Sasha Darling & The BellJar Blog — Sasha Darling

One of my darling friends Featherheart got married on the fourth up on Lake Michigan. I decided to go out early and hang with her in Detroit do some shopping for the shop and a little for myself too. I personally got like 30 new vintage dresses and then tons of other goodies for the shop. Stop in and check it out next week. Also check out Featherhearts Etsy. She makes organic face and body creams, salves and other amazing goodies. I restocked and I swear my skin already looks smoother and clearer. I particularly love the lavender oil and all the Salves. Detroit was so crazy. I wish I had taken pictures, but I was just so distracted!!! It was completely abandoned and blown out downtown and all the surrounding neighborhoods. There were beautiful amazing 2 story brick and Victorian style houses just burnt out and boarded up. Even downtown had mini skyscrapers that were completely abandoned and empty with broken windows. Within this chaos is a college and all these amazing young artist and musicians struggling to keep their city alive. The amount of pride amongst all the amazing people I met, just totally blew me away and made Detroit on of my favorite cities I have ever been too. It's a cold reminder of urban flight and the country's ability to just turn it's back on a community. But on the flip-side it's also so inspirational to see the creativity and hope that can grow out such a situation. And for those that have not been there, it is a situation. I stayed in a little area outside of downtown, Ferndale that was really cute. It had an artsy cool vibe and the most amazing vintage store Lost and Found. I went crazy there. I was seriously having a heart attack at all the perfect vintage dresses. It was like SF in the early 90's when Wasteland actually sold amazing vintage and everything was like under 50. I DIE!!! Then we headed to the lake. The adorable sales girls at Lost and Found also came to the wedding. Loads of food, lake time, cool old restaurants, a Parade in the downtown of this cute little all American town called Harbor Springs, not to mention a lot of drinking, fire building and all around country goodness. Also got to hang with my best friend Christel, who although lives in the same city as me, we never get to hang out. Such is the life of busy glamour girls. The bride looked so amazing I just could not get enough of her. Her dress was Vintage and cost 8 dollars. Love it. Her flowers were daisy's and I'm loving her head wreath. I caught the Bouquet after drinking like 6 lynch-berg lemon-aides. Last time I did that I was married within the year. I'm just saying.

Sometimes, when blogging, I ponder exactly why I'm communicating on such a personal level. I often wonder if I'm supposed to just share beautiful and inspiring images or tell you all about the goings on at BellJar. The last post I wrote was definitely an insight to my feelings. As a business owner and a women who constantly strives to be a strong, secure and inspirational, it seems to me that selling items that enrich lives on an atheistic level, as full-fulling as that is, is not enough. I want something more. I have been on a long journey to become the woman I am today, and it has not always been easy. I still constantly make mistakes. I feel so rewarded and fulfilled by all the words of encouragement I receive from people, both face to face as well as by email and facebook. When I posted that last post, I felt a hot burning of vulnerability in my chest, and even discussed it with my PR people, my store manager as well as my roommate. They all gave full support of me being more than just a business women, but also a public figure that can encourage and support both women and men. The post went out on Friday and since then, I have received numerous emails, facebook messages as well as people personally expressing to me how my words resonated with them. I'm beyond appreciative and pleased that I can connect with people on such an amazing level, and it was definitely the encouragement I needed to continue on with my writing. I hope this year to keep focusing on the blog, possibly get a column in a publication and maybe even write a book. Which all is so crazy, considering what a bad speller I am. he he! But nothing give me more fulfillment than encouraging, connecting and being part of a community that helps us strive to be better, more glamorous, enriched humans. Can I get a glass of champagne over here? I think we all need to celebrate. It's Sunday after all.

The weather is amazing in San Francisco...I just stood out on my deck in a little slip and it was warm and breezy and lovely. I just stood there and stared at my over grown garden and dreamed of summer love. This weather just makes me so happy...it's hard to find reasons to be disappointed on a sunny bay-area day, I'm sure you would agree. So another day for pretty summer dress, romantic hopefulness and a darling style, sunny disposition. For those of you in the city, do stop in and see me at the shop today. I will be playing sales girl with Emily. Xo

I brought my computer to South Carolina with every intention of keeping up with the BellJar blog, but I guess I just got too busy having fun. It's the first trip I have taken since the store open that did not revolve around work. And after two and a half years it was much overdue. I went out with Olivia Song Park, Kevin Earl Taylor, and Ben Baumgartner, for the group show Kevin Curated, Diverse Chorus featuring 27 American Artist. Got some shots of my Favorite pieces. Kevin grew up in Charleston and he and his family treated us to such an amazing trip...with all that Southern hospitality we all dream about. We did a lot of eating, shopping and seeing the beautiful Palmetto State. Took a day trip to Savannah, hit up a flea market and scored a bunch of amazing records, did a bunch of vintage shopping for the store, hung out with Kevins friends and family and best of all saw Kevins band White Boy Crazy play!!!

Caitlin and I frolic around Sanoma and Marin County with our dogs. Farm and goats in Petaluma, Beers at the Western in Point Reyes where we meet two nice Country boys who take us to field and barn where we have them to take our pictures....rounded up by BBQ Oysters in Tomalos Bay...and of course Champagne. Caitlin I love our Sunday girl dates.