What's in This Thrifter's Bag...

I love reading other blogger's What's in my Bag posts. Sometimes they provide practical ideas, but more importantly, the contents always provide a visual snapshot of the owner's personality.

My current bag of choice is by Sanrio and features the adorable Chococat mascot. It's a little girl's purse masquerading as a grown-up lady's purse. I relate to it;  I have an adult's brain with little girl's interest: like cute Japanese things, dinosaur toys, and cartoons! Within it are three pouches with three duties: 

Pouch one: Deceptacon Megatron contains:

-Don't You Worry About a Thing planner from Cute Tape: I love the kawaii asthetic, how the front looks like a watercolor painting, and how the title is also a Stevie Wonder Song. I use this all the time.

Pouch Two: Autobot Bublebee typically holds my vanilla blackberry sage vegan lotion and Earth 'n Sea Naturals Chapstick. (Local brand I love!)

When I'm running late for work I'll pack my homemade toner (tea tree oil and water), cotton pads, and cargo 2 in 1 concealer.The whole point of the pouches is to keep the contents of my purse extra safe from inevitable spills. (My dollar-bin plastic Transformers pouches make nice "purse protectors".)

Pouch Three: The Parcel Wristlet is like my wallet, but it's also what I'll carry when I don't need the burden of the whole purse. It's usually all I need on the weekends. It contains:

- Robot card case (holds my yard sale/flea market cash and ID/Debit/Check/Credit Cards)
- Japanese koi change purse
- Cheap-ass cell phone
- Lots of dentyne ice gum (not pictured)

What do you keep in your bag, fellow explorers, artists, and thrifters? Tell me in the comments, or link me to your own what's in my bag posts.

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.

Seven Things About Me: Seven Things About You

I really love reading little details about my fellow bloggers, so I thought I'd share some of my own. Sure, thrifting is a big passion of mine, but it's not my only passion...

I'm a huge Animation/Anime/Manga/Comic Book Geek.

As a result, everything I draw and make has a cartoonish/animated aesthetic, I can't help it. Whenever I can, I go to comic book conventions like the true nerd I am. (My favorite animator of all time is Tex Avery! My favorite animated movie is the 1986 "Transformers the Movie"- hence the poster in the picture above.)

Actually, I'm just kind of a Geek...

I love video games, comic books, collecting toys, science, and history. My favorite Nintendo game is Megaman 2 and I love the survival horror genre; my favorites being Parasite Eve 1 and Resident Evil 2. Also a huge horror movie geek.

 [Perusing the Southern Crossing Antique Mall after dropping off merchandise in my booth.]

I love to draw and wish I had more time to do it...

I love making art in general. I've only finished a handful of pieces since my school days due to lack of time, unfortunately!

 [Prismacolor Drawing  from High School. My constant drawing saved my sanity during the high school years!]

Nothing is too kitsch for me.

I appreciate all things kitsch, tacky, and crazy. Immensely.

I'm obsessed with aquatic life and the ocean.

My love of the ocean and everything within it knows no bounds. I'm always thrifting for that special fish object or vintage aquatic-themed poster.

I've been making websites for 14 years...

...Which means I started when I was 11 years old. I've always been a computer nerd, and making websites was just a natural fit for me. I've made dozens of websites over the years.

 [A very small sampling of the dozens of websites and designs I've made over the years. From the late 90s/early 00s; embarrassing!]

I'm a Professional Writer. I got my start with humor.

My day job is as a copywriter and web marketer. I love writing immensely, and need to get back to my true love: writing humor.

Humor pieces on Thirft Core include: Top 3 Tips for Thrift Lovemaking, the silly I Learned to Knit: I Can Do ANYTHING: I AM BATMAN proclamation, and Bookshelf Doors to the Batcave, Just Like BATMAN! . (By the way... I like The Batman. A lot.)

Now, I'm Tagging You: In the comments, tell me 7 things about yourself. Do it or you will bring on the wrath of The BATMAN!

* Krrb Guest Post: My first Krrb guest post is up, Meet Vanessa of Thrift Core and hear five reasons to curbside shop. I'd love it if you checked it out...AFTER you tell me 7 things about yourself!

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.

The Journey to IKEA and Downtown Orlando

We embarked on our second Orlando, Florida Pilgrimage last weekend. The first one was solely a 2 hour (there and back) journey to the nearest IKEA. We stopped at an IKEA yet again, but this time fit in some random Orlando exploration.

I stuck to my Buy Nothing New pledge and resisted all temptation, coming home with only a couple of yards of fabric (allowable expense). I also discovered the live plant section of the sprawling IKEA megastore! (They have everything!)

We also stopped by Orlando's Mall at Millenia (right next to IKEA) for some display browsing. I'm so glad I don't have a Sanrio store in my neighborhood to temp me with its colorful bounty of kawaii Japanese mascot goodness.

In the pictures above you see part of 1) massive lake Eola, 2) a Japanese-style Pagoda overlooking the lake, 3) two black swans making a nest (they were so damn cute, mom sat, dad piled more and more onto their nest!), 4) and my final snapshot through the window of a beautiful art gallery.

The final stop was downtown Orlando, which I've never visited before. We walked around magical Lake Eola ("Swan Lake") where dainty black and white swans will eagerly feed from your open palms.

With so much to do and so much beauty, I'm getting a little worried than Orlando's going to become my new playground and thrifty city of choice. (Just kidding, St. Augustine wins in my heart!)

What's your city of choice for thrifting and fun?

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.

Top 5 Reasons to go on a Cruise

I went on a four-day cruise from Thursday August 19, 2010 to Sunday August 22, 2010 with a group of 17 friends. I highly recommend anyone make time for at least one cruise in their lifetime; here's the highlight reel of our journey.

1. Unlimited gourmet food

Unlimited gourmet food was available basically 24/7. Sushi, lobster tails, veal, delicious soups and salads- we ate it all in abundance and miss it already. I feel like I ate the ticket price in delicious food.



2.  Constant Service

No cleaning after yourself is a little slice of heaven, I was surprised by the excellent service. Little towel animals were crafted for each room after room service cleaned it. They amused this "grown woman" more than they should have- look at this damn cute bunny!

3. Entertainment

Stand up comedy, stage shows, art auctions, and more took place on the ship. With the exception of bingo, it was all free.



4. Exotic locations

Our cruise took us from Orlando to The Bahamas. As a Floridian and having visited the Caribbean the touristy part of the Bahamas underwhelmed me.

I would have preferred to explore "real" areas of the island and immerse myself in local culture, but I still enjoyed drifting in the calm, cool water. The beach had clear blue waters and white sand- exactly how you imagine the Caribbean.

5. Boozing

A ship with ample liquor being served and a huge liquor store on board could lead to trouble. Every member of our party managed to "sneak in" some quality intoxicants (at least one bottle, sometimes more per person). The result:

Three solid days of parties and chaos. I took many blackmail shots I won't share here...

To conclude: Sure, I don't quite have my land legs back 100%. I have a bit of risidual dizziness from a combination of running more than I ever have in my life (down long hallways, exploring, catching up with friends), drinking copiously for three days straight, being on a moving ship, and barely sleeping, but it was all worth it. I can't wait until the next cruise!

Writing Desk Makeover

The left side of my "dining room" was a little boring. Fueled with delicious espresso I set about rectifying that last night (and early this morning).

  Before: Meh. Bleh. Messy, boring. Not utilized. Imbalanced.

After: With the desk on the opposite wall the room feels more balanced. The desk will actually be used now!

Wall Art: The top piece is a framed South American Mola I found in a pretty thrift store in St. Augustine.The second piece was purchased from The Riverside Arts Market when I had a booth there last year. The third piece down is a collectable "animation cell" from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Animated Series (1987 series).

On Monday I wrote about finding cute Harajuku Lover's hair pins, Selena of Apron Thrift Girl let me know Target carried some of the line. I had to pick up a couple of goodies when I picked up milk last night...

The Harajuku Lover's File Organizer pictured holds receipts, electronics manuals, and to-be-scrapbooked-or-made-into-art bits nicely. I'll save the Harajuku Lover's notepad for writing business ideas of all kinds.

This vintage typewriter is from my mom's childhood. I'm still seeking ribbon so I can use it (can anyone provide leads?) Two of the Japanese kokeshi dolls were bough back from Japan by my dad.

The third small, skinny one was purchased from a thrift store for $1.00 (pictured in the store in this blog post I bought it during my epic thrift trip)

 Especially at night when my "star lamp" casts it's beautiful glow.

This Post is Linked to: Frugal Friday / Feature Yourself Friday / Furniture Feature Friday / Finding Fabulous / Tidy Mom / Favorite Things Fridays / Flaunt it Friday / Fun to Craft

Not Buying it- Could You Go 1 Year Without Shopping?

This morning I got a reminder e-mail about a pledge I signed to Go One Year Without Shopping. It means just that, go one [long painful year] year without buying something unless you absolutely need it. Could you do it? Can I do it?

This challenge was inspired by Judith Levine's Book "Not Buying It". As a social experiment she goes one year without buying anything but necessities. No new clothes, treats, or even entertainment.  Released following former president Bush's plea for Americans to perform their patriotic duty and shopshopshop (to show the terrorists we've won, naturally!) this book tackles the tough questions.

Can the economy survive without shopping? Are Q-Tips a necessity? I can't wait to read the whole book.

 With an enormous amount of will power I resisted these thrift store toys. But I want them all, Want Want! Can you argue that Dinosaur Finger Puppets and kitty bobble heads are a necessity?

Judith Levine doesn't lecture or take her one-year vow of shopping abstinence too seriously. Instead she says,

"Starting January 1, 2004, Paul and I will purchase only necessities for sustenance, health, and business. ... I won't preach the gospel of the Simple Life or dispense advice on how to live it. I have no illusion that forgoing this CD or that skirt is going to bring down consumer culture." 

Although there was an understandable slip or two Judith miraculously sticks to her guns for a year.

With my thrifting addiction, a year without buying will burn my soul. If I honor my pledge (like I should) this may become more of a "junking" blog than a thrifting blog, where I eye the Craigslist's "Free" section vigilantly, watch for curbside treasures, and swoop in on the discarded furniture of friends and family like a bird of prey.

I'm sure that if I commit to this experiment cold turkey it'll beat me. I don't spend much, I don't go out to movies or concerts. But I do love to support local business and haunt a couple of my favorite cafes, restaurants and bars. I might have to pathetically make my goals as follows:

1. No retail purchases other than food and hygiene products (easy enough)
2. No concerts or movies (cheating, I'm not sacrificing anything here)
3. No buying "unnecessary" art prints & pieces (ouch, my soul)
4. No beer from bars (not sure if I can do this...)
5. No Thrift Store Purchases (NO! Can we just set a tiny budget?! Torture!)

As for not eating out, I don't know if this is possible for me. I work so much that it's incredibly hard to make time for cooking without sacrificing sleep or sanity. I don't do it often but I'm so busy that picking up food keeps me from staying up 'til 3AM cooking or becoming malnourished on cereal-dinner (So sick of cereal-dinner!). 

You know what, I'm failing at this experiment already. But I want you to think about this too. How much could you live without? What can you cut, even for a month instead of one year?

This kind of thinking encourages more thoughtful purchases. You buy only what you need and love. And this is for the best, there's no room in your life for anything else.

Here's the challenge blog: A Year Without Shopping. It starts September 1, 2010. If I commit this gives me time to upgrade some broken furniture and purchase other "non-necessities".

* * *

[Couch Update] The couch I blabbed about in yesterday's post is now mine! The owners kindly offered to deliver it to me tomorrow. It looks much better in person but has a fatal flaw, cat claw damage to its beautiful vintage upholstery. I'll ask for advice on how to repair it and post pictures in a future post. I appreciated all the feedback on it!

This post is linked to: Welcome Wednesday / Works for Me Wednesdays / Creative Therapy Session / Show and Tell / Penny Pinching Party / We Did it Wednesdays / Make it Yours Day / Whatever Goes Wednesday / Room to Inspire/ Women Who do it All / Hoo's Got Talent / We Can Do it Cheaper / Transformation Thursdays

Craft Area Makeover

Fueled by a maddening desire to find art supplies without them tumbling on my head when I open the closet, I made a late night run to the hideously evil Walmart- desperate for more storage. $50 ($25 for each tall bookshelf) got me exactly what I needed, affordable storage that makes my supplies readily available.

In Progress. One Bookshelf up, One More to Go:

I was up until the witching hour feverishly constructing book shelves and organizing art supplies. I still have more boxes to sort through and organize but so far the new Art Supply Storage Center is encouraging me to create and resume projects long abandoned (because I couldn't find them!).

I feel guilty over my desperate late-night Walmart purchase, but who knows when Lady Thrifty Lucky would grant me the perfect curio cabinet I craved for storing my art supplies.

 [Pictured Above, Humble Beginnings: The dining/craft room the weekend I moved into my apartment 2 months ago.] Was I to live in utter chaos until that magical day? Patiently awaiting a cabinet that may never come?

[Pictured Left, The Hideous and Maddening Clutter of one of my hallway closets, stuffed with Art Stock that needs to be sold and art supplies. The chaos in this photo ain't the half of it]

To punish me for my impatience I'll find the perfect cabinet for a fraction of the funds I paid for my flimsy Walmart book shelves, such is the cruel law of Thrift.

Other Recent Room Renovations: 

• Thrifty Desk Makeover
  
• Bedroom Makeover Phase I

This post is linked to: Welcome Wednesday / Works for Me Wednesdays / Creative Therapy Session / Show and Tell / Penny Pinching Party / We Did it Wednesdays / Make it Yours Day / Whatever Goes Wednesday / Room to Inspire/ Women Who do it All / Hoo's Got Talent / We Can Do it Cheaper / Transformation Thursdays

Simple Pleasures of Summer

It's been an unseasonably cold Winter and Spring here in North Florida. The days heat up but the mornings are still too damn cold. I love summer, even when I'm melting in the Florida heat and humidity. I'm longing for warm mornings and evenings, beaches, long road trips, and sticky-sweet cold treats.

Here's a few pictures that remind me summer's simple, warm embrace: Come to me, sweet summer nectar!

Early spring in St. Augustine, Florida. This sweet dog was resting in front of an Antique shop amid fragrant Rosemary bushes. A nap in the sun just feels like summer.

 

A reprieve from intense heat with a good gardening book and frozen yogurt. 

 

 Sushi is light and delicious in the summer, this Chirashi-Zushi is beautiful and colorful with fresh fish

My first tiny tomato of 2009, a Black Seaman. I can't wait to see the firs tomato of 2010 this summer. Right now my only seaman is a tiny seedling.

Juicing things! I break out my octopus juicer for mojitos, lemonade...and then more mojitos...

 

More frozen treats! I finally tried Asian Style shaved iced. This one was a lot like Patbingsu and it was delicious and refreshing, topped with mango, strawberries, and sweet red beans. I will have more of this treat as the temperature rises!

What makes you think of summer? Do you miss it? 

Hello Again. I'm Van. This is my Office.

Name: Vanessa Alvarado, Alias Van
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Occupation: Marketing Writer full time, Part Time Freelance Writer and Artist

Portfolio: http://www.vanwrites.com/
Blog: You're Here

Inspired by this inspirational website, I decided to write about a few key items I love in my office. I've written about my office (and its various forms) three times before, which is excessive. The thing is, clocking in at 50 hours per week- I practically live here. My office walls are lined with colorful fabric to prevent insanity.

"Ruins" in Jacksonville, Florida & Portraits

I was raised in Naples, Italy. I'm debating it, but I think I miss the "ruins" more than the food.



The picture above is from our family albums. I miss places like this. History, texture, nature reclaiming the land. There's very little of this in Florida.