Franklin Canyon with Kafka

“By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired.”
― Franz Kafka

“Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”
― Franz Kafka

All pieces from this photo shoot are in the shop now. Photography & Styling by me. Model: Avalon Lopez 

New in Shop: White Lace/Black Glitter

Just added these two amazing pieces to the shop: Vintage Betsey Johnson Punk Label White Lace Skirt and 50s Black Gold Lurex Glitter Jumpsuit. Get em" while they're hot.

Photography and Styling by me. Model: Avalon Lopez

Thank you for letting me be myself, SF

beautiful light streaming through Golden Gate Park

Prayerbook Cross in Golden Gate Park, erected in 1894, as a tribute to the "first English language sermon and use of the Book of Common Prayer in California."

Dancing at the Legion of Honor

Pete and the crowd at the closing of the HSB Fest.

We spotted these expressive foil men all over Golden Gate Park.

Can you believe it was over 80 degrees the whole 4 days I was in San Francisco?  I was unable to believe the weather forecast for SF, and thus packed my finest cold weather clothing. Despite being a little warm for my wardrobe, San Francisco could not have been more ideal, move giving, more welcoming. The bands that performed at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Fest, (which we try to attend every year), held in Golden Gate Park, were phenomenal. I most enjoyed listening to Mark Lanegan sing in his haunting baritone voice, as we sat on a tree stump on the hillside (he did an all acoustic set), dancing to Emmylou Harris (who is still the reigning honky tonk queen), and getting all teary eyed and tender hearted when Ralph Stanley took the the stage and belted out his songs in his highly distinctive high-lonesome voice (he’s 86 years old!). When we weren’t at the HSB Fest, we were walking all over town, eating yummy food, hamming it up, thrift store shopping. The thrift stores were so generous; I was giddy as can be. Gosh, I feel so free in SF. I can dance around town in fancy duds, and noone seems to give me a second look. What a town! Now if only it were always 80 degrees, and had affordable housing.

All of these photos were taken with my Iphone. I’ll admit I was pretty self-conscious about pulling out my phone every 10 minutes to snap photos. It just doesn’t have the same appeal as a 35 mm camera, and I suspect it never will (at least for me).

Outfits: 60s wool plaid shirt dress (Vets Flea Market, LB), 50s powder blue coat (antique mall in the Orange Circle), nude 60s chiffon dress (Vets Flea Market, LB), 60s knit white mini dress (thrifted)

Former Luddite Attempts to Embrace Technology

Heya buddies,

After much prompting from friends, I've finally joined the rest of the world on instagram (after purchasing my first smart phone!). Watch me as I clumsily attempt to navigate the modern technological world.  I'll be posting some never before seen (at least on this blog) film photos, snaps of my new work studio, daily outfits, shop updates, etc.,. You can also find me on Facebook, where I kind of half-ass post updates. Follow me here: Instagram, Facebook.

Mississippi Hill Country Blues 1967 by George Mitchell

fife and drum picnic in Como, MS. Napolean Strickland on fife. I would totally wear that gal's get up. These are the moments of feeling that I'm nostalgic about, even though they are not from my own personal history.

a young Jessie Mae Hemphill

 If you have any interest in Mississippi hill country blues, I highly recommend George Mitchell's historic photo documentary book about his time spent recording then unknown hill country artists in 1967.  His book also includes interviews with several of the musicians, who give an intimate and honest account of their personal histories. There are so many amazing photos that I would have loved to show you, but I want you to buy the book, which you can buy right here.