Tag Archives: Just Plain Lovely

Currently Loving: Ellie Vintage Diamond Engagement Ring

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When we asked Erin from Just Plain Lovely for help naming one of our newly arrived vintage engagement rings, she didn’t hesitate to name it after one of her style icons- her grandmother Ellie. Below, Erin tells us a bit more about why her grandmother would have loved her namesake ring.

Currently Loving: Ellie Vintage Diamond Engagement Ring

The real life Ellie pictured with her namesake vintage diamond engagement ring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The Ellie Vintage Diamond Engagement Ring oozes classic style. It was named for my grandmother and would have obviously been one of her favorites. All throughout my childhood, Ellie was the style maven. She was always perfectly put together. Her outfit, her hair, her jewelry and shoes… everything was just right. Her closet nearly exploded with accessories, so it’s no surprise that my favorite activity was to try everything on — one by one, piece by piece. I adore the old photos of her, young and carefree, smiling at my grandfather without a care in the world. That’s how she’ll live on in my mind, with a bit of Sinatra playing in the background.”

To see Erin’s pinboard (and pictures of her grandmother). If you’d like to learn more about Turtle Love Co.‘s Ellie Vintage Diamond Engagement Ring, click here!

(Photo courtesy of Erin at Just Plain Lovely)

Turtle Love Co. at home: where to shop in Portland

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It’s always fun to find new places to shop and no one knows better about where to shop locally for vintage (and often eco friendly!) clothing and jewelry like the Portland, Maine members of our Vintage Style Council. Here are Ashley from Sweet William, Laura S. from Fore Front Fashion, Julia from Jeeze Julia, Laura D. from Sweeter Salt, and Erin from Just Plain Lovely to tell you their picks for where to find the best unusual decor, locally made accessories, fabulous second hand outfits, and more!

Portland Flea For All-Laura S. says: “If I have to find say, a wedding gift, a great dress and a living room chair, I can go to this place and most likely find everything on my wish list.”

Blanche & Mimi-Erin says: “I love the expertly curated selection of home goods and children’s items.”

Longfellow Books

Pinecone+Chickadee-Julia says: “When in need of a quirky purchase, Pinecone + Chickadee is the place to go. Record players, instant cameras and film, typewriters – they’ve got ‘em. They also have a wide selection of new indie art, both local and from Etsy artists across the globe.”

FIND-Laura S. says: “This is my go-to place to find clothes in Portland. I love the mix of vintage clothes and labels that I love. And everything is ridiculously affordable.”

The Merchant Company-Julia says this store is like stepping into an Etsy shop and “if you need a gift, a reward for your hard work, or something to do to pass the time, the Merchant Company can remedy your problems.”

Yes Books

Goodwill-Laura D. says: “I adore thrift shopping (and I think I’m pretty darn good at it) so you can’t beat Goodwill.”

Salvation Army

Bliss-Erin says: “This has always been my #1 destination for jeans, even when I lived in NYC!”

Asia West-Laura D. says: “ I find cute jewelry, scarves and awesome home decor there. I have two beautiful cabinets in shades of aged blue and turquoise that are some of my favorite things in my house.”

Encore-Laura S. says: “I go here if I’m looking for something very special (or covered in sequins). It’s a great place for me to find inspiration too.”

Fetch- Erin says: “Fetch is the best for all things puppy (& pet) related!”

staff picks

Alicia- “Siempre Mas - Before I moved to Portland from Bangor, I would come down on occasion to visit relatives and wouldn’t leave until I hit up Siempre Mas for a new piece of jewelry. They have great selection of multi-cultural home decor items as well, plus bright and beautiful clothing, pashminas, and purses. Their prices are very reasonable - especially by Old Port standards.

LeRoux Kitchen - The only thing I love as much as a new pair of earrings is a brand new item to put in my kitchen. LeRoux Kitchen is wonderland for those of us who love to cook. They have every gadget you can imagine - plus a variety of tools you never knew existed - and a wide array of gorgeous, unique dinnerware. Even if you don’t like ‘kitchen stuff’ you can go in for a snack - they have fancy chocolates and other yummy treats. My favorite, though, is their section of oils and vinegars from around the world - complete with little paper tasting cups for sampling. I dare you to try their aged 18 Year Balsamic Vinegar without buying a bottle.

Fetch - I’m always looking for an opportunity to spoil my bull mastiff, Bruno. The selection, atmosphere and customer service at Fetch in the Old Port never disappoints. Not only can you find fantastic toys, collars, leashes, food and treats for your pet, buy you can also find cards, calendars, magnets and bumper stickers to showcase your puppy pride - my favorite being a little oval sticker that says “wag more, bark less.”"

Aubin- “I get the majority of my clothing from Goodwill, both for the price and the unique quality of what you’ll find there. My other shopping weakness is books and for that I always go to The Green Hand. Michelle, the owner, has a book addiction in the best way and the store is full to the rafters with anything you could possibly want to read and everything you never knew you wanted to read!”

Xander- “I love to shop at Renys! Their window displays on Congress Street are always amusing. My favorite was the back-to-school set up, with your typical office supplies, backpacks, and college dorm paraphernalia - and then a headless mannequin embracing a mini-keg. It was dressed in clothing you would typically associate with a middle-schooler, so perhaps in poor taste, or at least just a bit misguided. They also have delightful deals on nice clothes and household goods! It’s really an essential Maine experience. I hardly ever buy books (libraries are the best!), but when I do, I indulge at Longfellow Books. They have an awesome selection of new and used books, a small but well-rounded graphic novel section, and the staff is helpful and totally eager to geek out on books… I love to thrift, and my favorite place to do that in Portland is Find.”

Turtle Love Co. at home: where to eat in Portland, Maine

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Here at Turtle Love Co. we’re lucky enough to sell our artisan jewelry, vintage engagement rings, and eco friendly jewelry from an office in the very cool city of Portland, Maine. There are hundreds of cool things to do in our little city and to give you a selection of the best of those things we’ve asked the equally cool local members of the Vintage Style Council to recommend their favorites local recreational activities, places to eat, and places to shop. In this post, Ashley from Sweet William, Laura S. from Fore Front Fashion, Julia from Jeeze Julia, Laura D. from Sweeter Salt, and Erin from Just Plain Lovely tell you where to find the best food and drinks in Portland, Maine:

The Front Room-Laura D. says: “I just love their breakfast, the omelet with smoked salmon with goat cheese (and a biscuit) is my favorite.”

J’s Oyster Bar-Ashley says to visit J’s “for ‘real’ Maine food (aka, seafood)”

One Fifty Ate-Laura S. says: “My last breakfast on earth would be their hippi everything bagel. I dream about it.”

Pai Men Miyake Noodle Bar

Green Elephant- Erin says: “This is my go-to dinner spot in Portland! Whether you’re a vegetarian or not, the food is amazing, the people are always friendly and I love the simple décor. Try the fresh rolls — you won’t be disappointed!”

Five Fifty-Five

Otto Pizza - Laura D. says: “As a former New Yorker I’m particular about my pizza, but theirs is my favorite in the world. Love the mashed potato bacon and BBQ pulled pork and mango.”

The Public Market House

Hot Suppa!-Erin says: “This is my favorite place for brunch. No frills good food with a Maine accent to boot.”

King of the Roll

Rosemont Munjoy Hill-Erin says: “ I lived on Morning Street in the East End for a year after I first moved back to Maine. Having a spot with great pastries, an excellent wine selection and all sorts of other goodies within walking distance always reminded me of my beloved Brooklyn! Plus, Hilltop coffee is right next door which makes for an amazing duo.”

Market Street Eats

West End Deli- Julia says: “Seriously, they have everything. A huge selection of beers, wines, and mead, made close to home as well as imported…There’s a deli counter in the back where you can order delicious soups, salads, and sandwiches, and up front they have everything from cat food to bandaids with a little station for hot coffee as well.”

Grace- Laura S. says to visit Grace “for their desserts, cocktails and ambiance”

Bard Coffee

Sonny’s- Ashley says to visit Sonny’s for their “amazing cocktails”

Ruski’s Tavern

The Dogfish Cafe

Coffee By Design- Julia says: “To me, Coffee By Design embodies what it is to live in Portland. It’s a comfortable, friendly environment with patrons and baristas alike who believe in the power of the local economy.”

Novare Res

Hilltop Coffee

 

Staff picks

Aubin- Food: “definitely Silly’s! Their abdullah wraps and fried pickles are delicious and they have a well thought out allergy-friendly selection on their menu.” Drinks: “Dobrá Tea is a great place to go if you want a real cup of tea in a quiet teahouse atmosphere. They also have a good selection of treats to snack on, including some excellent candied ginger.”

Alicia- Food: “Passage to India, tucked away on cobble-stoned Wharf Street in the Old Port, is my favorite place to eat in Portland. Their samosas and chicken dansak are to die for, especially paired with a mango lassi.”

Xander- Food: “158 in South Portland for bagels, Boda for Thai food (and cocktails),” Drinks: “Local 188 for cocktails, Bard for best coffee, Crema for coffee and atmosphere.”

Adrianne- “I love Thanh Thanh 2 on Forest Ave - the squid appetizer sounds weird, but even my husband who hates the very word “squid” loved it. (It’s not cheap, though, so I’ve only had it a couple of times.) Replicating their limeade is a little bit of an obsession of mine. A favorite dinner is the duck breast at Bresca - also a rare treat. Oh, and the finely shredded brussels sprout appetizer is amazing. Boda is awesome Thai food, though the service can be a little brusque. I really like the Beef Massaman Curry. The stirfried brussels sprouts there are also incredible. (Now that we’re on the topic of brussels sprouts, there are pretty good brussels sprouts at Pai Men Miyake, too.) Shumai appetizers and chicken curry at Sapporo are a family favorite. Hmm. I’ll stop now, otherwise I”ll be going on and on.”