Shopping in Las Vegas: Glam Factory Vintage

 It was a last-minute online search that lead me to Glam Factory's doorstep and, man, am I glad that it did. Even before setting out on my trip, I had planned on visiting The Gypsy Den and it was only when double-checking their address from my hotel room that I realized they had closed. Right below the link informing me of this was one displaying this name at 211 E. Colorado Street.          

  As soon as  my dad and I pulled up, I knew I had to go in and he knew he had to stay in the car and nap. The first thing I saw upon entering, before all the colours and textures drew me and even before the beautiful, tall redhead who was clearly into pinup culture flashed me a smile and ducked into the change room, was an adorable and inquisitive pug. All of this made for quite the first impression and I happily wandered in to look, and to pet (yes, the dog, too, but mostly the fabrics!).

  I veered off into the store's relatively new expansion and was greeted by Katie May, a pleasant and upbeat woman who loves to talk about fashion, clothing and vintage treasure hunting as much as I do, if not more. While chatting with her, I discovered that she had spent so much at Glam Factory as a customer that the only logical thing for her to do was to start working there in exchange for clothing. With a such regular rotation of beautiful garments from the 1920's to the 1990's coming in and out of there, it's no wonder she's thrilled to be among them on a regular basis!

  While Katie May and I discussed everything from the quality present in vintage clothing versus the lack thereof in fast fashion to finding clothing that fits to life in Arizona to fashion design and while my dad baked in the rental, the shop's owner ran around, assisting the aforementioned bomb shell and moving stock around. I caught up with Stephanie and her mother, who was behind the cash, for a few quick photos and anecdotes.

  Glam Factory Vintage is run by a warm, lively woman who is clearly in her element and loving what she does. She marveled at how small our world is, telling me that she knows Patrick, whose blog is Parka Avenue and who also lives in Montreal. He once posted about her shop, as he always drops by and scores mod gear when he's in Vegas, which prompted a couple in Belgium to check it out when they were on vacation.

  As it turns out, the little miss in Stephanie's arms had belonged to a local homeless couple and had been living in a shopping cart. When she saw the state of the pup, now named Miss Daisy, she couldn't help but take her in, have her illnesses looked after and give her a loving home.

  If you've got time when you're in Las Vegas, and you're looking for something to see that doesn't involve maneuvering your way through throngs of flip-flop wearing tourists slinging margarita bongs, bachelor party ensembles hooting and hollering at passersby and teenage girls in bedazzled spandex wearing heels so high they wobble like Bambi on ice, the art district is worth the detour from the Strip. If you want great quality vintage clothing and a shopping experience that will leave a smile lingering on your face even when it's over, Glam Factory Vintage is for you.

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My Birthday Trip to Nevada and Arizona. Day Three.

On our third and last full day in the American Southwest, Dad and I hit up RA Sushi, in Las Vegas. It was so delicious and surprisingly well priced that we took my friends back there for dinner that same night. 

Noon is not too early for saké, when you're on vacation.

Within hours of heading out on the first day, I added driving all over this area on an old Triumph or Harley to my bucket list. 

Near Blue Diamond, NV.

We headed West, past Red Rock Canyon at first. I guess I still harbored hope we'd make it to Los Angeles but it was not meant to be this time around!

And then back to Red Rock Canyon we went.

Dad.

That night, after more sushi, Dad went back to our room to work on an assignment and the guys and I went to Frankie's Tiki Room, where I drank more than anyone should the night before flying.

Circus Circus.

My dad, who is an unbelievably potent lady magnet, grabbing a bite to eat before our flight to Washington DC.

Flying over the Rockies.

Over Washington DC, heading back to Montreal.

Some of the goodies I brought back.

I hadn't been back twenty-four hours when I began planning my next trip to the Southwest and, even though I have two smaller trips and a big trip to Scotland coming up before I get to return, I feel a pull from that general direction on a daily basis. I'll be returning with my kids and a friend, this winter, but I'm already planning on spending several months to a year in that general area, some time within the next few years.

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My Birthday Trip to Nevada and Arizona. Day Two.

 On March 15th, we stayed in Las Vegas. While my chums slept in, Dad and I checked out the art district. There are so many more photos of both Glam Factory Vintage and of Gypsy Caravan but I'm working on a piece for either Vintage Maya or for this blog so, for now, this is it.

On the sidewalk, between Glam Factory Vintage and Gypsy Caravan.

Gypsy Caravan sneak peek.

Possibly my favourite photo from this trip is my father making this face in these glasses.

Before and after checking out the National Atomic Bomb Testing Museum, we spent a little bit of time on the Strip.

Funhouse "alien vision" mirror at the museum.

At the end of the day, we all headed up to Fremont Street and had an amazing time. 5 Guinness for $12? Yes, please. This is my dad and I. It's official that he and Amanda are my favourite travel companions, followed very closely by Bob, who would complete a top three, if he didn't mind getting up to experience shit before noon. Different strokes, folks.

Santa enjoyed the hell out of the U2 cover band and happily posed with a variety of people.

I whimpered a bit when Predator stepped towards me. 

The one and only downside of ridiculously cheap stout is that only a handful of your cell phone photos turn out well enough to post. This was, however, a fantastic night and I truly enjoyed being part of such a positive and warm party scene.

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My Birthday Trip To Nevada and Arizona. Day One.

My birthday wish was to be at the Grand Canyon's South Rim at sunset, the day I turned 34. The day before, two of my friends, my father and I flew into Las Vegas on separate flights. I had booked a room for my chums and I but when Dad booked a room with two beds, I chose to stay with him and, in the end, this was the best thing that I could have done as we were rolling on the same schedule and were inclined to see the same the things. 

Determine to fulfill my wish, we hit up one of Vegas' Trader Joe's for road snackage and then headed East, on the morning of March 14th.

Our first stop was Hoover Dam.

Boulder City, Nevada.

Somewhere in Western Arizona.

We detoured so that I could finally get a glimpse of Historic Route 66.

This wagon and jailhouse are from 1860.

Despite everyone along the way telling us we probably wouldn't make it on time, we arrived at the Grand Canyon South Rim a half hour before sunset. My dad looked down at me and said, "We made it. Happy birthday," and those were the most amazing five words I'd heard in a long time.

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