I remember years ago when I first discovered Rubia Flower Market. The first time I went in, I was AMAZED at the prices. I went to get some flowers for my husbands’ Grandma and was planning on spending about $15, and getting a small bouquet of some pretty standard stuff. That was the day my flower shopping changed forever! I ended up getting 2 dozen gorgeous orange and pink roses and a clear glass vase for right around the $15! They were selling all roses for something like $6/dozen. It was the everyday price too! I think they are a bit more today, but still ridiculously affordable.

Nan was thrilled and shocked at my generosity and I never bought flowers somewhere else again. I truly feel like your throwing money away if you go somewhere else!  When I stopped in today, a sweet girl that was working let me in on an upcoming event, and some information on Rubia’s mission to share flowers, and the happiness they bring, with our area. The owner was a Purdue graduate who had worked in flower shops before deciding to create Rubia for our town. Their slogan is- Fresh Flowers for Everyday Living, and the prices reflect that goal. They strive to make flowers accessible and affordable. I love giving flowers because of Rubia, it’s like getting a handmade card these days. It’s almost old-fashioned.

I can remember telling my husband not to get me roses on Valentine’s Day because I felt guilty about how ridiculously expensive they are, but at Rubia you don’t have the guilt, just the pleasure. They also have a hands-on shopping experience, including a work table and tools where you can work on your flowers and create a custom bouquet right there. I love that, because usually I get a vase at Goodwill or a yard sale for $1 and stop there on the way to meet the recipient and put the arrangement together myself. It’s so much faster than having to get them and take them home to put my touch on them.

They also have a staff of 8-12 that can create for you. They are a full service florist.When my sister got married we got all of her roses there and were very happy with them.  Stop in and check out the friendship bouquets for $3.99!!! If you put 2 or 3 together it looks like $30 worth of flowers!

Now. If I bring you flowers-Your not allowed to know I only spent a few dollars. I must insist that you continue to believe I spent a lot!

PS! Rubia turns 6 on Friday, July 23rd and will have a Birthday Party from 3-6pm with activities for kids, prizes and fun! All rose are $6.99 per dozen July 21-26 too!

Check Rubia Flower Market out on in person, on Facebook and at www.rubiainc.com

Have you ever met one of those girls who you just instantly want to be best friends with, hang on the couch, drink coffee and chat all day, just chill and relax with? I did today. I knew before I went to our meeting that I loved a lot of the same things that Jess, creator of Rockin B’ Clothing, does. I knew we had a lot in common, but I didn’t know how down to earth and sweet she was! We chatted for awhile about the one of a kind dresses, skirts and jacket that she has on exhibit at K Dee’s Coffee, but it didn’t take long for the conversation to turn towards our other common interests.

My husband recently completely rebuilt a Scotty Serro camper from the 60′s, and Jess has been looking for one to turn into a mobile clothing store/dressing room to take to weekend car shows and events. I would die to be that girl, rollin’ up in a little canned ham with some of the most ridiculously awesome, hand made, one-of-a-kind, retro, western wear you’ve ever seen! Sooo cute! We both have a passion for collecting, possible hoarding, depends on who you ask, so we indulged our need to talk about vintage tablecloths, mid century modern furniture, favorite antique stores and junk shops, as well as a few upcoming ‘can’t miss’ yard sales.

She has been asked a lot about designing other sizes than medium, which is what she has been doing the one-of-a-kind pieces in. Her medium actually fits a lot of sizes, because her garments are a heavy stretch cotton which provides control but allows for a lot of different shapes of girls, but she is currently working on having her patterns graded to fit size small through extra-large, and will consider plus-size in the future if she sees the demand. Her current line is inspiration for her wholesale line which is set to debut this Fall, in several stores in the Midwest, as well as internationally. She has had a lot of interest in the wholesale line and is working with some other people on the sizing of the patterns, which is a pretty in-depth process, handled mostly by computer. She uses such a neat mix of fabrics for the accent pieces on her garments. She has collected fabric from places she has lived, Chicago and New York, and gets a lot of it on-line, along with the occasional local fabric store. I loved the flannel panels she used on one of the dresses that has retro appliances and kitchen items on it, including a sweet blender.

When we visited today she had a really striking outfit on, a black and white striped sweater, really pretty floral skirt and a soft pink beret, with her pale skin and ice blue eyes, she is a stylish classic beauty, and looks to be from another time. She is the cutest, sweetest thing I’ve seen since, well, her clothes! She isn’t just another pretty face either. She has personally designed and created her awesome retro website and all of her promotional materials. Check her full story out at www.rockinbclothing.com .

Most of her sales are currently through her etsy site or direct sales. I will provide all of the pertinent links in the home page side bar and anxiously await the wholesale line. I can’t wait to go to the yard sale she told me about tomorrow morning!

I had a great visit with Tina, Sheryl and Ford from Peaceful Greens today. I am looking forward to getting the feature post about this wonderful, unique cafe ready to post. It will be quite a story- beginning with Tinas’ first business, Sunshine Yoga, also downtown Lafayette, and telling the story of  that venture leading to a passion for health- through food- in our community.

Later this week I will meet with Shawna and Whitney from Eclectic Hair Salon and show you a little about what these fun, creative stylists do, day to day, in a great West Lafayette location decorated in a, you guessed it, eclectic, fun way. You’ll see some vintage salon memorabilia and one particular tool that will really make you appreciate the modern techniques for hair styling today!

After that it will be off to meet Jess, from Rockin’ B Clothing, to present to you one of the most amazing and beautiful clothing lines I have ever seen. I am very partial to a vintage western shirt, and this is taking that look to a whole other level. It is a treat to have her here in our town!

I hope you check in to see these great local people following their dreams, turning ideas into reality.