Rhapsody in Blue
Earlier today my sister and I went to the North Loop Block Party for a few hours to explore the vintage stores and boutiques that have been opening up there. For those unfamiliar with Austin, North Loop is a strip of 53rd Street between Duval and Guadalupe where vintage stores and coffeeshops thrive. Recently, there have been a few new additions to the line up:
Blackbird opened up where there used to be a moped shop. Despite its tiny interior, Blackbird manages to stock some very interesting, unique pieces, including framed butterflies of different species and gorgeous jewelry.
Foreign and Domestics, a tiny little restaurant run by a husband and wife duo near the east end of the North Loop strip. I haven’t yet eaten here, but reviews have praised the unique dishes (plus the menu alone is mouthwatering!).
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Hogwild Vintage is one of my favorite new vintage stores. The layout is cleaner and more organized than most vintage stores which tend to keep things a little too cluttered and confused for me - it’s too overwhelming, a total stimulus overload. Hogwild arranges everything so beautifully that you are tempted to buy an entire living room set up just so your home can look as great as their showroom!
Of course we had to stop by Old Faithful, aka Room Service Vintage (where I previously purchased my couch, my desk, about 7 records, a lamp, a leather jacket, a dreamcatcher.. I could go on). My sister found a gorgeous painting of a ship (she’s a little obsessed with nautical things) and I got 3 records - Stevie Nicks, BeeGees, George Gershwin (yes, I am aware that I’m an old lady).
DRESS + BOOTS: Urban Outfitters
BELT: vintage
SOCKS: We Love Colors
SUNGLASSES: Betsey Johnson
The best part of the day, however, was when we went to my favorite store of all.
Tucked away up on north Burnet in some shoddy little strip mall is the Turquoise Trading Post, a purveyor of all things Native American - from rings and bangles, to dreamcatchers and flutes.
I was introduced to this place by my ex who had bought me a Kachina doll for my birthday some years ago. Since then I have been back numerous times to buy jewelry, accessories, home decor, etc. I have introduced so many of my friends to this place, like Kate, who then in turn introduced it to Naomi a week or two ago. The word is spreading rapidly about this little gem so I wanted to take my sister so we could stock up on things before all the hipsters bought them out.
This is one of the items I walked away with today (excuse the poor photo quality):
The owner scours New Mexico and Arizona for interesting and unique pieces and will happily talk to you about the origin of whatever piece you are interested in. I found myself attracted to this particular ring almost immediately and it turns out it is a vintage ring (obviously I was drawn to the vintage one, obviously). He explained the different types of turquoise to us, including white buffalo turquoise which will be my next jewelry investment. Or lapis. I’m not sure. Perhaps both. But I digress. Helpful and very well-informed, the gentlemen who owns the store is always more than willing to pull out stacks upon stacks of rings, earrings, bangles and bracelets for you to peruse at your viewing leisure. He will tell you who created it, what tribe it’s from (ours were both Navajo) and whatever else you wish to know. Make it your number one priority to stop by next time you’re in that part of town. They are open until 7pm daily.
(Oh, I also bought another dreamcatcher. That makes it 3. My boyfriend is going to kill me)
