Memph-town, Stand down...well, up, I guess!

During the most recent Holiday season, I spent a whopping three weeks in my hometown of Memphis, TN.

(Working at a school makes me one lucky lil gal, I know, so I’ll just go ahead and say it…Hi, Haters!) Well, during my mega-vacay at home, I stumbled upon some true Memphis gems.

Pulled pork at The BBQ Shop, Memphis’ latest BBQ-spot du jour- CHECK!

The new fried cat(fish) basket at Huey’s Midtown with extra Louisiana- CHECK!

Home-made cheese grits so extraordinarily delicious they damn near had me, a person of very obvi African descent, whistling “Dixie” with fat-girl joy- CHECK! CHECK!

Now, before y’all start wondering if this blog is actually authored by “Ruby,” and not the lean, mean, shopping machine that everyone was introduced to in “Behind the Curtain…” let’s get back to the passion of fashion!

On a total whim, I decided to stop into Garbo’s– a vintage shop located in an old mini-mansion in the historical Midtown neighborhood. Garbo’s is reminiscent of your grandma’s closet. But…instead of thinking “Hmm…I could rock the hell outta this, if only it didn’t have this tres tres hideous suede and leather patchwork,” you’ll be saying “Why didn’t I have this two months ago to wear with _____ (insert most beloved jacket/top/dress)?” There are caftans and shift dresses that let the sartorial imagination run free,  (literally) tons of glittery-glam costume jewelry, superchic 1950s luggage sets and enough rabbit and mink jackets to satisify even a fur-maniac like me.

But it is not just the one-of-a-kind goodies that makes Garbos so wonderful. Believe me when I say that the owner JoAnn is a freakin’ doll! The moment I walked through the door, she told me that I was gorgeous and tiny. I DIED!

To every male on the planet- those words are the fastest (really only) way to win a girl’s heart.

It was not just darlin’ JoAnne’s sugary compliments that won me over. More importantly, I appreciated her sharp, truth-telling wit. “No, my dear, that is just too old for you. You look like a granny in that dress!” she exclaimed for a few pieces. Therefore, I knew she was being totally genuine when she grinned and declared that a black velvet and metallic-painted minidress circa 1979 looked like it had been made exclusively for my body.

Black Velvet Black Beauty

Hot damn, was JoAnne right! The dress fit like a glove…Mikey J’s glove to be exact. And, it was so quirky and chic, I could barely stop giggling in delight! But best of all, the price was right- $35. I was in absolute amor as I plopped down the VISA. As if I had found a new lov-ah, I began making all kinds of plans for me and Black Velvet- my sister’s bday dinner, dates with men that I hadn’t even met, nights out freak-dancing, Inaugural Events…the list goes on and on.

Well, I wore my lil doll to last Saturday”s BET Honor Awards and it was like falling in love all over again! She was a hit with men and women the District of Columbia-wide.

Forget “Walkin’ in Memphis,” Garbo’s is makin me “Put on for my City!”