It was a huge surprise to me that bloggers got sent free stuff...no one ever sent me free stuff, but then I'm not the brown nose type, and I guess that was easy to figure out.... The F.T.C will rule that bloggers must disclose the freebies if they write about "endorsements and testimonials" concerning the freebies.
"The F.T.C. said that beginning on Dec. 1, bloggers who review products must disclose any connection with advertisers, including, in most cases, the receipt of free products and whether or not they were paid in any way by advertisers, as occurs frequently. The new rules also take aim at celebrities, who will now need to disclose any ties to companies, should they promote products on a talk show or on Twitter." **************************************************** I don't do trends....I just do... Pure Cool Style
I bought tons of new shoes....funky converse, boots, party dresses...and new stuff arriving in the store ....and on etsy.... white Pee-Wee loafers for when you are feeling the Full Cleveland... more pics coming up in a day or 2.
I've vowed to never do another outdoor show again..so I won't be vending there..... i really hated getting rained on... what a mess...(see Lulu's blog for a pictorial review.)
went to the Joel Dance and the Art show at the Merlino /IOOF bldg, (I helped dress the ever lovely Charlotte...) then on to drinks/pizza/Colin/Jenny at PSP........
All week, last week, Mark and I rearranged the shop, moved tons of new stuff in...(Pics later tonight)
And I guess we'll be open for short time during Sanford&Sons auction Monday evening......Read the NewsTribune for details!!!
What's new? Furniture...clothes, home design...vintage vinyl... and summer is being phased out over the next 3 or so weeks...and fall is moving in... Small furniture is being set out on the floor...later this week... smaller homes, dorm rooms and ...your camping camper or Bedouin Tent need Decor !
from my last post bemoaning the State of Destruction...I see many repeat faces in the shop and some...I've never seen in the shop...but surely out and about... I have been extremely critical of the harm the City has done to our district...because someone has to fill you in on the Whole Story, and the News Tribune has been harmful to us, slamming our district in a negative tone that borders on libel/slander...
and it was and is ONLY because a group of citizens protested loudly on what the Train People wanted to do to downtown Tacoma...that is, Build a Wall of Brutal Concrete, was the design changed to something much more uplifting... There is nothing that says Public Transit has to be Mind-Slammingly Ugly, but governcrats often go the way of Cheap and Ugly...why? They never ever went to Art School!!!
I worry that Tacoma only gets the "Happy, Happy, Everyone Is Happy" delusional side of the story....in Gentrification, Winners are picked and Losers are kicked...by Government...you need to know that those in power on the City Council and the City Manager...want Tacoma to become a white-bread sanitized UnCreative spot on the road between Portland and Seattle..... We'll never become a high-class Artful Community until we have at least one bona fide Art School, and a Law School......why? because without a body of energetic fresh weirdos (I love the creative weirdos we have but we don't have enough to make Tacoma fully satisfyingly amazing...)(Yes, I'm talking to you Folksingers In Hell, Colin and Lyn..et al...) And a Law School, with its yearly graduates of charged up Do-Gooders...will go after corruption and stupidity (Luzon Bldg.) so that it will not reign in Tacoma forever....... Museums house Art from outside Tacoma...which is why Tacoma made such a big f'n deal outta Dale Chihuly...there's no reason why we can't cultivate 10000 more talents like that.... I know we have SOTA (good start!) but an MBA school is the opposite of creativity....except for creative ways to get all your money, Bernie Madoff... **********Remember, you heard it here first....********** the lovely Sarah commented: I would hope that whenever the Elks deal goes thru and is actually refurbished, you would get a lot more foot traffic back on antique row. Trust me, I still go there. But when the Elks is shiny and new, tourists will like all the little shops and vintage wares (here's hoping).
I think some tourists don't always make it beyond the museum district and Pac Ave.
I loved Rampart from the Steve days, he was always so friendly, and love that you guys have kept it alive in your own way. Don't give up yet.
I responded: Thanks for taking the time to read and comment... I really do want more retail down here...it's so lonely! Ask my neighbors...I really do want us all to have a great success, and not just in the Capitalist way...($), but to be creative and to give Tacoma tons of fun and inspiring things to do!
So, I do hope the Elks project happens and I hope a million more businesses open up...
Sadly, our business has been decimated by the City of Tacoma. The Elks project, if it ever happens, will be at least 2 more years away. My lease is up in May 2010, and I'll go... Steve was able to keep Rampart going, with my/husband's help for part of the time, only because Steve had a very very cushy City of Tacoma job.....I find that extremely ironic.The new city manager Eric Anderson, only has one idea for Tacoma...and that is to turn Tacoma into the most condo-friendly retirement/bedroom community that exists to employ every single MBA that UWT can spit out.
Business is the enemy of Art (true fact), Art exists for its own sake. Business exists only to make money. We, are caught in the middle. I'm not rich, will never be, but I'm feeling pretty happy...and pretty creative...and that is a feeling that no amount of money can buy!! But bring some money downtown anyway, just in case...;-)
and seeing us on Wednesday.....the first of many many non-events/events we Broadway Babies......will plan for you in the months to come. Lots of folks came down to see us and spread a little cash in downtown T-Town..... Big Props to Melanie.....the beautiful raven-haired Vanity owner ! Mel's not on our block (up on 6th) but she knows a good time when she sees one for sure..... All of us in T-Town that sell the vintage and retro are a fresh conspiracy of sorts....We want to take over the world!
back to this: Tacoma is an easy town to get around in....all the vintage and retro shops are within a few miles of each other. Julie's at Urban Xchange down on Pacific near the UWT......Cedar and Jim up at Rector's next to Jason Lee on 6th.......and the world's largest concentration of Vintage and Retro indie shops on one block !!
Since we opened ....thanks to my relentless blabbing (thanks Meghan!) and hard work (thanks Jennifer!) we're making tons of people happy. Some drop in to see what's going on with the Rampart bldg.....some wanna know where's David? (up on 6th at Vintage Arts) and some are just amazed at what is packed inside.... pics will arrive in next weeks post about the shop..... more props to defunked......go read a fun blog about vintage T shirts.....you know we love 'em......
There are actually about 12 vintage and retro clothing and accessories sellers on Vintage Row....in Tacoma.....
yeah it used to be Antique Row.....but times change !
Yup come on Down!!
And Hot Rod A Rama!!!! is August 1 & 2 ....
Yippiee...come on let's celebrate the death of middle class car culture...and the LIFE of Outta Control Lowbrow Hot Rod Kulture.......
Summer wardrobe got the blahs? I got lots of fresh new stuff I just put out and.....Wednesday...come and visit
Lots of stuff for guys too....vintage cowboy shirts, holey jeans...and a few cons left.......
were wearing new dresses they sewed themselves.....and the Blonde said: "I must be made of honey because the bees are buzzing around me!" the Redhead said: "Oh you're made of ....it .....alright, Charmaine...." the Brunette sighed wistfully, noticed the word "Easy" hovering over Charmaine's head...... and kept her thoughts to herself......
Do you look at vintage pattern envelopes and write a script? I sure do!
The uncles and the dads were standing around watching the old black men barbeque..... It was a hot summer day, and for once they were very glad to be guests at a picnic, rather than the cooks! "The wives won't let us near the kitchen stove, but stick a Barbeque unit in the backyard and suddenly we gotta be the Chef of the Great Outdoors. Where's my scotch?" The kid was just wondering how long this creepy boring family picnic was gonna last..... "I gotta get over to Charmaine's house and watch her make ice cubes. And why'd Mom make me wear this dorky shirt like all the rest of my relatives. Why am I the only one who has a V on the hem? What's that mean any way?"
The B,B & R dress pattern is on etsy........and the shirt pattern is missing pieces so I won't sell it.....but the other dresses and stuff are on ebay starting July 24th at 9:30 am. Several vintage 50s, 60s and 70s dress patterns are up on ebay and etsy. Just click the pics!!
A fab 'n oh so cute Wrap Dress....reversible if you want....
I'm in LOVE with this pattern....Look how the necklace slips through the bound buttonhole on the cowl neckline.....Clever !
I love these bodice treatments....so darn cute and cooool !
New in the shop this weekend... Vintage Overalls...Gingham Betsey Johnson Halter Dress... Hawaiian Shirts...Sundresses... Fun Kids clothes.... Big Crinolines...Motorcycle Jackets & Vintage T shirts...
Jooley......is in the May 2008 issue of Ol' Skool Rodz......as is a great article on TACOMA's Hot Rod-A-Rama!!!!! (no pic of Jooley--- that's in the mag......lots of people in the mag.....f'n bitching cars........I love HOT RODS>>>>>>>>>>>)click there for my post last year on Hot Rod....T Town style. Yeah you go Sean and all the cool folks who have been bringing you fun stuff to do in T Town........ I still can't wipe the smile off my face......... Cant wait till summer for the next one?
Mild To Wild is coming to T Town at the The WT-DOME........er Tacoma Dome.
