Coming Soon to FRINGE

Announcing the Citizen's return to FRINGE. Thursday, October 6th marks the launch of citizen ROSEBUD curated vintage to the racks and shelves of Sacramento's most charming home, style + garden shop in Midtown.

I will be posting a sampling of what's at FRINGE every week over at SHOPTHECITIZEN.COM, as well as once again amping up my online ETSY shop. Through out October, I'm going to offer ETSY customers FREE SHIPPING with the coupon code FREESHIP. So hop on over to the SHOP blog and see what we've got in store!

FRINGE

2409 21st

Sacramento, CA

fringe21.com

edit: The typo has been corrected- The date is THURSDAY OCT 6TH, not the 7th as previously posted. -Bella Q

Do Tell

Adrienne of What Lola Wants gave me this award. Thank you, amiga for passing this Tell Me About Yourself Award on to me. Instead of a trophy, I get to share 7 random facts. So put this on your mantel:

7 Random Facts: 

1. I don't drive a car.
2. I am most definitely a "Cat Person."
3. My favorite vegetable is the humble potato.
4. I love shopping at Target.
5. I dislike wearing socks. Except when it's cold.
6. Right now, I'm into listening to this SONG. 
   NOW Rinse and Repeat.
7. Coffee is my religion.

This is award is now bestowed to: 

• Everything Just So
• Pull Up Your Socks!
• Reva's Rags to Roses
• Northeast Chic
• Shybiker
• The Siren of Mod
• Queen VII's Reveries

Look Ma! I'm in the funny papers! The Citizen Rosebud gets a shout-out in local weekly.

Another recent accolade received was a mention in the annual "Best Of" issue of the Sacramento News & Review. My kudos is in the catagory for Best Twitter Feed. I tied second place with our celebrity mayor, the former basketball star, and now City Hall employee, Mayor Kevin Johnson. So T'ANKS Sac News & Review for the honor! 

outfit post: Exalted Ruler

  I know I have the body of a woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a King

1-2-3-4: I am counting the days...

for Fall weather to arrive to Sacramento. Until the cooler weather arrives, I intend to reign with my arsenal of autumnal colors donned in light weight fabrics. Today's outfit is one of my personal all time faves, a regal number centering around a charming smocked vintage blouse that buttons down the back. I'm ornamented with two incredible pieces, courtesy of Fringe, and feeling every bit an exalted ruler, ala Henry the VIII.

THIS IS HENRY:

THIS IS ME:

Feeling Regal: investing in unique and quality pieces are a wise investment.

 Can you feel the royal resemblance?

Kaftan Ladies

Yon rising Moon that looks for us again--
How oft hereafter will she wax and wane;
How oft hereafter rising look for us
Through this same Garden--and for one in vain!

And if the Wine you drink, the Lip you press
End in what All begins and ends in--Yes;
Think then you are To-day what Yesterday
You were--To-morrow You shall not be less.

excerpts from The Rubaiyat, by Omar Khayyam 

Life just lives better in a kaftan: Kara, Ann and Kerry living large in a kaftan

Not that long ago, I attended a lovely little get-together hosted by the ever-charming Ann Tindell. Much to my surprise I was the only guest who didn't show up in a kaftan. The other girls looked so enchanting in their long and colorful robes. I think I now need one of my own. 

Here's a bit of history on the Kaftan

The Kartan Ladies are, in order of appearance: 

• Kara Perez, blogger of Porkchop Rules
• Ann Tindell, blogger of Annimal House
• Kerry Dolan, blogger for The Equine Bovine

outfit post: Plaid is the NEW Polka Dot

Plaid season has officially begun. I don't care what actual season your part of planet is in, be it winter, summer, spring or fall, YOU are going to be into plaid. So, get used to this perfect p-p-p-print of both rebels and royalty, the cut of cloth that is both classic and quirky, staid and superlative. Say hello to  PLAID. Because I'm almost about to tell you that "IT" is IN. But it never really ever left, did it?

My outfit styling is ala Marc Jacobs circa Spring 2009, donchya think? The dress may look familliar to you; I wore it this summer when it had sleeves. Ah the downside of loving vintage: one deals with the ravages of fabric rot. The sleeves had some condition problems which I, uh, "cured" by removing them. So I'm enjoying my hot-as-summer September sans sleeves. 

What are you wearing for Fall?

Gucci Gucci Goo

 Maybe it was watching Vahni style it up in New York during Fashion's Night Out with Lee and Anika that gave me a hankering to watch the Gucci live-stream of the Spring 2012 collection. Or maybe I'm just in the mood for a little true luxury thrown into my Milan Fashion Week. I'll be watching. Will you?

www.gucci.com
Follow GUCCI on Twitter & get a special peek backstage! @gucci

outfit post: Fool Enough

Checkered Past: vintage gingham and hounds tooth gets paired together for a funky twist on the shirt and short combo.

I L-O-V-E gingham. So this shirt is coming with me well into the shady days of Fall, even though it is a summer red, tissue thin and very light weight. My gingham shirt is just so easy to wear. The shirt was last seen HERE. This time I dolled it up with a vintage acetate hounds tooth print scarf and trilby hat, just to give me some practice in layering. 

After all, Sacramento has a hot September, it's basically still summer weather, but I'm chomping at the bit to start dressing for one of my favorite seasons. What makes Fall so fun is that it is the season to layer, and I can't wait to pile up scarves, sweaters, jackets and shirt-on-shirt action.

outfit post: Causual Friday

Going for Casual: simple tee and shorts paired with vintage bolo tie and suede moccasin booties.

I've been feeling direct,
my cause and effect.

I've been looking to simplify my life while at the same time adding complications to it. Because complications come with pleasure buttons, but simplicity comes with peace of mind. I'm coming to terms that my past decisions & present actions have consequence. I'm taking my lumps. Where I intended to go, and where I might end up may have different street addresses; it is my most recent desire to start matching up intent with destinations. Today, I'm dressed for necessary and sufficent; after all, it is causual Friday.  There are places I want to go, but I'm not always sure how I can get there.  All I can say for sure, is that I want to be where I can feel happy, and positively affect the happiness of others.

Hindsight being 20/20, I'm glad I scored these booties for $5 at Goodwill

Now Wearing: 

• vintage Kennedy coin bolo tie, Goodwill
• old tee, GAP
• thrifted shorts
• suede $5 booties, Goodwill

wishing you all a happy Friday, folks and a grand weekend! 

(EDIT: I've just been informed that I am Sprinkles in Springs Blogger of the Month. What an honor and a wonderful feature! Please check it out by clicking HERE.)

The IFB Conference, Milk Studios

Independent Fashion Bloggers: Lee Oliveira, Anika (Anika By Anika) and Katy Rose of Modly Chic

Blogger Advice: Honest, insightful and sound advice was shared by the bloggers featured on each of the panels.

I am SOOOO glad I went. First off, the experience of mingling with hundreds of other bloggers from across the country and seeing such a large diverse collection of style expression was incredible. I came away from the conference as much inspired by the friendly faces and awesome fashions on the attendees as I was from the fantastic advice that was shared on the 3 blogger panels. 

Jill (Everything Just So) and I waiting outside Milk Studios (Photo Credit: Jill Burgess)

Blogger Meet-up: pre-IFB in NYC, at the MOBar

Animal Magnetism: Jasmine of Vintage Vandalizm feels the call of the wild. As in wild, amazing style.

Last Tuesday, the evening before the IFB Conference in New York City, Jennine Jacob of IFB and The Coveted, and my own personal blogger rock-star, Vahni of Grit & Glamour hosted a small blogger meet-up cocktail party at the posh MOBar lounge inside the Mandarin Hotel in Manhattan. Over 50 bloggers attended, many coming in from all over, including one of my all-time favorites, Anika of By Anika. She flew in all the way from Oslo, Norway and this was her first visit stateside. Let me just say as an understatement, it was amazing to meet her! In fact, it was blast meeting so many of my blogger friends that night.

Me, with the foxy Fajr of Stylish Thought

Street Style: Lee Oliveira with the handsome Jaime at the MObar

Norwegian Would: The Amazing Anika of By Anika is in the house!

Texan Firebrand: Elyssa of Dress With Courage

Stop Making Sense: Nubia of Nubia's Nonsense simply sizzles!

One thing I have to say about personal style bloggers: we are a warm and wonderful bunch. You'd expect since we write about fashion, that we'd be a catty crew, but it is in fact the opposite. You could not meet a friendlier crowd. I got to meet some familliar faces and make the acquaintances of some not so familliar ones.

One of the warmest people I met was the lovely and talented Wendy Brandes, New Yorker, jewelry designer and stylista of the first rank. She is so bright & tiny & fashionable, that it boggles my mind she has room to be warm & witty and friendly too. But she is, in spades; I was absolutely smitten with her, and it made my week when she did a post on the event and mentioned me! Whaaa? Yeah! You can peek at it HERE. So let me just say for the record that as cute as she is in her pictures, Wendy B is even more gorgeous in real life. And let me warn you that I will be name-dropping her like a jackhammer for the next couple of months. WENDY B WENDY B WENDY B!!!!

Cute as Marbles: the talented WENDY B WENDY B WENDY B!

My Life in Neutral

Lordy kittens, my life is anything but- so perhaps that is why I've been craving the cooler-than-school hues of bloodless beiges and browns. I need to get my bearings, and transitioning into Fall usually makes the colors of camel, tan and ecru an easy pick for a day of running errands and getting back in the swing of things. 

Tomorrow I will be setting up a pop-up shop in the Fringe lot just down the street from the Antique Faire, so if you're in my Sac-town stomping grounds, be sure to swing by and say hi. And buy something. I've got a $5 rack and loads of shoes, scarves and goodies to get your vintage groove on. For the more information click over to my SHOP THE CITIZEN blog. You can do so by clicking HERE. 

EDIT: I WON'T BE ATTENDING THE FRINGE LOT SALE THIS SUNDAY DUE TO FEELING UNDER THE WEATHER. I THINK I NEED A FEW DAYS TO RECOVER MY JET-SET ADVENTURES, LOL. HOWEVER, THERE ARE LOTS OF COOL VENDORS SELLING FANTASTIC STUFF SO GO AND SHOP! 

Next on my to-do list is to share with you my New York adventure! I had a blast in NYC when I attended the IFB blogger conference and I can't wait to share some pictures of the marvelous bloggers I met while there! All I will say for now is that 3 days is too short of visit in a city that never sleeps. All I know is that I can't wait to go again. 

So I'll "see" you on Monday. Happy week-end, peeps!

Now Wearing: 

• Mui-Mui sunnies
• vintage 1960's ultra suede vest
• "mom" jean shorts
• re-made leather cuff, c/o Fringe
• brass cuff, Crimson & Clover
• vintage leather monk shoes

Hometown

In your mind's eye, how do you remember YOUR hometown?

Memory lane can be a two-way street. 

outfit post: Pomba Gira

"From cicadas and stones, words want to be born.
But the poet lives alone in a corridor of moons."

-Hilda Hilst

Wearing my new 2ETN red/black necklace, from the festival collection

Girl of the Crossroads: This time in my life has presented itself with some interesting opportunities, and one of them is my upcoming trip to New York to attend the IFB (short for Independent Fashion Bloggers) Conference in NYC on September 7th. I am thrilled that I'll be able to meet many of my favorite bloggers while there: Jennine Jacob of The Coveted (and founder of IFB,) Vahni of Grit & Glamour, Anika of By Anika, Elyssa of Dress With Courage, and the ever handsome Brazilian/Aussie street style photographer, Lee Oliveira. I may even be lucky enough to meet one of my all time faves, the gorgeous Barbro Andersen!

As you read this, I may be on route to the Big Apple. This will be my first trip to New York, and as you can imagine, looking forward to it is an understatement. I like to thank my sponsors and patrons who have helped make this trip possible, and YOU, dear readers for cheering me on. 

I'll keep you posted. I'm even going to publish a link for the live-streaming of the IFB conference so even if you can't make it, you can watch it. 


Until next time....

Funny Business

What was my life before my iPhone? iDunno. Seriously, I haven't a clue. The above shots were taken by me of me on that little indispensable hand-held device that I now take with me everywhere.  And I now use for everything: calender, alarm clock, mini-laptop, tweet medium, Netflix player, blog reader, GPS and direction finder, and oh yeah, the occasional phone call. But mostly as a camera.

Speaking of pictures, I posted some pics taken at the Citizen Rosebud studio last Friday, the day of the vintage sale. A big shout out to those who came by and showed their support: THANK YOU! The post is over on the SHOP THE CITIZEN blog and you can read it HERE.

Now I'm off to get ready and pack for my upcoming trip to New York. I can't wait to share my adventures with you!

outfit post: Skirt as Dress

The last time I wore this spotty number was last March. You can peek at it HERE. It is a vintage rayon tiered skirt that I converted into a sundress. By converted I mean I hand-sewed darts where my boobs go, so it is slightly fitted on top while being loose and comfy everywhere else. Do you like it? 

Vintage rayon is incredible. It is super breathable and cooling for hot Sacramento summer days. I've said it before but you can't layer in the summertime here, it is much to warm. Outfits get stripped down to the essentials: in this case hat, sunnies, dress, booties and uh, bolo tie. This is my newest find from the swanky Goodwill Boutique that opened in Midtown recently. I am digging my bolo.

Do I look cool as a cucumber? I'm feeling pretty chilled out.

Hats Have More Fun

Bella and the BFF: Hats of to YOU!

Life is just more fun when you're wearing a hat. 

Happy Friday, folks! 

Today, I'm having a special sale so if you're in Sacramento come on by between noon and 6 pm and shop the Citizen! I'm offering loads of women's vintage and pre-loved clothing, handbags and accessories, as well as a $5 dollar shoe bin. Now accepting credit and debit and Paypal. 

All of this is to raise funds for my upcoming New York trip! I'll be attending this:

I am so excited!