California Vintage Dreaming Down in Monterey

Since starting this blog in 2012, I have wanted to return to the Monterey Bay area and find cool vintage and upscale resale shops.  It has always been in the back of my mind.  I finally decided to take the plunge and took myself down there.  I stayed at my dream bed & breakfast, "Green Gables" in Pacific Grove.  It is a Victorian mansion across the street from the ocean.  While I was there, a baby seal was born on the beach.  I got to see him/her the next day pawing the sand with his fin while his proud mother looked on and his father took a swim in the bay.  It was incredible!

I also want to add that I had the best view from my room and spent hours looking out the window at the view.  It was captivating, but I did have to tear myself away and go see some stores.  I began my vintage trip in Pacific Grove and walked there from my hotel.  I started by walking down the bike/walking path to Lover's Point and then headed east toward the town.  I found Reincarnation Vintage Boutique on a side street from the main drag.  It was in a cute, small cottage and had the greatest owner, Nancy Holland, who was so knowledgeable about vintage fashion.  She had a large collection of costume jewelry as well as some pieces by famous contemporary designers.  Her dresses were to die for and very reasonably priced.  I have seen the same dresses in Chelsea NYC that were 3 times the price.  Well worth the drive down there.

After visiting with Nancy for a few hours, I headed back to my room to catch my breath before going to Cannery Row for a souvenir t-shirt, wind chimes and dinner.  I've included a picture of my room because it was so quaint and beautiful and seemed to fit perfectly with my vintage fashion trip.

The next morning after my complementary breakfast, I headed for Carmel, a few exits south of Pacific Grove on Highway 1.  I had planned in advance to visit Foxy Couture, which is a very high-end resale shop.  After a little while searching for it, I found Foxy Couture in a patio area off of Mission Street.  I was welcomed by Areanna, sales associate for owner, Susan Galvin.  Areanna showed me many of their special items and even modeled some of the clothes.  I especially liked the beaded necklace, telephone purse, Lynx coat and 1960's glam jacket by designer Kaisik Wong.  I had such a great time there and I want to thank Areanna for bringing the clothes to life.

I walked to Carmel beach before heading to Monterey for my last stop on the tour.  It was worth the exercise, as it is one of the most beautiful beaches on earth!  And walking back to my car was all uphill, so I got to work out too.  The last store I visited was near Cannery Row in Monterey.  It is called Cat's Meow and is known to be the only vintage store in Monterey.  It's owner, Melinda, has taken great care to get the very best vintage clothes and decorate her store with a flair.  There are so many interesting things to see there, including a life-size cat in a fortune teller booth who talks constantly.  Melinda just got in several flapper dresses from the 1920's.  I bought a beautiful brown velvet skirt for only $25.  And it was wrapped in tissue paper and yarn bows because they refuse to use bags.  It is such beautiful wrapping that I hate taking the skirt out.  It's still in my suitcase.  Well, it's time that I let you check out my trip.  Cheers, Toni

 A view from the Chapel

 Green Gables Inn in Pacific Grove, CA

 Walking to Lovers Point

 Local's beach in Pacific Grove

 Pink cottage in Pacific Grove

 Reincarnation Vintage Boutique

Nancy Holland, Owner

214 17th St.

Pacific Grove, Ca 93950

831-649-0689

 Lingerie room at Reincarnation Vintage Boutique

 Lovely pearl collar

 Nancy Holland & shop dog Lucy

 Kenneth Jay Lane jeweled necklace at Reincarnation Vintage Boutique

 Toni's room  "the Chapel."  The ocean is just beyond that shade

Foxy Couture

Susan Galvin, Owner

Mission Patio #5 / Mission Btwn 5th & 6th

Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

831-625-9995

susan@foxycouturecarmel.com

foxycouturecarmel@yahoo.com 

 Hermes scarves

 Earrings with flash

 Judith Leiber evening bag

 Pucci purse for any occasion

 Areanna M. modeling beaded necklace

 Golden top to be worn with very tight leather pants

 Chanel purses

 Areanna on the telephone purse

 Hermes ostrich bag

 Halston 1970's evening gown

 tangerine Missoni skirt

 Givenchy lynx coat

1960's glam jacket by Kaisik Wong

 Beaver coat by Yves Saint Laurent

 Mink vest

 Clock purse

 8 ball compact

 fantasy shoes

 Purse with a charm bracelet ornament that is wearable

 Chanel rose

 Chanel birdcage earrings

 The beautiful Carmel beach

 Cat's Meow

Melinda, Owner

601 Lighthouse Ave.

Monterey, CA

831-393-2287

www.catsmeowfashion.com

 Welcome to Cat's Meow

 Hats, hats, hats

 Very contemporary vintage outfit

 Party dresses

 Very cool bathing suit top

 Suede bell bottoms

 snake skin clutch bag

 Beautiful robe for evening

 Cool Cat in checkered jacket & bow tie

whimsy silk jacket