Savannah Shopping Guide: Part Two!

     In the first part of my shopping guide, I started you out with a look at two of my favorite places to go for trinkets and clothing. Today, however, I will focus on stores where you can pick up things to do or make as opposed to things that you can wear.

3. Primary Art Supply, 14 E. Broughton Street

     Approximate time to allot: Depends on how much of an art supply freak you are!

     There is nothing that makes my knees go weak quite like rows and rows of art supplies. I'm partial to anything Prismacolor. I find Moleskeins marvelous. I saver sketchbooks. You get the idea. That's why Primary is always on my "must visit" list for my stops in Savannah. As many of the signs about the store say "Founded by students. Run by students." It's an art school kid's dream, but even just a regular tourist will find something in Primary that will pique their interest, whether it is a card to give to someone back home or a quirky, funny trinket, these types of things abound at Primary as well. 

4. The Book Lady Bookstore, 6 E. Liberty Street

     Approximate time to allot: One hour for browsing, another hour for reading/coffee.

     The Book Lady Bookstore is the kind of place that I would live in during finals week if I went to school in Savannah. Perhaps it was the idea of the "reading garden" that is through the back door of hte building or another one of its many positive attributes, but this is probably the store from my guide that made my heart beat the loudest. Just cozy enough to not feel sterile and interesting enough to provide a break during studying, I had quite a grand time envisioning myself being a frequent customer of this ideal shop.

    I haven't done a count, but I'd say I have more books than clothes and I prefer to keep the tally in their favor. The Book Lady Bookstore is not for those who prefer easy access or for those in a hurry. It is not your run of the mill chain bookstore that provides ease and discounts above all else. It is for those romantic souls who love to get lost in the art of the hunt. You might not know what you are hunting for, but the right book will find you. 

     I do feel a certain attachment to the cluttered, picturesque store (as you can tell by the copious amounts of "book porn" in my photographs), but perhaps it is because I felt a certain sense of "home" when I walked in. My mother, who was with me, stated "Wow, this looks just like our house!" In a family full of readers, the volumes are quick to pile up on every available surface. Just like the Book Lady Bookstore, though, I have a feeling that I will always find what I need. 

     I really hope you've enjoyed reading about places that are not only some of my favorite places in Savannah, but probably my favorite places in the world. I would highly recommend a trip to that wonderful city any day, but these businesses are truly a big part of why I adore it so much. 

Classic in Green

Emerald green blouse, Tulle. Striped cardigan, H&M. Black skinny jeans, American Eagle. Leather belt and suede ankle booties, thrifted. Vintage style purse, Target. Shop similar below!

     One of my favorite parts about living in a small town is what some people affectionately refer to as "stimulation Tuesday" at the movie theater. That could be taken in all sorts of different (wrong) context, but I mean stimulation of the economic variety. Each Tuesday all throughout the year tickets are $5 all day, even for new releases. 

       Anyways, background context having been established, my local movie theater is like many other theaters in that it is always freezing. It's a great relief when we have had a scorcher of a day, but it can sometimes be a bit of a hassle to dress for. I decided to go with a sleeveless, silky top (my favorite kind) and jeans just in case. I'm glad that it wasn't too hot because I find it hard to resist wearing my black skinny jeans.

     If you are curious what I went to see, I saw The Amazing Spiderman and loved it. I'm a sucker for super heroes and I'm pretty sure that Andrew Garfield as Spiderman is my dream guy. 

    

  Shop the look:

Savannah Shopping Guide: Part One!

      Although I can't quite say I'm a Savannah native, it is a city that I could see myself calling my home in oh, say about three years. I've visited four times now and I love seeing what changes each time I go. This summer, I was a little bit disappointed to see that the American Apparel that was an awe-inspiring three stories went out of business; however, I was still delighted to roam the streets of the historic district, visiting old favorites and happening upon new places.
      I know that I post about clothing more than anything on ye olde blog, but in reality I have such a wide range of interests that no two of my favorite stores in Savannah are the same. I decided to put together a little guide for visitors of the wonderful city, in the order that I would visit them. All of the places that I've featured have extremely friendly staff and didn't even bat an eye that I was taking so many pictures.

1. The Paris Market & Brocante, 36 W Broughton Street

     Approximate time to allot: 1.5 hours

     The estimate above may sound like a gratuitous slot for a store that has no specific merchandise, but I get sucked in every time I walk in the doors. I'm assuming that we all know what I'm talking about when I say that this place smells expensive. Anywhere that lights candles and has a café attached typically will have that particular scent, but The Paris Market is in a league beyond stores like Anthropologie. 

     I included so many pictures of this store because of the variety of products it offers. Every time I stop in, I like to pick up a bottle of Fresh Pink Jasmine in order to have something to always remember Savannah by. But I could also decorate my home, pick up dishes for my dorm, snag a book that I've had my eye on (I've actually had the Ivy League book pictured above on my Amazon Wish List for months), or scarf down some macarons. 

     It is truly a magical shopping experience with something for everyone. There is a section for children and their bedrooms (complete with a rope ladder that leads to the ceiling), a variety of interesting collections downstairs ranging from vintage photographs to bones, and the prettiest jewelry you've ever seen. There's a reason why I've listed this store first. 

2. Civvies, 22 E. Broughton Street

     Approximate time to allot: 45 mins-1 hour

     As with most of the places in the historic district of Savannah, one of the most fascinating parts is the spaces where they are located. I was too busy flipping through the racks and racks of color coded vintage duds at Civvies to look up at the impressive sky light, but I'm sure glad my little sister pointed out how cool it was. And call me a country bumpkin, but I am automatically intrigued by any store that has an "upstairs only" clothing front.

     A lot of vintage stores pretty much cater to one style or another- there are Etsy stores dedicated to very specific niches of decades past. Civvies isn't like this. You can find anything from used hiking boots for a grunge look to a lace, nipped waist frock. Personally, I walked away with two spiked headbands that I have been looking for everywhere. While I didn't get any vintage goods this trip, it is a store that I always have on my list. Not only are there vintage clothes, but a lot of independent designers showcase their goods at Civvies as well. 

     Even the title makes me smile. "Civvies" is slang for "civilian clothes", as in "not a uniform". If ever there were a store to express the originality that comes with losing a uniform, Civvies is one such store.

Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow, where I'll talk about my favorite art supply store and book store!

Team USA!

     As the Olympics roll around, I am delighted to see people around the world showing love for their countries. Personally, I love red, white, and blue and all of the countries that the color combo has come to represent. Any excuse to break out this patriotic combination is an excuse that I will happily make. Now, I'm aware that sometimes it seems as though the only way to don this particular triumvirate of shades is to wear that awful Old Navy tee shirt that they sell for 4th of July every year. But, as you can see from my snazzy collage above, there are so many ways to be cute AND country proud. Shop this look below!

A Graceful Combination

And then I changed the belt...

Ruffled chambray dress, Tommy Hilfiger. Tan canvas tote, Baggu. Yellow leather belt (second one), Elyse Welcher via shopSCAD. Tortoiseshell Wayfarers, Ray Ban. Leather flats, Lands' End. 

     A few weeks before I left on vacation, I stumbled across this dress hanging up in the Tommy Hilfiger store at the local mall. I've definitely been gravitating towards more preppy and classic pieces lately, but even in spite of that I have been searching for the perfect shirtdress since I watched The Help (for the billionth time). 

     One of my favorite things about traveling is seeing the street style in the cities that I visit. I already knew that most of the SCAD students dress pretty wonderfully. In fact, some of their looks have been known to show up on The Sartorialist. While those outfits are typically more "hip" than your average tourist fodder, I love how a lot of the older women dress up too. There's something very genteel and preppy about it. The combination definitely makes for good people watching. 

     These pictures were taken on the last day of my vacation which I have to say was one of my favorites. It is so hard to choose what experience I liked the best. Being 18 (for about another month!), I am finally old enough to pretty much do what I want on vacation as long as I let someone know where I'll be. I love walking around downtown anywhere without parents- that's when it really hits me that I'm an "adult". As with most trips and experiences, I am truly glad to get to incorporate this vacation into who I will become.

The Streets of Savannah

Ruffled blouse, French Connection. Black skinny jeans, American Eagle. Tan tote bag, Baggu. Studded flats, Go Fish missionary store. Vintage leather belt. 

     I feel most like myself in a pair of black pants. I'd like to think that makes me more classic than boring despite the minimalist nature of my black skinny jeans. In the same way that people identify with a sequined blazer or a girly dress, I could base outfits off of these pants for days. 

     Another reason why I felt right at home in this outfit is because all of the pictures were taken right outside our hotel in Savannah. The city resonates with me so much that I hardly need my iPhone to navigate. I remember or feel instinctively which way to go when I'm hunting a shop or restaurant down.  The experience of stopping by "my" city was great, even if it was only for a weekend. I went to all of my favorite places from my previous visits and found some new places that I'll surely visit again. 

     I could never really capture the magic that Savannah holds for me, but I took some pictures nonetheless.