Thursday, March 29, 2012

Thursday Drool: Kirsten Dunst in Fresh Blue Gingham




Summertime is on its way and this crisp Miu Miu blue gingham dress on Kirsten Dunst has us gaga. So fresh. So picnic-y. Perfect blend of cheerful print and chipper style. We LOVE.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Springtime Doc Martins: Yea or Nay


Doc Martens with breezy summer dresses might be the greatest thing to come out of 1990's grunge fashion next to the babydoll dress. One part tough and one part sweet, we are re-in love.

Docs & spring flowers, absolute Yea! Enough about us, what about you?

xoxo-Shopgirl A

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Revival & KRUI : Sat. 3/24 - 4 PM CST = Fantastic (Hopefully)


Our favorite radio station, KRUI, has invited Revival to drop in on The Roundtable radio show tomorrow from 4-5 PM CST. Our resident know-it-all and Revival blogdog Shopgirl Anna will be discussing our store's soon-to-launch online store (as in next week, friends!!), general Iowa City fantastic-ness and other scintillating topics!

Please tune in. If you don't already listen to the University of Iowa's radio heartbeat of cool/awesome/info-you-actually-want-to-know, then you certainly should be!

Listen at 89.7 FM or stream here: http://krui.fm/

And friends, do not worry, we will be sure to mention Sunday's A Very Mad Men Premiere Party (7:30 at Gabe's) and all promotional poster spelling errors associated....

xoxo-Shopgirl A

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Thursday Drool: Winkers LLC.

We are just drooling for these genius, custom made pants that feature a variety of animals that don't naturally wink.


Shopgirl Liz is holding out for a customized T-Rex version. Starting at $150.00, we can't figure out why we all don't own these!




xoxo-Shopgirl A

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Why, I Could NEVER Trade...My Grandmother's Vintage Gold Cuff

Shopgirl Sam would NEVER trade her Grandmother's Vintage Gold Cuff

"So, the thing I would never trade is my gold cuff that I inherited from my Grandma. I think it's gorgeous, but I've only worn it a couple of times. I would not trade it for obvious sentimental reasons but also because it's so pretty and gold and shiny."


We would LOVE to see the special items you could never part with. Email us your NEVER trade-ables at info@revivaliowacity.com and we will post them!

Not sure what we are talking about? Here is a little more info on Revival's trade system:

We Shopgirls are students, artists, moms, educators...you know...professions not usually associated with Scrooge McDuck size moneybags. How do we afford to feed our ever-changing fashion fix, you ask? Many of you Iowa City ladies know the answer.

Trade is the answer. We chase our silky, vintage, high-end shoe, must-have accessory dragons with trade.

Here at Revival, we do not just sell clothes. Almost every day we buy, buy, buy clothes to add to our eclectic inventory. In fact, a good portion of our day is taken up by 'doing sorts;' what we call reviewing the potential merchandise customers like you bring in to sell.

Click here for a full explanation of our policies. Please be kind to us guys, we try real hard not be those Rock'n'Rose types. Although we would like take all your clothes, but we often just can't. Our selections are based on condition, season, and, most importantly, current store inventory.

Unlike many other consignment stores, Revival offers three options of payment for selling clothes- one of these being 'trade,' or store credit at Revival. Tax free and usable for up to a year, trade is a key component in a resourceful, fashion lovers revolving wardrobe. Trade is financially nifty, green, and plain good sense!

But sometimes, no matter the new item siren call, there are just certain special items that cannever be traded...the beloved, the one-of-a-kind, sentimental, or simply the greatest find ever. Send us yours! We wanna know!

xoxo-Shopgirl A

Monday, March 19, 2012

Extra!! Extra!! Revival & Artifacts Present A Very Mad Men Viewing Party: Sunday, March 25th!!!


Hey Kids! After a year and a half, Mad Men is returning to television with a two hour premier of Season 5 on SUNDAY, March 25. We are 'mad' excited, so lets watch it together at a Mad Men viewing party!

When: Sunday, March 25th
Time: 7:30 PM (the show starts at 8 PM)
Where: Gabe's
Who: Revival, Artifacts, and YOU, please

Don't forget to dress up! Put on your sharpest tie or wiggle-iest Joan inspired wiggle dress, as we will be giving prizes to the best dressed.

More details to follow!! Oh my goodness, we have missed you Don Draper.



xoxo-Shopgirl A


Friday, March 16, 2012

Hello! My Name is Shopgirl Abbey


Come into Revival on a lazy Sunday, and you will meet Shopgirl Abbey, our pithy, hilarious, and sharp-as-a-tack 'Original Shopgirl.' Now a University of Iowa MFA student, she is molding young minds as a teacher in the University art department, while 'Shopgirling' on the weekends. With the store since almost the very beginning, Abbey helped to shape all the things we love about Revival; friendly service, comfortable atmosphere, surprise kitties laying around in pools of scarves.... Oh yes, Shopgirl Abbey is cat-mom to George & Roger, our famous store kitties, and also a bundle of knowledge about Revival's early, Linn Street days.

Name: Abbey

Age: 30

Hometown: Born in Toronto, grade school in Kansas City, high school in Cedar Rapids


When did you start working at Revival? What was the store like at this time?

"Early 2004, I fell in love with the store the first time I walked in. The store was much smaller but still had a good mix of new and used, although much less of new lines etc. We also carried mens as well. I would say the store still has the same look and feel as the old location except its much bigger now. The customer base has expanded greatly but there are always the friendly faces of the older customers that have shopped at Revival from the beginning."

Interests when not Shopgirling: Crosswords, watching documentaries/ reality tv, cooking...

Favorite Designer/Brand: Issey Miyake, BCBG Max Azria, Theory, French Connection

Favorite Fabric: Silk & Cashmere, of course.

Spirit Animal: A Swan-I was told that once.

Song/Band Currently Stuck in Your Head: Wes Montgomery - "The Whitest Boy Alive"

Signature Accessory: My Sperry duck bdoots. So comfortable.

Favorite TV Show: Portlandia, 30 Rock, Sherlock on BBC America

Favorite Drink/Cocktail: Bloody Mary with lots of extras. The best in town is at the Deadwood.

Current Iowa City Eats Flavorite: Basta, Banditos, Leaf Kitchen

What do you Love About Iowa City: Friendly people, good food, change of seasons


Dogs or Cats: Both, but have two cats.

Revival's famous store cats, George & Roger, who modeled for the cat print on our Revival t-shirts and totes. Come and see them sometime, they would be happy to give out a pawtograph. Look for a Shopcat survey on these two dolls very soon!

Current Beauty Product Obsession: Tiger Balm –mint, so soothing! Thymes Sugar Scrub

How would you describe your style? Simple, lots of layering, neutrals, clean lines, geometric patterns


Thursday, March 15, 2012

Thursday Drool: Saltwater Sandals

(image courtesy of the LA Times)

It is a balmy, 82 degree day here in Iowa City. At the store our jackets seem silly, our black tights and boots a bit of a joke. The thought of this summer's Saltwater Sandals is truly making us drool. Which is convenient because they are on their way to Revival!! Can't wait...

***Newsflash! Saltwaters have arrived at Revival! Gold, red, and tan now in stock. $36!

xoxo-Shopgirl A

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Why, I Could NEVER Trade My...Silver Calvin Klein Sky High Pumps


Why, Shopgirl Anna could never trade her silver Calvin Klein Pumps!

"I hustled these BOMB silver Calvin Klein pumps from my tres chic former roommate a couple of years ago as payment for selling some of her clothes on Ebay (sadly, there was no Revival in Brooklyn). They are an automatic good time, and I swear my legs grow two feet when I put them on. There is a beautiful scratch on the toe from dancing too well at my cousin's champagne fueled wedding."

We would LOVE to see the special items you could never part with. Email us your NEVER trade-ables at info@revivaliowacity.com and we will post them!

Not sure what we are talking about? Here is a little more info on Revival's trade system:

We Shopgirls are students, artists, moms, educators...you know...professions not usually associated with Scrooge McDuck size moneybags. How do we afford to feed our ever-changing fashion fix, you ask? Many of you Iowa City ladies know the answer.

Trade is the answer. We chase our silky, vintage, high-end shoe, must-have accessory dragons with trade.

Here at Revival, we do not just sell clothes. Almost every day we buy, buy, buy clothes to add to our eclectic inventory. In fact, a good portion of our day is taken up by 'doing sorts;' what we call reviewing the potential merchandise customers like you bring in to sell.

Click here for a full explanation of our policies. Please be kind to us guys, we try real hard not be those Rock'n'Rose types. Although we would like take all your clothes, but we often just can't. Our selections are based on condition, season, and, most importantly, current store inventory.

Unlike many other consignment stores, Revival offers three options of payment for selling clothes- one of these being 'trade,' or store credit at Revival. Tax free and usable for up to a year, trade is a key component in a resourceful, fashion lovers revolving wardrobe. Trade is financially nifty, green, and plain good sense!

But sometimes, no matter the new item siren call, there are just certain special items that can never be traded...the beloved, the one-of-a-kind, sentimental, or simply the greatest find ever. Send us yours! We wanna know!

xoxo-Shopgirl A

Holy Jewelry Photo Shoot! Online Store Coming Soon!

The momentum is building, and the clock is ticking down to the launch of Revival's new website and very own online store! Here is a little behind the scenes shot of our jewelry photo shoot. Some of you might recognize our little studio as the roomy 3rd dressing room at the store. We are so excited!

Thanks so much to the Iowa City Press-Citizen for this great article about the impending launch!! In the words of Revival owner Sheila Davisson, “The site is really meant to feel like an extension of our store.” Stayed tuned here and on Facebook for more updates!

xoxo-Shopgirl A

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Local Loves: Basta's Prosecco by the Glass

A gal of big dreams, fancy tastes, and a slim wallet, is our Shopgirl Anna. When the week gets tough and a cocktail is called for, a favorite past time is a trip to a table in the Basta bar area and a glass of their Prosecco Brut NV. Shopgirl Anna likes to call it "the little half-hour where I forget about student loans."

Bubbly and not to sweet, it is attainable deliciousness at $8 a glass. With a budget that requires PBR tall boys over a preferred top-shelf Kentucky bourbon, Basta provides a fun way to start of the evening for those with champagne wishes but a nickel and dime reality...

xoxo-Shopgirl A

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Coming Soon!! Revival's Very Own Online Store


We have been busy little Shopgirl bees at Revival lately. In addition to fantastic new Spring items and resellin' like nobodies business (seriously, we have so much good stuff right now), we have been working and working to make everything you love about Revival available online! That is correct, in the next few weeks Revival will be launching an online store! Just point, click, pay and we will ship you adorable things anywhere in the US!

All you ladies who must leave Iowa City can now take your favorite boutique with you! We will be offering new clothing and accessories, selected vintage, and locally made items, just like the Revival you know and love!


Making our inventory selections...



Putting together ridiculously cute outfits that you can purchase anywhere!

We are excited! More updates to come.


xoxo-Shopgirl A

Ornamental Things: Shopgirl Sam's Spring Fave


Shopgirl Sam is always a fan of the clean and classic. When quizzed on her new favorite Spring items, these fantastic pendants from one of our favorite brands, Ornamental Things, were her instant choice! Perfect for any gal who loves the classics but appreciates a vintage twist. Prices are $46-$52.

xoxo-Shopgirl A

Saturday, March 3, 2012

A Shopgirl's Local Obsession: Bread Garden's Clean Breeze Smoothie

It is safe to say that at any time of the day, seven days a week there is at least one Revival Shopgirl at The Bread Garden. Thank you BG for continuously supplying us with coffee, Tuscan Tomato soup, Mentos, and Mountain Valley Spring Water.


Shopgirl Theresa is particularly thankful for the Clean Breeze Smoothie. Made from cucumbers and kiwis, the cilantro and ginger give it enough kick. Healthy and delish...




Try one! You will loooooove it.

See ya 'round the BG...

xoxo-Shopgirl A

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Hello! My Name is Shopgirl Sam

A little bit quiet and a whole bunch hilarious is our Shopgirl Sam. Wife and mother of the adorable sprite Margot, Sam has resellin' it at Revival since 2009. While she leaves us every so often to jet to some new exotic locale, she always comes back! Soon we will have to say goodbye once again as she wanders off to Paris for a stretch. Life sure is tough...

Name: Sam

Age: 31

Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA

Style Icon: My Grandma Blanche.

I don't have a picture of my grandma here, which is unfortunate, because she was gorgeous back in her day. She had deep red curls and was always dressed really well---- a very classic, classy lady. She would wear maybe a black cashmere cardigan with some pearls and nice pants (you know, the 50's style). She would also be a bit daring at times; for example, wearing a backless dress to my dad's second wedding. Perfect rain boots and rain coats and umbrellas...bright pink lipstick (like what's hot right now :-).

(***author's note: we love Sam's description of her Grandma Blanche, and are also bummed there is no pic of this chic lady!)

Favorite Color: Navy Blue

Spirit Animal: Swan

Song/Band Currently Stuck in Your Head:Mama's Eyes” by Justin Townes Earle, vcr” by The XX, and “Les Champs-Elysees” by Joe Dassin (for SOME inexplicable reason).


Signature Accessory: My gold wedding ring

Current Iowa City Eats Flavorite: Banditos and Her Soup Kitchen

What do you Love About Iowa City: Strong community and music scene, and the amount of unique local businesses.

Dogs or Cats: Cats


Favorite TV Show:
Portlandia & Storage Wars

Favorite Drink/Cocktail: A nice-tasting ale or red wine (also nice-tasting). I think Bell's Two Hearted Ale is good.

Current Beauty Product Obsession: Sunleaf Naturals Clarysage & Lavender Shampoo and body bar

How would you describe your style? Simple? No...classic.