Grunge Girl

Well, yesterday did not feel like Spring AT ALL. Cold, ominous gray clouds, rain (that last pic is my photoshoot getting rained out), even a hail storm! My silver lining however, was getting the chance to wear this super soft and cozy, oh-so-perfect-but-why-couldn‘t-I-have-found-you-like-6-months-ago?, dress that I picked up at the Salvation Army last week ($3.50!). It’s pretty much my dream 90’s dress with it’s dark wine-hued velvety floral pattern and pockets of joy. I think we’ll be spending lots of time together once Fall rolls around again.

I’m so glad I took those pics with the wisteria last weekend because it’s already starting to brown and wilt, ah… nature’s fleeting beauty ;) The muddy ground under the rose arbor is now carpeted with fresh peachy petals too (it’s gonna be a potpourri-fest under there in no time). But the sun is out today and even though it’s still chilly, they’re calling for a gorgeous weekend and just in time for flea market season to begin this Sunday, yay! Oh flea market, how I’ve missed you so!

Lets see, I finally thought to combine the beaded headband I thrifted long ago with my black felt 70’s hat from Milla and I think they make a wonderful pair. I don’t know why I didn’t think to do that sooner. It was actually the lovely long-thumbed lass Sissy Hankshaw though who inspired me to bust out the hat in the first place…



I re-watched the early 90’s Gus Van Sant flick Even Cowgirls Get the Blues the other day and while the acting is for the most part pretty bad, if you’re anything like me when it comes to 90’s nostalgia and particularly 90’s takes on the 70’s then you just might love it anyway. Give me some gorgeous cinematography and amazing styling and I can usually be persuaded to overlook whatever plot or acting flaws a movie may have. Just set aside any hopes of witnessing Oscar-worthy performances and embrace its campy charm!

Flower Girl

Our wisteria is in full fragrant bloom right now and this corner of the yard is smelling amazing! With the windows open on a beautiful day, its sweet scent wafts into the house with each breeze… in this case carrying outfit inspiration along with it...

I’ve been super lucky when it comes to winning awesome blog giveaways lately. Looking out at the delicate white wisteria blooms spilling along our fence yesterday, I knew it would make the perfect backdrop for the gorgeous white shawl I won recently over at the lovely Anne’s beautiful blog A Cup Full of Sunshine. Among other wonderful goodies, her package also included that amazing little crochet bag!

Our huge peachy rose arbor has also reached peak amazingness. Perhaps it was the combination of the roses and the wisteria that made me think to pair my new shawl with the pretty floral dress I received from Milla awhile back :)


Once I had the the dress on, I realized that this outfit just wouldn’t be complete without the beautiful cameo locket that I recently won in another fabulous giveaway by the ever-stylish Lisa of Starship Narcissus… um, am I a lucky girl or what?!

Stevie Nicks meets flower fairy?

I had forgotten how awesome this video was...

If I was...

After seeing this meme done so beautifully by Anne and Milla, I decided to give it a go myself. If you feel like it, you should too!

If I was a month, I’d be June
If I was a day of the week, I’d be Saturday
If I was a time of day, I’d be sunset
If I was a planet, I’d be Earth
If I was an animal of the sea, I’d be a sea horse


If I was a direction, I’d be homeward
If I was a piece of furniture, I’d be an antique wardrobe
If I was a liquid, I’d be morning dew
If I was a gemstone, I’d be amethyst
If I was a tree, I’d be an oak


If I was a tool, I’d be a level
If I was a material, I’d be soft worn denim
If I was a kind of weather, I’d be warm and still
If I was a musical instrument, I’d be a flute
If I was a color, I’d be forest green



If I was an emotion, I’d be serenity
If I was a fruit, I’d be a peach
If I was a sound, I’d be a distant fog horn
If I was an element, I’d be earth
If I was an automobile, I’d be this...


If I was a food, I’d be chocolate
If I was a taste, I’d be savory
If I was a scent, I’d be fresh baked bread
If I was a place, I’d be a meadow on the edge of a forest overlooking the sea
If I was a flower, I’d be a daisy

Speaking of which, the lil' blond daisy picker on the end... that's me! My dad took this photo in June of 1977, the year my parents packed up the van, left Massachusetts, and headed out west to the golden state for a new life. That's my mom carrying my sister in front, followed by my aunt and two cousins. I love this image so much.

(Other image sources: 1,2,3,4,5)

A Day at the Zoo

Clover's first trip to the zoo (on a day about as gorgeous as it gets in San Francisco) and my first attempt at wearing this thrifted vintage straw hat w/ black velvet bow (fittingly, the tag reads: Macy*s San Francisco). Clover wore the cutest vintage dress too, a recently handed down thrift find from her auntie.

Aside from the previously mentioned bench fixation, I think she had more fun on the playground slide than anything else (note to self: the park would have been cheaper)... ah, but then I would have missed seeing those adorable little monkeys with mustaches :)

California Girls

Today was gray and drizzly, though you wouldn’t know it with this mural of a quintessentially sunny California day as the backdrop. It’s another of the previously mentioned ArtStart murals around town. I wasn’t planning on doing outfit pics today, but we happened to park right near it on our trip downtown, so upon returning to the car, after coffee at Peet’s and another failed attempt to find me a copy of the new Lula, I couldn’t resist getting Lucas to oblige me with a quick one. Not quite sure what I was in the middle of doing with my arm there though, probably getting ready to restrain the little one from running off toward the street again :)

I was wearing the gingham print 90’s jumper that Milla thrifted for me. I love this little little jumper, and by the way, its darker blue twin is currently up for auction at Liebmarlene Vintage, should any of you want one of your own!

Our daughter has developed a funny fascination with benches. We took her to the San Francisco zoo yesterday. It was her first trip to the zoo, I wore a silly outfit (pictures to follow soon), but anyway she was more interested in spotting and sitting on benches than she was about looking at most of the animals... ordinary park benches, nothing fancy like this. You just never know with these two-year olds…

Haha, asleep in her car seat on the ride home. The zipper in the mouth kills me. During her nap today Lucas and I finished off the latest season of Mad Men, now I can’t wait for the next season! Does anyone know when it starts up?

White/Black/Red/Black/White

Saturday’s outfit, 100% Thrifted and/or Gifted:

Vintage hippie blouse - thrifted (from previous post)
Vintage Cardi - flea market, last Fall
Scarf - Gift from Jocelyne (I love this scarf!)
Black Skinnies - Recently thrifted ($4, Angel’s Attic)
Red Boots and Bag - thrifted last year

I received this gorgeous hand-beaded leather and wood bun holder as a birthday gift from my sister-in-law Kelcey. It had been passed on to her by her step-mom, who it was hand-crafted for by a Native American friend back in the late 60’s/early 70’s. Apparently, the size of it never really worked for either of the women who owned it before me, but when I twisted up my hair and plunged the stick through, it was as if it was custom-made for my locks! I love it so much, and treasure it not only for it’s beauty but for the history and family connection as well.

I did a little poking around on the interwebs and discovered that the design is that of a Navajo ceremonial basket. I also turned up the following symbolism description:

"According to tradition, the ceremonial basket is viewed as a map through which the Navajo people chart their lives. The center, or sipapu, represents emergence from the prior world. As the people emerged, all was white, or pure, representing birth. As you travel outward, the black represents darkness and the travails of life. As you make your way through the darkness, you reach the red band, representing marriage, the mixing of blood and the creation of a family. Here, there is no darkness. Beyond is more darkness and travail, but interspersed with white light and joy. And further, the white bands represent increasing enlightenment. The opening from the center to the rim, traditionally facing the East, is there to remind you that no matter how much darkness, there is always a pathway to the light."
- source







I’m loving the images on these vintage Navajo and Pueblo postcards found here. Lately I’ve been longing for some Southwest roadtrippin'... it’s been far too long!


I took these two film photos in Monument Valley, something crazy like nine years ago. The second one was the view from our campsite... *sigh*

Hope everyone had a lovely Easter weekend!