The Raoul Textiles Sale.

Oh Raoul. 

Raoul, Raoul, Raoul. 

Look what you are doing to these ladies. 

Early Saturday morning we lined up, lattés in hand, in our finest Weekend-Wear and readied ourselves for the unicorn of Santa Barbara events: The Raoul Textiles Sale.

We were focused:

We were frenzied:

We worked fast:

Raoul Textiles was started in Santa Barbara in 1981 by Sally and Tim McQuillan, and the hand-printed Belgian linen and other finely woven fabrics have become highly coveted and revered among those in the know. 

I wasn't in the know, but thankfully my friends were, and I tagged along. I couldn't commit to buying more than a bag of scraps, but  they totally scored!

Alisa went straight home and knocked out some pillows, the crafty little brat.

My $5.00 bag of scraps will probably live in this corner until I get a sewing machine. I think it's a lovely way of keeping the dust off my amp for now. 

The new Raoul Showroom is located at 136 State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Go by and drool, and then meet me at the next sale.

Magic at Alpha Thrift

The two Alpha Thrift stores on Hollister Ave in Goleta deserve their own lengthy and enthusiastic blog post, which is forthcoming, I swear. But for now, I offer just a little taste of the magic that happens when you walk through those doors.

A few weeks ago, as I was jamming to the Sheena Easton being piped in on the store's speakers and perusing the selection of 1990's Talbots jackets, when I ran smack dab into this thing:

It literally took my breath away. I wanted to launch my body onto it like a hero jumping on a grenade, only I would be yelling "MINE. BACK OFF" and being an asshole rather than saving lives. 

The price tag? $189.00. 

I threw this photo up on the Facebook, imploring someone with space to buy it and allow me visitation rights. I got at least 7 comments. It was a big deal.

So when I went back yesterday, looking to add to my growing wardrobe of preppy-older-lady wear, I wasn't surprised when it was gone. I was sure some hip young couple had snatched this thing up and taken it back to their über-Eames-y home in Eagle Rock. Until I rounded the corner, and:

Uh. Mah GOD SOMEBODY GO BUY THIS THING FOR GOD'S SAKE. 5624 Hollister Avenue. 

Inspiration Wednesday: Goethe

"That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has Genius, Power and Magic in it. Begin it now."

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe






What leap of faith have you taken, and how did it work out?

The Random Store

Surprise, surprise, my lack of discipline and inability to commit has revealed itself in my very infrequent blog posts. Bloggin's hard, y'all. I'm trying.

Today I want to talk to you about the Random Store in Santa Barbara. At 1207 State Street, it's conveniently located next to McDonalds for maximum bum interaction and harassment. You won't know that it's called the Random Store, as the storefront lacks any kind of signage, but when you see the chaotic window displays of large wood sculptures, bizarre doll collections and blown glass knick-knacks, you'll know you've found it.

If you like a treasure hunt, this is the place for you. They are constantly bringing in new items from "auctions, leftovers, surplus, odd lots, tag sales and other (legal) means", according to their website. I cannot believe this place has a website. 

One time I found several beautiful Moroccan rugs strewn over some old comic books in the back. The 4X6 rugs were $25 and the 8X10 was $45. I don't know much about rugs, but I knew this was a deal. I walked home to get my car, and when I came back they were gone. "Some lady bought them all up", the Ichabod Crane-like employee shared. I was bummed. And I was considerably more bummed when I found them--the same rugs, to be sure-- for sale at Wendy Foster in Montecito for $4,000 a week later. Hmph.

You can find Good:

Bad:

Questionable/Awesome:

Bizarre:

and I forgot to mention, Plumbing Supplies:

See you there.

Gardens & Villa

Cara Robbins/ Brooks Institute

The hottest thing in Santa Barbara right now, other than the burning itch of my poison oak, is a band called Gardens & Villa. Their sexy little glam synth-pop asses have created quite buzz around town, and they put on a hell of a show last week at Soho. 

Check out this video of their song Orange Blossom, which is playing on repeat here at Blog Headquarters:

Yes, the singer Chris is playing the flute.

You can buy their 7" EP here or at The French Press if you're in Santa Barbara. Up until recently, keyboardist Adam would have been making your skinny decaf latte, but he's on the other side of the bar now, as it were. You can still catch band members milling around in there and awkwardly stare at them and deliberate about whether or not you should tell them that you're their biggest fan, you know, if you're lucky. Not that that happened to me today.

Check out their Myspace page for tour details, and go see them before they get too big. And be sure to thank Aunt Meggy when you get bragging rights amongst your friends about discovering them.