My Ode to Prescott, Arizona

I remember that I couldn’t wait to leave my hometown when I was growing up. I grew up in a fairly small town called Prescott, Arizona. I went to school with the same kids from kindergarten through high school, camouflage and cowboy boots were a staple in most wardrobes, and the rodeo was the highlight of our summer. I think I always knew I wasn’t destined for a small town, or its fashion trends. But I will say that I do love the sweetness of a small town, and the stories that come with it. And right there in Prescott, Arizona was where my love for all things vintage was born.

My weekend mornings consisted of garage sales with my dad, scouring the best vintage shops downtown, and learning to revamp my vintage finds on my mom’s sewing machine. Our house was filled with antique radios, a Pepsi soda machine from the 1950’s and endless vintage knick knacks. Each had a story, a special place in my dad’s heart, and talk about a great conversational piece for house guests! I really dove deep into my vintage shopping in college when I finally moved to a big city and stopped caring so much about “fitting in” or dressing status-quo to my classmates. I said goodbye branded polos and hip-hugging jeans and said hello to fur coats, quirky vintage blazers and way too many midi skirts to count. I found my personal style in vintage shops, but I also discovered who I was.

Once I left Prescott for college, I remember thinking that I would never move back. Why would I? I was finally on that upswing of living the big city life. Moving to Phoenix was great for me – I matured, I was surrounded by like-minded people and really came into my own as a person. But then I felt trapped again. I needed something bigger. LA? San Francisco? Chicago? As you can probably guess, I landed on New York. Somedays I still pinch myself that I moved from good ole’ Prescott to the heart of it all. I’m insanely proud of my accomplishments and the hard work it took to get here, but I also know that, no matter how much I try and “run away” from my quaint little cowboy town, it still is a part of me. I’ll always hold Prescott close to my heart. I can confidently say that I won’t be moving back there – but I now appreciate the small town life of quiet streets, friendly conversation and “the story” that comes along with it.

When I was visiting home over Christmas, I visited my go-to vintage store. I was looking to buff up my vintage tee collection (you know how much I love them) and found this Prescott one! The shirt is about our town’s rodeo and there was no second guesses that I was getting the shirt. I’m so happy I can carry a little piece of home with me around the city now. I’m proud of where I came from – camo, cowboy boots and all. It helped me discover who I am, where I want to go, and taught me that there’s really no place like home. xo

SHOP SIMILAR LOOK HERE:
BANDANA | COAT | SHIRT | JEANS *same style | PURSE | BOOTS

COAT, SHIRT, BANDANA, PURSE (VINTAGE) | JEANS (OLD NAVY) | BOOTS (C/O LULU’S) | SUNNIES (JACK PURCELL – CONVERSE)

PHOTOGRAPHY: SAM KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY