New In Shop: Knits

1960s Pastel "Triangles" Mini Dress S/M

1970s Grey Geometric Shapes Bell Sleeves Tunic Sweater M/L

1980s Light Tan Knit Triangle Short Sleeve Top SMALL

1970s Muted Striped Long Sleeve Knit Top XS/SM

1990s natural-hued Open Weave Punk Slouchy Sweater S/M

1970s Burnt Orange Great Gatsby Ribbed Cardigan 20s style S/M

Hey everybody. It's been a while since I've posted a shop update, but you'll be seeing a lot more updates in the near future, as I finally got my own studio work space! I feel so blessed to have found one that fits my criteria - affordable, natural light, wood floors. As a bonus, I even have an exposed brick wall! I worked for a few hours in the studio over the weekend, and was able to finally add some items to the shop. You can check out these knits and other items here. I look forward to sharing my studio space with you once the decorating process begins. Hope ya'll are well!

Washing my spirit clean: Three Rivers and the Sequoia National Forest

my sis

Anna, my niece

Nate, Pete's nephew

Nate & Anna playing in the river

gathering rocks from the river

Pete and the big trees

Anna and her mom, Bev (my sis)

In mid-August, I visited my favorite place in the world - the Sequoia National Forest, where the largest trees on the planet exist. I feel completely at peace here.  I knew that I wanted to share this special place with my niece, Anna, so I rented a cabin on the river in Three Rivers (just below the entrance to the national park),and invited Pete's family along too. The water in the river was the perfect temperature and so relaxing.  We played and swam in the river until sun down. We also gathered rocks (I brought a few of them home), and tried to skip rocks like my momma used to do (she was the best at rock skipping). At night, coyotes howled from the mountain tops, and in the morning, we were visited  by deer.

Anna hiked 5 miles of forest with us, though she had a few melt downs. Kids these days are not fit enough, which I always find somewhat annoying. (Come on kids, you’re supposed to have boundless energy).  I spotted a bear in a meadow from our car window, and we pulled over to check it out. Anna was  thrilled with the bear sighting. I'm hoping that'll stick in her brain rather than the memory of our "tortuous" hike. What is your favorite place in the world?

"Keep close to Nature's heart.. and break clear away once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." - John Muir

Outfit: vintage bathing suit (thrifted), safari hat from West Africa (Downtown LA Flea)

cosmic neon thrifted mash up

What magnificent force is responsible for uniting thrifted pieces together in such wondrous harmony? I shall never know, but when it happens, I’m positively pleased. I’m pretty sure this look is inspired by Kathleen Hanna’s wardrobe in The Punk Singer. In the documentary, she wore a wonderfully gaudy lime green and purple vintage outfit combination, and I thought “her outfit must surely be thrifted, and golly those pieces were meant for each other, and my, she looks so young.” And then I realized once again that the fountain of youth is a boisterous outfit and a bad ass attitude.

Woolworth's

Pete & my niece, Anna

If you're ever in Bakersfield, CA, be sure to check out the Five and Dime Antique Mall, which is set in an original Woolworth's Department store. The prices for antiques and vintage are phenomenally low, and one can still order a meal or a soda pop from the original Woolworth’s Luncheonette counter. Pretty neato!

This weekend, I tried to get some rest to recover from a summer cold that I've had for far too long. But I can't rest all weekend! I watched "The Punk Singer", the story of Kathleen Hanna, at our local art theater here in Long Beach. I really enjoyed it, and it was such a joy to see all the theater seats filled. I also went to the Belmont Shore Vintage Car Show, where Pete's 1964 Buick Riviera had its maiden voyage. The vintage car show reminded me of how much I want to drive an old car again. Perhaps a 1960s convertible American Rambler or Ford Falcon.  Oh ya, and Dwight Yoakam is still the best singer around (I went to his show on Friday eve).  Hope ya’ll had a nice weekend!

Outfit: yellow vintage shorts (vintage store in Fullerton), 60s crop top (Ebay), Van Doren Vans shoes, 50s sun hat (Five and Dime Antique Mall), 60s floral beaded purse (thrifted).

 Five & Dime Antique Mall: 1400 19th St  Bakersfield, CA 93301

Hwy 395

Lake Sabrina, near Bishop.

looks like a Bristol Cone tree

our lodging for the night

Keough Hot Springs pool, Bishop, CA.

amazing Hollyhocks in Bridgeport, CA.

Pete and I spend Labor Day weekend on Hwy 395 in the Eastern Sierra nearly every year. Even though we’ve been there several times, there is still so much to discover. This year, we slept in a covered wagon in Bridgeport, swam in the historic (built in 1919) Keough Hot Springs pool (it’s actually not that hot, since the pool is regulated by a cool water mist fountain), and hiked a few miles up the majestic Mount Whitney to the magical Lone Pine Lake (not pictured in this post. Still need to develop that role of film). In the Inyo National Forest, we found all kinds of creeks and lakes in which to play. I’m even considering taking up fly fishing for next year’s trip. While in the towns along Hwy 395, we ate at local restaurants and bars. In Jake’s Saloon in the town of Lone Pine, we shared a sweet remembrance of an old friend prompted by a David Allen Coe tune. Also in Lone Pine, we stumbled upon a real-deal garage sale - as in vintage accessories were like 25 cents a piece. I came away with several vintage hats and purses (including the red sun hat I’m wearing in this post) for $5!

Happy Friday! I’m stoked for tonight because I’m going to see Dwight Yoakam perform at the Palladium in Hollywood. Yippee!

Outfit # 1: 50s plaid shorts, vintage cotton top, vintage hiking boots (thrifted) \
Outfit # 2: Baja hoodie (thrifted) jeans with a name so stupid I’m too embarrassed to tell you (American Rag), reissued Van Doren daisy print shoes by Vans.

desert sunset

Heya buddies. Well, I’ve had another busy weekend slinging vintage (at my pop up shop grand opening and then at the Downtown Flea Market in Los Angeles). Even though I work all week at another job, I continue to sell vintage on my down time because I just love it so much (I love meeting new people). And because I find most of my vintage clothing at the thrift stores, I’m able to sell my loot at reasonable prices, and that’s something I feel good about.

This outfit was inspired by a desert sunset. I wore it to my pop up shop grand opening party. Sometimes I momentarily start thinking that perhaps I should start dressing more sophisticated since I’m in my 30s now, but I always end up wearing something fun and “youthful” instead.

Outfit: vintage pink beret (vintage store in Toronto, Canada), embroidered peasant top (thrifted), mohair vintage skirt (Lightwitch shop via Etsy, another gal who sells amazing vintage at reasonable prices), my new fave 60s grandma-chic-floral beaded purse (Can’t you totally see Prada designing a purse like this?) (thrifted), Born shoes (Nordstrom rack).

a Natchez home

The absurdly expensive home prices in Long Beach, California, have me seriously considering buying a home elsewhere, like perhaps in the small and quaint town of Natchez, Mississippi. Natchez instantly seduced me with her historic and preserved downtown homes (nearly every home is on the National Registrar of Historic Places), not to mention friendly people and beautiful landscapes (set just above the Mississippi River). Just check out this 4 bedroom dream home that is for sale for less than half the cost of a modest two bedroom in a modest neighborhood in Long Beach. Can you image the fun I'd have in this pastel faded beauty?

photos from Zillow.