In a nod to Valentine’s Day, the outfit in yesterday’s post had a pop of hot pink. Today, I’ve lassoed myself up a look with red.
The Husband and I don’t make a big fuss over Valentine’s Day. Restaurants are typically too busy for having dinner (or any meal) out at a nice place so we normally eat at home. As for flowers, we agree that there is no need to pay the higher prices when the roses I bought last week at the market still look good. I wouldn’t say no to chocolate or conversation hearts but do I really need those added calories? Occasionally, I’ve been surprised by a gift.
Instead, earlier in the week, we went on a little adventure. A 12-hour day trip. It might not sound like much but this was the first time in about 5 months that I’d been more than an hour’s drive from home. And to top it off, we came upon a photo location that fit perfectly with my outfit. Scout’s honor, I didn’t know that this place existed as I’ve never been in the area before.
Details on the adventure are forthcoming but first, my outfit. The cardigan is at least 30 years old, bought new at Nordstrom if I’m remembering correctly. It has held up well and is in perfect condition except it’s late-80s/early-90s shoulder pads were removed at some point. For a while, my daughter had possession of it on the condition that she would return it if she decided that she didn’t want it any longer. Not long ago, she returned it and now I was faced with decided what to do with it. As in keep or sell. For now, I’m having fun with it so I’ll be keeping it.
Another vintage piece is my bolero necklace which had originally been my father’s. I’m not sure if the design is a “T” or not but his name began with the letter T so I’ll go with that. My red heart bracelet (see photo on right below) was one of those surprise Valentine’s Day gifts from The Husband I mentioned that he gave me several years ago. My striped dress was a popular offering from Target this past summer; my boots are Coconuts and they were a clearance find from many years ago at Off-Broadway.
The primary purpose for our excursion was to make a visit to S&M Antiques, Coins, And Collectibles, a unique store in Ridgecrest, California. Located in the Indian Wells Valley in northeastern Kern County, this town is about a 3-hour drive from where we live. Have you heard of it? I wouldn’t be surprised if you hadn’t as neither The Husband nor I had until about two years ago. That’s we became friends with a couple where we now live and the woman in that pair had lived in Ridgecrest for many years. Hence, how we heard about S&M Antiques, Coins, And Collectibles.
In an effort to clear out unneeded items, The Husband decided it was time to get rid of a rather large coin collection that he and his father had amassed over the course of 60 or more years. That was accomplished during his first trip to Ridgecrest that he made a few weeks ago. After he told me about the store and the type of merchandise they carry, I disappointed that I hadn’t gone with him. As it happens, there were still some collectible items we wanted to be rid of and so another trip to Ridgecrest was planned.
This store was everything The Husband had described it to be and more. They are typically closed on Mondays, the day we went, but the owners had other appointments that day so they said that we could come by as well. This meant we were the only ones in the store which was great. They don’t have much at all in the way of clothing; however, as the sign says, they have a lot of collectibles as well as antique furniture. The items were all very well organized and displayed; I could have spent hours there.
The set of three splatter paint bowls, the pins, and the earrings in the photo below were the new-to-me treasures I bought there that day. The scarves and chain necklace I picked up at a thrift store also located in Ridgecrest. Unfortunately, all of the other thrift stores were closed that day; apparently, many mom-&-pop type businesses are closed on Mondays we learned later from our friend. No matter, it was time for us to head out of town to find a photo location and some grub.
We had passed this spot on the way into Ridgecrest and had decided that we’d check it out on our way back. It’s right on the main road and has the rustic, western setting I’d hope to find. So pleased was I with how these turned out that I sent in one of the images from this shoot for Shelbee and Nancy’s Red or Pink for Valentine’s Day edition of their The Good Buy/Good-Bye Book series.
And that’s my Valentine’s Day story for this year. The only thing missing was a photo of The Husband and me together that day. But I made up for it by taking a selfie of us today as we walked along the beach this afternoon. Be still my heart, we’re a cute couple.
Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.
27 Comments
We lived in Ridgecrest from 1989 to 1993, at which time we moved to Ventura, and then to our current home here in the Channel Islands Harbor area. Small world. Maybe my husband and I should do a road trip out there. It’s so isolating with COVID, and I still have a friend living out there. Maybe I’ll see you at the Farmers Market again some time soon. By the way…cute outfit.
Kathy, it’s good to hear from you and it is a small world, indeed. We haven’t been to the Farmers Market in a while but I’ve been wanting to try the mid-week one.
I keep forgetting about the midweek one. I’m retiring so will have more opportunity to check that one out. Maybe I’ll see you there.
That would be great. Retirement certainly frees up one’s schedule.
Your trip sounds great! Love your cardigan and I like it paired with the striped dress!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
It is a cardigan to love, isn’t it?
I do love shops like that. Is it a marketplace with multiple vendors? Your cardigan look wonderful. I love all the fun detail. You looked perfectly styled against the stagecoach mural!
Our Valentine celebration sounds just like yours. We just stayed home. Since we didn’t spend any money on anything for V-Day, we shopped Pendleton’s 30% of Sale items and helped each other pick out wool plaid shirts. In all our years, we had never sat down together and clothing shopped together on line. It was fun pitching our selections for each other to each other. Today is -5 here and can’t wait for more wool! Take care, Terri
The owners of the store “buy” all of the merchandise they sell so they have complete control on display and pricing. Shopping online with my guy would be an interesting experience. I’m glad you had fun with yours. Sounds like a great way to spend time together.
You are an adorable couple! I am looking forward to some day adventures in the next month or so! It should be warming up and be less grey! Love how you found the perfect spot for your pictures and the store looks like a place where the hubby and I would enjoy browsing!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thank you
Rena, your cardigan looks so kewl with that dress! I hope you had a great Valentines Day! I remember meetign you in LA at the firece fifty meet up! Can’t believe it was almost 4 yrs ago!
Valerie
http://www.mapleleopard.com
I have fond memories of the Fierce Fifty meet-up and all of the wonderful women I met, including you.
Really interesting day out! Looking forward to browsing in shops when they reopen. Love the cardigan, very distinctive. Looks great with the striped dress. Thanks for linking up.
It was a fun day. Our stores are open but I’ve cut back on my shopping considerably to minimize the potential of exposure to the virus.
I adore vintage and collectible stores – what a fun place to explore! Your homegrown vintage cardigan is…a lot, but in a good way, you know? I love the bolo tie and cowboy boots with it!
Aw, you and your husband are such a cute couple!
It was a fun outfit to put together especially with pieces that I adore.
Rena, this sounds like a wonderful day trip! I love this sweater so much and I am glad that you are holding onto it. It looks so great with the striped dress and those fun cowgirl boots! We have some pretty cool vintage and thrift shops in my area (but most are closed on Sundays and Mondays around here). My sister is coming to visit this week and we are planning to spend an entire day visiting the second hand shops. I am super excited!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
How odd is it that we can own vintage clothing that we, ourselves, bought new? Anyway, I’ve been getting out to shop a bit more lately which has been fun.
What a fun day! It’s so nice you got to enjoy some time together and got some shopping in too! The outfit is so perfect with the backdrop as well, it’s good you got the cardigan back, such a unique piece! 🙂
Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! Hope that you are having a good weekend, it’s a hot day here today 🙂
Sounds like a fun excursion Rena! We enjoy looking at antiques as well here in NC! I know what you mean about not leaving the house! aughh, it is tough, but will be outside dining when the weather turns to Spring. Love the red stripes with that fab cardigan and the necklace is so perfect with it!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
It was a fun day and so nice to get away from the house for a reason other than going to the market.
You look fabulous and sound like you’ve had fun. Thank you so much for linking up with me on Chicandstylish. Jacqui x
Thank you, Jacqui.
Sounds like a wonderful day trip. I love your cardigan, it looks fab with the striped dress. Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
It felt so good to be away from home, even if just for a short time.
Thank you for linking up for Ageless Style!! I love everything about your look. The red and pink together. That great details on your cardigan. Being a Texas girl, it really speaks to me as do your boots. We don’t make a fuss over Valentine’s Day either. But sounds like you kids had a wonderful date a few days before the holiday.
You are so kind. Thank you for the lovely compliments.