THE CITIZEN INDEX

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Mei-Mei

Fall seven times, stand up eight. -- Chinese Proverb
失敗了七次,站起來
Somehow it seems fitting there are long shadows in these shots. April is relinquishing its hold over the Rosebud, and I've been busy moving the Citizen HQ down the alley from the Lindsay Rickman studio, and into its new stomping grounds. The last Citizens of Rosebud trunk sale at Lindsay's has come and gone, and since that day had been so ghostly slow, I impulsively decided to do an impromptu photo shoot with Lindsay, who cheerfully posed for me among the tilting shadows of that late afternoon.

Lindsay Rickman: Artist, Muse & Model
There are two Chinese businesses below the flat where Lindsay lives. The New World Fortune Cookie company and Mei-Mei Noodle Factory, both have been there forever, and both making delicious cheap sweets and eats.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

The First Day of My Life

"only from the heart
can you touch the sky."

                                                           -Rumi

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

outfit post: i carry your heart

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)



The theme lately is HEARTS. The same day I bought my new red heart-shaped sunnies was the day a little treat came in the mail from....SCOTLAND! Franca, the brain, beauty and brawn behind the feminist-fashion blog, Oranges and Apples sent me some of her blogger cards that she got from Moo.com, AND a sweet fluffy heart pin which I've been wearing non-stop since I got it. Franca is a sweet-heart to send it. THANK-YOU FRANCA! Here you can see it is the perfect companion for my shades. Nice, eh? 

The socks are yet another pair from Socks 4 Life, from when I won a $25 gift certificate from the Fashionista Next Door. I am loving my new heart socks (shown here) and these plaid socks. In fact I've got my eye on a few more pair over there- they rock!
The Rosebud & the Rosebush

Now Wearing: 
  • Red Heart Sunglasses, new from Freestyle
  • Grey wool half-jacket, my closet
  • Ratty old T-shirt
  • Seven for All Mankind jean skirt, hand-me-down
  • Socks 4 Life plaid over-the-knee socks
  • Vintage black leather boots, Thrift Town
  • BUTT UGLY Last Supper Tapestry Bag, my closet

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Citizen Spotlight: The Fashionista Next Door

It's a small, small, small world. One of the greatest perks about fashion blogging is "meeting" and getting to know other people from around the world who share your interests and passions about style and fashion. 

One of those people is a sweetheart who hails from Atlanta named Eboni Ife, and she's been blogging this past year as The Fashionista Next Door. In fact while she's has been on my radar since last summer, it wasn't until I got my blogger butt on Twitter that I've had the pleasure and the opportunity to get to know her. It was through a conversation on Twitter that I discovered that Ife has Sac-town roots- her dad is from Sacramento, so while she is living it up in Georgia, I know she loves my hometown! 

In Your Neighborhood: The Fashionista Next Door
Reading her blog always leaves me feeling a little punchy like I've just been sipping on a a few too many Mimosas, so intoxicating is her smile AND style. I can't wait to introduce you to her, and I am confident that if Ife is NOT already on your blogroll, she will be before this interview is over. Enjoy!


What's your name and the name of your blog?

My name is Eboni Ife’ although I often use my middle name – Ife’ on it’s own. I have always been a bit obsessed with my middle name. I try to convince people to name their kids Ife’ all the time. Lol! I wrote a post about it when I first got started with the blog because I got a lot of questions about my tattoo – http://fashionista-next-door.com/2010/06/whowhatis-ife.html

My blog’s name is The Fashionista Next Door™

How would you describe your blog (in a sentence)?

 I like to think of it as a fun, light-hearted, and most of all affordable approach to everyday fashion and personal style – a nod to the stylish girl next door.

Where are you from and where do you live? 

I always say I am a true Cali girl – not SoCal… not NorCal… just Cali.  I was born in the Bay Area and grew up in Richmond/Oakland/San Fran (we moved a lot).  When I think of home, I think of Richmond. That is where my Grandma lives and it’s a constant… that is home.  But, my mom and I also moved back and forth to LA for periods of time when I was younger so I totally identify with LA, too ( My mom still lives there now.)  I basically did early elementary and High School in the Bay Area and late elementary and Jr. High in LA.  Oh, but it gets more complicated! My Dad’s family is from Sacramento and I spent summers and vacations with him there sooooo I also consider that to be home for the same reasons I said above. My paternal grandparents are there in the same house they’ve always been in.   Lol! So I am kinda just from California… all up and down it. J

“Where are you from?” always throws me for a loop. I never know what to say! I am sure you didn’t really need my life history, but I feel like that bit of history really gives people a picture of who I am.  Especially if you are from California --- you know how culturally different NorCal and SoCal are and I’ve definitely been influenced by both. I think that even comes across in my style!

Currently, I live in Atlanta. I just moved here last summer to get married after doing long distance for about year.


Why did you start blogging? How long have you been blogging?

Hmm, well I have always been pretty fashion obsessed.  When I was a kid my mom was an Image Consultant. I’d tag along with her to consult clients and she’d do color analysis, and make-up tutorials.  She and my aunts would be coordinating and modeling in local fashion shows and I’d be running around back stage.  It’s always been something that I love, but never actively participated in…aside from shopping like a maniac! I subscribe and read SO MANY MAGAZINES and when I discovered fashion blogs I was in heaven.   One day it occurred to me, that the blogs were just regular women with the same passion for fashion and there was no reason why I couldn’t start my own. So, I did! That was in May of last year.



In a sentence, what advice would you give new bloggers? 

Oh gosh, I am a “new” blogger so I don’t know how qualified I am to give advice…I guess I would say BE GENIUNE!

Name your 3 favorite blogs

Disclaimer: There is NO WAY I can pick three favorites, but I will name three blogs that have really inspired the direction of my blog.  These are blogs in which I saw characteristics that I wanted my blog to have.
She inspires me to hone my craft, and strive to be a better writer and have strong content.
She inspires me to always keep my blog personal. It’s a blog, not a magazine. It should reflect me.
Karla’s Closet http://karlascloset.com
She was just the very first personal style blogger that I really fell in love with. Her style is the perfect balance of wearable and high fashion, in my opinion.

What's your latest project? 
 
I recently started a group called Fashionable Atlanta and I am hoping to bring together Atlanta’s fashion bloggers for a big meetup – a day of fashion and pampering.  It was actually inspired a blogger meetup that Anika (http://byanika.com/2011/02/07/feeling-happy-in-london-london-plus/)  attended and posted about on her blog.  The group has also become a great place to share info about fashion events in Atlanta.  If you have any readers in the Atlanta area that would like to join, they can email me at fashionista.next.door@gmail.com for an invite.

Has blogging impacted the rest of your life? How so? 

Absolutely.  First of all, it has amplified my fashion obsession tenfold.  I am no longer reading magazines and blogs in my spare time any more; I am reading them 24/7. Lol.  I have really had to be conscious about setting aside designated times for blogging so it doesn’t consume my life. 

It has also made me painfully aware of my spending habits, which is actually a good thing because that awareness has helped me get control over it.

I think it has also helped me cope with some of the frustration in my professional life.  I am in my late twenties and have come to the realization that while I like my job, it is not going to fulfill me.  At the end of the day, it is a job.  Unfortunately, I am workaholic by nature.  I really sucks to pour your life into something that is not yours and is not fulfilling your personal passions.  This blog has given me an outlet for my passions…it’s mine... and yes, IT IS A LOT OF WORK, but it is also very personally fulfilling.


Favorite color? 

Green!!!! Any shade…

Do you monetize your blog? If so how so?

Yes. I am a member of two affiliate networks – Linkshare and Commission Junction. Affiliate networks are a great way to get started with advertising.  You can choose to work with advertisers who are relevant to your content and place banner and text ads on your site.  You can also do dedicated posts embedded with your affiliated links (always disclose!).  I have only just started working with advertisers directly.

If you could pick a company to sponsor you, who would it be and why?

Hmmmm.  Target! I know that is going to perplex people.  But here is why… I could have easily chosen a luxury brand because seriously…who wouldn’t want to be sponsored by one of those?  BUT the fact of the matter is my blog is about AFFORDABLE fashion.  If I all the sudden start sporting Gucci every day, I would feel like I had abandoned my readers who come to my blog looking for stylish inspiration that fits within their budget.  That’s not to say that I wouldn’t love to get my hands on some luxury items. I hope my budget will allow for that “when I grow up?” Lol.  I have ALWAYS loved fashion but I have NEVER had a lot of money.  Target always has great options for my budget and to top it off, I can get my designer fix there, too.  I can’t tell you how ECSTATIC I was when Isaac Mizrahi partnered with Target… remember that?  Then Target launched Go International… I was like OMG, OMG, OMG!  You mean to tell me I can get a little Proenza Shouler , Thakoon, and Rodarte in MY wardrobe on MY budget? And I don’t have to go to Neiman’s at 3 AM on Black Friday to do it? Whaaat?  Needless to say, I am a big Target fan. I walk in to buy toilet paper and walk out with at least three dresses EVERYTIME (and sometimes I even forget about the toilet paper. LOL…no lie!)

Tell me 3 things you plan to wear this summer. 

Wedges! Flowy Maxi Dresses/Skirts! Neon Brights!

Do you have a fashion icon? 

Hmmmm. I can’t say that I do. I draw inspiration from so many women.  I am a child of the 80’s, though.  I LOVE ALL the many phases of Madonna.  She continues to reinvent herself time and time again, but she is always relevant. (Although, I still wouldn’t call her my icon.)

Be sure to add her to your blogroll! 

Friday, April 22, 2011

outfit post: Tickled Pink!

the new haircut by Stacie Robertson leaves the 'bud tickled pink!
 I LOVE MY NEW HAIR CUT! When I went made my appointment with hair-stylist and bon ami, Stacie Robertson over at the Space 07 Salon, I had no idea how pleased I'd be with my new hair cut. Stacie cleaned up my decade-long habit of self hacks, and still left some length so I can grow it out a little bit more. No hair product, just a little shine, and I'm set. I love how she shaped the back- it looks so soft and unlike my own self-inflicted trims, no bald spots. Thank you Stacie! I'll see you in 6 weeks!


Stacie Robertson
1421 R Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 444-7474
Now Wearing:
  • Sunnies from Target
  • Pink chiffon scarf, freebie
  • Re-made Thermal Shrug, Citizen's own
  • Grey Jersey-knit sundress with bubble hem, Target
  • Grey/Black grey houndstooth leggings, Target
  • Vintage gold leather handbag, Thrifted
  • Black leather skimmers, Target

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Igloo You

Kaks' on kaunista kesällä: lehti puussa, ruoho maassa,
minä kohta kolmantena, minä lehti liehumassa,
minä kukka kuulumassa, minä heinä heilumassa.
Vaan en huoli huolikana, hyvä heinä, heilumahan,
hyvä kukka, kuulumahan, lemmenlehti, liehumahan;
ei pahat hyvästä tieä, ei katalat kaunihista,
rupalötöt ruskiasta, pullosuut punaverestä.
-Kolme kaunista
Summer is twice beautiful--
leaf on tree and grass on ground;
but I shall soon be a third--
I a leaf waving
I a flower heard of
I a stalk swinging.
And yet I do not worry
a good stalk, about swinging
a good flower, about fame
a sweet leaf, about waving:
the bad doesn't part itself from the good
the base from the beautiful, 
no difference found between boyish rosy cheeks
and the blood red mouths stained from Catalan wine.

-Three Things of Beauty
Got my haircut today. My first professionally done "do" in over a decade. Gonna post about it later this week. Enjoy the Soumi, peeps. 
Teet rakkaus lykätä

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

outfit post: Bloom

Spring is in full bloom here in Sacramento, and I'm feeling the effects. There is some changes on the horizon for the Citizen Rosebud, and I'm both riddled with anxiety and thrilled for my new beginnings. I'm pleased to announce that the Citizen headquarters is going to be moving to a new location in May, to a small, hopefully somewhat permanent place where I can set up and focus on building my online shop on Etsy

I won't be moving far from Lindsay's; in fact just down the alley to a co-operative office space called The ThinkHouse Collective. I'll definitely tell you more about it as the time comes, meanwhile, I need to get busy packing and moving out of Lindsay's studio and into my posh new space! A big, big thank you to my dear friend and artist Lindsay Rickman for opening up her studio to me and my huge collection of vintage- THANK YOU SO MUCH LINDSAY! I could not have done this without you!

And speaking of thank-yous, I received the sweetest gift from another local artist, Dana Grey, who wrote a wonderful post dedicated to me on her blog, Catnip and Mint, and gifted me with this beautiful painting (see below). I am so touched by this generous gesture, and know that this lovely image with be place in a prominent place in my new space.  Thank you so much, Dana!

The outfit shown is what I wore last Saturday at the studio for the Fool-For-You Vintage Sale. It was a very disappointing day with not one soul stopping by to visit. I have to say, last week-end was an incredibly discouraging time for me, with me second-guessing everything I've been doing, and worrying about the financial feasibility of my endeavors. I can only cross my fingers, focus on getting items ready to offer online, and hope for the best. Meanwhile, I'll be in fool-bloom. Wish me luck!

Bloom, Bloom, Bloom: Original Art by Dana Gray


Now Wearing:
  • (In hair:) Vintage sheer pink scarf, freebie
  • Hand-knit striped scarf, Lindsay23 for The Citizen Rosebud
  • Felted flower pin, Worf, Midtown Bazaar
  • Cotton floral dress, Crossroads Trading Company
  • White Crinoline, freebie
  • Floral tights, Fringe on 21
  • Coach Espadrille wedges, Macy's

Sunday, April 17, 2011

My Town



For the past couple of weeks, I've been snapping pictures on my iPhone of my hometown for a friend who once used to live here. I wanted to show how Sacramento has changed over the years, and how it is still distinctively Sactown. In doing so, I started looking at my own neighborhood with new eyes- and instead of chronicling the typical souvenir shots of Sacramento, I started to see the details that make this particular place feel like home. I thought I'd share some of them with you. 
Enjoy my town!

  1. Bella blooms at a bus stop.
  2. Original art by reknown Sacramento artist SteveVanoni
  3. Sacramento loves Craftsman bungalows
  4. Cacti T Street
  5. Potato Vine
  6. Cottage living in Midtown
  7. Living Easy 
  8. Moss!
  9. Art Deco
  10. The Other Side of the Fence
Photo credits: Bella Q
Photos taken in the Midtown, Curtis Park and East Sac neighborhoods
of Sacramento, California. 
Taken on an iPhone

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Bill Cunningham Documentary Comes to Sacramento






Bill Cunningham New York

"We all get dressed for Bill," says Vogue editor Anna Wintour. The "Bill" in question is 80+ year old New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham, who for decades has been a Schwinn-riding cultural anthropologist obsessively and inventively chronicling fashion trends and high society charity soirees for the Times Style section in his columns "On the Street" and "Evening Hours." Documenting uptown fixtures (Wintour, Tom Wolfe, Brooke Astor, David Rockefeller-who all appear in the film out of their love for Bill), downtown eccentrics and everyone in between, Cunningham's enormous body of work is more reliable tan any catwalk as an expression of time, place and individual flair.  In turn, Bill Cunningham New York is a delicate, funny and often poignant portrait of a dedicated artist whose only wealth is his own humanity and unassuming grace.*

*******

Opening this coming Friday at the Crest, is an exclusive Sacramento engagement of the acclaimed documentary, Bill Cunningham New York. This eagarly anticipated film will be playing from April 22nd through Thursday April 28th at the Crest Theatre, and I am so stoked that it is coming to Sacramento! This is the latest film in the Verge Center for the Arts quarterly screening at the Crest.

The opening night, which benefits the Verge Center for the Arts, begins with a Trunk Show in the Crest lobby featuring local boutiques and designers, including the the beloved Crimson & Clover, Bows and Arrows, Modaspia, Thunderhorse Vintage and Babyfloss. Along with the fun of shopping vintage and local designers,  as well as the premiere screening of Bill Cunningham New York, there will be a post-screening panel discussion with fashion bloggers, including Lorena Beightler of Sac Cycle Chic, Kari Shipman of Juniper James, Kerry Dolan (who is my co-founder of the Sacramento street style blog, Street Style SACRAMENTO,) as well, as...get this:  ME

The Trunk Show begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Crest Theatre lobby. The film begins at 8 p.m. in the Crest's main theatre, followed immediately by the panel discussion. Tickets are $15 general, and $12 for seniors and student. Advance tickets go on sale Friday, April 1st at the Crest Theatre Box Office, Phono Select, and tickets.com






Friday, April 15, 2011

Lemon Drop SWAP

The super-stylish Lemondrop Marie of Lemondrop Vintage came up with a brilliant idea, and I want to share it with you- 


Lemondrop Marie is coordinating an internet clothing swap for fashion/style bloggers. I love her style, so I am ready to take any of her clothing cast-offs, and you can too. 
Are you interested in bringing something new (to you) to your closet in exchange for something you've lost the thrill for? If so please checkout the SWAP STOP blog. 

Why should you join us at Swap Stop?
  • Something new to wear and style
  • Guilt free because you are getting rid of something you aren't in love with anymore
  • Recycling fashion, you are a green shopper!
  • Blog post exchange and opportunity to meet bloggers you haven't
Visit the blog, think about something you would swap and check out what other bloggers are willing to give up! Link up!

Invite some friends of yours that you'd think would be interested- the more, the swappy-er! 
Visit the Swap Shop blog if you wanna play!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

outfit post: Let's Get Nautical

Every year certain trends pop up like clock-work at certain times of the year. Each spring, you'll see Sailor and Nautical prints set sail from the racks at the shops to the shores of your closet. I am a sucker for a good nautical print- I love the Anchor and Nautical Wheel motifs, as well as the classic Breton stripe. I am wearing a thrifted cotton sweater with a BIG ship's wheel set in the middle of it, with the added detailing of a sailor collar, and it is the perfect foil to the bright but brisk days of spring.

I will now be on the look-out for my yacht.

Now Wearing: 
  • Red Knit Cap, Thrifted
  • Nautical Wheel Motif Vintage choker, (formerly a belt)  D.I.Y.
  • Nautical-Wheel Motif Cotton Sweater- Thrifted
  • Short-Shorts, Thrifted
  • We Love Colors Tights in Cardinal
  • Monaco Bay Espadrilles, Thrifted

Monday, April 11, 2011

Sundays, Old Souls, Hot Italians & a Mob Shop

Sunday started out innocently enough. It started out as a 10 o'clock coffee date with my home slice, Kerry D. We met at Old Soul in the alley on L Street, pretty much the best coffee spot in Sac-town, and while sipping on lattes and nibbling on a muffin and croissant, we caught each other up on the happenings of our lives. She wanted me to check out some new shop that popped up over the weekend across the alley way, so off we went. 

It was a pop-up shop, or as the lovely owners put it "a mobile boutique" called the Mob Shop. Romy Itzigsohn and Lauren Bingham who hail from L.A. and San Fran respectively are setting up shop all over California. So for a week-end, as part of a 2-day event called Curios & Notions, Sacramento was privvy to a wonderful mix of choice vintage, and eclectic furnishings. A shout out to Erin of Bows and Sparrows for helping bring the Mob Shop to Sacramento
Yes. I already own a cobalt blue wool blazer but this one is different.
When she's not serving up sustainable fare at the Magpie Cafe, Kerry D is busy blogging at Fashion Farms and Freedom
Kerry & I had such a good time shopping at the Mob Shop (she bought a black 1950's blouse, and I scored yet another cobalt blue blazer) we decided to keep going, and walked across the alley to check out the bike-friendly vintage re-mades by Amanda Carroll over at the Edible Pedal Bike Shop.

The Edible Pedal Bike Shop is located next to Old Soul at 1712 L Street