NYE

We've got plenty to be grateful for, in this year's end. And plenty to look forward to in the year to come.Wishing you all a powerful 2015.

To start early on our New Year's celebration we've put our entire inventory on sale. Save 20% off between now and midnight, January 1st.  

SHOP ETSY

SHOP CITIZENS-OF-ROSEBUD on eBay

 Thanks to all of you who've given us your support, and watched us grow and thrive!

Season's Greets, Peeps!

Happy Holidays! 
From our hearts to yours,
                                                                    -  the Citizen Rosebud

ROSEBUD OF THE WEEK: Precious Patti

This lovely rosebud really lights up a room when she's in it. Even on the interwebs, this incandescent spirit blazes up the place with her thoughtful posts, kind comments and absolute support for her circle of +40 pals. Of which I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part.

Her blog brings the party to +40s, because I can't imagine not joining in for her popular VISIBLE MONDAY blog link-ups. Her style is an easy going, slightly edgy city chic, and she inspires not just in the semingly effortless way she can put together an ensemble, but for her cheery warmth, kindness and dazzling smile.

MONDAY MUSES: A Lifelong Beauty

The best kind of beauty is the kind that enthuses effortlessly over a lifetime, becoming less and less about vain definitions, and more about your connection with others. There is no better sort of beauty cultivation: this annual push towards your authentic and truest self, a life long pursuit of wisdom, joy and to be of help to others.

MONDAY MUSES: Vivienne Westwood says "Buy Less"

If there ever was a patron saint for shopping #SECONDHANDFIRST this firecracker of a beauty is it. Not one to rest on her already extensive laurels, Dame Viv explains her ethos in this recent interview, proving that beauty, brain and brilliance isn't any less diminished for women still kicking it in their seventies. 

ROSEBUD OF THE WEEK: Ana B

This isn't the first time, the lovely Ana B, aka Mrs. American Made has been mentioned; oh, we may have name dropped her a few times, like here and here.

Smart, savvy and stylish, Ana is a +40 blogger, mother, wife, and entrepreneur who advocates American businesses who manufacture in the USA. It was her shopping ethos that inspired Ana to start her fashion blog, showcasing, you guessed it, clothing made in the good ol' US of A.  Ana has been inspiring others to follow suit ever since.

Queen Anne's Lace

Queen Anne's Lace

Her body is not so white as

anemony petals nor so smooth—nor

so remote a thing. It is a field

of the wild carrot taking 

the field by force; the grass

does not raise above it.

THE READ LIST: currently vintage

DO you like to shop #SECONDHANDFIRST but need a little help in the tip department? The following is a list of some quick reads from people in the know. And THANKS to these awesome links, now, you do too.

CYBER TOOTH TIGER

 

Oh, I KNOW you're shopping, peeps! It's been a busy weekend here in the CITIZEN headquarters, and we want BUSIER! Two HUGE sales are happening at our online shops, so whether you're an eBayer or a Etsyian, you are going to find some BLOOMING BARGAINS. 

30% off orders of $30 or more. Find quality and ethically produced goods. Feel good about supporting a bonafide real person. Shop #SECONDHANDFIRST.

Click HERE to shop Etsy.

Click HERE to shop eBay.

Go get 'em, tiger!

 

Looking for something in particular but can't find it in our shop. Message us- we just might have it!

OUTFIT POST: be yourself

THE STRIPED STUFF. Is it the fact that I am now inching my way to age 50, that I am getting to be ok with just being me, as me? No hyped up, perfectly-put-together or best foot forward, kind of me, just a growing quiet acceptance of who I am, flaws and all, and the keen appreciation of where I am.

Acute Case of the Cutes: Desert Darling (video)

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but cute is surely music in the ears. We're not going to pretend that if we just happened upon this sand-breaded froggy, without hearing it, if it would be catagorized as "cute," but let me tell you, as a semi-expert now (having now watched this clip about a hundred times!) on what cute sounds like, that this desert dumpling is C-U-T-E, all caps, all the freakin' time. CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE. 

Go ahead and have a listen, it's only a tiny slice of a minute, and you can rest assured that you've have just heard with your own ears, the epitome of cute. It's an acute case of the cutes, yeah? Thanks to the miracle of YouTube animal videos, your day is now immensely made better, and you are guaranteed to survive the week. Happy mid-week ya'lls!

Seattle Vintage Seller: hornblower

Sound Off: sometimes ya just gotta toot your own #SECONDHANDFIRST horn

With 240 customer reviews and counting, it feels nice knowing we've got some (GREAT and) appreciative customers! We just wanted to take a moment to toot our own horn. 

Whooot-whoot!

When people like Terese tells us we're a "fabulous, friendly, helpful, communicative seller" with a "BIG thank you!" on Etsy, or when Cat on eBay purrs: "great communication, great collectible item, very courteous seller," well, those words are simply music to our ears.

You can read some of the rave reviews HERE and HERE

As proud CITIZENS-OF-ROSEBUD, we take great pleasure in offering up FRESH PICKS FOR FINE FOLKS. Thanks for your support!

Picture Perfect: Seattle Skyline with Arrows

Taken with an iPhone. You can see more of my photos on Instagram online: @rosebudz

Seattle is all about going places. How you get there, is up to you.

Monday Muses: Stealing Inward

"As we grow old, the beauty steals inward."

                                                                                 - Ralph Waldo Emerson

True beauty flourishes inside a confident and dynamic woman. A lifelong beauty  has flung her attentions well beyond the mercurial mirror frame, navigating her focus with her keen interest in the world around her. She's a champion of others, never flinching to put herself into the fray if the cause is just.  She loves what she loves, and knows the value of good values.  Beauty grown inward, is the fruition of a lifetime, a gentle but steely deliberate cultivation, and no happy accident of nature. Grateful for whatever good fortune she has mined, a true beauty owns her circumstance. Inward beauty's gaze grows outward, and leaves no small mark on the world at large.

How you define beauty alters the way beauty affects your world. Where you place your attention on what is beautiful, changes the way beauty is treated in your world.  

Who and what are your definitions of beautiful?

Shoe Lust: Speechless Spectators

While I've always been a bit crushed out on the classic beauty of a good spectator shoe, I must say I felt a bit speechless when I discovered that these vintage spectator pumps by Red Cross Shoes fit me like a glove. The practical mid-heel means you can actually walk around in them, and the faux leather makes them easy to wipe clean and maintain. You might say they are a pretty great deal too.

I'll try to stay mum on the subject.

I will say that they are a perfect size 7. Purchase here: MS. BOSS, RED CROSS.(Edit: the shoe have since sold.)

EXCLUSIVE ONE-DAY SALE: this link gets you EXCLUSIVE access to 15% off any order of $25 or more. CLICK HERE NOW TO SHOP: http://ebay.us/eD406H

OUTFIT POST: Grey Skies vs Baby Blue Gingham

SUNNY B: the baby blue gingham powerhouse was last worn here. a choice purchase from Sweet Repeat Vintage. Sometimes the best way to combat the grey skies is with the power of BLUE.  The grey season is finally upon us, but I'm not yet ready to pack away the summer dresses. An easy remedy is to bulk up on warm woolies, like this beautiful Louise Green cloche hat (now for sale in the eBay store) and the thrifted mens cardigan sweater.

Again, I'm no fashion plate, but there's no need  for me to be, I stick close to the CITIZEN HQ and list vintage and pre-loved goodies.  I'm officially up to my gills in merchandise. And these #SECONDHAND babies don't list themselves.

CITIZEN ROSEBUD FRESH PICKS on Etsy: http://bit.ly/CRVetsyshop
CITIZENS-OF-ROSEBUD on eBay: http://bit.ly/CRVebayshop

SMILE HIGH CLUB: Laughing Rita (video)

Whenever you need a little laughter to lift your spirits, just give this video of an 78 year old grandma experience her first roller coaster ride.

And, you are welcome.

outfit post: GRANDPA STYLE

Heart the Hat: nothing tops off a nearly 100% thrifted outfit like a good ol' (Christian) boy's trucker hat.

Maybe it was the slip-on shoes, paired with the wool men's cardigan that made me think I was dressed up like an old man- but I just went with it. I added some of my favorite recently acquired brooches, a Jesus lovin' trucker hat, and these amazing new-old stock vintage Levi's red, white and blue suspenders, and Grandpa'd out!

Quite possibly, it was this great vintage mid-century era portrait I scored from the nearby Goodwill, that reminded me how great vintage men's stuff is. This white haired gent reminded me of a school teacher I had, in grade school. Mr. Braaten, his name was. It think we called him "Rotten Braaten" under our childish breath. He was terribly patient with our shenanigans, one of which entailed stealing ice cream  left over from a church Ice Cream Social, and sneaking off to eat it inside the baptismal.

He always wore a suit and tie, and these smart looking old school glasses. Wonder what he dresses like now that's he's long since retired,  I can't imagine him relaxing in a pair of Bermudas, a golf sweater and a trucker hat. I just had to pose with the thrifted picture before it got listed on eBay. Here's hoping the painting goes to a good home that appreciates the fine charms of "bad" Thrift Store Art.

outfit post: CAT + MOUSE

CAT + MOUSE. Woke up in a playful mood, the kind of mood that makes you want to wear your Disney mouse ears around the house, aka this vintage Disney kid's hat. Right now, it sort of sits on top the noggin' by a couple of strands of string, and pretty much falls off whenever I slump. It needs some fixing, and perhaps an re-make; the last time it was seen in an outfit post was here: http://bit.ly/qk7o5Q ) It was propped up on my head all morning,

until it was time to leave the house. Then, I quickly changed the mouse ears out for a vintage black wool pillbox, a purr-fect companion to this gorgeous vintage wool coat with a soft white mink collar. 

SECONDHAND FIRST: We Are Family

WE ARE FAMILY. Every Friday, we like to put at least one item on the auction block and give 100% of the proceeds to a worthy cause. It's our way of being part of what's good in the world.

GOLDEN GIRLS: these gold and glittery party girl shoes are up for sale- they are a tiny size 6.5, ladies, but 100% of the sale will go to PFLAG.

You can learn more about PFLAG here: http://community.pflag.org/ and you can place your bid on these golden girls right here: http://ebay.to/1z5bAge

RED LABEL: Blue October

CITIZEN ROSEBUD/red label. This month we've put together some of our favorite vintage for an exclusive Fall collection, now for sale in our Etsy shop. We'll be listing a curated selection of our very best and season ready vintage garments, just for women. 

We're calling it the CRV/red label, and it's our creme de la creme for women who collect, 

Mind the Music: Sky Symphony

The year was 1968. The world was muddle-wonderful. I was just a kid, just three years old, but the late sixties are certainly one of my favorite times of fashion, music and art.

I remember the way everything looked: colorful, naive, fresh faced.

I'm still drawn to things from that time. Like this vintage 1968 music box.

Picture Perfect: Taken

Taken. A photo-essay of paths. (All photos taken on an iPhone. Photo Credit: Bella Q)

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood....

MIND THE MUSIC: Swedish Hoodoo

From a small village in a quiet corner of northern Sweden, comes a communally fueled, world minded "musical tradition" known as Goat. The band's origins shrouded in mystery, its current band members keep anonymous by performing in full costume, replete with a stunning regalia of vintage masks. The sound is pulsing, hypnotic, poly-rhythmic. 

OUTFIT POST: #plaidurday 4.0

PLAIDURDAY HURRAY! It's the fourth annual #PLAIDURDAY, and while I might be late to the (blog) party, I've been celebrating all day.

MIND THE MUSIC: Marie Antoinette is "Thunderstruck" (or How Classical Cello can Rock a Classic Rock Cover Like A Boss)

Let them eat cake, bitches. 

This is the ninth installment of our CITIZENS culture feature, mid-week: Mind the Music. On the occasional Wednesday, we post some bitchin' tunes to get your toes a'tapping, and you, happily through your week. Happy listening!

THIS IS 50: Fay

THIS IS 50. Here's some time tested proof that life is not over at fifty. The fifties come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Find the one that's right for you. This is the fourth in the series presenting the incredible range of style-loving women over forty, and we'll now be exploring the dynamic decade of style in your fifties. 

So tell me, who are you?

I am Fay Hallam. I’m 51 and I live in London. I'm happily married.

What do you do?

I work as a Theatrical Agent; I represent actors, get them auditions, find them work and negotiate their contracts.  I've been doing this for over 20 years.

THIS IS 50: Talent agent Fay shows that cool London style still sizzles well into your fifties.

How do you feel as a +50 woman and does your style reflect it?

I feel great. I’ve taken care of myself and feel that I’ve aged well.

My style has evolved through the years and I have adapted it to suit my advancing years but I don’t follow the received “rules” about what older women should or shouldn’t wear. If I like it and it suits me than it stays in my wardrobe.