In the Olympic Spirit

With the Opening Ceremony for the 2014 Winter Olympics just days away, I thought I would share a great story about how the Ralph Lauren Opening Ceremony Sweater came to be.

This story starts right here in Oregon, on the Imperial Stock Ranch, which has been raising sheep and cattle for over one hundred forty years. In 1999 they began selling the ranch’s raw wool by creating and selling premium wool yarns. As a spin off of the historic Imperial Stock Ranch, Imperial Yarn was born.  Once a year the luxurious wool is harvested, custom milled, and sold across the country and beyond.

In July of 2012, Ranch owner Jeanne Carver received a call from someone in product development at Ralph Lauren. Soon after, designers from Ralph Lauren came to visit Imperial Ranch, touring the facilities, historic buildings and landscape. After a few sample orders, they eventually placed a production order for a "special project", and eventually Jeanne learned that the yarn would be used for the sweaters being made for Team USA and the Olympic Opening Ceremony. 

And that is the abridged version of how this sweater came to be (read the full story here). This sweater is sourced, designed and manufactured all in the United States of America. 

Some have criticized it for being similar to an "Ugly Christmas Sweater". I, however, think it is fantastic. This is meant to be a showpiece, a costume of sorts. Having attended the Opening Ceremony at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, I can tell you that what the athletes wear NEEDS to stand out, not only for TV but also for the live audience. 

So here it is, in all its American glory! 

images from 

So let the games begin!

Wearing your Heart on your Sleeve

I saw this cardigan on Instagram the other day on Target Style. Cute, isn't it?  

Elbow Patch Cardigan $24.99 

A great deal for a "trendy" piece, but I'm pretty certain it will pill in no time, so I thought I would do a bit more digging to find something similar of higher quality.

And of course, like always, ASOS delivers. These sweaters are around the same price, and I think even better looking. Let's be honest, the quality probably isn't much better, but for less than $30, they are worth a try!

 Striped Elbow Patch Heart Sweater

 Elbow Patch Heart Sweater

Four Years of Fashion- Cardigan Wednesday

Today marks the fourth anniversary of Cardigans & Couture! Wow! Where has the time gone? It is hard for me to believe that I have been writing this blog five days a week (and sometimes more) for four whole years! Just the other day I was thinking...what if we just stopped blogging (it is a lot of work)? Would people miss reading C&C on a daily basis? I am hoping the answer is "yes".

For the last two years, Katie has joined me on this blogging adventure, and while I am sure I could do it without her, it wouldn't be half as much fun. Despite being on opposite sides of the country, it's just another thing that brings us closer together. That may seem silly, but it's the truth.

For many years, every Wednesday on C&C was "Cardigan Wednesday", a tribute to the name of the blog. In recent years we have changed up the content and gone away from that Wednesday tradition. So, in honor of C&C's fourth birthday, I am deeming today "Cardigan Wednesday"!

Since summer is quickly approaching, and both Katie and I love stripes, and navy and white, I thought this would be the perfect cardigan to share.

The French Connection Cotton Dream Cardigan would be the perfect addition to my summer wardrobe!

For those of you who have been following C&C from the very beginning, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your comments, emails, Facebook posts, etc. are what make this labor of love all worth while!

Dress Like the Mini

The Mini and I are off to Mexico today to escape the Portland rain and enjoy a few days at the beach. We will be sure to share highlights from our trip when we return.

Back to business...A few weeks back I posted this photo of the Mini Fashionista and shared an "adult version" of the outfit (blog post here).

Since it was a popular topic, I thought I would share more on the Mini's style.

1) Raincoat-Pluie Pluie, 2) Cardigan and pinstripe shirt- Crewcuts, 3) Yellow Jeans- Old Navy, 4) Driving loafers- Trumpette

If you purchased the yellow jeans and ivory cardigan from the previous post, you can wear them again; this time with a pinstripe shirt, black patent driving loafers and a fun rain coat of your choice. Here are the pieces I would style this outfit with.

Land's End Canvas Pintuck Top $48.99

Cole Haan Air Penny Driver $106.80

You could top off the look with the Anorak I shared in the last post (here), or you could pair it with this fantastic Penfield Kasson Check Lined Hooded Anorak for $ 219.88.

So, what do you think? Another win for the Mini Fashionista, or does her mom need to work on her styling skills?

P.S. Don't forget you have until the end of the month to save 10% at Serena Italian Imports using the code "fallcardicouture"! 

Dress Like the Mini

On Friday I took this photo of the Mini Fashionista. Doesn't she have great street style? Truth be told, most days she looks better than I do. 

One of my friends (SB) commented that she would wear the outfit if it came in her size. Which, by the way, is a jacket from Old Navy, tunic and leggings from Carter's (all from the kid's consignment sales I blogged about here), cardigan by Crewcuts (ebay purchase) and her most coveted pony hair shoes from Zara (a gift). 

So for anyone else who likes the Mini's street style, I thought I would put together the adult equivalent of what she is wearing...with a budget in mind, of course!  

Let's start at the bottom with these Gap Leopard Calf Hair Ballet Flats for $49.95.

Zelda Colored Jeans from Express on sale for $49.90

Sashimi Utility Anorak $58

Asos Cardigan with bobble stitch $70.36

And finally, the patterned piece to pull the whole look together, Lands' End Canvas Pintuck Top $70!

We'd love to see your version of the Mini Fashionista's outfit. If you have similar items in your closet and want to share your look with us, email it to cardicouture@gmail.com or post to the C&C facebook page! 

Boden Brings It

I have never actually purchased anything for myself from Boden. The Mini Fashionista has a number of  Mini Boden dresses, pants, and sweaters, but my closet is so far Boden-less.

That said, I am so close to pulling the trigger on my first Boden purchase. We are taking a winter vacation in February to Austria, Italy and Germany, and I think this Crepe Sole Wedge Boot could be perfect for the trip. I really like this fig color as it is a neutral and will go with everything, and I don't have anything like it in my closet. So, what do you think? Cute or Blah?

Here are a few of the other items that struck my fancy when perusing the site.

Lace Top $98

Wedge Shoe Boot $168

Peter Pan Top $78 

Alpaca Wrap $138 

Suede Brogues $168

Have you ever shopped Boden? The prices are similar to J Crew, but the brand is not as well recognized here in the US. I would love to hear your thoughts on the quality and fit. 

What I Wore

As you know, Katie is usually the one to do "What I Wore" posts. That's because most days my attire consists of Nike Legend or Nike Pro pants and a tank top, and it's hardly worth sharing. Last week I met a friend for coffee and decided I would open the closet and pick out something worth sharing. So here it is. As always, pardon the inadequate photography. You're just lucky I got a shot without the Mini Fashionista or Winston (our labradoodle) in it!

Dress-Consign Design, Cardigan- J Crew, Belt and shoes- Cole Haan, Bracelets- Angela Caputi (from Serena Italian Imports)

A close up

I had a pedicure the day before and chose the perfect color, without even knowing it!

And, I even put away the MZ Wallace Diaper bag and pulled out one of my old favorites from Cole Haan. 

Let's Talk Dots

While stripes are my one and only true love, polka dots are a close second. While browsing the Old Navy website I came across some cute polka-dotted new arrivals worth a second look in an array of colors. The last sweater is definitely my favorite. 

Old Navy Button-Front Cardi - $19.94

Old Navy Button-Front Cardi - $19.94

Old Navy Ruffle-Trim Tie-Belt Dress - $29.94

Old Navy Ruffle-Trim Tie-Belt Dress - $29.94

Old Navy Boat-Neck Sweater - $24.94

Old Navy Boat-Neck Sweater - $24.94

Winter Wonderland

As many of you know, katie and I grew up in Sun Valley, Idaho....pretty much the greatest place on earth. Recently, Eddie Bauer launched their Winter collection with this fabulous lifestyle video filmed in Sun Valley. Doesn't it make you want to put on a warm sweater and cozy up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate? Even better, doesn't it make you want to book your vacation there ASAP? Good thing for me we are making a quick trip just before Christmas.



Check out some of my favorite items from the collection.

I NEED this Vintage Cable Hat!

Sherpa Cabin Sweater Coat

Pajar Greenland Boot

Cardigan Wednesday

A cardigan worth sharing....so cute and so collegiate!

Rag & Bone Dean Wool-blend cardigan $275

Cardigan Wednesday

I love everything about this cardigan: the color, the buttons, the cable knit and I am even loving the price! 

Asos Cardigan $73.18

Cardigan Wednesday- Sweater Coats

With Labor Day less than a week away, I am being forced to accept the fact that summer is nearly over...despite the fact that it feels as if it just started here in Portland. That said, with the cooler temperatures comes the need to break out the heavier cardigans. These cardigans/sweater coats will be nice and cozy for the fall and winter! I especially love the two with the toggles. Not loving the $200+ price tags though. 

Sabine Tulip Hem Sweater $84

Jack by BB Dakota $70

Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent Nordic Cardigan $275

Splendid Fair Isle Toggle Sweater $228

360 Cashmere Tilden Stripe Sweater $308

Cardigan Wednesday- Reader Favorites

This week will be the final post of the Cardigan Wednesday Cabinet Series, so we have decided to start a new series featuring our readers and their favorite cardigans.

If you would like to participate, here's what you need to do:

1) email us a picture of yourself in your favorite cardigan.
2) tell us a little about yourself and your cardigan (i.e. when and where you got it)
3) for a little extra info, tell us how you came to follow C&C and what you like about it

Send all emails to cardicouture@gmail.com

Cardigan Wednesday - 5 Under $45

I love cardigans, but I also love a good deal. Here are five cardigans all under $45 dollars. You don't need to spend a fortune to look good. Mixing classic, more expensive pieces with trendy, more affordable items can help you maximize your shopping budget.

Kara knit cardigan
$20 - delias.com

American Apparel striped top
$44 - americanapparel.net

Forever21 cardigan
$30 - forever21.com

Old Navy boyfriend cardigan
$27 - oldnavy.gap.com

H m cardigan
£20 - hm.com

If you love cardigans as much as we do, come follow us on Facebook, for even more daily fashion, shopping, celebrity, and trend updates!