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

Posted by La Carmina on January 20, 2013

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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.

Mango's Mexican Cafe, lo-fi coffee, downtown mesa, Shops, Dinning, Art, Theater, Museums, Music. mesa arizona, mesa shopping, restaurants Phoenix, Arizona murals, phoenix young travel, local shops, arizona hip shops, blossom boutique, home decoration stores, first friday art, salvador dali mural, dali melting house, street style tokyo fashion, miffy clothing, purple hair, travel blogging

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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Filed Under Arizona, Art + Design, Fashion
29 Comments

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?

    Reply
  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!!!

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

    You are so pretty and stylish La Carmina! ^^

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

    Looking fwd to the Art Deco!

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

    we like

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

    like the picture a lot !

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

    <3 amazing

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

    what a cool shot

    Reply
  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

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

    beautiful❤

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

    I love your blog xx <3

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

    WOW!

    Reply
  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!!

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

    You look beautiful

    Reply
  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

    Reply
  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

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

    interesting this mesa place!

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

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

    Reply
  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 :)

    Reply
  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!!

    Reply
  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!

    Reply
  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 .

    Reply

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