RESOLUTION: Old is the New Awesome

LOVE YOUR VINTAGE. As we say goodbye to the spectacle that was our 2015, let us make room for some special remembrances. We lost some great ones, but we gained some new perspective on life. The new jobs, new friends, new hobbies have perhaps aided in a new way to seeing your world.  And those twists and turns that you've somehow marvelously maneuvered with the nimble graces of a cat, have added a bit of pepper to the dish, a trial-by-fire-flavor to be savored while you wonder just how is it you've managed to thrive in the Crucibles-R-Us sponsored middle of it all.  

The Citizen Resolution for 2016: LOVE YOUR VINTAGE.

 As the saying goes, what doesn't kill you makes your stronger, and you, my friend, just might be the metaphoric equivalent of Brian Shaw in a tutu. So frock on, Madame Bad-Ass. 

And here’s to more thrive and less jive for 2016.  

Regardless of your resolutions,

FRANCIS FRIDAY: Francis the Dancer

GLAMOURAMA: I wish I had a winter ready coat as silky and stylish as Francis does! His fur has gotten glossy and thick, ready for a chilly winter. His antics are getting hilarious- he is practicing his kitty hunting skills and that apparently means standing on his hind legs and dancing like a crab towards his victims, which to date are an assortment of feather toys and my knee. We had a good time watching him last night as bounded towards us in his signature sideways moves in what only can be interpreted, as cat interpretive dancing. What a hoot!

FRANCIS FRIDAY: Kittenish

FAREWELL TO KITTENHOOD: Francis is now five months and is looking less and less kittenish and more and more like a bonafide cat-dude. Well, when he has "sleepy face" I can see residue of his kitten-ness but wide awake, he is a ninja warrior in training, and I suspect birds are on his Xmas list. 

SECONDHAND FIRST | OUTFIT POST: New to Me

WHO (K)NEW: Some people are weirded out by wearing clothing that was previously worn by others, so vintage clothing holds little lure for them- after all, most items 20 years or older have had a life before they found their way to a vintage boutique or thrift shop. Lucky for them, you can also find tons of items that are virtually new, unworn and unused also hanging on the racks of a thrift store, and so while they are "new" often still with the tags attached, they can be purchased for much less at the local Goodwill or Value Village, than you'd be expected to pay at the mall or online.

Secondhand, but new to you, for considerably less. 

VIDEO: Customer Love + Unpacking the Goods

FRESH PICKED VIDEO: I just ADORE this video Christy made of the arrival of her recent order from our home goods shop, Citizen NEST.  A-d-o-r-e!

We love adding extra fun to our packages, and it feels great to see the little touches being appreciated. THANK-YOU Christy for being creme de la creme de la creme, and such a great customer! 

And thank-you for sharing the love!

FRANCIS FRIDAY: on the lookout

When it comes to the great outdoors, Francis the Cat likes what he sees.

ON THE LOOKOUT: Francis is leaving his coquettish kitten-dom behind and is rapidly growing into a handsome young cat. Seeming a bit of a teenager, he is good at playing a churlish rebel and getting into things he knows he shouldn't be getting into, climbing curtains he shouldn't be climbing and yowling loudly if nobody's paying him the attention he deserves. 

(BLACK) FRANCIS FRIDAY: Holidaze

Boom. Just like that, the official holiday season commences. 
Thanksgiving dinner eaten, leftovers in the fridge, and we are off to the shopping races. 

Or are we? 

It seems the headlines is just as much about making the day after Thanksgiving a Buy Nothing Day, as it is the launch of the official holiday shopping season, Black Friday, where people form themselves into a mess of long lines and wait outside their favorite box store to work themselves into a frenzy of purchase power. 

Personally, I have mixed feelings about this. While I've never succumbed to the lure of Black Friday shopping, as a small business owner who relies on people to shop their goods to make ends meet, I understand that for many, Black Friday is as much a recreational past-time as it is a day to unfurl the Xmas shopping list and find the right gifts to put under their tree. 

Today, for me at least, I'm calling BLACK FRANCIS FRIDAY, because I'm staying home and just chilling with the dude and the cat, taking it easy. Unless you call opening up the fridge to pull out leftovers work, it's a day off for us. 

However, in honor of BLACK FRANCIS FRIDAY, we'll be offering 15% off today in our Etsy shops, so if you are in the mood for shopping today, you can do so from the comfort of your couch. Do check out the goods, if you'd like!

You can find us on on Etsy: 

CITIZEN ROSEBUD: a cultivated collection of vintage + pre-loved clothing for women with timeless appeal for day. Specializing in USA and Union label. All items are 15% off today, and for added savings, please use coupon code ROSEBUD at check-out for an additional 10% off.

CITIZEN NEST: fresh picks for the roost. Some of my best finds can be found in this shop! Here's where you'll find a clutch of one of a kind finds for the home. Ranging from thrift store art, antique dishes, unique knick-knacks to vintage books and vinyl, our Citizen Nest is a budding resource to feather yours.

CITIZEN NOIR: cultivated vintage for evening + special occasions. Our newest shop on Etsy is where you'll find our best vintage and pre-loves suited for evening and your special occasions. Here, you'll find plenty of shine and sparkle and lux fabrics including silk brocades, fine furs and velvet. This shop also offers a budding collection of vintage lingerie and lounge wear for the ladies. Presently, there's not a whole lot in this shop, as it is just starting up, but check back often, we are adding things daily, and if you're looking for something in particular, please message us and we'll see what we can do for you,

For today only, we've got all three shops marked down for 15% off, and you can use coupon code ROSEBUD at checkout for an additional 10% off. That's a total of 25% off for BLACK FRANCIS FRIDAY, and let your holiday shopping begin! 

If you'd rather just relax, and skip shopping today- no worries! Kick back, relax and enjoy the day! 

FRANCIS FRIDAY: Introductions

MEET FRANCIS. Francis is the newest addition to our household. Actually he's presently a kitten, but you know how fast they grow up! Not that long ago, I took the plunge and committed to a kitten. One of my neighbors recently rescued what she believed was a young  black male stray, who she thought may have worms because of the little thing's swollen belly. Turns out the rescue was young female feline, and pregnant, due anytime. She soon gave birth to 5 lively kittens, all of them black and precious as midnight. 

Now, I am, without a doubt, what you would call a "cat person." I just love 'em. And I've had a soft spot for black kitties, my whole life, starting when I was five and I got to pick a kitten from a litter of our family tabby. He was the sole black cat of the bunch, and I promptly name him Frito Bandito. Hey, I was five.

SECONDHAND FIRST | OUTFIT POST: Glad for Plaid

GLAD PLAID.  To celebrate the recent happy nuptials of some friends, the couple asked the attendees to wear "bright + colorful clothing,"  something that gave us joy to wear. The first dress I thought to put on for the occasion, was, of course, a vintage plaid.

PLAIDURDAY: Live for Five

PLAID IS RAD. 
On October 2, 2015 people will wake up around the world, walk to their closets and dressers, and choose to wear plaid. It may be a plaid shirt, skirt, dress, shoes, belt, hat, purse, jacket, or anything else. If it exists, it probably exists in plaid.

Today, we're celebrating our fifth PLAIDURDAY, the annual holiday in honor of plaid. You are invite to join us. Add your best look or outfit than incorporates plaid from your wardrobe. Or just share a picture of your most favorite plaid item from your closet. Please link-up at the end of this post. 

#SECONDHANDFIRST | OUTFIT POST: Seattle Western

SEATTLE WESTERN. And just like that, I decided to wear a "cowboy" hat. It is, in fact, a costume cowboy hat for a kid. Only my wee head fits under it just fine, and while I haven't sported cowboy hats, in like, NEVER, I think I'm going to start wearing this one, just 'cuz. 

#SECONDHANDFIRST: today's outfit is 100% secondhand, gifted + thrifted.

I think it happens to suit this top, too. This top is a MAJOR #secondhandfirst, THRIFT STORE SCORE, something that makes me wanna sing "yippee kie-yie-yay!" 

ROSEBUD OF THE WEEK: the elegant Serene

Serene is just one of those women who are LITERALLY as beautiful inside as she is without. And boy, oh boy, is this woman a stunner! That is, IF you are fond of striking good looks, lightning quick smile and wicked, wicked style. Add to that, buckets of warmth and wit and charms, with her penchant for fringe, and you've got yourself one gorgeous mama-rama.

1000 Words: A Self Portrait with Pearl Necklace at Age 50

 "Nature gives you the face you have at 20, life gives you the face you have at 30, but at 50 you get the face you deserve." -Coco Chanel

MONDAY MUSES: Rowdy Ronda

I'm not a sports person, you know. More prone to dig around dirt in the garden, pet kittens, read fashion magazines than to do uh, things athletic, and I don't normally watch many sports. I'm a big softy, a bleeding heart type, so you won't be surprised that I particularly don't care to watch fighting sports. You might be surprised then to know, I am a big fan of Ronda Rousey.

20 on +40: Hello the Vixen

Hello the Vixen: 20 on + 40

Note:  To showcase the appeal of +40 bloggers who go beyond their own age-group, 

we present the 20 on +40.  We've asked 20 of our favorite young bloggers to interview

 their favorite +40 blogger, and write about it. This is the fifth of the series. 

Sara D, the charming voice + eye of HELLO THE MUSHROOM took on one of our all-time, all age favorites, Vix, aka the VINTAGE VIXEN. The Vixen, style maverick, secondhand shopper extraordinaire, is somebody we could read about all day, everyday.

CITIZEN Sara: It's hard to imagine that there will be anyone out there in blog-land who doesn't know Vix. And why wouldn't you? This lady is a force of nature and it would be hard to stay indifferent not only to the colorful clothes she wears, but also her personality. She is an intelligent woman, with a sense of humor that is as vibrant as the clothes she wears, and this transpires in the answers to the questions I mailed over to her. Enjoy!

MONDAY MUSES: C is for Champion

Hydrangea, Hydrangea, Gardenia

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul. " -Luther Burbank

MIND THE MUSIC: your mirror

"Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone" -Ella Wheeler

WEEKEND SALE: 20% off

Ah, the thrill of Independence. We're celebrating our freedom this weekend, and you can too. 

• Celebrate small business.
• Celebrate quality goods at affordable prices.
• Celebrate unique and one-of-a-kind-finds. 
• Celebrate American made and Union made goods.
• Support ethical manufacturing and sustainable living. 
• Celebrate you. 

Get more bang for your buck this weekend, and take 20% off our entire stock, in both of our online shops!

SHOP EBAY HERE. 

SHOP OUR ETSY STORE HERE. 

BELLA AT 50: be bold

THE NIFTY FIFTY: this is my first official blog post at the age of 50.
Hello world. It seemed apropo to put on this black graphic T-shirt telling me to BE BOLD. After all, I have been slinking around lately in very drab outfits as of late, with little thought to style. My 50th birthday resolution was to re-invigorate the wardrobe, and as a treat to myself, I created a brand new (to me) capsule wardrobe, culled from secondhand sources. As ever, I am shopping #SECONDHANDFIRST. That means I look first for a secondhand source to supply my needs, and I keep my eye out for sustainable and ethically produced goods. (So no thank-you to sweatshop produced goods!) Expect an upcoming post, sharing my cultivated capsule wardrobe with you in the near future.

Thrifted Tee + American Made dress + Thrifted Shoes = 100% #SECONDHANDFIRST

One of my recent purchases was a brand new pair of black perforated leather Vans, snagged from the nearby Goodwill for a whopping $20. They fit me perfectly, and I like their mix of practicality and California cool. Since the dress was one I've had for over a year, the total cost of my new "bold" outfit comes to $22. The fact that my commitment to shop #SECONDHANDFIRST for over 4 years feels priceless.

Get in the VANS: kicking it with a little California cool.

What's your favorite most recent #SECONDHANDFIRST find?

Hey, Bella just wrote a new post, about something or another, and she probably didn't proof read it.

This dress was a thrift store score ages ago. I saw it, I loved it, I wore it. You can see me prancing about in it, in a ridiculous outfit post here. I've since outgrown it, and have it listed for sale here.

It's a lovely thing, full of youthful joy and optimism. Not quite like me, who turns 50 in a matter of days. 

I thought it was going to be harder to do it. Turn 50. 

But it seems, it's just another calender day, no biggie. Just another turn in this fantastic place we call a planet. I am glad to be alive. 

I find it curious how one of my favorite eras of clothing come from the years when I was just a wee kiddo. I absolutely adore fashions from the mid to late sixties, in particular, I've got a soft spot for 1966-68. I love the squeaky clean look and appeal of fashions around this time, with the bright cheerful colors, bold prints and those over-sized collars. LOVE 'em all. The boyfriend, born in 1972, is drawn to fashions from that era, which I find interesting. Even if we can't remember it, the zeitgeist, it claims us. 

I've never been more glad to live in the present, too. I adore this 21st century life. We kinda get the best of all worlds, tech, arts and nature. I'm here to enjoy it for as long a possible. It's a modern life I live, sort of, in a cityscape, sort of. Not very typical, or particularly fascinating, I suppose on the outside in, but it seems to have come to a pleasant equilibrium for me, and I think I may have stumbled upon the right balance. Maybe. 

The forties were a tough decade for me personally, there have been a number of setbacks, and plenty of loss. I do feel at times, a little worse for the wear. The beauteous shine of youth, has decisively jumped ship, and it seems the world has become immune to my charms. Many friendships over this past decade, have gone by the wayside, and while I mourn the loss, I am determined to bring into the next decade healthy and wonderful engagements with people I admire and trust, who happen to admire and trust me back. I have been seeking reliable full time employment for nearly 8 years, and after nearly a year of humbling nearly nada call backs, I am officially giving up on the search. Let them come to me. Goodbye 40s, don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.

In the meantime, I will apply my efforts to selling online. You are welcome to browse here and here, knowing your purchase goes towards a wonderful cause. I thank you in advance for your kindnesses. 

In fact, I created these custom Citizen Rosebud button brooches for those who wish to show their support: 

They are available for purchase HERE.

I have loved, loved, loved my time spent writing and blogging here on the Citizen Rosebud. It is my wish that I can continue to do so. I've even flirted with the idea of resuming outfit posts; after all, I'll be 50 and an old odd bird has got to represent! But we shall see. I'm not sure there's any interest in that, I've never won awards for my wardrobe prowess. But in all honesty, I am not sure what direction to go. Is there anyone left still reading this? Should I just close up blog shop, and batten down the hatches? Call it a day, cut my losses? 

All potent possibilities. Which option is the right move? I do know, regardless of this venue, I will go on writing, and creating, because it is like oxygen for my lungs, I can't breathe without doing so. I've been reviving a bevy of creative endeavors offline;  reading art books, playing around with painting furniture, and tending a modest garden.

This is a long and rambling way of saying: I'm still here folks. Even when here is somewhere else.

Celebrate, peeps. From one Rosebud to another, you're beautiful and blooming madly. 

MIND THE MUSIC: king of the blues

Guest Post: Chic Stripes

Like so many other people in this world, Twitter was the conduit that brought Bella and I

together. I don’t really remember how, but I do recall thinking that she was one of the few “real

women” bloggers who maintained an authentic voice. She’s also a champion of

#secondhandfirst who inspired me to spend an entire year only shopping the second hand

market (yes, this means I missed out on a few of those Target collabs but surprise! many of the

pieces turned up in my local second hand haunts). I recently chimed in on a second hand first

link up and she reached out for a guest post.

Mind the Music: All Alone

Some days were made for slow dancing. Kiss your partner for me.

Picture Perfect: Slow Fashion

Taking it Slow: sometimes your friends are here to remind you, it's about the journey. Take it easy, peeps!

OWL + PUSSYCAT

WHO, MEW?

I like black cats. And admire the look of owls. So fell a little more than head over heels when I saw this video:

DON'T THINK I'M WASTING ALL MY TIME LOOKING AT CUTE CAT (and owl) VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE. 
I'm doing other stuffs, too! Not sure blogging in the manner we've done it in the past is working out for us. Stay tuned for some tweaks (basically less blogging) and fine tuning (basically more off-line stuff.) Wishing you all the best! -Citizen Bella

THE READ LIST: hashtag bloomtown

HASHTAG, YOU'RE IT: Hipster indie fashion house, Modcloth wants to know your #FASHIONTRUTH.

Stop calling young people the future; in reality they are the present. And, this wise young pretty thing proves it. Did ya know that 4 out of 5 Millennials prefer to buy organic fruit and vegetables over Gucci. So, how about designer produce?

365 DAYS OF WINE + ROSES: Marsala may be Pantone's "COLOR OF THE YEAR" but will this constant #colorbuzz give you a hangover?  Children's book author and illustrator, Ingrid Sandberg shares her Color Thesaurus in an info-graphic sure to delight adults of all ages.

BLOOMTOWN: Just who decides which flowers make this list? We think the most beautiful blooms are the ones spotted sprouting up from cracks and crevices. Like this one. Speaking of blooms, flowers are the inspiration of this designer's dress collection and one guy explains why roses are the world's most famous flower.

Regardless of fame or fortune, we're wishing all our Rosebuds a most glorious week-day!

CELEBRATE: International Women's Day

WOMEN ROCK. In case you need some reminding on how incredibly vast is the awesome-ness that are women, here are some lovelies to jumpstart your own list of LADIES-WHO-MAKE-THE-WORLD-GO-ROUND just in time for the upcoming International Women's Day.

FEMME NOIR: modern noir + the femme vitale

"When I start out to make a fool of myself there's very little can stop me." 

                                                      -Michael O'Hara, Lady from Shanghai

THE READ LIST: Beauty is Everywhere

When twenty-something Mihaela Noroc set out from her hometown of Budapest, to capture beauty with her camera, the methods were modest while her aim was ambitious. She wanted to map out the diverse expressions of beauty in the world, and she chose to do so by capturing the natural beauty of women in their element. That meant scouring the busy streets of Tokyo, the obscure country roads of Peru, and nearly everywhere in between.

Last December, Noroc returned home after setting out for 16 months, traveling the world over, armed with just her camera and the items in her backpack, and photographing the women she met in the various locales, that represented to her, a natural and diverse face of beauty. For Noroc, "beauty means to keep alive your origins and your culture. To be natural,  sincere, authentic, particular, not necessarily fashionable or skinny."

FEEL THE LOVE: 5 Reasons to Love Vintage Clothing

Feeling it: vintage clothing in all its glory (image source)

LOVE YOUR VINTAGE!!

We're probably singing to the choir here, but in honor of Valentine's, we thought we recount the ways on why we love shopping for, and wearing vintage clothing.

Reason #1: THEY DON'T MAKE 'EM LIKE THEY USED TO.

Are we sounding like an old grandma here? One of the best things about buying and wearing a vintage garment is that they are, most of the time, made of better quality than something you're going to buy at a your nearby department store. The fabric is often times very fine, as well as the tailoring. 

If you want to see for yourself the difference between modern and vintage clothing construction, just lift up a hem and compare. A vintage hem is often larger, offering up up to 4 inches of hemline (great for taking up or down to better fit your height, or current trends) and can be beautifully hand-stitched. A modern hem is likely stingy, no more than a quarter inch of give, and likely clumsily machine sewn.