SSSHH
MAKE-UP | JEWELRY | VINTAGE
IT’ A SECRET … {TELL EVERYONE}.
{ Changes ahead: I’ve focused mostly on feature posts. I’m adding more routine to the mix! Beginning of Week – Lifestyle. Mid Week – #ShopLocal Tips + Tricks (like this guy). End of Week – Wrap-Up (like the Week Wrap-Ups + Around Towns from before). Send me some love + let me know what you’d like to see!! ♥ }
ABUNDANCE COOPERATIVE MARKET | PEPPERMINT | MACHINATOR CHAOS
Today’s #ootd: 1980’s bouclé sweater – Treasure Trove Vintage. Handcrafted necklace – Machinator Chaos.
There are 3 undeniable best-case scenarios when shopping
- Sale
- Everything Fits
- Shopping Finds You
Over the past 2 weeks, all three happened to me. And that’s exactly where I’ll start – #3. That’s what this post is dedicated to: The (Skeleton) Key to Shopping. Keying yourself in to the very spots + circumstances that make shopping feel:
- fit
- fun
- and flawless
your skeleton key awaits
NATURAL FOODS MARKET – It’s not just the food.
I love shopping Abundance Cooperative Market. It’s on Marshall St, near downtown, just off Monroe, and it’s: Quiet. Uncrowded. Local/Organic/IPM/Non-GMO/Fair Trade. Delicious. … Plus, they have a beauty isle. I strongly encourage all of you to buy:
- Petal Power + Green Power lip balms + skin salves, made by Rochester Roots from plants grown by Rochester students in the Clara Barton School No. 2 Urban Farm …
and
- Make-up! Abundance is where I bought this Mineral Fusion lip balm. Only $9.99 {well-priced compared to its competitors} + friendlier to the face.
{ Bonus: It’s the perfect dewey-pink to give me that – Oh, I just woke up like this – look. }
TRUNK SHOWS – They’re not just for connoisseurs.
Stepping inside Peppermint is like going to the cool kids’ party. You belong. Peppermint on Park + Meigs rivals any boutique I’ve ever been in (which includes: Davos, Switzerland; Rome, Italy; Paris, France; and those along Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain.) Owner Tanvi Asher:
- curates handcrafted jewelry, accessories, boutique clothing, and shoes,
- features local artists, and
- designs/has her own line made in NYC. {It’s called: Peppermint.}
More?? … Decor rivals the racks. Tanvi is an:
- entrepreneur, designer, and seamstress {think Asher Bridal}
- who creates artistically renowned window displays and interior store decor.
{ She a lady boss. }
She also hosts Trunk Shows for artists like Machinator Chaos. Meet your favorite artist face-to-face + sip on wine or champagne and snack on treats. Aside from having the opportunity to buy this incredibly well-priced handcrafted industrial necklace from Machinator Chaos and meet its maker (who is another young Barb!), I love Trunk Shows. They are:
- Affordable – quality, one-of-a-kind, well made, handcrafted art.
- Unpretentious – who says class has to be an ass?? Not me. A Peppermint Trunk Show: vibe is always right.
- Awesome – self-explanatory.
Look at that craftsmanship! Handmade by Barb of Machinator Chaos. Purchased at Peppermint Trunk Show.
VINTAGE SHOP – You don’t have to be rich, a fashionista, … or a grandma.
Do yourself a favor and find your favorite vintage–or thrift–shop in town. If you’re from Rochester, NY, look no further: Treasure Trove Vintage. Convenient – it’s in the same building as Peppermint on Park + Meigs!
{ Pssst – Everything is well-priced. Sweaters range from $15 – $20 pops a piece. Coats are a steal! Get your winter-on, now. }
At this point, a good 75% of my working wardrobe hails from TTV. Day dresses, party dresses; sweaters, skirts; casual wear, work wear; shoes, bags. I could go on. Why do I find Treasure Trove irresistible?
- On Trend – Morgan, owner, has that eye. Every single time I’m in that shop, I find exactly what I’m swooning over. At Treasure Trove Vintage, it exists.
- Quality – Morgan is a pro. All pieces are in premium shape. Combine that with the tendency for older clothing to be made better, anyway, and … you will own this piece for another 20 years.
- Fit – It fits. All of it. I’m not talking miracles. (An XS still does not fit me.) I mean decades. Be it ’50’s waists, ’60’s hemlines, ’70’s styles, or ’80’s cuts … clothing from Treasure Trove Vintage fits, really well.
The iron broke… 1990’s pencil skirt – Treasure Trove Vintage. Picture doesn’t do it justice.
I’ll be honest
I didn’t mean to shop the past 2 weeks. Shopping found me. Quality, Unique, Affordable, Handcrafted, Good for Me + Good for my Community shopping.
{ Psst. – For all my #ShopLocal finds … Follow me @babsiell on Instagram. }
I love when that happens. … Now go find your Skeleton Key.
#shoplocal
XO.
