Take the 13 Before 2013 Challenge + Five New Years Resolutions.

I constantly make lists, and New Years is the time of celebration for the list-lover.I'm excited to take my blog and business to the next level. It's a great time to push the envelope and improve. BUT FIRST, I'm going to push myself to finish 13 tasks before the end of the year! It's not too late to...

Post Holiday madness scene at my place. People still need to get their Bieber swag! Ha!

1. Finish photographing all the merchandise stored at my apartment for Etsy.
2. Take the merch to my storage room, (tour soon!) clean/organize the room.
3. List at least 50 more items on Etsy.
4. Refresh the Thrift Core blog layout a bit, making content easier to navigate.
5. Plan and write blog content for January, start one month ahead!
6. Organize/purge the credenza craft mess craziness.
7. Organize/purge the closet craft mess craziness.
8. Kitchen purge, organization, and deep clean.
9. Re-do my favorite business goal guide.
10. Order some essential oils, spices, and other kitchen/cleaning goodness.
11. Clean the House Top to Bottom!  At least this one is DONE! Will dust again, though...
12. Plan blog content as far in 2013 as possible.
13. Relax and have FUN on New Years Eve!

1. Put things away as SOON as you're done with them!
2. READ through my entire library and donate/sell it off.
3. MOVE more every day!
4. Produce the best quality with EVERYTHING I do.
5. More TIME for friends and family!

I haven't done bad in 2012, I finally organized and cleaned hundreds of pieces of merchandise, launched my online shop, and gotten my home clutter completely under control. It was a year of much needed personal cleaning after years of working non-stop. Now I'm ready to dive into work and random traveling adventures! I'm launching lots of exciting things in 2013. Thank you for following along!

What are your Goals and Resolutions for 2013? Wanna Take the 13 before 2013 Challenge with me? What are your 13?

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Half-Year Check In: What Are Your Goals for 2012?

The year is already half-over! I remember starting off the year with lots of steam and potential. But I've got to admit, after moving, rearranging my entire home to take in a roommate, and countless hours prioritizing boring things like organization I'm burned out. I want to write the best posts ever for this blog, launch my new online shop, make more money selling my wares, write a book, and open my shop. Action! I want action!

Here are my goals for the rest of the year. I'd love to know what you have planned, too. Share in the comments. Let's encourage each other to get back on track!

1.) Set Goals and Action Steps for Accomplishing my goals, divide them into daily steps, hit it! (Including sales goals!)

2.) Work everyday to get super pedantically organized ONCE AND FOR ALL!

3.) Launch that online shop by the end of August and keep on it! 

4.) Finally finish first draft of my brick and mortar shop's business plan. Research & Conquer!

5.) Finish a craft or art project every day. Work on making art and accessories to sell daily.

6.) Work on my book every day, e-mail publishers, research on getting it published.

7.) Use a timer to keep myself working hard and on-task every day.

8.) Document, photograph, and list my thrift finds as soon as I find them.

9.) Get ahead on blog posts. Make them entertaining, educational, and attractive.

10.) Make time for fun! Travel, yummy food, and small rewards for big accomplishments!

What are your goals for the rest of August? Let's get busy! I'm off to make some strong tea and get moving...

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

Sneak Peek at My New Office: Workspace and Reselling Headquarters

I've been working tirelessly the past couple of weeks trying to pedantically organize hundreds of bits of things to sell and craft with lately. I thought I'd stop to share a real-time peek at how my new "reselling headquarters" and workspace is coming out:

The bookshelves to the right of my computer are stuffed full of my favorite animated/horror/cult classic films and vintage/art books galore. They make me feel cozy and comfortable as I type here.

I'm still working it out, but attractive open storage solutions help me throughout the workday. I'm always packaging, cutting, pasting, and generally making a big mess. All part of the creative process!

And favorite toys and collectibles out on display put a big smile on my face, too. The framed "art" on the upper right is a collectible Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animation cell!

Oh, and there are far more supplies were these came from that I'll have to figure out how to effectively organize for maximum efficiency...

And with plenty of windows I've always at least got a peek at the outside world while I work, cloistered away inside. The Florida heat out there is hotter than 2,000 blazing suns so it's safer in here anyways!

And a silly Yuko is always around to keep my company while I write, package thing, go through boxes of merchandise, craft, or take pictures!

My new workspace is far from done, but I feel more comfortable working in a combined "office/dining room" area than in a designated office. Things are definitely on the right track!


What's your workspace like? What do you need around to keep you happy and comfortable while you plug away? :)

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

Buying Necessities From The Thrift Store: Where Do You Draw the Line?

We all draw a line somewhere. Some of us refuse to buy used plates, others used shoes. I'm sure all of us draw the line at used underoos! (Buy hey, thrift stores wouldn't stock 'em if people weren't buying 'em!)

This article on yahoo advises against buying:  Mattresses, Swimsuits, Underwear, Cosmetics, Stuffed Animals, Rugs, Comforters, Eyeglasses, Wigs, and Hats!

The Lovely Sammy Davis has a very detailed article against buying:  helmets, mattresses and bed frames, old or new make up, children's cribs, stuffed animals, food blenders and processors, used undergarments, baby car seats and carriers, running shoes, and halogen lamps.

I Draw The Line On: Toiletries or make-up (I use homemade hippie crap anyway!), medicine (again, don't use 'em!), used undergarments, icky-looking shoes, helmets, important life or death safety equipment (Like a parachute! Ha!)

I personally am not a germaophobe. I feel like I interact in a world filled with germs and toxins and can't spend too much time fretting about what's been where. I just know to clean what comes into the house. And clean myself. ;)

What do you refuse to buy from the Thrift Store? Where do you draw the line? Let's Discuss!

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

Twelve by 2012: Let's Start the New Year with a Clean Slate

I'm a prolific note-taker and list-maker. I keep a notepad with me at all times that I'll whip out to frantically record ideas. Thus, I couldn't resist the Twelve by 2012 challenge (I originally found it on Miss Modish.) Here are twelve tasks I will complete before the New Year. I'm excited to kick this list's ass and start the new year fresh!

1.) Go through home with "trash" and "donate" bags. Clear out. Be brutal! Efficient! (Like Batman!)
2.) Host one more Big Bang yard sale. Put ads on Craigslist early, divide, conquer!
3.) Organize pantry.
4.) Go through books quickly, sell some I'll never read, separate and organize the rest.
5.) De-Junk kitchen: take out everything I don't use to sell or donate, organize remainder.
6.) Dust entire house: objects, walls, ceiling fans, everything!
7.) Sweep entire house: under furniture, everything!
8.) Mop entire house.
9.) ALL stuff to sell in boxes and out of the way.
10.) Quick closet run-through, toss all that's not worn.
11.) Finish blog revamp: new layout, update all subpages, clean-up social networks.
12.) Do something really fun for New Years!

You should play along- what are twelve things you're determined to complete before 2012? Share them in the comments, then get to work! Setting this tight deadline is the perfect way to keep from procrastinating.

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

Hardcore October: Setting Goals, Getting Organized Giveaways...

 Photos from the "Mad Tea Birthday Party" I hosted this weekend.

14 days until Halloween, and as I write this, 67 days 15 hours and 45 minutes until Christmas! September positively flew by and I didn't have a chance to make Christmas presents liked I'd planned, so I have to get on it these next few weeks so I can have a dreamy stress-free December!

Goals for the rest of October...

My buddy Fenna sets awesome goals each month blog, and as a fellow ambitious goal setter I'm following suit with my own Hardcore October. Here are my big goals...

• Organization: My work flow is ruined by lack of organization; this is a priority!
• Christmas Gifts: Get a head-start on Christmas gift making, plotting, and scheming.
• Rebranding Thrift Core: Working on rebranding, writing content, and much more!
• PR Plans Written: I'm offering freelance PR services for a fair price. More info soon.
• Make Cat Toys: My new animal mischievous and needs an outlet!

Celebrate Halloween! This is a big one. I haven't been able to slow down to celebrate my favorite time of the year. I want to sit with my family around the Halloween tree and sing Halloween carols while watching horror flicks and making Halloween crafts. 'Tis the season for Resident Evil playing zombie-loving horror genre geeks like us!

Advertise/Giveaways on Thrift Core: It's nearly time for the Christmas shopping blitz; the perfect time to advertise and host giveaways on Thrift Core. Go here for advertising information. Or contact me. I'll respond immediately so we can work something out, I'd love to help you get Christmas shoppers!

And about that kitty...

I loved all of your name suggestions. Especially Mochi, O-Ren-Ishii (Ishii-kitty), Yuki, Pangur, Kahini, Guinevere, hell, every name suggested is perfect. The right name hasn't come to me yet. I'm considering Lydia because it's pretty and I love Tim Burton/Beetlejuice. I chose a winner for last week's giveaway and announced the winner and the prize on Facebook.

What are YOUR goals for the rest of the month? Let's hit it!

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