Back in the Alternative Apparel Groove

Alternative Apparel is back in stock!!! The classic hoodies are back, along with fantastic new tanks. In celebration, we sort of, not really, wrote this song. Any similarities to the KISS classic "Back in the New York Groove" is intentional.

Here you are, and in this city
with a fistful of $36-$52 dollars
And baby you better believe

We're back, back in the Alternative groove
We're back, back in the Alternative groove
We're back, back in the Alternative groove

Thanks guys! We could make art like this all day. But let's talk turkey, or rather Alternative because we are in love!

The classic hoodies are back, of course, in red, cobalt, vintage black and this snazzy little colorblock number ($46- $52). This much agreed 'greatest hoodie of all time' is made in a unisex size so defiantly get a smaller size down than you are used to.

The classic Zion Linen Tank in Vintage Black and Tan Mini Stripe ($36).

New Pocket Zion Tank in Coral and Cobalt Chevron. Adorable... ($38-obsessed with this one!)

xoxo-Shopgirl A

Socks with Wedges: Yea or Nay

The Shopgirl first reaction says 'no,' but after seeing these gorgeous photos by Scott Schuman at the Sartorialist (an absolutely favorite fashion photography site), I am saying an enthusiastic 'please do' to socks with wedges for Spring! This could be a tough one to pull off...let the experimenting begin!

xoxo-Shopgirl A

UIMA March First Friday & Un Petite Revival

We are so excited to be setting up 'un petite' Revival, our little shop-lette, at this coming Friday's UIMA's March First Friday: In Like a Lion (March 2nd, 5-7 PM) in the lobby of the hotelVetro. Please come and shop some of our 'Shopgirl-selected,' much-too-cute Spring jewelry, clothes, and accessories.

Admission is $5 and proceeds go to the Iowa Museum of Art. For this $5 dollars, enjoy food and drink specials from Formosa, while DJs Max & Kendall spin records. Ceramic works by University BFA students Kevin Chamberlain and Mitchell Spain will also be on display. And you can come and see us, of course! Even George the kitty, our very own little lion, will be there in spirit.

xoxo-Shopgirl A

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?

Baggu is Here!

You look like you might need a tote - for your books, for your diapers, for your sunscreen and Bud Light, for your gym clothes, for your hair bows and violin rosin...

Well, we told you they were on their way, and now the cutest little Brooklyn-born bags are here!!! And in the most fantastic, chipper colors ever. The 16 oz canvas holds its shape (it's ADORABLE shape).

Daypack Backpack: Front Pocket- $34 - available in Red, Teal, Army Green and Nutmeg (omg- you are going love nutmeg, guys)

Duck Bag: Interior pocket, Shoulder Strap and Clutch Handle - $24 - Neon Yellow (!!!!), Navy Sailor Stripes, Slate Gray, and Cobalt Blue

Leather Pouches: Made in the USA.

Small $20 5" x 5" - Perfect for an organizer or mini wallet - Stone Gray, Teal

Large $40 8.5" x 8.5"- Great clutch purse or large accessory pouch - Stone Gray, Canary Yellow

Seriously... Can you think of a cuter way to tote your back copies of National Geographic and Jazzercise DVD's back and forth to the Library? We love Baggu almost as much as we love you!

xoxo-Shopgirl A

Revival's Three-in-One Tote!!

Life is not set up for one-bag ownership. Work and school demands one large enough for laptops. Saturday afternoons at the park needs something different. Drinks with your girlfriends require yet another; something cute with just enough room for lipstick, a debit card, and a cell phone. Don't worry chicks, we here at Revival have the answer and it is awesome... Don't just listen to me! Watch our very own Barker's Beauty, Shopgirl Liz, demonstrate the magic of the Revival 3-in-1 tote.

Vegan friendly and available in rust or mustard for $56! Come On Down! Let's Make A Deal!

(Don't you just love our raw, Flipcam video style? It is soooooo underground :)

xoxo-Shopgirl A

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.......