Shop Revamp and Spring LookBook!

If you haven't noted yet, the shop has been remodeled! Not only that, but there's an awesome new lookbook to go with, of course with some lovely ladies of Cactus Flower - what else?! We have a slew of new Spring and sun-dresses about to come in, so stay tuned!

every-season inspiration

The best thing about fashion blogs is that they are always in season. No matter the weather or your state of mind, you can pull up someone's visual diary and feel instantly inspired! Here are a few images that let us escape to other worlds and wardrobes today...

Niotillfem by Sandra Beijer is full of candid yet cinematic images of beautiful people eating beautiful food in beautiful places. If you plan on blowing bubbles in a backyard fete of your own, you'll need the proper accessories to make it look just right. We love the sparkly starfish barrette on Sandra's friend Meg -- Check the jewelry cases on both levels of CF to find your own 40s-inspired hair accessories, from flowers and fascinators to embellished bobby pins and Really Big Bows. They look most lovely pinned on the side, pulling diagonally upward from your eyeline. For the perfect wave in your hair, we just happen to have a vintage beauty expert on staff -- Aya has a YouTube tutorial for practically everything classy dames could dream of... Except a boyfriend as cute as Sandra's, you're on your own for that one.

 Karla of Karla's Closet rocked this frock on New Years Day. Where is she on January 1st that she could run around on scattered orange leaves in open-toed stilettos and a spaghetti-strap dress??! We don't know either, but we like it. For more modest but still fancy footwear, try our Jimeny Heels or "You'll Be Sari (If You Don't Buy These)" Wedges.

Ugh. Yesterday's post on The Glamourai makes my heart skip a beat. Swingset on the beach? Tumbling waves behind a flowing maxi dress? Bliss.

Happy weekend!

Happy New Coats!

Ooh it's a winter wonderland outside in Bloomington right now but we are pretty toasty here inside Cactus Flower... It must be due to the appallingly cute coats that are insulating our sale room! Get in here right now and get one, we know you're freezing!

tweed zip-down coat by Ariella  $67 now $42!

 We are also still stocked with newly marked down layering pieces, sweaters and general fuzzy-cozy goodness at 15-30% off original retail.

orange cropped sweater by Cotton Candy $38 now $33!

lovely layering sweater by Gentle Fawn   $70 now $56!

Here's hoping you gave 2011 a proper send-off and you're having a happy new year so far. Cheers from all of us here at Cactus Flower HQ!

Forever Young Dress and Winter Sale

Winter is upon us, and as with every change of season, that means big sales! We're having a super-duper amazing winter sale at the shop that you should definitely check out. Many lovelies are going for ridiculously awesome prices, such as this dress we entitled "forever young" sported by blogger Strawberry Koi (and one of our blog-team members).

Happy Halloween!

{ Images courtesy of WeHeartIt }

Happy Halloween from the gals of Cactus Flower! May your bags and pumpkin-head-baskets be over flowing with delicious candies and your costumes be safe from wardrobe-malfunctions!

Every Leaf Is A Flower

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." or so says Albert Camus, and we feel the same way. Oranges and yellows make the horizon like a stunning oil painting as far as the eye can see, and believe us - we were happy to take advantage of Mother Nature's backdrop with another exciting photoshoot with some vintage-inspired goodies from brands such as Darling and Tulle. Check the lookbook for more photos such as these, featuring lovelies Nora and Rachael and expect these pieces in the shop soon!

the Ghouly-Girls of Cactus Flower

 In case you haven't noticed, it's the fall-times here in Bloomington, Indiana! Pumpkins are appearing in front of your local co-op, the leaves are droppin' like Finite Mathematics students, and everyone's asking themselves the existential question: WHAT AM I GOING TO BE?! While we may not be able to help you decide on your major, our upstairs section of vintage + gently used new clothing is THE source for creating a unique + memorable character for your Halloween night. Here's our first round of ideas, which you can steal at your leisure! You still have to pay for the clothes though.

All items shown below are available in the upstairs level of the brick-and-mortar Cactus Flower, 322 E. Kirkwood Ave in Kirkwood Manor.

Have you been practicing your Dewey Decimal System? Watch out, cause this LIBRARIAN FROM HELL sees ALL your mistakes. Jillian wore this dress, belt, sash, from our vintage section. Gigantic cat-eye glasses with rhinestone accents are from our selection of new, unused costume accessories.

Hilary mixed this cartoon-ey red dress with an official Raggedy Andy wig to create an ode to androgynous whimsy: RAGGEDY ALI! Ali seems a bit unpredictable, mischevious, and has been seen fraternizing with pirates. Best to laugh at all of her jokes and keep her on your good side.

Oh my god. Megan as Bettie Paige Barbie (no wig necessary!) will make your heart stop from sheer beauty. Beware driving the streets if she's roaming about -- you're liable to crash your car, or at the least give yourself whiplash from a double-take! Our black-maned babe is wearing an 80s party dress, never worn hot pink heels & a new sequined headband by Free People.

Pirate flag not for sale. It's all arrrrrrrs.