Ugg naughts

Winter is on its way, bringing thoughts of cold feet. I must say that if I'd had a pair of boots like these (above), I might not have left Chicago. Those are my first pair of not-Uggs, a $25 special from Costco three years ago. And, just to underscore my cold-weather dedication to all footwear that is shearling-lined, below are my well worn, scuzzy but cozy slippers.

You can understand how my eye was caught by these Ugg knock-offs over at the local WallyMart. But even made in China, a $10 boot couldn't possibly include the all-important shearling lining. Of course these did not. But seeing them reminded me that the lining of my current boots was wearing down; I wondered what Costco might have on hand this year (and how the price might compare.)

As luck would have it, I scored yesterday! A black pair would have been grand, but then our world is just too dusty for black. The chestnut color (above) was a good compromise. As much as I'd like to own the Real Thing and support the Australian economy, $37 beats $100+ any day.

Here's my new pair of Ugg-naughts. I'm ready for whatever this winter might bring!

The grunge primitives

Meet this year's crop of dolls from the Grunge Goddess, on display at the Victorian Holiday Boutique this weekend. One of the big Raggedy Ann lookalikes was spirited away right after I snapped this shot. What can I say except that I love these guys. All of 'em.

I'm lucky enough to have this cat, Eunice by name, in my kitchen. It was given me, as a complete surprise, by neighbors involved in the first of the Victorian boutiques, way back in 2007.

I think you should take a closer look at the dolls, especially the clowns to the right, suitable for Dia Las Muertes. The Grunge Goddess, BTW, is one Norine Centofante.

Isn't the cow splendid?
More clowns.

Assorted dolls plus another cow or similar ruminant.

Last year's boutique ladies...

...and three new beauties for 2009. I'd bet the pair below are possibly Spanish: that is what their costumes plus roses in the hair insist. I'd like to have every one of them, if I were not already inundated in Stuff!

Christmas Victoriana

This is the third year that Cookie Brinkmeyer and friends have organized a Victorian Christmas boutique to end all boutiques. Next Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 13, 14, 15) in the beautiful old Victorian house at the corner of Park and Gurley. To give you an idea of the kinds of goodies, almost all of them handmade, that will be on sale, here are pictures from the 2008 boutique. Lots of stuff there I'd like to have!

Old fashioned tree ornaments...

...plush, posh pumpkins for seasonal fall color...

...and a reminder of our other favorite American holiday, Thanksgiving.

I think the gents are supposed to be Thanksgiving pilgrims, but I find they look remarkably like Snoopy.

Looking for a gift? How about classic and simple wooden vehicles for a boy child...

...and dolls for the girls, if you're willing to give them away. Personally, I like the cat in its fancy dress, although that sulky rag doll suffering from an excess of ennui also gets my vote.

More primitives for the collector. And how about those cute little bats!

Jewelry and seasonal bags.

A fine selection of hot pads (above) and a basket full of smiley heads (below -- they might be sachets, for all I know!) Also there will be fresh baked goods (my kind of goodie), fleece blankets, sachets, decorative pillows, as well as a master knife maker who will demonstrate his craft.

One of the charities supported by the boutique is the Citizens Cemetery restoration.

Did I happen to mention that this is your chance to get a look at the inside of the historic Brinkmeyer home (above)? That, by itself, is worth the visit to the boutique.

$ign of the times: empty job shop

The store front looked empty to me; the Sson insisted that there was no reason to have any visible accoutrement in order to run a day labor operation. After all, we were down at the little strip mall in the Valley on a Saturday, when such a store would be closed no matter the state of the economy.

I will continue to insist that, to me, it appears that the market for itinerant labor down in the Phoenix area is one of the victims of our current economic woes. Makes sense.

The Day's Linkage: We've all heard about the ghost who haunts the Hotel Vendome -- but ghostly doings back when the county lock-up was in Prescott? Read all about it at Doin' Time. Speaking of ghostly doings, Prescott Style is promoting a Zombie Walk along Whiskey Row for Halloween. Jarart caught a terrific pic of animal and rider as a horse applied its brakes. And for those of you who blog on Blogspot, there's a very useful site, BloggerSentral with all manner of useful information.

Tuesday Morning on Tuesday

It has been a good eight or nine months since I last visited Tuesday Morning, the high-end kitsch close-out mart. How could I pass up another opportunity to browse the latest in pricey mark downs! The fine cat above is the first bit of fluff merchandise to demand my attention.

Having recently posted about crosses as object de decor, I found yet another example.

The understated silky ties for the gents just didn't photograph as luxe, though that's how they appeared to the eyebone. Too bad.

Don't you agree that this shiny black bird gives every indication of crow-ness -- except for the tropical crest. Perhaps it's a raven from the deepest Amazon or Sumatra?

As ever, decorative gee-gaws from the Asian Department, a staple at Tuesday Morning.

And, finally, the only reason that I decided upon posting from Tuesday Morning this time around: the most dreadful, misunderstood Elvis kitsch ever. I wonder how long this stuff has been hiding in a warehouse awaiting the day when The King is enough of a legendary ghost that people will have forgotten the reality of that sexy, sullen face with the heavy-lidded eyes. This version looks as tho he's been sanded, polished and approved for dating by Barbie's Mom and Dad.

Oh yes -- I did buy one item: a fluffy, warm bathrobe in a pale lime green. Half price at $15. No, there was no luxury semi-sweet chocolate on sale. I don't think there will ever again be chocolate like my first purchase at Tuesday Morning.

End of an era

When we moved to the Prescott area in 1980, KMart was where it was at ... the bee's knees ... the big deal. Yes, there was a Sears and there was a Pennys for Serious Household Shopping and Foxworth for a major building project. But for cheaper items, including Commodore computers, one patronized the Willow Creek KMart. There was a great nursery and what one might call an convenience building supply department, including lumber. We bought a lot of Good Stuff from KMart back then (including lumber and Commodore computers).

With the coming of WalMart and Home Depot, things changed. The original KMart huffed and puffed and added the Martha Stewart line of upscale goodies, but the Willow Creek store simply couldn't compete. Now it is about to become history.
I made a point of visiting today -- the parking lot was full for the first time in ages.

Everywhere, signs declaring that the End Times were near. Discounts of 10-30%.

Naturally, I checked out the boys' department for a potential tshirt; yes, I bought a purple item with twined dragons. Couldn't resist. My other purchase: three large plastic flower pots in a nice neutral color.

Other people were opening their purses wide for big items or large amounts. Bird seed and blankets, for example (above), or a Barbie bicycle (below). The place was jumping. (I wonder if many of these customers would normally be shopping at the Prescott Valley BigK store, which is not closing.)

As a punctuation mark to the sale: the sign man at the Iron Springs intersection.

Choice Links: For a scary picture of your brain on Google, you might read this article at Slate. Both Rich and Tombo have been up to Northern Arizona; Rich fell in love with a decaying diner in Winslow, while Tombo has pictures in which the forest fire up near Flag dominates the big sky in Jerome. Finally, Box Elder pays a wonderful, poetic left-handed tribute to August, the frumpy, sweaty middle-age of the year.