New Acanthus Apparel Fall Items

New Acanthus fall items are rolling into Vitae! We love the three new designs. Right now they are available on the items pictured but they will be printed on more items in the coming weeks. Stop in and check them out!

Save the Date!

• 
  
  
                             
  Join us as we host the release party for FOREVER GOLD Volume 2 - the much anticipated follow up to last Springs's sold out photo journal by photographer Michael Watson.
  
  
  Volume 2 will feature 50 pages of all new 35mm and instant photography shots sure to capture your attention.
  
  
  We're so glad to be hosting this event - the last one was stellar (but alas the donuts ran out too soon:) 
  Plus, we're all about real books of pictures from real cameras, especially from this guy's perspective - it's going to be a great collection.
  
  
  Forever Gold Vol.2 will be for sale at the party for just $15., and we're pretty sure you can get that signed.
  Just 100 copies will be printed, so stop in to get yours and enjoy some tunes, snacks and beers.
  
  
  FGV2  is a First Friday in the East Village event, so be on the look out for parties, events and specials throughout the neighborhood:)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Partly Cloudy and 100% Awesome

.  The new cloud necklaces from Be Joyful are clever, simple and interactive: 3 elements that make these a win for giving or for keeps.

A cluster of old fashioned boot buttons with a single drop strung from the center emotively suggests a cloud doing what clouds do best.  The grouping easily glides on a corded chain for no reason at all 

which is delightfully appealing to us.

 For especially "changeable" gals, these gems can be used as a handy indicator of emotional stability - not unlike old fashioned mood rings or our home state's beloved weather beacon - with Black signalling "go away and come again another day"  while White beckons " It's a good day for a long talk and a Lifetime movie". 

One  look and they'll know - you've got exceptional taste in jewelry:)   

Acanthus Apparel Flash Sale on Etsy

Acanthus is trying something new... Today only they are having a flash sale on both of these boxy tee styles via Etsy. They are 20% off their regular price of $34. If you live in the Des Moines area and prefer to pick up at Vitae they will refund your shipping costs. 

If this goes well expect to see a Flash Sale at least once a month on a Sunday. So watch for the next one.

www.acanthusapparel.etsy.com

Introducing Bark Decor

We are pleased to announce a new label hitting our shelves — tomorrow! Bark Decor's totally tangled line art is displayed on tea towels, t-shirts and tanks. Sara Barrett, the indie east-coast designer behind Bark Decor, creates intricate limited-run apparel and decor that is mad-appealing to the contemporary eye (we heard a rumor you guys have some serious style, so we thought you'd want in on this one). 

Make your kitchen (or a friends) happy with Bark Decor's quirky tea towels, or get comfy in her mod t's and tanks. 

Buy Bark Decor's designs guilt-free. Her line is made in America, and created with the planet in mind (she even uses the sun to screen print, instead of electricity-eating equipment).

Vitae is the only brick and mortar store in Iowa carrying Bark Decor, so style your outfit or home assured that you will not look like you just shopped the mall. Not everyone in town will be rocking Bark Decor's sweet styles, which makes these intricate designs perfect for indie individuals.

Tax Free Weekend Shopping

The Summer milestones are marching by.   Somewhere between the 4th of July and the State Fair parade is an often overlooked tradition - and though we're not sending out any Hallmark cards, we're always happy to see the annual Iowa sales tax holiday roll around. 

Friday August 2nd and Saturday August 3rd, there will be no tax charged on sales of most clothing and shoes statewide. This incentive (now in it's 14th year) was initiated to keep those back to school dollars from going to neighboring states like Minnesota that do not tax clothing.  Boring fact perhaps, but saving money is fun.

Basically, exempt from taxes are clothing items under $100. (everything at Vitae:)  from hats to socks. This does not include non-apparel items like purses and jewelry, but you can snatch those up with the dollars you'll be saving on the essentials (dresses, t shirts and the like). 

For a complete breakdown of what is taxable/exempt, visit this helpful page http://www.iowa.gov/tax/educate/STHList.pdf  and don't forget the chips (for the big sales tax holiday BarBQ)! 

        

  

New East Village Parking Meters

It may not be the year 2062, but you can still land your Jetsonian hover craft in East Village, and check out our new futuristic parking meters. 

The new solar powered meters take the traditional change, as well as debit, credit, Des Moines SmartCards and blood oaths. Kidding about the last one. 

 The SmartCard is as new to Des Moines as the Smart Meter, so if you're a bit confused about how the new system works don't fret (it furrowed our brows too). We did a bit of research and here's what we came up with: 

•  The SmartCard can be purchased from vending machines at 3rd and Court Parking Garage office, 9th and Locust Parking Garage office and the City Hall lobby, located at 400 Robert D. Ray Drive. 

• If you used the card to pay for parking, reinsert the card when you hover off, and it will refund you for the time you did not use.

• All meters adorned with a yellow SmartCard sticker will take the SmartCard (note this is not all Des Moines meters).

• The new meters are enforced between 8 am and 6 pm Monday through Friday — just like the old meters. 

Next time you stop in to see us, no need to raid the porcelain piggy, the East Village is no longer taking (only) your change.