sing joyfully, even if it’s off-key

the other day another fp girl told me about the LA Ladies Choir, her current obsession.  i had never heard of them before but i was immediately intrigued.  they are a group of 30 women with careers ranging from music, fashion, art, literature and theater, and they sing covers of old folk songs and wear beautiful vintage dresses. how can you not love that? founding member becky stark (front woman of groups kavender diamond and the trio the living sisters) says the one rule of the choir is to sing joyfully, and she doesn’t care if you sing off-key. the ladies perform at venues around L.A., sometimes joined by flea of the red hot chili peppers, whose wife, model frankie raydar, is a member of the group (and her sister missy modeled in our march catalog!).

CH0017

check out this video of them performing john lennon’s “happy xmas (war is over)” at space 15 twenty:

LA Ladies Choir perform “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” from Space 15 Twenty on Vimeo.

images from their myspace page.

cruel summer

a post from our concept intern anastasiya :)

What is it about summer that makes it so easy to fall for?

I refuse to believe that it is merely the warm temperature. Whenever I had at my disposal a moment to think freely, I caught my mind dancing around that same question, trying to grasp what moments or events define my past summers and make me so nostalgic. Amid my contemplation, with glazed eyes for disguise, I decided that this summer, due in large part to this internship, has been the most memorable of recent years. At moments I still prod myself to see that this is not all a dream.

But what is it for you that gives summer its mystique? Is it the long nights that seem to stretch to infinity until you can no longer tell if you are awake? The warm air that rouses your childhood senses and makes you believe in magic—believe in the power of your dreams. The feel of the wind on your face, the music in your ears, and the electricity that is born of the company of friends. What is the essence of your summer?

meet our vintage buyer!

this questionnaire will give you a little bit of an idea of who our vintage buyer is, but it doesn’t paint the full picture.  just like the items she works with, ali is one of a kind.  in the time that i’ve known her, i’ve learned that ali: 1. has an amazing cocllection of vintage rock tshirts, 2. has an adorable bulldog, named  chloe, who is blind, 3. left her car in arizona, 4. has a fisher price record player at her desk, 5. records her vintage purchases in a leather bound journal from the 1800s.

here’s a little more about ali :)

what is your theme song?

“sunny day sweeping the clouds away…” – sesame street!

if you could go anywhere in the world, free of cost, where would you go?

fantasy island

if you were stranded on an island, what 3 things would you want with you?

a bacon egg and cheese mcmuffin, an ipod and a satin eye patch.

how would you describe your personal style?

east meets west…old school urban cowgirl hippi crunchy.

what is your biggest fear?

war

winter, spring, summer or fall?

all you have to do is call.

what color are you?

rainbow

what is your motto?

peace love happiness

what is your favorite hobby?

watching movies.

if you could spend a day with anyone – dead or alive – who would it be?

albert einstein.

country girl

one of our fp girls is on a recruiting trip in nashville for our new store there (tentatively scheduled to open mid-november!) and shared some great photos for the blog.  i have a soft spot for nashville, i really love it there…i think these photos really capture the atmosphere down there :)

Copy of nash19

nash5

nash10

nash20

nash18

nash17

nash16

nash9

nash6

nash11

nash7

wish i was there…

photos taken with iphone app hipstamatic.

meet our wanderlust winner!

i know some of you have been wondering about our wanderlust winner :) the lucky girl is andrea from fairfax, california! i asked her some questions to learn some more about her, and it’s clear she’s a real yoga lover and free spirit – it’s great she was able to experience wanderlust!

treehugging

What is your theme song?

Breathe Me, Sia

If you could go anywhere in the world, free of cost, where would you go?

I’d sail the Caribbean (and the Mediterranean!) with my dad.

If you were stranded on an island, what three things would you want with you?

Since we’re speaking purely in hypotheticals… an eco-friendly, self-sustaining prefab dwelling; an old typewriter with the longest piece of banana paper imaginable; and an extensive supply of vegan pizza.

How would you describe your personal style? What are your favorite items from free people right now?

I’d say I’m kind of a boho badass, rocking torn jeans, oversized beanies and tight tops with draping jewelry and windswept hair. I’m really digging all the boots and the Ruffled Layers Maxi Skirt at Free People right now. And all the rough cut crystal jewelry is awesome (got me some of that).

What is your biggest fear?

Something bad happening to someone in my family.

Winter, spring, summer or fall?

Summer love… salty hair, tan skin, bikinis, booty shorts, fresh coconuts…

What color are you?

I am chartreuse.

What is your motto?

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu: May ALL beings EVERYWHERE be happy, free, and fully expressed, and may each of us live our lives to that end.

What is your favorite hobby?

Yoga! Though it’s much more than just a hobby…

If you could spend a day with anyone – dead or alive – who would it be?

A dinosaur (preferably not of the carnivorous variety…) or Pattabhi Jois

What was your favorite thing about Wanderlust?

Live music during yoga classes, especially Chid Rasa with Janet Stone and Hareesh Wallis. So decadent. So galvanizing to the soul. One word: yum.

AndreaJanetWL

here she is getting an adjustment from yoga instructor janet stone at wanderlust :)