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Downtown Mesa, Arizona shopping: street art, bohemian fashion, anime toys & home decor. Salvador Dali’s house?

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Where in the world is La Carmina? I’m currently in Miami; last month, Arizona. Here’s the first of my many desert photo diaries.

Don’t tell my earless cat that I was petting a dog in Mesa (east of Phoenix).

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It’s an illusion. This Salvador Dali-esque melting building

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… is in fact a 2D mural, on the side of a vintage clothing store called Eclectic Monkey Emporium.

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Downtown Mesa has become an arts destination. I met life-size sculptures as I wandered the streets.

Black and white draped jacket: Miffy x TwoPercent, from Hong Kong Causeway Bay
Polka dot skirt: vintage
White tank top: Muji Japan
Blue shoes: John Fluevog (similar to these Fluevog Munster shoes)

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The pig is one of my favorites.

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Murals, murals, on the walls.

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Main Street Mesa was a joy to explore. Small business owners sat at the counters, giving greetings and shopping advice.

So much to browse at the vintage bohemian Blossom salon and boutique.

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Steampunk love.

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None of the stores were mass retailers. Instead, there were one-off gems like Design*Lab for home decor. (My bag is Hyoma by Izzue, from Hong Kong.)

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Lulubell Toy Bodega has Japanese collector toys, anime goods, and books by my Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants publisher.

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After a long walk, I was relieved to drink mint tea at Lo-Fi Coffee — followed by fish tacos, rice and beans at Mango’s Mexican Cafe.

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Three cheers to Downtown Mesa for supporting indie, one-of-a-kind boutiques and street art!

Do you have shops like these where you live? What do you think of my “sleek-kawaii” look these days?

PS: Currently having an incredible time at Art Deco Weekend in Miami. For 1920s outfit previews and architecture, take a gander at my Instagram.

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29 Comments

  1. Victoria
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 5:23 pm | Permalink

    I lived in Mesa for six months once. How did I not know about this?

  2. Petra
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 5:23 pm | Permalink

    Wow! Your outfit is adorable!!! There is a lot of cool art there^^ I just got to say, the melting house is awesome!!!

  3. Petra
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 5:23 pm | Permalink

    You are so pretty and stylish La Carmina! ^^

  4. Alison b
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 5:24 pm | Permalink

    Looking fwd to the Art Deco!

  5. NTB
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 5:24 pm | Permalink

    we like

  6. isabelle
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 5:24 pm | Permalink

    like the picture a lot !

  7. carla
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 5:24 pm | Permalink

    <3 amazing

  8. Anna
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 5:25 pm | Permalink

    what a cool shot

  9. Katie at Desert Blossom Salon
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 9:47 pm | Permalink

    Thank you for talking about Blossom on LaCarmina/blog. You put a link to Blossom’s web-stie; that is an old one. If you can or would change the link that would be great. Thank you so much for talking about Blossom. Our web links are… http://www.desertblossomboutique.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Desert-Blossom-Salon-Boutique/157102174374664?fref=ts

  10. Toyria
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 9:48 pm | Permalink

    beautiful❤

  11. Emily
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 9:48 pm | Permalink

    I love your blog xx <3

  12. Ala BOOM
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 9:49 pm | Permalink

    WOW!

  13. Lulubell
    Posted January 20, 2013 at 10:52 pm | Permalink

    So great meeting her – thanks for stopping in! We’ll feature this story in our next email blast!!

  14. Mika
    Posted January 21, 2013 at 3:45 am | Permalink

    You look beautiful

  15. Mich
    Posted January 22, 2013 at 12:01 am | Permalink

    Ohhh I wish I knew you were in AZ I would have come up to cheer you on! lol

  16. Raven
    Posted January 22, 2013 at 12:02 am | Permalink

    I loved his art I got to see all his work at the philly art museum it was nice

  17. Bella
    Posted January 22, 2013 at 12:26 am | Permalink

    interesting this mesa place!

  18. Yukiro Dravarious
    Posted January 22, 2013 at 12:41 am | Permalink

    so freaky, the first building-picture really got me sea-sick ^^

  19. Naight
    Posted January 22, 2013 at 2:31 pm | Permalink

    girl I LOVE ur style its adorable u look like a doll. Ur hair makeup and all ur accessories are just perfect I simply love it :)

  20. MelissaR
    Posted January 22, 2013 at 5:46 pm | Permalink

    SO cool! I love your new hair colour, and that wolf / dog looks real!!

  21. Tommy
    Posted January 23, 2013 at 6:56 pm | Permalink

    la carmina finds all the most interesting sights :) making me excited for my own round-the-US trip!

  22. Tucson_Raychul
    Posted April 19, 2014 at 11:37 pm | Permalink

    That toy cross is made by josh flood, & is now for sale in Tucson Az @ a local owned (by slobby robby) rad shop called
    generation cool on fourth ave, downtown .

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