#when earthtones were coming back in style

[heckyeahponyscans]

I think the reason people have so much nostalgia for 80s and 90s Barbie--even collectors who were too young to have actually had them--is the material and tailoring of her clothing was better than on modern Barbie.

If there was a giant tub of 80s Barbies and a giant tub of modern Barbies and I randomly grabbed one doll for each then, yeah, I think the odds are that I would find the 80s Barbie more technically impressive.

But looking at Barbie as an entire line, something about her 80s toys feels so . . . elderly. Like an old person's conception of female beauty and fashion, as informed by southern beauty pageants.

It is completely unsurprising to me that Bratz ground Barbie's face into the dirt with their oversize feet when they debuted.

[3ofpents]

100 Palettes Challenge // Palette #18 // Ayers Natural Bridge

Today's palette comes from a US Marines poster printed in 1917.

I was Concerned about this one. The colors are so close together I knew it was going to just turn muddy unless I was really careful about how I used them. And I'd run out of home states so I didn't have a an easy option to fall back on!

But the palette is very warm and full of earth-tones, so I figured my best bet was to focus around the mid/southwestern US with interesting landscapes and rock formations — a classic vintage travel poster subject. I hit on the jackalope as my cryptid of choice this time, since it's also these kind of mid-tone, warm earthtones and one that can totally be hopping around a daytime scene.

I knew the jackalope was a taxidermy "hoax" like the fiji mermaid. I put that in quotes because everything I've read about it suggests that the original taxidermy piece was just a fun joke and everyone was (and still is) in on it. So much so that the Wyoming Game and Fish Department actually has an information page on the jackalope. But I didn't know much more than that.

The men that created the original jackalope were hunters and taxidermists from Douglas, WY (whose town logo I love). And when I looked up Douglas in my hunt for a landscape feature for the jackalope to hang out in, I found nearby Ayers Natural Bridge Park, named for Ayers Natural Bridge, an absolutely gorgeous arched rock formation that I absolutely did not do justice to.

But I did my best! Especially with the limited palette.

Honestly? I might just play around with some rock formations in this style outside of the palette challenge. I could have doubled the amount of colors I used here on the bridge itself alone. Nevermind the river running through it and all the vegetation around it that I just wasn't able to do using only this palette.

[exploreauburnca]

Molly Salvi - Squash Blossom Vintage  

Like many of us, VOGUE editors are falling victim to feelings of FOMO (fear of missing out) when it comes to Squash Blossom Vintage,  a collection of rare and beautiful pieces for the opulent Bohemian.  Founded in 2006 by Molly Salvi, Squash Blossom Vintage sources fine vintage clothing in natural fabrics that easily translate to the modern wardrobe.

We are happy to share the news that as of this past April, Molly and her husband Brian (a fiddle player and artist) along with their two lovely daughters, Susannah and Louise have decided to put down roots in Auburn. 

Meet Molly:  

Where did you grow up?

"Roseville, back when it was a small town.  There was one supermarket and things were a lot slower."

How did you discover Auburn?  

"I came up to Auburn all the time with my dad when I was a kid- we would rummage through the antique shops in search of treasures to add to one of our many collections."

What attracted you to Auburn? 

"When we decided to finally move back to California from Austin I knew I wanted to live close to my family.  As we searched for a place to land, Auburn proved to fit our lifestyle and when we found our dream home on the canyon we knew it was meant to be!"

Favorite view?

"Looking out the window at Brian and our girls playing in the garden while I make dinner with the food we've grown."

Describe what makes a perfect day?

"Blueberry pancakes, a dip in the river, hanging with friends and family, and going out to see some sweet live music and after the gals have gone to bed."

What is on your turntable at the moment?

"Townes Van Zandt, Gillian Welch, Neil Young, John Fahey, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Kris Kristofferson + The Band."

What’s your favorite color?

"I tend to favor earthtones like burnt sienna and desert sand."

What does style mean to you?

"Style to me is about being an individual and maintaining authenticity.  There's something very organic about the way I dress- it's not overthought or calculated and with that comes an ease of movement and living.  Trends have never suited me."

Tell us about Squash Blossom Vintage?

"I started Squash Blossom Vintage 12 years ago in Austin.  I sell things that I love to wear so that means all natural fibers (silks, cotton, linens, gauze) and nothing fussy or too fitted.  The vintage collection is almost entirely all from the late 1960s to mid 1970s with some 20s and 30s chiffon and velvet pieces thrown in as I find them.  Last year I added my SquashBlossom Handmade line which focuses on making versatile caftans, coats and jumpsuits all from vintage textiles."

Do you have a style icon?

Anita Pallenberg, always and forever.

Fave Spots?

"I'm at Eisley's all the time- it's one of the best plant nurseries anywhere and the staff is super knowledgeable and amazing.  We love to get fish tacos to-go at Joe Caribe when it's too hot to cook and you can't beat Stella + Parker for gift items.  We take the gals to the farmer's market on Saturday morning to load up on the best local treats like bread, kombucha + cheese."

Visit Squashblossom Vintage online and follow Molly on Instagram @squashblossomvintage