So long 2012...A Shopgirls New Years Party Playlist!!

Let us be honest.  We Shopgirls love a good party.  Good food, good drinks, good friends, and great clothes are our favorites!  But it is the sweet, sweet jams that really brings a party together.  Tonight is New Year's Eve- the partiest of all party nights.  Shopgirl Anna shares some of her fave party music to celebrate this night of nights.  So long 2012...

"Below are some highlights from my playlist and few pictures of people partying.  You know, for inspiration.  I hope you enjoy the playlist, I have a weakness for loving songs popular 3 years ago.  Have fun tonight friends, and be safe please!  See you in 2013."

xoxo-Shopgirl Anna


1. "Do You Want to Touch Me?" - Gary Glitter
"This has shown up in two of my playlists.  It is a favorite for riding the line between really awesome and really super creepy.  But it will always make me dance."

4. "Don't Leave Me This Way" - Thelma Houston

"This song makes me want to don all my sequins and dance till the music stops, Studio 54 style.  A little bit of excessive indulgence and intense decadence never hurt anyone, right?  Hey!  Pour me another glass of Dom, please."


5. "Ride Wit Me" - Nelly, City Spud

"Because this song is still just as awesome as it used to be.  Sorry, it must be the money."

7. "Gravy (for my Mashed Potatoes)" - Dee Dee Sharp

"Loved this jam since Sister Act."

8. "Live Your Life" - T.I. featuring Rihanna

"All you people who listen to the radio loved this song a long time ago.  I just happen to love it now, okay?  I too want the "the spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid."

11. "Hanging on the Telephone" - The Nerves

"I listen to this song at least once a day for the last 3 months.  I can't figure it out, but right now my ears just think this is the perfect song."

12. "Hollywood Swinging" - Kool & The Gang/15. "Upside Down" - Diana Ross, Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers

"These two are my favorite party pick-me-ups.  If your party is experiencing a lull, put these two songs on.  Even if nothing else happens, at least I will be up dancing."

14. "Walking in Different Circles" - Goldie & the Gingerbreads

"A fun song from the first all girl band signed to a major label (back in 1963).  Deep down I would secretly love to have two daughters, one named Goldie and one named Ginger.  The song is also a good reminder to move on from things in 2013."

16. "Wild Thing" - Tone-Loc

"Classic.  Classic.  This song was soooooo scandalous to my little baby ears when it came out.  Also, it is a guaranteed crowd pleaser at weddings and political rallies everywhere!"

Outside our window...

The view outside our Iowa City window today.  Happy Winter Wonderland Holiday Extravaganzas to you and yours from your Revival Shopgirls!

xoxo-
Shopgirl Anna
Shopgirl Liz
Shopgirl Theresa
Shopgirl Teah
Shopgirl Samantha
Shopgirl Abbey

That Dress: Collar & Cuffs Lace Dress

You have got to love this dress!  Form fitting, retro inspired, mustard yellow trim, and a Peter Pan collar are the perfect equation to equal CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!   Gwen looks simply adorable in this modern classic.  

Collar & Cuffs Lace Dress: $48 (click here to shop!)

Vintage Beaded Going Out Bag: $18 (available in store)

Gold Vintage Slingback Sandals: $24 (available in store)

xoxo-Shopgirl 

That Dress: Mina UK Ophelia Bird Dress

One thousand tiny little pleats.   Gorgeous Birds of a Feather print.  Delicate sheer sleeves.  Rich leather detail at the shoulders.  Oh my goodness, this dress is the bees knees.

Belt it for a svelte, smart look, unbelted means a cute a-line, mod style.  See Gwen adorably mugging it up in our new favorite day dress!   Click here to shop this great look!

Mina UK Ophelia Bird Dress: $88
Gold Rose Stretch Belt-Maroon: $14 (available in store only)
Vintage Beaded Purse: $18 (available in store only)

Our Backyard: Iowa City Street Art

Out of this world local artist Sirius Fountain paid us a visit last week at Revival.  And left us the two professors!  They are the perfect companion to our beloved Indian Princess.  We know their occupation, now they just need names...

That Dress: Safie Trench Dress by Mina UK

We are loving this no nonsense day dress from Mina UK.  A great fit and a classic shape, perfect for work or play.  Just add fantastic accessories!

Mina UK Safie Trench Dress : $82  (click to shop this look here!)
Necklace: Bi-Level Silver Hammered Necklace: $22
Side Snap Doctor's Bag in Tan: $62
Shoes: Revival Resale- SOLD

This is the season of the dress!  Shop so many cute things at Revival Online!

Sheila Styles: The Winterized Shorts & Tights

Remember summertime?  Lemonade, 105 degree days, sunlight until 9, and all those cute shorts.  While shorts have been a summer staple since (insert old year, we couldn't find this info on Wikipedia), this year was definentely a boom year for this classic garment.   High waisted, pleats, cute prints, classic cut-off, the possibilities were endless. 

But then Fall comes, and 40 degree weather ruins all your fun...OR does it?  Trendsetters have been hard at work to solve this little problem and recently unveiled their solution.  Just add tights!  Solid, sheer, patterned...whatever your fancy.  

Shorts and tights can be a difficult one to maneuver, so we put Shopowner Sheila on the case.   So she has cooked up some fantastic ideas for you! 

Look 1: Go Getta Glam!  

Chic and oh-so sophisticated, the formal shorts look is risky, but the payoff is oh-so worth it.  Perfectly gorgeous for the holiday.

Shorts : Go Getta Glam Shorts- $32

Jacket: Go Getta Glam Jacket- $54

Top: Gap Satin Top- Revival Resale - $10.50

Necklace: Silver Cage Pendant -$12

Shoes: Model's own

Purse: Leather Pleated Gianni Bini Clutch, Revival Resale- SOLD

Look 2: Mini Madness

Okay- so these aren't shorts, but instead a cute little denim mini skirt.  Cut-offs could certainly be substituted in this case.

Top: Comme Toi Red Rover Top
Skirt: Final Touch Denim Skirt - $28
Shoes: Brown Oxfords, Revival Resale- SOLD
Purse: Mustard Maja Box Tote-$48

Look 3: Classic Co-Ed

This look a little bit edgier than your average co-ed but perfect for Iowa City days.  These shorts are patterned with tiny rocking horses, and the sweater gives it a sophisticated twist.  

Shorts: Rocking Horse Round Up Shorts- $32

Top: Lumiere Back Button Sweater - $46

Shoes: Shoes: Brown Oxfords, Revival Resale- SOLD

Bag: Brown on Brown Satchel - $48

The Shopgirls say 'give it a whirl!' It will be fun!  And when in doubt, just ask Shopowner Sheila.  

xoxo

Shopgirls Bake! Zucchini Cheddar Drop Biscuits.

Hello friends!  Now that the weather is getting a little colder we Shopgirls are staying in a little bit more (snuggled up in adorable knits we found at Revival, of course), focused on more indoor activities.  And in the Fall that includes a ridiculous amount of cooking and baking.   Along with a love of cashmere and sweaters with cats on them, Shopgirls love delicious food.  So, for your enjoyment...some of our favorite concoctions.  For our first, Shopgirl Anna makes Zucchini Cheddar Drop Biscuits.  

Fresh Faced Pre-Shopgirl Anna

In another life, I wrote a food blog called CandyAnna and this was one of my favorite recipes.  No matter the occasion or season, when you bring these to a dinner party, you never bring any home.  Unless you are with vegans or heart patients, because these recipe is incredibly un-vegan or heart healthy.  In fact, we call them lil' butter bombs.  BUT they are amazing, and we recommend eating warm with home canned jalapeno jelly if at all possible.  

I adapted this recipe from A Cozy Kitchen, a dynamite baking blog with fantastic photography.  Drop biscuits are delightfully imprecise and quick, but just like any other biscuit you want to mess with the butter as little as possible for maximum fluffiness.

Recipe makes 15 or 30 mini biscuits.  

1 Cup Zucchini, shredded

2 Teaspoons salt, divided

1 1/4 cup grated cheddar

2 1/2 cups of flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 stick of butter, cold and cubed

1 cup milk 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C)

Shred the zucchini.  Using a cheese cloth (I improvise with paper towels and just wing it), add the zucchini to the center and squeeze the excess water out.  Move to a small bowl and add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a dash of flour.  Mix and let stand for 10 minutes.

In a larger bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt.  Working quickly, add the cubed better and break up with your hands until they're the size of small peas.  

Add the milk, zucchini, and cheddar until moistened.  Drop batter, using tablespoons, on a baking sheet lined with parchment.  I frequently run out of parchment, so I lightly butter the sheet.  

Bake for 10-12 mins or until the edges are golden brown.  Serve warm if possible.  

Enjoy!

xoxo-Shopgirl 

Glitterbomb! A Revival Friday Playlist

A glittery, platform clad Revival playlist from Shopgirl Anna....Enjoy!

I first put this playlist together after FINALLY seeing Velvet Goldmine.  All those clothes, 70's style sex, drugs, and faux Bowie rock'n'roll was a glitter-encrusted trigger for days of Wikipedia look-ups, Spotify listens, Netflix documentary-watching on topics ranging from Gary Glitter's proclivity for young girls, New York Dolls reunions, and Cherry Vanilla's rise to PR maven.   So...most of my favorite things, really!  I hope you listen and do something decadent (while wearing a fantastic outfit) and a little foolish.  And, just so you know, there is a good amount of Bowie, just because that is how I roll.

Happy Glitterbomb, everyone!  

Track 1: "Ballroom Blitz" - Sweet

"I first fell in love with this song, when I heard Wayne Campbell's soon-to-be girlfriend, Cassandra, sing this in Wayne's World with her band Crucial Taunt.  I am still on the fence over which version is better."



Track 2: "20th Century Boy"- T. Rex

"Like Mott the Hoople said, 'Oh man I need tv when I got T.Rex.'  Plus, I always wanted a twentieth century boy.  I was just born at the wrong time, I guess."

Track 3: "Oh the Pretty Things" - David Bowie

"David Bowie is just one of my favorites of all time.  This song is so hoppy and skippy, and it makes me wish I had been more wild and crazy when I was 19."

Track 4: "Personality Crisis" - New York Dolls

"The New York Dolls seem like they could share make-up tips, teach you how to mug someone, and show you where to score hard drugs.  All the things one needs in a friend!"

Pretty creepy, eh?

Track 5: "Do You Want to Touch Me (Oh Yeah)" - Gary Glitter

"One of the greatest songs ever.  I play this in my head when walking into a party where I don't know anyone and everyone else looks great and is having a fabulous time.  I try not to think about the child molestation thing."

"My favorite is the top hot/body suit guy in the back.  Yowza!"

Track 6: "All the Young Dudes" - Mott the Hoople

"I mean, have you EVER heard a better band name?  Bowie wrote this song and gave it to Mott the Hoople so they would stay together (didn't work)."

"Sweet sort of looks like the Fruit of the Loom guys."

Track 7: "Fox on the Run" - Sweet

"If (when) my life becomes a movie, there will certainly be a 'running around town' or shopping montage of some sort to this song.  And I like the marching sound in the chorus."

"Jayne County being a badass."

Track 8: "Private Oyster/Man Enough to be a Woman" - Jayne County

"I have always wanted to hear The Shangri-las on acid.  Jayne County knows how to give me what I want."

Track 9: "Ziggy Stardust" - David Bowie

"I really don't feel like I need to explain this one."

Track 10: "Love is the Drug" - Roxy Music

"This song kind of sounds like having sex and doing drugs during the 1970's.  Not the really gnarly drugs, but ones we don't know much about these days...like quaaludes."

Track 11: "Seven Day Weekend" - New York Dolls

"LOVE this cover of the classic Gary US Bonds song.  I can only imagine this boppy classic done by 7 foot dudes with tons of hair, smeared make up, and sweaty leather outfits covered in Bowery street-ness."

Track 12: "Queen Bitch" - David Bowie

"Sorry, I just love this one.  'The taste in my mouth is no taste at all..."

Track 13: "Jeepster" - T. Rex

"I have no idea what a Jeepster is, but I trust Marc Bolan. Well, I trust Marc Bolan before he got kinda fat and lost his marbles."

"Jayne County & Divine? How Divine!"

Track 14:  "One of the Boys" - Mott the Hoople

"With all that gender-bending going on, glam rock is one of the only periods in rock'n'roll where I might actually look like one of the boys."

Track 15: "Rock'n'Roll Suicide" - David Bowie

"Great way to (almost) end this playlist.  Bowie's 4th showing on this playlist.  Too much?  Sorry-too bad.  Go make your own."

Track 16: "Are you a Boy or Are you a Girl" - Jayne County

"I JUST heard Jayne County's version of this Barbarians song - one of my other faves.  Absolutely perfect for Jayne County and just perfect for a glam rock list."

Enjoy!  And go grab something sparkly from Revival Online!

xoxo-Shopgirl Anna

The Shorts & Tights Combo: Tuesday's Yea or Nay

 

The Shopgirls have been all abuzz these days over shorts.   "Why that's crazy!" you say.  "It is fuh-reezing." Very, very true, but add a pair of tights and 'voila!' you have stretched the life of those shorts (one of the hottest trends of the summer) an additional two months.  

We say Yea to shorts with tights!  This look can be worn in a variety of ways - denim, silky patterned shorts, and pleated will all do the trick.  Tights can be sheer or opaque, textured, pop colored, even patterned, depending upon which look you prefer!

See below for a few different ideas.

Look 1. Pleats & Boots:  Take one pair of pleated and belted shorts and pair with killer knee high boots. While Kate Moss looks great in a paper bag, she especially looks great in this little number.   The boots make this look easy breezy.   Try out our pleated shorts from Blu Pepper!

Look 2.  Ruffled Romance:  This look is gorg.  Lace & Crochet shorts paired with sheer tights, a sheer top, and a great bootie!    Perfect for date night or any night, right :)  Try this with our black & white crochet shorts.

Look 3.  Casual Tap Pants: Add a pair of tights to a pretty, silky pair of tap pants.  With heels you have a dressy look, but with flat boots and a killer moto jacket you have a dynamite casual outfit.    Try this look with our Angie printed silky shorts & Nameless moto jacket (soon to be back in stock).

Look 4. Preppy Tweedy:  ADORABLE pretty tweed shorts with pop color tights = fantastic.  The more neutral the outfit, the crazier you can make your tights.  Would look great with our tweed/faux leather shorties!  

Just a few ideas.  You tell us what you think, friends?  Yea or Nay.  

xoxo-Shopgirl Anna 

Sheila Styles: Over the Knee Socks How-to

We are over the moon for our new Sock It To Me Over the Knee Socks.  Cute and warm, this trend is actually the coziest one yet!   Think about it, friends...fluffy,  comfy socks from Sock it To Me but Bigger and More and in adorable fall colors like mustard and forest green.  What part of that isn't awesome?

Over the Knee Socks from Sock it To Me: $16
available in Mustard, Orange, Black/Blue Stripe, Gray, Forest, Black

The next question is always, "How exactly do I wear these bad boys without looking too Clueless?"  While we loved Cher's thigh highs in that cinema classic, it might not quite be the Fall cute that was your goal.  Soooo Shopowner Sheila cooked up a few adorable ideas.  

Look #1: Cozy Campus Casual.

We love this cute look almost as much as we love alliteration!

Boots: Shopowner Sheila's own.
Socks: Over the Knee Socks: Gray Cable Knit - $16.
Skirt: Final Touch Chambray Mini - $36

Look #2: Edgy Layered Loverly

Cute, cute, cute.  Try out this look with chunky sandals in these first few weeks of fall.

Shoes: Gianni Bini Revival Resale, Size 9- $18
Socks: Over the Knee Socks: Gray Cable Knit - $16.
Skirt: Forest Green Revival Resale - $8 (!)

Look #3: Black Knee Socks & The Lets Go Out Tonights

Chilly weather is the worst enemy to your favorite little black mini.  Show stupid 'low temps' who is boss with the black over the knees socks.  Wear over tights (paired here with a cute ankle bootie) and winterize your favorite skirt.

Boots: Softt Suede Booties, Size 9 - $32
Socks: Over the Knee Socks: Black Cable Knit - $16.
Skirt: Ambiance Black Ribbed Mini- $18

Look #4: Casual Cute in Mustard

We LOVE.  Enough said.  The pop of autumn color is just enough to be perfect.  Pair with our Active Basics jeggings and your favorite fall boots for a fantastic fall look.

Boots: Shopowner Sheila's own.
Socks: Over the Knee Socks: Ribbed Mustard- $16
Jeans: Active Basics Pocket Jeggings- $18


Don't be afraid!  Give it a go!

xoxo-Shopgirl Anna