A Store is Born

Moving closer and closer to opening day... the vision has come together. Now to stocking shelves, racks and minor touches here and there- July 30 is the day the first customer will be stepping foot inside. A special moment for sure.  Below are some more sneaks!

 Broken glass.. everywhere... if it ain't about the money, mama just don't care.

 Chic new flooring

 Studio space for the expanding online shop!

Just a pair of boots walking on a shelf.

New Shop Updates

 Ingenuity, hardware, galvanized steel, spray paint, anchors, reciprocating saws.... has been the name of the game lately!  It has been so much fun putting our heads together, being creatives in love...

 Late nights and Rough Sketches.

This not.....

that.

 

Painting into the Weeeee Hours

 My husband and I logged 20 hours of painting in 48 hours over the weekend! Looks fantastic, so bright and fresh. This shop is going to be killer!

                                    Before                                                             After

We even had time for some break dancing ! This is Desmond taking advantage of the wide-openness. 

Floors are polished. Look at the difference! Highly recommend the Bona Floor System. 

Next phase: The Accessories Emporium

Circa v.3.0

 Been a while! Truth is, we have been scouting out possible new locations for the shop.  After many showings, debates, market research, late nights we realized that the best solution is right in our back yard (or front yard!) We are staying in our beloved Wayzata, MN. and moving just across the street from our current location... but tripling our sq. footage. Frankly, we have outgrown our quaintness. Time to spread some wings! Could not be more excited, anxious, happy, certain yet completely overwhelmed with what lies ahead and  I've decided to chronicle every step of the way, and work starts today! 

Phase 1: Paint. the interior walls. The color chosen: Raw Cotton. I figured a textile named color is a good choice for a clothing store, eh?

 All I know, is these walls gotta GO! Hip-hip hooray for blank slates!

 Stand by for AFTER photos. Wait until you see the exterior...

How to get a Job in the 1930s

Lifebouy Soap, 1930s. originally uploaded by Gatochy

If only it were that easy today! Get rid of that BO and you're hired :)

How to Tie a Scarf

Came across a manual from the 80s (clearly depicted by the hairstyles!) about how to tie scarves. Thought I would share the tutorial with my readers since vintage scarves area an abundant commodity; easy to find, inexpensive and add a superior PUNCH to a neutral ensemble.

Hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring! Happy scarf hunting.... 

Circa Vintage has LOTS by the way :)

Fakes, Good Taste, No Money

Apparently, the woman here is a "fake beatnik in fake fabrics."

Today's translation: A thrifty vegan (wannabe?) hipster. Right? 

sounds almost like me!

Paging through a Cosmopolitan Magazine from February 1960 this editorial on thrifty shopping grabbed my attention; "Fakes, Good Taste, No Money." It profiles fashion photographer Erwin Blumenfeld as he assists a young woman shop for an entire outfit for under $20. (with inflation that's over $150! *)

He gives the following tips on scoring the best deals at "basement" shops. Verbatim.

Cosmopolitan, Feb. 1960 Lyn Tornabene

You wouldn't want your mother giving you bum steers, now would you? wink.

Below are some direct excerpts from this editorial.

  (Left) $8. Plaid Corduroy suit for "shopping, social work, or getting the bosses job" is a composite of Blumenfeld's fashion philosophies: "Underaccessorize rather than overdo matters; one wrong jewel can destroy all elegance. Don't try to match too much. And wear a hat only if you want to look like an executive."

(Right) $6 This nylon chiffon is from the "Specials" rack of a chain store. "This is a sensational gown," says Blumenfeld. "It looks like one hundred dollars worth of dress."Jewelry cost $2.50; gloves $4.

Sure is Mr. Blumenfeld.

Isn't this fun? I adore the ironies and similarities of these rules- and even vocabulary- to today. 

* I found a really fun website for those who are interested in economics (ha!) No really, to calculate the worth of a dollar in any year compared to what it is today. Go to:

www.usinflationcalculator.com

It's incredible to know that is cost just $1,500 to buy a Ford Thunderbird in 1955. Adjusted for inflation that's $12,685. 

Can I have a time machine, please?