Hey Macklemore, can we go thrift shopping?

I've blogged about Cleveland's vintage scene in the past, but never have I put together a piece on Cleveland's Flower Child. Flower Child is a chain vintage store, but I've been partial to Cleveland's for many years. When you enter, it's like walking into a time capsule, as the boutique has items dating back as far as the 1930's. Most of the prices are a bit too high for me, but it's always fun to browse through the many rooms of clothing, accessories, books and decor.

Do you have any vintage stores in your city that you frequent?

{A super vintage Kate Spade NY bag. Would you checkout those handles!?}

{As soon as I put this coat on, I realized why so many women buy fur coats-- it's like wearing a furnace it's so warm!}

  

{I've had my eyes on this suit for a while, because it was made in for The Higbee Company in Cleveland, circa 1960s/1970s. Also, it reminds me of Jackie Kennedy's Chanel suit from 1963. Is $65 too much?}

{The original "Rock'em Sock'em Robots" by Mattel}

Cleveland's vintage haven

Cleveland is known for its restaurants, but what most people don't know is how many vintage stores this city contains. For years my favorite has been Flower Child, because it is like walking through a time capsule, and is almost never-ending. 

This place never disappoints, with home decor, clothing, books and accessories ranging from the 1940s through the 80s. Some of the neatest items I saw this time were leather skinnies from the 80s, a Tiffany blue rotary phone, and a Jackie Kennedy-esque tweed matching suit/skirt.

These were popular in the 50s, as you would just fill the pump with

alcohol and rotate the shot glasses around the spinning tray. These 

may need to be brought back.

I'm sure you could spot a toy or two (or five!) here that you owned as a kid.

Not a cute color at all, but I had to try it on...

...and unfortunately the only place to try on clothes here is in their bathroom! 

Little Italy's big feast

After traveling to the real Italy, Cleveland's Little Italy is of no comparison, but every year they throw a "Feast of the Assumption" four-day street fair. I was a first-timer, and was surprised to see the crowds of people filling the streets. My friend and I checked out a vintage shop located in an old building, called Heartstrings. I wasn't a fan of the prices ($98 for a braided mesh headband??), but there sure was a ton of items to browse through, including jewelry, kitchenware, clothing and other quirky finds.

Cowboy boot salt & pepper shakers... yes please!

We finished the night off with Tiramisu from one of Little Italy's best restaurants and found our way through the crowd to meet up with some friends. It wasn't Italy, but it was the closest thing you can find in America!

                                      

Hometown Glory

In 2008, I saw Kate Voegele in concert and fell in love with a little necklace she wore to remind her of Bay Village, OH, her hometown. The necklace was a little wire outline of the state of Ohio, and I knew that if I ever moved out of state, I had to have it to show my Cleveland/Ohio pride.

Since then, I've been looking for a replica for myself but everything I found was in the $500 price range. Sorry Ohio, I love you... but not that much.

Recently I found three sites that make the necklaces, two of which are Etsy stores. It's a great way to wear a little piece of home, and Maya Brenner, one of the designers, can even place a little diamond right where Cleveland is located. :)

{Maya Brenner Designs}

{Red Giraffe Designs} {Crossed Out Creations}