to buy your goodies.

Fortunately, everyone was cheery and friendly, so it was less ‘waiting in line’ and more ‘chatting’. We chose a few little treasures for the Christmas tree. This tiny duck and peanut will join the rest of Auntie Bridgett’s multitude of sparkles.

There was also gift buying for family in San Diego, which I can’t show you, because they read this blog! But we did find these three ceramic ladies who really wanted to come home with us.

Once we had made our purchases, we hugged Stephanie, the owner, buttoned our coats back up, and walked home. Our clear nights are so chilly!

Love,

Grandma Judy

End of Summer

Dear Liza,

I know it’s not quite the Fall equinox yet, but we are definitely there. Saturday was the Belmont Street Fair, which is our last street fair of the year.

The weather started off chilly, then the clouds passed and the sun came out.

People were ambling down the street, walking happy dogs and chatting with friends.

Auntie Bridgett visited with Steph at Happy Anyway while a face-painting friend decorated Steph’s arm.

We even got to go inside the wonderfully historic J. C. Havely House, soon to re-open as The Foxtrot Lounge.

I’ll show you more about that tomorrow.

I ran out of energy and came home to rest. By the time we had dinner, the skies opened up and we had a fine gullywashing rain storm. Welcome, Fall!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Dear Liza,

We have another new shop in the neighborhood! This one is called Happy Anyway, on SE Belmont, and is run by Stephanie Sheldon. We know Stephanie because she and her friend Jen used to run Noun, just a few blocks away.

Here is Stephanie and the interior of her shop, as photographed by Maggie Kirkland of Honeysuckle Photography.

Noun had been one of Auntie Bridgett’s favorite places EVER, so we had to go see the new place!

And we were not disappointed. Happy Anyway is lovely, peaceful, and, to use Auntie Bridgett’s word, “curated”. Every item is displayed with the care of a museum piece.

Whether it is a vintage plastic teddy bear or a dandelion encased in lucite, each piece feels magical.

Along with the items, we enjoyed some lovely conversation with Stephanie and Jen.

Once I felt comfortable, I asked if we could have a look at the antique crazy Quilt. Isn’t it wonderful? I hope mine ages as well.

When you come visit, I will take you to see Happy Anyway for a delightful visit.

Love,

Grandma Judy