The Joshua Tree Inn

photos by Tom b.

- vintage knit dress
- vintage Aigner flats
- thrifted belt

Some of our favorite time in Los Angeles wasn't actually in Los Angeles at all. It was the time we spent in the Mojave Desert at the fabled Joshua Tree Inn. If you're not familiar with the inn, its claim to fame includes housing the likes of Keith Richards, Donovan, Emmy Lou Harris, the Eagles and of course, the inn's most famous guest Gram Parsons. In 1973 Parsons died of an overdose in Room 8 of the hotel. His friend, acting on Parsons wishes, later stole his body and took it into the Joshua Tree desert to burn. Crazy! If you like, you can actually stay in Room 8 but we wanted to stay in Emmy Lou's room, number 9.

Upon our arrival we were greeted by the hippie innkeeper. After a brief conversation we realized that he was from Chester County, PA just a few miles from Lancaster. Small world! The rest of the day was spent being lazy in the room, reading, hanging out by the pool and taking some photos. These were taken in the room just before we headed out to dinner at Pappy & Harriet's. That place is pretty great. We ate veggies burgers and drank beer out of mason jars while watching The Americans play a rockabilly set.

Steven Alan Resort

I don't know if you've noticed but I've managed to go at least a whole week without mentioning the weather on my blog. That has to be a record! The truth is, we've been having some really lovely weather for the past month. Highs in the 80s, lows in the 60s with mostly sunny skies and only a few showers at night. There's been nothing to complain about for once. That kind of weather calls for outfits are cool enough for the days and can be layered with a light sweater for evenings. Pretty much everything that you see in the Steven Alan resort collection!

This really epitomizes how I've been dressing lately. Today Tom and I went scouting for some vintage furniture and knick-knacks for the house. I took lots of photos of things we're thinking about buying but none of my outfit. I'll give you a visual: vintage cutoff Levis 501s, a thrifted silk tank top, my Panama hat and sandals that I thrifted that look almost exactly like the ones in the Steven Alan lookbook. That's about it. Everyday.

Happy 4th of July

- vintage dress
- vintage sandals
- Field Guided tote
- UO boater hat

Happy 4th of July! There were lots of fireworks around here last night but we ended up staying in to cook dinner and watch a movie. That's typical of me... planning to go out but then staying in instead. I'm just a homebody at heart! Here I am earlier in the week carrying around my new Field Guided tote. I finally caved and bought one after seeing them on so many other blogs. I'm so glad I did! It's a little bigger than my Mr. Fox tote and perfect for carrying around a day's worth of needs; my purse, a sweater for cool nights, any little things I pick up along the way. It has definitely been a regular presence on my shoulder since I got it.

Jill Stuart Resort

I don't usually pay much attention to resort collection but when I saw this one from Jill Stuart it occurred to me that every single piece was the perfect outfit to wear this Fourth of July weekend. Perfectly patriotic, nostalgic dresses with prints that look like fireworks! What more could a gal ask for? Tom and I will be attending the fireworks show at Longs Park for the Fourth. Do you have any fun plans?

Signs of the Times: Wrapping Up the West

 It's time to wrap up this Western sign series. Where else would the a Cowboy Clothtier sign be, but Greybull, Wyoming? And what else would they sell but Pendleton? And of course that is a grey bull on the sign.
 Probst Western and Outdoor Clothing Co, Greybull, WY, est. 1945
The Irma Hotel, Cody, WYThe Irma Hotel is a Restaurant, Grill, Saloon and Hotel - built in 1902 by Buffalo Bill Cody

Pass The Baton

There's No Place Like Here: Pass The Baton from Etsy on Vimeo.

I really enjoyed this little video from Etsy about the Japanese shop Pass the Baton. The owner's mission of passing along not only the item, but the story that goes along with it is a refreshing take on vintage and recycling. And he's wearing some seriously awesome glasses!

Photography: Paul Fusco

Earlier this week I was catching up on reading a few of my favorite blogs when I followed a link on Siri's that led me to a book titled Paul Fusco: RFK. Five minutes later I turned on the television and there on the screen was a documentary titled One Thousand Pictures: RFK's Last Journey. It was a bit of a kismet moment and I knew I had to investigate more. Here is a bit of what I learned:

"On June 6, 1968, in the midst of his campaign to be president of the United States, Robert F. Kennedy died from an assassin's bullet. Two days later, after a funeral mass in New York City, his casket was placed on a special train bound for Arlington National Cemetery. A journey that should have taken hours took all day, as thousands of Americans lined the 225 miles of track in a spontaneous outpouring of grief. Paul Fusco was the only journalist on the train, and he ended up taking more than a thousand pictures from his window."

I was completely transfixed watching the documentary and seeing these photos. Not to sound overly dramatic but these photographs are truly a moment in history captured on film; the looks on the peoples faces, the mix of races all standing together at a time when most people were segregated, the way the motion of the train left the photos slightly blurred and dream-like. I just can't stop looking at them.