What's in my Bag: A Peek at the Life of a Busy Bohemian

When I realized I had records in my bag I thought it would be fun to analyze its crazy contents! This is what ends up in my purse after a busy week of networking, thrifting, photo gigs, and art shows. Picture taken the day after Downtown's Art Walk.

1) Screen printed bag from a Japanese art museum. 2) My bro gave me records. One has songs from a favorite record, Off The Wall! 3) I always bring a composition book. I constantly record ideas. 4) Pen and pencil  for the idea lovemaking! 

5) SLR Battery Charger; zee camera is always by my side. 6) Beloved Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens 7) A dab of hot pink lip gloss is the only makeup I wear these days. I've had this for at least 6 years. Likely breeding a mutant strain of bacteria in there.

8) Cute Sunglasses 9) Always need cash for random thrift or flea stops! Or art. 10) Wallet! Yep, credit and business cards fit within. 11) Gum case featuring a cute kokeshi doll. Always loaded with my favorite gum. 12) I call him Change Fish! Hosts my flea market change.

13) Tiny hair ties for when I feel like braiding my hair. 14) I'm always exchanging business cards. 15) Remember my envelope savings system? 16) Squint and you'll see a tiny toy knife from my nephew and a "Fuck" button from a friend in Vegas! :)

Bonus: Peek in my bag when I was a writer working in a cubicle for The Man.

So there you have it, the tools of the trade of one quirky bohemian. What's in your bag? Bring anything special with you to the thrifts?

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

Thrift Core Storytime: Sectaurs Warriors of Symbion

It's the perfect day for Thrift Core Storytime, a new series where I share tales of the amusing and kitschy persuasion. Come hither, my friend, let's read Mission of Friendship together. This Sectaurs : Warriors of Symbion book was thrifted in my childhood. I've been reading it since I was 4 years old!

For Extra Fun: Let's play a game of count the Freudianisms. How many can you see?! 

Happy April Fools Day!

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

The Pilgrimage to IKEA: Retailer of Legend

I traveled with mom on a two hour pilgrimage to the massive IKEA shopping center in Orlando. The international retailer lived up to its legend. The cafeteria featured succulent and affordable grub, the downstairs daycare was immense and colorful. The second floor was a labyrinthine wonderland divided into more showrooms that I can count, each one a perfectly staged bedroom (with attached bathroom!) kitchen, dining room, or office.

The prices were striking. I can see why IKEA is renowned and featured in nearly every design publication. The furniture was sturdy and affordable, I've encountered plenty of thrift stores with higher priced items. It was truly Disney World for interior design lovers.

I wish I could take you with me.

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

Thrift Blogs You'll Love: Easy Weekend Reading

If you're in the U.S, it's the day before Thanksgiving. You're surfing the web sluggishly, happily anticipating a belly full of bird. Don't worry; this week's Thift Blogs You'll Love are easy reading.

The following blogs have easily scannable content, but they're not low on ideas, inspiration or laughs. They're the perfect reads for a lazy Holiday weekend.

[Better After]

Definitely in the "Why the hell didn't I think of this!?" category, this blog is pure genius. It's nothing but beautiful Befores and Afters. Scan the ample archives for weekend project inspiration.

[Junk Culture]

Art made from junk- a thrifter's dream blog! This blog features a new series of "Junk Art" by established artists and makers daily. Each piece of recycled art has something to love.

[shshh.tumblr.com]

A blog by Cara, an artist and photographer by trade and education. The blog is all about imagery, click her "thrifting" tab to scan beautiful images of her thrifted finds.

[Regretsy]

Where has this website been all my life? It's where DIY meets WTF, the blog chronicles the most bizarre and hilarious things ever listed on Etsy. (It's not exactly kid or work safe, tread carefully.)

Join the Cause: If you would like a blog featured on my Thrift Blog Share, email me. I'm currently looking for guest posts (holiday, crafting, and thrifting themed) too, just throwing it out there!

I'll be back to posting on Monday. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

More Thrift Blogs You'll Love:

11/17/10 Thrift Blogs You'll Love:  [Modern Thrifter] [Trash Finds] [Apron Thrift Girl]

Daily thrift updates, information, and inspiration. Follow Thriftcore on Twitter.

Wardrobe Malfunction Prevention

100% Thrifted Outfit & Sexy Sea Horse Hooks
Behind my door is what I call my "Changing Station". Every night before I go to sleep I pick out my entire outfit for the next day. Each component is tried on to ensure confidence and prevent wardrobe malfunction before the entire ensemble is neatly hung behind my bedroom door.

This is a huge time saver. I can be out the door 10 minutes after waking up with this kind of preperation, and with my new desperate snooze-hitting obession every second counts. Yet this isn't merely a time saver. There's something meditative about picking out the next day's outfit. It's an inspiring ritual, a reminder that tomorrow is a fresh new day with endless possibilities. Maybe, just maybe, some things will get done. It's another chance to do things right. (Maybe. Hopefully.)

What are Your Morning Time-Saving Tactics?

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

Bedroom Transformation: Before & After

I've slowly been improving my bedroom over the past couple of months since we visited it on this blog.

BEFORE SHOT: The bedroom now feels more full and cozy.

I'll be continuously making changes but I'm pleased with the progress so far. I want to hang more art but the wire mesh behind the plaster of this walls makes it very difficult. I've broken several nails and thumbtacks trying to nail into these walls!

The bed was free, it was languishing in my mom's garage. I painted it from plain pine to a gray blue color. The beautiful Lydia painting was purchased from an art show I participated in.

Sewing some new curtains is on my to-do list. I happened to have the current plain ones on hand and they were pretty much the only ones I could hang without curtain rods. They're just tied to the blinds, actually! Gotta fix that when I have some time...

I re-purposed the easy message board from last week into a jewelry organizer. If the art on this wall looks a bit imbalanced it's because I used nails that were in the wall. Damn that impenetrable plaster! I crave more art of these walls!

The coziest part of the bedroom is still the desk area, which I went through a transformation of its own. I'll get this bedroom "right" one day, but for now, time to sleep in my actual "bed" (no longer a mattress and box spring on the floor)

Note: It's kind of embarassing showing the room in this state, for me it's "half finished" and plain. I'll share more "room transformations" as they come.


This post linked at:  New Nostalgia / Today's Creative Blog / Review Retreat / Craft Edition / Tuesday Tagalong

To Paint: What Color?

I bought these two large and quite hideous "art pieces" for $2.99 each at Goodwill this Sunday. The TJ Maxx stickers on the back had these ugly cheetah-splotched metal pieces priced at $24.99 each! I almost passed them over, but I saw their potential. With the right paint these will stand out as attactive, bold graphics.

But I don't know what color to choose. I've considered:

-Lime Green
-Neon Orange
-Red
-White
-Black (zzzzz)
-Red Orange
-Aqua
-Dark Blue
-Yellow

It's so hard to choose. What two colors would you paint these pieces? Once they're painted I think I'll hang them at work.

This post linked at:  New Nostalgia / Today's Creative Blog / Review Retreat / Craft Edition / Tuesday Tagalong

One Picture: One Memory: The Bahamas

On my Recent Cruise to the Bahamas I floated in the cool clear waters in Cabbage Beach, which is close to the famous Atlantis Resort.


If you're enjoying the final heat waves of summer, get out to the beach this weekend to soak it in. I know I am. (Along with some thrifting, naturally)

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

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!

4 Simple Goals: What Are Yours?

Elise of a beautiful mess wrote 4 Simple Goals to finish before 2011 and challenged her readers to do the same. It's past the mid point for 2011; it's a good time to check in on the goals you ambitiously set back in January.

Remember the start of 2010 when you said you'd work out every day and eat healthy every day and organize your entire house. You haven't kept up with any of it, have you? Yeah, me either!

Here are my 4 easy goals to continue until 2011 (and beyond). What are yours?

1.       Health First!

Exercise 30 minutes three times per week. Eat healthy whole foods every day. Pack a nutritious lunch daily.

2.       One Step Daily

Every day take one step toward my big goals. Organize one box of stock. Complete a little bit more of an art project. Write new content. Complete some website tweaks. Small steps daily towards my goals will ensure the projects continue to move along.

3.       Complete Organization

 My dream of having a clean, clear, 100% clutter free life has not been realized, but I work towards it every day. I want a home where everything is its place and easy to find. I'll continue organizing and purging until I reach my goal.

4.       Profitable Side Business

I've been slowly working toward crafting a profitable side business. I know with my current workloads there's no way I could make a side business my full time work yet, but that is certainly a long-term goal.

Join the fun, share four easy goals to continue or complete before the end of 2011! I'll share healthy lunch packing ideas and recipes, organizing tips/progress, and business tips as I continue to work toward my goals. Hopefully it will help you reach yours, too!


This post linked at:  New Nostalgia / Today's Creative Blog / Review Retreat / Craft Edition / Tuesday Tagalong