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Book Review
The Alchemist is a classic coming-of-age book, but for all ages. It awakens our poetic possibilities in life in a way that only Paulo Coelho can. Although the first sentence of a book is usually reserved for a sentence that grabs our attention, The Alchemist does it differently, only stating that the boy’s name is Santiago. He is a shepherd, choosing this profession because it is the only one that allows him to travel and see the world, diverging from his parent's dreams of becoming a priest.
Santiago travels, soaking in the beauty of the nature around him, thirsty for knowledge until he has many dreams showing him finding treasure at the base of a palm tree near the pyramids. He thinks about the dream but is not a selfish person by nature; Santiago does not decide to search for the treasure until he meets Melchizedek. Melchizedek divulges his knowledge of nature and the power each person has inside themselves to accomplish their dreams.
Santiago embraces the unknown and his new craving to learn more about the Soul of the World, as Melchizedek called it, the energy and spirit all around and in us. He meets the Alchemist, where he learns about the Elixir of Life and the secrets of the Emerald Tablet. As Santiago’s adventure continues, he gathers more knowledge from his experience watching and learning from the desert, realizing that nature is one.
By learning this, Santiago can talk to the sun and the wind that the Hand that Wrote All. He uses his new ability to warn the chief of the Oasis of a coming attack, which saves many lives and gets the Alchemist's attention. He teaches Santiago the importance of following his dreams, even if that means leaving Fatima, whom he fell in love with at the Oasis.
The Alchemist travels with Santiago and shows him how to turn into the wind, ultimately saving his life and the life of the Alchemist from tribe members. As Santiago finally reaches the palm tree base and digs for his treasure, he is beaten up and robbed. One of the robbers laughs at the ridiculousness of having a dream, telling Santiago of his dream. In the robber's dream, he finds treasure under a sycamore tree by a church. Santiago realizes this is the same church he slept in the night he first dreamed of finding the treasure. Santiago returns to Spain to uncover his treasure and embrace his love, Fatima.
Paulo Coelho had a spiritual awakening during a trip to Spain in 1982, which fueled his determination to be a writer, departing from his parent's wishes. Coelho wrote The Alchemist during this time, and although not successful in the first years, it has won countless awards. The Alchemist has become an anthem for young and old people, coming into their own, learning to listen to their hearts, and daring them to seek their treasure.
Let’s Dig for Vintage Glam
Molli’s Adventure to Treasure
by Cassidy Sangster
Molli Slade, the owner of Glam Diggers Vintage, is going all in on unique, colorful, and statement-making pieces for Fashion Week MN (modeled by @tatum.vanyo).
Are you hunting for something unique that will make you feel fabulous? For those wanting to walk around town in something truly unique, head over to Glam Diggers Vintage (3338 University Ave SE., Mpls 3rd Fl, 612-803-5181 @glamdiggersvintage), a vintage clothing store in the Art & Architecture Building known for its funky, glam vintage for all genders and body types. “We have vintage for EVERYbody,” brags Twin Cities-raised Molli Slade, owner of Glam Diggers Vintage.
Amassing a collection that threatened to take over her home, Molli decided it was time to take the leap and, in the spring of 2017, Glam Diggers Vintage opened. After popping up with her colorful, eccentric, and sequence attire at various markets around the Twin Cities, Molli quickly learned there was an appetite for the unusual, extreme, and attention-grabbing vintage.
Molli has earned a reputation as the “Vintage OG” within the vintage community and gained a fiercely loyal following, who praise Molli’s eye for discovering the strange and unique and creating epic looks. “I resonate most with eye-catching details, extraordinary fabrics, and exceptional design. This can come from a well-worn t-shirt to a perfectly preserved 1940s designer ball gown, and anything in between.” Glam Diggers Vintage frocks have made a splash in the community, getting the attention of Fashion Week MN.
Fashion Week MN has embraced Molli and other vintage sellers by including secondhand fashion in its biannual collection of runway fashion shows, which included pieces from Glam Digger Vintage, Queenie and Pearl, and more. Think silks, lace, and detailed suits. An homage to the 1920s with a splash of bright color. The combination of vintage fashion and the focus on sustainability, inclusivity and accessibility has the Twin Cities thinking (and shopping) vintage!
Glam Digger Vintage’s loyal customers praise the safe and inclusive environment that Molli provides as they find some joy in her glittery racks. Molli is a fierce supporter and advocate of LGTBQ+ rights, using Instagram to show off vintage finds and help everyone embrace and celebrate their bodies.
Long hours go into scouring estate sales for treasure, and not only on the weekends, “Up at 5 am, I scour the Internet for vintage finds, and after work, I source for vintage.” Despite the time investment required digging for vintage, Molli is motivated by the unknown, stating, “I appreciate the adventure of life. The best part of my job is 100% finding treasures! My passion for vintage treasures motivates me.”
“I appreciate the adventure of life. The best part of my job is 100% finding treasures! My passion for vintage treasures motivates me.”
Molli Slade
As a real-life fairy godmother, Molli creates a safe space to explore and experiment with your look. Playing dress up with Molli will have you adding secondhand statement pieces to your wardrobe. Even more than just the amazing pieces she sells, Molli does a great job as a steward of history and does a good job of telling stories of where the pieces actually came from.
Hooked on the thrill of the hunt, Molli will continue to treasure hunt, unearthing vintage clothes with swag, sass, and retro glam to add fabulousness to all our closets.
Ready to get treasure hunting yourself? Visit Molli and Glam Digger Vintage, and 70 other vintage sellers will be at Quincy Hall this Sunday, April 16, 2023, from 11 to 4 pm, for the monthly Minneapolis Vintage Market.
Uncovering Hidden Gems:
The Best Places To Shop For Vintage Home Decor
By Cassidy Sangster
A Rare Bird Antiques (3016 W 50th St, Mpls,@ararebirdantiques) is an extraordinary shop filled with beautifully curious antiques and paintings, carefully curated by the owner, who “encourages everyone to treat themselves to a treasure.” The emphasis is on mirrors and chandeliers, rustic, mid-century, and garden pieces. You’ll find a wide array of original paintings. An English country cottage vibe mixed with fashionable oddities and high-end furniture, helping us add some vintage magic to our homes.
Style Society Shop (453 Seventh St. W., St. Paul, Stylesocietympls.com) boasts a wildly eclectic and versatile collection of mid-century modern furniture, vintage glasses, a dry-stem bar, and locally made ceramics. They will have that piece to widen their eyes, strike up conversations, and make a lasting impression in your home. The Style Society Shop is run by three friends and co-owners, Jess Goodpaster, Ashley Rugel, and Emily Dicks. Each brings their talent and individual interests as they operate different areas of Style Society (rentals for weddings, floral services, and the Style Society Shop). Together, they have gained a loyal following on Instagram and have made a splash in the Twin Cities wedding scene, providing rentals of unique oriental rugs, colorful velvet couches, and vintage barware.
Retro Wanderlust (3006 Texas Ave. S., St. Louis Park, @retrowanderlust) moved after 15 years from the old warehouse in Hopkins, to their new location in St. Louis Park last month; with a new location comes new opportunities. Owner Karen Woyak has a keen eye for the best treasures to bring to her shop. Retro Wanderlust is a dreamy wonderland with lamps, mirrors, and curated vignettes, each unique, unusual, and sophisticated.
Carousel + Folk (4205 31st Ave. S., Mpls., carouselandfolk.com) is a sunny, South Minneapolis boutique owned by husband and wife team Lindsey Cason and Mike Cason, who together make the magic happen. Lindsey is the curator and plant lover, with Mike is the delivery guy, lifter, and fixer of everything. Together they have created a space that feels like home stepping into the shop that won “Best of MN 2019: New Vintage Shop.” of textiles and handmade ceramics.