Shopgirl Hannah Just Wants to Dance! Revival Playlist #2!

Poor Shopgirl Hannah :(  Possessing a love for sixties and seventies fashion and an undeniable affinity for that sweet, sweet soul music, this gal was clearly born in the wrong era.  Known for her 'aerobic dancing skills,' Shopgirl Hannah was once described (by a true authority) as grooving just like Tina Turner...

Let our girl tell you in her own words about her Sweet Soul Playlist (with a little Three Dog Night thrown in there just for fun)...

 "This is a 70s inspired playlist designed to induce nostalgia and get you out on the dance floor or up in front of the juke box.  In fact, please get up in front of the juke box at the Mill because Shopgirl Anna and I are sick of having 2 person dance parties.  Please note I am not liable for any dancing related injuries such as breaking ones own glass on the dance floor from enthusiastic dance moves, and then stepping on it"

Friends...you have been warned. 

Hello! Our Names are Shopkitty George & Shopkitty Roger

You may have seen them peaking around planters, or buried in a buckets of scarves, or even gazing back down at you from a cute Revival Custom Made t-shirt.  They are Roger & Georgie - the famous Revival store kitties.  The story began five years ago, when Shopgirl Abbey adopted George, a tiny ball of orange and white fuzz.  Too little to stay home alone, Georgie came to Revival every day and became an expert at laying on vintage clothes.  Next came Roger, a gift from Shopowner Sheila, almost an identical twin to Mr. Georgie.  These two VIP kitties have agreed to sit down with Shopgirl A, and talk about their lives as the Revival Store Kitties.

Hi!  What are you names?

Roger: I'm Roger.  That is Georgie

How old are you little guys?

Roger:  Well, we are both rescues, so we can only guesstimate.  I am about 2, I think.
Georgie:  Five-ish

What are your hobbies and interests outside of Shopkitty-ing?

Roger:  Ummm, so much.  I feel we just go, go, go.  Looking out the window, eating, grooming,  romping, playing, knocking over glasses of water...
Georgie:  We like snuggling,  We are really good snugglers.  

If you had to pick a cat Style Icon, who would it be?

Georgie:  Garfield.  Without a doubt.  

I am going to ask you a few of your favorite things, guys.  What is your favorite color?  

Roger: Orange

Favorite Fabric:

Roger:  I would say...anything that we can scratch their paws on.
Georgie: YEAH!  I love that fabric.  

Favorite Part of the Store to Hang Out In:


Georgie:  Front window, or sprawled out on the floor.
Roger: I like the Christmas cactus.  

Favorite Current Trend:

Roger: Short manicured nails.  So much smarter looking.  

Favorite Type of Cat Music:

Georgie: Well, we really listen to a lot from different genres, but if I had to pick, defiantly jazz.
Roger:  I have really been into world music lately.

Favorite TV Show: 

Georgie:  We really do prefer to read.
Roger: Yes, we might start a book club this summer.    

Favorite Cat Treat: 

Georgie: Greenies!

What would you cat signature accessory be, if you had to chose just one:  

Roger: We are always nude.   We do have sweet collars though.






What are your spirit animals:  


Roger: It is a bumblebee.  We were told that once by a palm reader.



What do you love about being the Revival Store Kitties: 

Georgie: The attention and fame of course

Dogs or Mice:

Georgie: Mice

How would you describe your cat style?  

Roger: Def super casual.
Georgie: Yeah, def

The Captain of the Style Ship: Meet ShopOwner Sheila!

Shop Owner Sheila was just 27, and newly returned to her home town from the fashion world of New York, when she jumped off that small business cliff and opened up Revival on Linn Street in 2003. Since then she has watched her little-store-that-could move into a new location on the Ped Mall and double in size. Shop owner Sheila is the bold captain of our beloved Revival ship, the chef that sets the menu here, and all the Shopgirls agree, perhaps the greatest boss of all time.

(in front of the new store)

An ardent localist and mom to Oni (the next generation of Revival style mavens), she prefers to mix style classics with unique handmade pieces. Any fashion questions? Always ask Sheila- she just knows...

Name: Sheila Davisson

Age: 35

Hometown: Iowa City

Favorite Color: green

Favorite Fabric: cotton jersey

Favorite Brand/Designer: Marc Jacobs

Signature Accessory: diamond studs – a gift from my husband Pete

Favorite Drink/Cocktail: vodka soda with lime

(photo courtesy of Dewey Street Photo Company)

Spirit Animal: owl, of course...see the tattoo above!

What do you Love About Iowa City: Big city brain, small community feel!

Most delicous Iowa City eat: so hard…. Leaf Kitchen for lunch, Lincoln Café for dinner

What are Five Staple Items that Should be in Every Girl's Closet?:

• a leather bag slouchy and tan
• a long locket with something special in it
• classic trench coat
• bright printed scarf
• chucks for the weekend

Favorite Spring Revival Item: BAGGU gray stripe backpack

Current Beauty Product Obsession: Skincenticuls Overnight Cream

The Greatest Style Advice You ever Received? :"Always be comfortable in what you are wearing, no tugging or adjusting!"

Look for more style suggestions from our Captain coming soon!

xoxo-Shopgirl A

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.

Hello! My Name is Shopgirl Anna

Part-time student, part-time baker, part-time scribe, most-time shopgirl, and all-time trivia and podcast enthusiast! Very nice to meet you!!
Name: Anna

Age: 30

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN by way of Brooklyn, NY

Style Icon: The ladies of my mother's family, especially my two older sisters.

Favorite Color: Red. PMS 186 to be exact.

Favorite Fabric: Silk.

Favorite Brand/Designer: Marni. Marc Jacobs. Rodarte. Vintage...

Spirit Animal: A miniature dachshund.

Song/Band Currently Stuck in Your Head: 'Lonely Fortune' by Ha Ha Tonka, 'Good Times' by Sam Cooke, and all 'Stuff I Missed in History Class' podcasts.

Signature Accessory:

1. My thick gold rope necklace with my favorite NYC skyline ring from FSMNYC and a ring my mother gave me

2. red lipstick

3. one of my five pairs of red shoes.

Favorite Drink/Cocktail: Maker's Mark and Diet with a lime, please.

What do you Love About Iowa City: Its proximity to Wilton's Candy Kitchen.

Dogs or Cats: Dogs, but I don't have any problems with your cat. We'll get along just fine.

Current Beauty Product Obsession: Sooo many... YSL black mascara. Benefit Brows A-Go-Go. Dior Rouge Premiere. The blackest hair dye ever.

How would you describe your style? Black and White and Red all over?

Hello! My Name is Shopgirl Theresa

(photo by Chris Ford)

She is Revival's Friday & Saturday fix of the romantic; filled to the brim with old-timey kindness and style. Theresa has also been rocking the 'Revival Shopgirl' moniker for years now, and we thank her kindly for letting us borrow it. Part-time childcare provider, part-time animal care provider, and part-time shopgirl, Theresa wears many hats- some are velvet, some feather-festooned, all original...just like our Shopgirl!

Name: Theresa

Age: 29

Hometown: Chillicothe, IL

Style Icon: The sisters of CocoRosie, who, incidentally, are the daughters of an Iowa farmer...

Favorite Fabric: Cotton/silk blends

Favorite Brand/Designer: The second-hand variety

Spirit Animal: Squirrel

Song/Band Currently Stuck in Your Head: Underneath the Mango Tree by Cibelle

Signature Accessory: 1970's Owl Belt (***see the awesomeness above please)

Favorite TV Show: Dr. Who, Game of Thrones, & Portlandia

Favorite Drink/Cocktail: Green tea with Honey, Lemon & Cinnamon OR Aloe Vera Juice

Current Iowa City Eats Fave: Fairgrounds Coffee House & Bakery

What do you Love About Iowa City:

1. I love the unique, uplifting spirit of Iowa City

2. I like all the oddballs

Dogs or Cats: Cats

Current Beauty Product Obsession: Pillow Potion Mist by Aura Cacia

How would you describe your style?: Timelessly Romantic...sigh.......

Hello! My Name is Shopgirl Hannah

Meet Ms. Hannah! She is our resident Frisbee flinging, upbeat free spirit. Having just begun her student teaching, Senorita Hannah is oh-so-chic in two languages. Hannah has a weakness for any hippie inspired fashion and the main ingredient in her custom fragrance from the Soap Opera is patchouli, there being a great chance that our Shopgirl was born into the wrong decade. Soon Hannah will be bye-bye, as this chica's Saltwater Sandal clad feet have wings! Adios Iowa City, bonjour Espana (cross your fingers and toes for her)!!!!

Name: Hannah

Age: 22

Hometown: Des Moines, IA

Style Icon: Grace Slick

Favorite Fabric: cotton & cashmere

Favorite Brand/Designer: Vintage, daaahling.

Spirit Animal: Doe

Song/Band Currently Stuck in Your Head: "I Need a Dollar" by Aloe Blacc & "Nobody's Baby" by Sharon Jones

Flares or Skinny Jeans: High Waisted Bell Bottoms

Signature Outfit: Colorful pashmina, stone rings, cardigan sweater, long necklace and tall boots!

What do you Love About Iowa City: All of the small, locally owned businesses! It's a beautiful, historic, cultural town with a lot to explore.

Hannah's Signature Cocktail: Whiskey Ginger, Pabst Blue Ribbon

How would you describe your style? Hippie chic with a dash of seventies casual.

Hello! My Name Is: Shopgirl Teah

A junior at the University of Iowa, Ms. Teah brings some of that young blood to Revival! Engaged to her high school sweetheart, our very own 'young romantic' is happy to discuss libertarian politics, cream lace, the reasons to not eat cheese in restaurants, and Great Britain's bog bodies with equal fervor. Part outdoors-lady, and part style maven, this gal camps in Piko AND Patagonia. Next time you are in, ask to see her Erica Weiner Art-Deco antique engagement ring, it is a stunner.

Name: Teah

Age: 20

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

Favorite Color: Orange & Brown

Favorite Brand/Designer: Free People!!

Spirit Animal: Mustang

Song/Band Currently Stuck in Your Head: Built to Spill (Randy Described Eternity)


Signature Accessory: My Erica Weiner harmonica necklace or vintage horse pendant (***as seen in the picture above, along with Teah's spirit animal)

What do you Love About Iowa City: The small town atmosphere... and of course, the people!

Dogs or Cats: Dogs...plus my cat :). And my bunny. (***Please note that we considered changing the name of this post to "A blog about Teah's pets")


Current Beauty Product Obsession: Woodland Pine & Ginseng Kiss My Face Bodywash (Lovin' that stress relief!!)

How would you describe your style? Hmmm....Southwestern Bohemian??