Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Indian Mama

Indian Mama

Awhile back I mentioned that I had been given a vintage 70’s sweater dress by my mother-in-law. Well, here it is, as worn to a local art’s district event the Saturday before last.

I love this dress. It’s super cozy and Clover took one look at me wearing it and said: "You are Indian Mama!" Haha. I got quite a few compliments on it that evening. Guess who got even more compliments though…

Gretel Outfit #2

… Oh, Gretel.

Though everyone kept saying “Aw, Little House on the Prairie…” and she would get all agitated, “Momma, I’m NOT Little House on the Prairie.” I had to keep reassuring her by explaining that the prairie dress was throwing people off but that she clearly still looked like Gretel.

Tassels

Another view of the dress… the shoulder flap thingies are a fun structural element and I love their patterns and tassels. Oosa used to manage a senior housing facility and was often given things by the residents there, which is how this dress came into her possesion.

The vintage leather belt is one I found at the final flea market of the season. It’s currently my favorite belt.



The event, a funky little annual street festival, known as Winter Blast, is an artsy block party of sorts. It happens in the south of A Street (SOFA) area of Santa Rosa which, over the past 5 years or so, has become quite the bourgeoning little arts community.



Many of the buildings in the area have been transformed into gallery and studio spaces which remain open to the public during the festival. Wandering through the maze of converted buildings and back alleys, art and live music were abundant.

The Little Match Girl

A local theatre troupe member as the little match girl from the Hans Christian Anderson tale. Saddest story ever, by the way.

There was a darkened hallway in one of the galleries that people could walk through with "windows" that were lit up with christmasy paper puppetry scenes and this girl who would pretend to be sad and cold as fake snow fell on her. She would take out matches, light them, and gaze into the flame longingly.

As you might imagine, Clover was fascinated by her and I think a bit concerned for her well-being (rightly so if you know the story). She was calling her "the cold girl" and every 20 minutes or so would want to go back in and check on her.


Our friend Joey and his WhiskeyDrunk Cycles buddies set up their awesome cycling contraption, originally built for this year’s Handcar Regatta (one day I will do a catch up post on that event). The “Whiskey Drome” was constructed in homage to the turn of the century velodromes that would travel the country to wow spectators.



That night they even had a band playing in the middle as they rode, which was pretty cool. Here’s a little video I shot of the Whiskey Drome in action!

19 comments:

Cel said...

Ah Clover is so adorable! Those little pigtails really set it all off :) And that's a great dress, it looks warm and cozy!

Anna said...

That dress is amazing!! And you look so beautiful in it Missa! I love it with the boots and belt. A perfect outfit for that fun looking art event.

Milla said...

Oh Gretel...You are so too cute. No wonder with those genes, your Indian Momma is pretty darn cute too.Or should I say stunning. I've decided I should.

flaming hag folkwear said...

Best. Sweater. Dress. Ever.

Sweet Gretel and the poor cold girl....

Shey said...

Oh my gosh, Gretel is the cutest girl ever!! You look amazing too but Clover took the prize she is so adorable oh if only more little girls had her amazing style taste!! =D

moonshinejunkyard said...

i'm dizzy! okay, that is one hell of a mysterious contraption to me, and your video allows it to stay so! i can't imagine them starting or stopping the circle. soooo rad, and i love the strung up lights and the whole vibe of the event. you looked amazing in that dress, what a find, what a treasure! and with gretel as a companion i am sure people were just about swooning to lay eyes upon you two.

so south A street, is that where chai baba chai's used to be? i remember a cute little vintage consignment shop over there too, and a great breakfast joint? it's been a while for me though...

love it! happy thanksgiving to you funsters!

Missa said...

Hi ladies! I thank you, and Gretel thanks you :)

Heather: Yes, that's exactly where it is. Although, Chai Baba Chai is now a gluten-free bakery and cafe called Bliss and the vintage shop Moxy has unfortunately since gone out of business, too bad, I liked that place. The breakfast joint however, is still serving it up!

Franca said...

that's such a wonderful dress!

and aww gretel!

Hannah said...

I love your dress and leather accessories! And Clover just keeps on getting cuter. Hopefully the Frost Fair in Edinburgh will be opening up soon which means ice skating, lots of pretty lights and a German Market!

Victoria / Justice Pirate said...

The little match girl IS a really really sad story. oh goodness that shot is really cool though.

Clover looks like a little doll (but better since she isn't)

Crystal Lee said...

Clover is so sweet. I love the knit “Indian Mama” dress. What an imaginative observation on Clover’s part. I especially like the double-layer structural element. I have a few 70s pieces that are structurally similar. I just love sweater dresses, especially for this weather! I will have to check out "The Little Match Girl." I like to read empathy-encouraging stories to my niece because I fear she is getting too spoiled. Happy Thanksgiving!

Lisa said...

You both look adorable!

sally said...

wowowow, that dress is incredible! completely fantastic! and so is clover, as usual. :)

thought you might wanna see this too:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/43938327/black-friday-special-vintage-hand-woven

What we four say said...

I am in awe of your dress, it's the most beautiful winter dress ever! WOW! I love clovers little outfit too, she is such a doll and getting so big! :) That event looks like so much fun, I love art outdoor art events!

StickyKitten said...

Wow! You and Clover look great! She's too cute..she looks like a doll :) Happy Thanksgiving!!

Nicky said...

Love your Indian Mama attire!!! I thought of you and your sweet lil' Clover while antique shopping recently! I found a pop up Hansel and Gretel book and would have certainly bought and sent it to you if it had been even in decent shape! Sadly, some other (very small) child had already gotten a hold of it)! Happy Thanksgiving Missa!!! :D

Andrea said...

I know Clover is too much and too too adorable! You're dress is also lovely--seems like such a quaint little affair.

anne said...

gretel is just too cute!
and your dress is perfection! indian mama indeed. what an incredible hand me down! the winter blast looks super cool. any outdoor, art, music festival type thing is right up my alley :D

hope you had a fun thanksgiving!

Unknown said...

that photo of your daughter is stunning...