Tag Archives: turquoise jewelry

Orange Empire Railway Museum

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Recently Patrick and I went to the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris (about an hour and a half east of Los Angeles) with a couple of friends for a day filled with not just train history, but a glimpse into the history of Los Angeles transit, as well as added bits of Disney history!

Now before I show all of the interesting things the Orange Empire Railway Museum had to offer, I’ll share with you what I wore.

At first glance, it may appear that I am just wearing another western inspired outfit with turquoise jewelry, but I specifically chose to wear turquoise to pay homage to Fred Harvey, a man closely tied with the restaurant industry, railways, and turquoise jewelry.

Fred Harvey was a restaurateur who transitioned into the railroad business. He became fascinated with the southwest and built trading posts at rail stops, filling them with Native American goods, such as blankets, baskets, and jewelry. Harvey went so far as a to make pre-cut (and hallmarked) pieces of jewelry, to then be embellished (traditionally by stamping, like my bracelet) by Native Americans and then sold at his trading posts. The Orange Empire Railway Museum even has a building dedicated to Harvey and his influence on train travel.

Now keep reading to find out all the neat stuff the museum had to offer!

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3 Kings Day Potluck

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Over the weekend some friends and I had a potluck. We used El Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day – a day that many within our group actually celebrate) as an excuse for a belated holiday get-together, and opted for a more Latin American vibe, with a Rosca de Reyes and other festive Christmas and Mexican decor and Mexican food.

I hope that 2017 has been treating you all well!

Outfit
Mexican Tourist Jacket: Orange Circle Antique Mall, Orange, California
Patio Dress & Bell Earrings: I don’t remember…
Belt: Pinup Girl Clothing
Black Tooled Leather Purse: Retro Rejuvenation, Coburg, Oregon
Shoes: Miss L Fire
Succulent Hair Flower: Christmas gift from the lovely Christine (who also does beautiful art!)
Bracelet: Canyon House, Yucca Valley, California
Rings: Various

Dolly and Dotty

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Recently I was contacted by the UK based, retro influenced clothing company Dolly and Dotty to see if I was interested in test driving one of their items for review. For the most part Dolly and Dotty’s website is full of the classic retro staples, with fitted dresses, swing dresses, pencil skirts and striped tops, and also features its fair share of polka-dots and cherries. In flipping through their pages, I spied a navy pencil skirt (one of many shades I am lacking) and I instantly opted for it.

When the skirt arrived I was impressed by the smoothness of the fabric, and that it had great body to it, but didn’t feel bulky. The garment is made of 95% cotton (yay!) and 5% spandex, which is to be expected from almost any modern garment. The skirt is fully lined in a super soft fabric, that feels like a thin, old, cotton t-shirt (in the best way, you know the one you’ve had for ages and feels fabulous). All of the visible fabric edges are surged, and I believe the lining hem is surged prior to being folded over and hemmed, as there is a bit of extra surging thread peeking out at the hem. Speaking of hems, like most contemporary garments, this skirt features a regularly stitched hem.

The skirt features an eight and a half inch invisible zipper and hook and eye along the back. Also note the skirt features a Hollywood Waist (no separate waistband), and I have become really fond of the style. The skirt’s care tag is located along the left side lining, and recommends it gets hand washed, which I will likely do. The tag also reads that this skirt was made in China. A bit of a bummer. The skirt is 25 inches in length and you can see in the next few pictures, it hits me right below my knee cap, and I stand 5′ 6″.

At a 27 inch waist and 38 inch hip, I opted for a UK size 10 by using their size chart. And the skirt fits like a gem. It hugs just right, and feels great because of that soft lining. Patrick and I had to run a few errands today so wore the skirt for its trial run.

I will say that because it is cotton, it does wrinkle fairly easily. The visible wrinkles are from me adjusting my top when getting dressed and from our car ride. But I will also so I really do like this skirt, as it was incredibly comfortable, and the wee bit of stretch and the seven inch slit in the back made walking easy. Those familiar with older pencils will know some skirts don’t allow for a good stride. And I’m a girl with a fairly long stride. I also got a handful of compliments as we popped in and out of shops. So, I’m pretty happy!

Outfit
Two-Tone Fringe Leather Jacket & Tooled Leather Purse: Found by my dad!
Blouse: Buffalo Exchange
Skirt: Courtesy of Dolly & Dotty. Thank you!
Nude Fishnets: Oroblu
Shoes: Olvera Street, Los Angeles, California
Turquoise Bracelet: Christmas present from my mother
Turquoise Rings: One came from Expo I think…the other…not sure…

Disclaimer: I received this skirt free of charge from Dolly and Dotty in exchange for an honest review of their garment.

Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue

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Fall is officially in swing at the Disneyland Resort, and while Main Street USA may be lined with adorable pumpkins, one of my favorite areas of Disneyland during fall is Frontierland and the Big Thunder Ranch area. Sadly, this year will be the last autumn for Big Thunder Ranch, which includes the Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo, the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree, and best of all, Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue. More on that in a bit. And seeing as Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue will be closing up shop come January, Patrick and I are attempting to fill our bellies with as much barbecue as possible, and of course I couldn’t resist picking out some western duds for the evening.

Now, more on the Ranch closing. At D23, it was announced that the Disneyland Resort would be expanding to create a Star Wars themed land. Speculation of this has been going on since Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, and soon after it was announced that Star Wars would be taking over the Big Thunder Ranch area, located just north of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Originally this expanse of land was home to the Mine Train, Pack Mules, Conestoga Wagons and Stagecoaches that made their way would Nature’s Wonderland and the small town of Rainbow Ridge. In 1979 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened up, giving folks the “wildest ride in the wilderness”. In the mid-1980s, the expanse north of Big Thunder saw a ranch open up, and various forms of entertainment and dining came and went through the area (including the awkwardly placed Hunchback of Notre Dame “Festival of Fools”), and in the later 90s, the dining area closed, until it re-opened in 2009 as an all-you-can-enjoy barbecue restaurant, and live entertainment with extremely talented western musicians. My feelings about the Star Wars themed land are mixed (I mean I love Star Wars), but one thing I am certain of is that I am crushed to see Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue go. It offers some of the best food in the park, including amazing seasonal dishes, like the above pictured sugar cookie bake with pumpkin ice cream and caramel, as well as incredible ambiance, and, as I mentioned before, very talented performers, and I am hell-bent on visiting as much as I can before it closes. And I encourage anyone visiting Disneyland before January to visit as well, that is if you aren’t vegetarian or vegan!

I would also love to do a shout out to Jackie, a reader here. She approached me when Patrick and I were shooting the outfit pictures, and, Jackie, you were a delight to talk to! This is also a heads up to anyone else who may see me in the park, I love meeting my readers, and hanging out in Disneyland has provided me with a lot of contact that I honestly hadn’t expected! It’s so much fun hearing from you all in person, so, please, if you do see me, don’t be afraid to say hi! Unfortunately I won’t be at Dapper Day tomorrow, as I have to work it, after all, someone has to be there to make magic! But I do plan on visiting the Dapper Day Expo after I get off work. I probably won’t be too dressed up, as I will be taking the bus into work, and will be going straight to the Expo after work, so maybe I’ll bump into some of you there!

Outfit
Cowboy Hat: Disneyland
Blouse: Buffalo Exchange
Skirt: Rock Steady via Roadkill Ranch, Fullerton, Ca.
Tooled Leather Wedges: Olvera Street, Los Angeles, Ca.
Brooch & Purse: Found by my dad!
Turquoise Bracelet: LA Vintage Expo
Turquoise Maize Ring: Capistrano Trading Post, San Juan Capistrano, Ca.

R&R

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As much as I adore my role at the Disneyland Resort, I must admit that having not worked a “real” job in roughly eight years, the constant go-go-go of a job five days a week is still taking some getting used to, and when I spied two days off in a row (this doesn’t always happen), I was eager to get out and recharge, and I suggested that we return to the Joshua Tree Inn, where we stayed for my birthday. Joshua Tree National Park and the Joshua Tree Inn have quickly become my go-to places to getaway from it all. When I lived in Portland, and we didn’t have a car, people often asked “Don’t you ever want to go the coast/mountains/forest?” It was easy for me to say no, because I just didn’t find relaxation along Oregon’s blustery coast, or up snowy Mount Hood or along the tree lined trails leading to Multnomah Falls. But here in California I am so incredibly drawn to the extraterrestrial like trees, unique rock formations and the stark hills across the skyline that I find myself constantly pining to go there.

After checking in, we drove into the park, where we watched the sun set and the nearly full moon rise. And we even got to spy Venus and Jupiter as they neared each other! The next day we visited a few of the shops in the area, and then loafed about the inn. I also got to take my new swimsuit for a dip! Despite not doing much, I still packed in a quite a few pictures.

Not only do I find peace out in Joshua Tree, it inspires me to go in a more carefree direction with my wardrobe, and with each visit I feel more inspired to become bolder with my fashion choices and to to continue to carve out unique styles. As strange as it may sound, I feel more like myself since moving. I look forward to visiting more of California’s unique landscape, and eventually finding our way into the other glorious southwestern states, such as Arizona and New Mexico.

Do you have a place that you like to go to get away from it all? Or a place that inspires you and maybe even your wardrobe?

Outfit
Tank & Shorts: Buffalo Exchange
Vest & Bracelet: I honestly don’t remember!
Headband:Cost Plus World Market, Orange, California
Sandals: Minnetonka
Necklace (one of those brooches that also has a pendant loop!): Expo
Turquoise Rings: Various places

Swimsuit: Fables by Barrie Pony Tales Collection

Burrito King

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During the week Patrick came to terms that it was time for a haircut. After being disappointed in his previous cuts around Orange, Patrick finally decided to listen to me about seeing one of our friends, as well as former Portland resident, who is a barber at Manly and Sons in LA (and he did a great job, so seriously, listen to your wife, she knows best). Not only is Manly and Sons a swell barber shop, it also happens to be located just around the corner from a restaurant I had been wanting to visit, Burrito King.

Now, Burrito King may not look like much, but it’s tasty and also plays into my continued Gram Parsons pilgrimage list I have. Parsons aptly posed in front of the burrito stand in his Flying Burrito Brothers tee, so I felt a need to make a trek to the location, in, what else, but my Burrito tee.

I must say, my burrito was amazing. I ordered the California Burrito, which was carne asada, cheese, sour cream and French fries. Yeah, French fries. Speaking of amazing, isn’t this tooled leather purse to die for? It’s my latest addition to what has become quite the tooled leather collection, and was recently shipped to me from my dad (Thanks, dad!) as it was a birthday present from a friend back in Eugene.

Outfit
Flying Burrito Brothers Tee: Worn Free
Jeans: Thrifted
Boots: Antique Alley, Portland, Oregon
Tooled Leather Purse: Gift, from the lovely Lyndsie of Retro Rejuvenation
Belt: Found by my dad
Turquoise Earrings & Large Thunderbird Ring: Ray’s Ragtime, Portland, Oregon
Turquoise Kachina Ring: Living Threads Vintage, Portland, Oregon
Small Thunderbird Ring & Kachina Bracelet: Expo

Desert Sweetheart

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After working for six days straight (although each and every day was fun) I needed a break, and a getaway. So Patrick suggested we do a day trip out to Joshua Tree and pack a picnic. And when I saw that the temperatures would be in the high 80s, I saw the opportunity to wear a few recent purchases that had been tucked away during the recent rain we had.

After my wardrobe crisis of last year, I began to play around a lot more with clothes, and for some reason I still felt limited in Portland. And I honestly think it was the weather. Since moving I’ve found myself seeking skirts with shorter hemlines, such as this one, which is by far my shortest, as well as clutching to the chiffon maxis I featured earlier. I feel as if I have broken free and been able to cultivate a look that I thrive on lately, and I couldn’t be happier. I honestly feel more at home with myself and my wardrobe than ever before. I still find vintage and recycled fashion to be at my core though. Between quality, ethics, and a desire to be unique, purchasing second-hand seems the only way to go for me.

We also visited some of the shops in Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley, and I purchased a swell straw hat, and we bought a pretty spectacular vintage porcelain street sign. Additionally we stopped in at Cactus Mart and bought two more cacti for our patio that we have been putting together, which I hope to share with you all soon!

Outfit
Blouse, Skirt, & Cowboy Boots: Buffalo Exchange
Belt: Probably from my dad…
Tooled Leather Pouch: Redlands Galleria, Redlands, California
Headband: Cost Plus World Market, Orange, California
Squash Blossom Necklace: Birthday gift from Patrick, but I know it came from Magpie, Portland, Oregon
Bracelet: Gift
Turquoise Rings: Here and there, two came from Expo
Jacket: Buffalo Exchange, with patches from Chris Hillman