Seattle

Though I could never live in Seattle on account of the perpetual rain and cold, I really enjoyed our brief stay there. What I most loved about Seattle was its appreciation for old buildings, landmarks, and businesses. For instance, every restaurant that we dined at was either a converted old building or had been in business for many decades, many since the 1950s or earlier. Restaurants that have been in business this long and still retain old world charm really get my heart racing. Sometimes I get so excited, I can hardly eat. In Los Angeles, the nostalgia of The Pantry, Phillipe’s, and Clifton’s Cafeteria, get me revved. In Seattle, it was Dick's that sent me into overdrive.

Drawn in initially by the catchy retro sign - a beacon of old-timey goodness - it was the individually whipped chocolate shake that cemented my love for Seattle’s oldest fast food restaurant, in business since the 1950s. Long live Dick’s! Can you spot Pete in the photo below?

Another 50s landmark in Seattle is the Hat n’ Boots, which we encountered upon entering the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle. Apparently, the cowboy boots originally served as the restrooms and the red cowboy hat served as the office for Premium Tex Texaco Gas Station.


When in Seattle, I dressed like a complete caricature of Seattle fashion, wearing ripped jeans, a beanie (also not in this photo but contributing to my grunge look, I completed my outfit with a mohair cardigan and monkey boots), and my oldest thrift store find, my beloved Seattle shirt. Below you will find a baby faced me wearing my Seattle shirt at 16 years old. That's 17 years, folks! If shirts could talk, I’m sure this one would thank me for appreciating and loving it for such a long time.

"Out with the new, in with the old." - Crystal Lee

neon weekend

Howdy buddies,

It’s seems I’ve lost my blogging mojo lately. I still love to play dress up, but the words just aren’t coming to me so easily these days. I’m feeling a little uninspired these last few weeks, as is to be expected after indulging in far too much television and social media (ie: all the many lovely fashion blogs that are far too easy to get sucked into), spending money unnecessarily, and generally not being as creative or risk-tasking as I’d like, perhaps out of fear of "having an artistic temperament but not being an artist." (quote from season finale of Mad Men that really hit a nerve: Marie, Megan's mom, to Don about Megan.) I suppose there’s no better shade than neon to help shake temporary feelings of dissatisfaction and boredom, and I’ve been wearing it all weekend.

When I find myself in a boiling pot of stagnation stew, I turn to the words of those I admire for inspiration, in this case my two favorite modern dancers: Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham:

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others" -Martha Graham

“ The only way to do it is to do it.” - Merce Cunningham

Dearest readers, how do you stay motivated and creative?

Outfit # 1: casual wear for holding my best friend’s baby for several glorious hours. I love holding babies and can do it for an inordinate amount of time without complaining. Neon 90s denim shorts (thrifted), vintage softest ragged western shirt (hand me down), red floral bandeau top (thrifted).

Outfit # 2: my best neon senorita look worn to sell vintage clothes at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Vintage neon dress with puff embroidered sleeves and vintage cowboy hat (LB antique market), vintage cowboy boots (thrifted),

xoxo,

Crystal Lee

velvet cowgirl

You've seen these velvet cigarette pants before, but I’ve just realized what a perfect pair of cowgirl pants they make. In them, I’m ready to face the world with a raucous whoop. I actually wore this outfit to the Topanga Folk Fest the other day, which was not really the best idea since it was nearly 100 degree outside, and velvet=sweaty buns. On this day, I split the butt seam, and that was even before I got to square dancing. Luckily, I had a sewing kit in my car, and it was an easy fix. Along with these pants, this Victorian crop top is another wardrobe fave. I wear it all the time; it’s made some frequent appearances on the blog. Considering its age, it’s a miracle that it has held up so well.

and here is my nephew, Nicholas. Let him crawl into your heart and warm it all up.

I had such a wonderfully productive and delightful weekend. I got in plenty of exercise - dancing for hours on Friday night at Secret Affair (luckily for me, this was a less crowded night, and I had plenty of room to bust a move), and then a Pop Physique class on Saturday morning. I finally got my hair done, and since my hair had already faded to a desirable red, we only had to dye my roots, which is great because I was starting to worry that my hair routine would be too much maintenance for my personality. I also did some much needed deep cleaning around the house. I used my weekend hours wisely, and I’m proud of myself.

Outfit: 50s velvet cigarette pants (Ebay), victorian crop top (Antique store on Hwy 395), vintage shortie cowboy boots (thrifted), vintage cowboy hat (Antique Mall in Long Beach).

California dreamin'

Eichler neighborhood, Orange, CA.

vintage LB police car, Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Fest 2012

The Theme Building, Los Angeles International Airport

Moonlight Roller rink in Glendale. A total blast from the past. Go on Tuesday night for Old Time Live Organ Music.

the American Dream. Eichler neighborhood, Orange, CA.

Happy Friday, buckaroos. Do you have any exciting plans this weekend? I'm going to try and pick up my room, which I've been working on rather unsteadily for like 6 months. Other than that, I’m going dancing at Secret Affair (until it gets too crowded) tonight, to a baby shower tomorrow (this is the year of the baby), and I hope to run on the beach (my new Nike Free running shoes are the best!) and/or go to yoga this weekend. I also want to sketch out some of my cowgirl outlaw design ideas. Talk to you soon.

Outfit: vintage 60s olive shift dress w/turquoise collar and ascot tie (Elsewhere Vintage, Orange Circle), Cole Haan loafers (thrifted).

photos by Pete (top photo) and the rest by me.