You Light Up My Life

Really wish I had an excuse to buy this cork lamp...I have such a soft spot for them, and this one's a real beaut!

Mountain Man

And now it's time for a post that is not related to anything vintage at all! Yes, this is something fresh, brand new, popping -- the best band I have heard in a long time, to be exact. Even though they are making new music in the here and now they sound incredibly out of time, like they rose from the ashes of the Carter Family, et al. I think you will probably like them too, if you don't already. They are called Mountain Man.

Listen here if you like:

(p.s. they hold hands while they sing onstage, always.)

"Mouthwings"



Truly awesome, right?

"Animal Tracks"



"Soft Skin"



"Babylon"



This one really gets me cause it reminds me of listening to Don McLean with my mom as a kid and being so moved, and, more recently, of this incredible episode of Mad Men. It gives me chills, and I always love a round, don't you?

I can assure you they sound even more beautiful in person.

And if you are really curious to know more, I did an interview with the ladies back in February you can read here.

Renegade Craft Fair SF

Is anyone going? I am not sure if I can make it or not -- may have some last minute camping plans that get in the way. Last year was awesome though, and if I can make it work I'm gonna!

Wild World

After suffering some personal disappointment today in the job realm, this song popped into my head.

And as for right here, it also ties into the fact that I have been looking all summer for the perfect piece to add some tribal goodness to my routine, whether it is a dress, top or accessory. I love this early 90s revival that has been going on -- and though flannels and plaids have never really left my clothing repertoire, I am ready to walk on the wild side with some crazy throwback patterns! Haven't quite found the right thing yet, but here are some contenders. (I coulda been a contender! ;)






















This dress is heavy on neutral pattern.






















Love batik in all its forms! Has it ever gone out of style, really?

















Love this bag via the always-impressive Astral Boutique!






















This dress is my fave, but strapless?? Not really sure if I'm up to that!

P.S. The "summer" we're having in SF has been just as cold as winter, even chillier than our usual gloomy summers! Not exactly feeling as tropical/sunny as these pieces! But I can save 'em for our ol' reliable Indian summer in Sept/Oct.

Candy

One of my favorite shops in SF is the Candystore Collective.

They have amazing independent designer clothing, jewelry, cards, and vintage housewares. And yes, they have candy for sale as well, displayed beautifully behind the counter in large glass jars.

It's all kind of out of my price range, but from time to time I have indulged in their sweet treats. Especially when they have sales!

This top above is so Stevie Nicks! I love it.

And this dress below is too adorable!

Black Velvet

Ok, first of all, this song cracks me up because it reminds me of one of my favorite people in the world, Mr. Brent James, and now also RuPaul's Drag Race and Jujubee's flawless lipsync for her life!

Moving on, thanks to Miss Amber of Violet Folklore, I purchased (way too early) the all-important centerpiece to a Christmas-worthy ensemble, and now in fact, have completed my outfit! I feel really silly to have done this in July, but I've been wanting a gooooood velvet dress for over a year and I couldn't pass this one up. Velvet is the perfect fall/winter fabric!

The dress:






















The fabulous belt:















The shoes:

I got mine years ago though, before Vivienne Westwood slapped her label on 'em (and around $30 extra bucks too)!

Now I can sit back and let the season rush toward me without a worry or care! Ahhhhhhhhh...

Horses

Ok, today I am dying over this sculpture... It's ancient yet mid century, it's a touch folkloric; it reminds me of a statue we had in our library in elementary school...the patina is so gorgeous.

My birthday is very much right around the corner...is it ok to buy something so frivolous for one's self at this time? It doesn't really "go" anywhere in my house that I can think of as of yet but I can't help but love it!

Cortez the Killer

My general fascination with mysticism, folklore, and all things witchy has turned in the past few years to Latin America, especially Mexico.

Mexican silverworkers in the '30s and '40s such as Pedro Castillo (his bracelet above) and Margot de Taxco turned to their country's Pre-Colombian roots as well as the art deco popular around that time and made jewelry of striking, timeless beauty. Nowadays, you can find original pieces on eBay if you're lucky (and relatively small wristed), but you can also find places that make copies of older works as well (and are mega expensive), or cheaper copies on eBay and etsy.
















I love the bold jungle-y green stones on this guy! Bracelet is available on etsy.

















as is this one...

I don't know when I became such a sucker for a cuff bracelet, or any chunky kind of bracelet really, but it's real, it's happened and can't be denied!

One with the Birds

I'm completely breathless over the paper sculptures of Anna Willi-Highfield that I saw on Man Shops Globe this week...believe me, they are to DIE for...

























































I mean, really!

Magic Carpet Ride

I die for textiles, and in particular kilim; you just can't go wrong with kilim. Just think, anything that has been around since pretty much the dawn of time is basically guaranteed to always be a winner! The pallet, the patterns -- kilim pleases me on so many levels.

This bag is gorge!








































This pillow is from etsy and I am a tad obsessed.























Then there's this entire etsy shop of delightful kilim pillows...






















and this more traditional rug!

It's enough to make a gal pass out with patterned pleasure!

Sea of Love

I grew up in a nature-fascinated family that was always picking up treasures everywhere we went. We were collectors. Shells, pinecones, rocks, feathers, and of course, driftwood. I have always had a very soft spot for all natural things and it carries over to the jewelry I wear and the collections I still tend to.

One of the most amazing things to happen to me this year was meeting local artist Ruth Kneass. I saw her extraordinary work, similar to the necklaces above, at Gravel and Gold, one of the best shops in SF. And then for months, I couldn't get it out of my head -- the delicacy of it, the gravity of it, how much time it must take first of all to find the right driftwood to use as the focal point of a piece, and then to create something so intricate and gorgeous from it.

I emailed Ruth on a whim and asked about the necklaces and she sent me the pic below -- what was available. I chose the most simple one, third from the right. She told me the wood came from Gualala, up north, and ironically one of my family's cherished hangouts of olde. It made the piece even more special to me. Meeting Ruth in person to pick it up was so awesome and inspiring -- she's the kind of earth mama and creative soul you only hope can still afford to live here in the Bay Area. If you want to know more about Ruth and her work, visit her website here.

When I wear the necklace around town it feels like the perfect talisman of my past, present and future. Thank you, Ruth.