white plum

and the results are in...

2009-07-13T17:28:00.001-07:00

score one for me! ok - so i actually scored a couple good deals...and i have also figured out a few things:

1 - thrift stores are a lot more expensive than they were in the early 90's...there were no $4 velvet blazers in sight this time

2 - shopping for clothes was almost impossible due to the amount they had out - and the lack of organization. i mean, yes, pants were with pants and shirts with shirts (grouped by gender) but that was about it. no similar sizes together...this is what made it the hardest. oh well. i am a pretty casual jeans and t-shirt kind of chick anyways...and that is why god made target. $5 t-shirts (with labeled sizes) and sure-to-fit jeans all year long...(signing in awe....)

3 - they really do have sales at a thrift store! who knew!? at this particular store, i guess they randomly mark products with numbers #1-7 and depending on the day of the week, you get items marked with that number HALF OFF (please note cute jar pictured above)!

in anycase - i scored two items in particular that i am very pleased with...one was the little candy jar (pictured at top) that says "sweet things in life are made with love". my husband will be extra impressed with that find (insert sarcastic tone here) as he is always nagging me to keep sweets and junk food out of the house. (i should add that if it does not have a protien count over 10g, it is considered junk. that means you, raisinettes and e.l. fudge cookies...) but now i have such a cute little stoneware jar to hold sweets...so bring on the skittles!!! best part - it was $3, but ON SALE for only $1.50!!

the other find was the beautiful bamboo/wood chips & salsa server...$3 (no sale - *tear*)...but still a great deal! it even came with a glass bowl to fit the dip/salsa slot...however, it did not make the picture as it is still soaking in its manditory 30 minutes boiling hot water & vinegar solution that i am convinced will take all yuckiness of the previous owners germs away...

so yes - chalk today up as a success. i will surely be back to that store in the future...

gettin' thrifty

2009-07-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

find me one person who HASN'T been affected by the economic crisis at hand...and i will give you $5.

mind you, i don't have $5 to give...but i guess you could also look at it as that is a measure of how confident i am that everyone has been affected - even in super small ways.

that being said...i am going to hit up the local thrift store tomorrow. not really sure what i am in the market for (a funky vase, a pair of shorts...who knows) but i would still like to go and check things out. and yes - i realize this is in total defiance of the "rules of thrifting"...

i can recall going as a teenager...i scored this awesome maroon velvet (men's?) blazer for like $4. admittedly it was a bit of an odd choice for your typical 14 year old girl...but i loved that thing and wore it everywhere.

however, i haven't ever gone since. my mentallity had been who needs a thrift store when you have the miracle that is target? ahh, how times (and bank account balances) have changed.

i will let you know what i find...

the real cost of buying handmade...

2009-07-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

ever looked at a craft show or browsed on etsy.com and thought "i like this stuff, but it's too expensive...i can get(insert product name here) cheaper at wal-mart"?

allow me to let you in on a little secret: it isn't.

buying handmade is almost always a bargain when you consider what goes into the product itself and the quality of the craftsmanship. heck, most crafters barely make their money back when you factor in cost of materials, time spent, cost of promotion...etc. good crafters - true to their art and their heart - are in business for other reasons...not just the money.

as an example - take the following:

here is a listing from my etsy shop for 2 handmade washing cloths made from 100% natural cotton yarn. they measure 8x8 inches. the set of two retails for $8. oooh....expensive, right? i must be making a lot from that sale, right? in fact, i'm not.

here's the breakdown on this example (add in $2 for shipping):

cost of yarn - $1.50
cost to post/sell this listing on etsy: 44 cents
cost of shipping plus delivery confirmation: $2.27
cost to use paypal: 24 cents
packing materials/wrapping: about $1

total spent so far by me to make the product: $5.45

now consider:

time spent to make product - about 2 hrs.
time spent photographing - 15 minutes
time spent posting - 15 minutes

total time: 2 hrs, 30 mins

considering that my "profit" before factoring in time was $2.55, that means i was working for $1.02 per hour. who needs minimum wage standards?!?!?!

honestly though - this is what it comes down to - i can't price higher because no one would buy (and other crafters would "undercut me"). i can't price lower because, well...i'm not nuts and getting carpel tunnel at 26 has to be worth something...

but the bottom line is i love creating and i love being able to offer people a product i can make by hand...regardless of price.

i don't look to get rich off crafting, i look to make my soul and life richer.

just thought you might want to keep this in mind the next time you consider a handmade product. there is a lot of love and (underpaid) time put into it...and it is worth the price.

i'm in love...

2009-07-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

no no...i'm not talking about my secret boyfriend, anderson cooper.

and no, i am also not referring to my deep, consuming love of lazy mornings, warm brownies or the miracle that is the DVR...

no - i am referring to my new favorite blogs! every few months, i kind of weed out my favorites menu and delete any links to sites and/or blogs that i just don't seem to keep up with or find much interest in.

simply put, life is too short to have a cluttered favorites bar. it makes me dizzy...and may be the main contributing factor in why i have (at times) over looked more important links, like....my banking. (shudder)

but in anycase...as i get rid of the old, it always seems to be replaced by the new.

here is what i am following right now (can you tell i'm on this super organization, money saavy, back to your roots kind of kick?!):

http://www.simplemom.net/
http://www.suddenlyfugal.wordpress.com/
http://www.littlehouseinthesuburbs.net/

lord, spare my husband. he does not quite know what to make of my new "home organization notebook" which i lovingly refer to as my bible.

good karma!

2009-03-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

photo by: missjdub

many thanks to righthand for the feature on her beautiful treasury featuring items sure to inspire domestic bliss in all of us...

and good karma followed because:

a) her treasury was featured on the frontpage of etsy.com today
b) the views for my featured item went from 30-something to 297
c) i made a sale tonight (hurray!)

thank you, righthand! thank you! and for those of you looking for adorable children's toys and such (especially something for the little one's easter basket) be sure to check out her shop!

car accident

2009-03-16T20:48:00.001-07:00

today it was 55 degrees and dreary. really yucky outside, to be honest. the perfect type of day for three things:

1 - napping
2 - shopping for items you do not really need nor can you afford
3 - getting into a car accident

well - in my day, i managed to have all three. now, i am not really sure if this makes me an overachiever or a lazy, debt-ridden girl who has a bad headache, but either way i am chalking today up as a total success.

why?

a) the accident wasn't my fault - i was rear ended.
b) the jeep can take a licking and keep on ticking = no damage
c) i got a nap (who wouldn't be happy about that?!)
d) i found a pair of shoes on clearance at the jcp and paid for them with cash i had found in my jeans pocket (yes, they were THAT on sale)
e) the cop who responded to the scene was pretty hot (ok - i am totally biased...it was my husband)

but mostly, because

f) it gave me a chance to practice compassion and loving-kindness

the woman that hit me was so concerned over her error and had tears in her eyes due to worrying that i was ok (which i was) and that i wouldn't be angry and nasty to her (which i wasn't). i mean, no one likes to be rear-ended in the rain but it happens to the best of us and i am sure she meant no harm. i found myself actually joyful in reassuring her that everything was alright and watching her relax away fear on her face. i totally forgot about the accident and became wrapped up in my focus on making sure she was not too hard on herself.

and you know what? it was the right thing to do. it was a great way to take a crappy situation and make the best of it - including offering empathy and patience to the person "in the wrong".

i felt great - no harm, no foul - but i think my husband (in super serious cop mode) was mortified at the thought that i might actually hug the woman who ran into the back of my car.

amazing.

2009-03-15T20:43:00.000-07:00

photo by: rosemanio

lately, i have been feeling a very strong pull to get back into touch with my spiritual side. economists say many americans are doing this because of the recession. politicians say it is happening because we are all secretly right-winged folks who love values, morals and traditional religion.

but i disagree. i think that for every person - on their own unique path - there is a certain time that spirituality (not always religion) comes into light and arouses a deeper level of attention.

now, in no way do i claim to be even close to having my spiritual ducks in a row, but like always, i try to remember that this is a journey that must be taken one step (however small) at a time.

today, i just wanted to share with you a woman (and author) who i have discovered. she is simply amazing and her writings seem to offer a beatifully worded bridge between buddhist philosophy and western culture. her name is pema chodron and she has written books such as "start where you are", "when things fall apart", "no time to lose" and "the wisdom of no escape". i am truly in awe of what she has to say.

if you do nothing else today, get to know her. whatever religion you are, where ever you are on your own spiritual path, read her words. they will certainly move you.

click here.

2009-03-06T19:38:00.000-08:00

well, not actually on the title, per se... but try HERE.

has anyone seen this site? it is really amazing. with all the junk on the internet, it is nice to every once in a while stumble upon something that has some true value.

be warned - some of the images and words on the site can be difficult to handle. but i truly believe that the bigger sociological implication of what is being shared here is simply stunning.

let me know your thoughts.

attacked!

2009-03-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

because of yesterday's events, i can now say that i am the victim of some sort of odd mauling incident. yes. i am lucky to be alive.

ok - here is what actually happened:

a new "outlet" store of a certain brand name clothing manufacturer (whom we will from here on out refer to as X clothing) opened in my town yesterday. now, i put outlet in quotes (note sarcasm) because while it is housed in an outlet shopping center, quite frankly, i don't see any difference between X clothing's outlet prices and their actual store prices. call me frugal, but i want my discounts!

none the less...so i wander in to X clothing's "outlet" store yesterday morning on my way in to work (not really to buy, more to be nosy and browse) and as soon as i walked in - BAM! i seriously had 4 sales girls in my face telling me about the layout, the sales, the specials, the styles, what they ate for dinner the night before, the brand of toilet paper they buy, the name of their grandmother's life insurance company...and on and on...

i tried to politely explain that i was just browsing. no avail. they kept on. so then i tried to explain how i was on my way to work and didn't have much time (i.e. if you want to try to make a sale off me, you better shush up and let me shop!) but still...they kept on. "where do you work", they ask. and "can you tell everyone there that we are open" they plead.

finally, i managed to dodge them when some other unsuspecting customer wandered through the doors (and into the netherlands of over-zealous sales-girl paradise).

so i wander to the other side of the store - finally clear from any sales pitches or pleas for free publicity. and then...they decend on me like flies onto spilled ice cream in the hot days of august - more sales people! more! stockers! cashiers! window cleaners! i mean, the ratio of customers to employees must have been 2:395 !

needless to say - i hightailed it out of there. so what if i had to sit in the faculty parking lot for 30 minutes waiting until classes started. so what if in the process my car battery died from trying to listen to my ipod. at least i wasn't going to be left in the place where super eager sales people went to live out their final days.

even scarier...

2009-03-03T17:20:00.000-08:00

ok - so if you have read my blog, you have probably read my post regarding my intense fear and horror over the tlc show "toddlers & tiaras".

but, let me just say...this show pales in comparison to the new train wreck i have discovered on the "we" channel. has anyone seen this "little miss perfect"?!?!

oh dear lord. i don't even think my description could do it justice. all i can say is watch. your mouth will hang open in amazement of the following things:

- that yes, in fact, they do make "dentures" for children
- just how much parents will spend on a pagent dress that has been attacked by a bedazzler (it makes my mortgage seem like pocket change)
- how much eyeliner you can actually put on a 5 year old

...and much, much more. but i must say, the biggest "it is so bad but i just can't look away" moment comes at the end when the host, michael (who is wearing more make-up than half the contestants) sings his off-off-off broadway inspired "pagent song" to the top ranking contestants. they stand there looking like a confused deer in the headlights as he croons away at them about nectarine rainbows and other junk...i think they are just wondering if they will make it off the stage alive - crown or no crown.

in any case - it is horrible. and yet, i tivo'd it again this week. (hangs head in shame)

treasury!

2009-03-01T16:53:00.000-08:00

thank you so much to brightshop for including me in her gorgeous new treasury! she has selected some beautiful pieces found on etsy.com - in all the most rich shades of blues and greens. make sure to check it out - it will expire on march 3rd.

that being said - brightshop has a really incredible shop herself which features absolutely precious little pieces for children and babies. i love her meatball man!

thanks again, brightshop! good karma to you!

yes, i admit it...

2009-02-28T16:20:00.000-08:00

i have completely forgotten to update the blog recently.

ok, no...that's a lie. the real truth is that - like a lot of people - my life is getting in the way of my useless computer time. drat.

i mean, honestly...i have just really slacked off. i know so many of us are being pulled in a million and a half directions. not to mention that everytime my secret boyfriend anderson cooper comes on tv all he has is bad news about the nation's economic crisis, blah, blah, blah...

well, at least the CSPIA madness has calmed down...they put a "stay" on the bill and will be taking a second look at it in one year. i think the wonderful community at etsy.com had a lot to do with this - great work!

as for me...i am going to get back on the horse and try to be a little more steadfast in my blogging and posting and what not. perhaps i will have to put anderson cooper on mute for a while - that way i still get to spend quality time with him, sans dire financial reports...

the evils of cspia

2009-01-29T15:46:00.000-08:00

for those of you who haven't heard, there is this new legislation being put into place on 2/10/09 that will mandate all children's products (everything from toys to books, bath products to clothes) be tested for dangerous chemicals like lead and phtalates.

the good news: with all these nasty imported toys from countries with poor regulations coming into the US everyday...and thus into our homes...this will protect a lot of children who may have been unknowingly exposed to such chemicals.

the bad news: you know all those incredible handmade wooden toys or the beautiful hand stitched baby quilts you loved to buy? kiss them goodbye. now, people like mattel and fisher-price will have no issue with being able to afford the massive amounts of testing now mandated by the US government (each and every ingredient and/or material will need to be tested - as well as the final product - costing enormous fees to the maker) because they are a) loaded with cash and b) have lobbyists and legislators in their pockets and will be able to squirm through multiple loopholes.

but what about all the handmade stuff? gone. people that make things to sell at craft shows or on sites like etsy.com will never be able to afford this testing. they will be forced out of business. if they try to get around the laws...they will be offered the chance to pay fines or (better yet) perhaps take a lovely vacation to one of our country's luxurious minimum security prisons. those felons!

of course...there is one other alternative. crafters can start charging people what it will actually cost them (supplies+labor+TESTING FEES) to make and sell their product. big companies will be able to absorb their testing costs...these amazing artists won't...

here's some lovely examples:

from aebaby:

CPSIA Special - I Spy Bag Travel Toy, Black Floral

Cost: $17,240.00

Description:

Yes, this does cost $17,240. Thanks to the new law that goes into effect Feb. 10, 2009, the CPSIA will require that I test each product in my shop for lead. Each component will cost $70 for lead testing and an additional $350 per component for phthalates testing. Since there are over 40 different components to each toy I would have to add $17220 to cover costs of testing. So as of Feb. 10th when testing is mandated my once $20 toy an unbelivable $17,240.By the way- shipping on this item is complimentary. :) For more info please read http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-deadline-for-changeorg-vote-cnn-article-3247/ Please speak up and help save handmade toys, children's items and the small businesses that create them.

or perhaps this one from levityinbrevity:

CPSIA SPECIAL PRICE Brown Corduroy Tree applique jumper 2t-3t

Cost: $2,547.99

Description:

Thats right $2547.99 So instead of the costing you $27.99 thanks to the new law from the CPSIA this is the cost to you...To test for Lead it will cost $70 per component(6 components: Thread, 3 different fabric's, button) TOTAL: $420 Add in the additional $350 per component for phthalates = $2,100Total-$2,547.99

toddlers, tiaras and stage moms...oh my!!!

2009-01-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

has anyone watched the show on TLC called "toddlers & tiaras"???

this show frightens the bejesus out of me. what is up with spray tanning your children and making them wear false teeth? can someone explain why these 3 year olds are being paraded around with more pressure on them to perform than dogs in a show ring?

what gives?

if you haven't watched the show, you need to. they say it is all a positive uplifting experience for these children, but i have serious doubts.

if i see any more of these poor children who look as if they have been mauled by a be-dazzler, i am going to freak out. leave the kids alone and let them be!

more bad movies

2009-01-27T20:44:00.001-08:00

a few weeks ago i published a post listing some movies you should avoid like the plague.

i would like to add "vacancy" to that list.

luke wilson? stick to your romantic comedies and occasional vince vaughn flick. kate beckinsdale? bring back the english accent and make serendipity pt. II already.

but please, please...under no conditions should either of you be making a horrorifying, creepy and predicatble mock snuff film like "vacancy".

yuck. i want my hour and 36 minutes back, luke and kate. thank you.

tag, you're it!

2009-01-27T12:42:00.000-08:00

thanks to bookwormz for the tag...she has an awesome blog and a super cool etsy shop. as a teacher, i always appreciate anyone who makes reading more approachable and stylish!

i know, i really shouldn't preach all educational on people while i sit here on my couch watching reruns of "what not to wear" (do you think my boyfriend will be jealous?) and cramming bagel bites in my mouth, but hey....i went to work today and enriched the minds of america's college students. well, at least the ones who weren't hungover, sleeping or busy texting their pals...

what i'm sipping...

2009-01-24T16:17:00.000-08:00

i have a new love. yes, my husband has had to deal with other affairs. my secret boyfriend anderson cooper. my other secret boyfriend dave letterman. and then there is my crochet. i can't put it down and my husband often swears that if the house were burning, i would save my hooks before my wedding photos...

nevertheless...

i have a new love. i present to you: vanilla almond tea from bigelow teas. (cue heavenly sounding gospel choir now)

i love this stuff!

i stand corrected.

2009-01-20T16:25:00.000-08:00

today, there actually was snow. not just flurries...snow. as in, it changed the color of my patio table. as in, it required scraping and brushing off my windshield to drive to work. as in, i actually saw a SAND TRUCK on the roads in south carolina. who knew we even had one of those in the state?

in any case - i stand corrected. we had snow.

and yes, they closed most everything down...except where i work. boo.

snow? really?!?!?

2009-01-19T18:18:00.000-08:00

the forecast for my area: bleak

i moved down south almost 10 years ago for one main purpose - to avoid snow!!! and every once in a while, it comes to haunt me. i doubt we will even get a flurry worth mentioning, but you know the south...heck, some schools around me are already cancelled/delayed in anticipation for snow.

where i come from we could get 15 inches of heavy snow, be iced in and still have to report to classes!

in any case...we shall see what mother nature will bring our way. in the mean time, if you are also experiencing cold temps, check this out...

kitchen tile

2009-01-18T12:54:00.000-08:00

so my husband has decided that this is the weekend to put down the tile for the kitchen that he has had stashed away in our garage for the last 18 months. i know i should be happy, i mean...tile floors are gorgeous. and in all fairness...he did let me pick the color.

but really...all i can hear is random mutterings of curse words aimed at this tile or that tool. i think so far only 3 tiles have been thrown into our pond in a fit of frustration, but if he comes near my crochet hooks, we are going to have some serious issues. first of all, they don't fly as far so they will not be nearly as gratifying as the tiles and second, i know he doesn't want to provide me with a valid excuse to go to the craft store.

in any case...i am just hoping to survive the weekend.

new listing!

2009-01-11T17:07:00.000-08:00

i just listed these in the etsy shop:

100% natural cotton washing cloths in green earth and cream

super soft but durable - and totally ecofriendly...

other colors are available, too!

a few movies you might want to avoid...

2009-01-11T16:41:00.001-08:00

so, since we were lucky enough to sign up with our cable network during a "special", we ended up with a gazillion movie channels. now normally i would never have enough time to catch whole movies, but because of the 8th wonder of the world (DVR) i am able to record like a mad woman and then when i do have time to watch tv (usually while i crochet) i can watch whole movies...not to mention other great tv without commercials - yay!

we have 150 hours of recording time on our DVR system, so needless to say (with all the 738 movie channels especially) i get a little record-happy. if it's on - it gets recorded. needless to say i have seen some good flicks...but i have also seen a lot of movies that, upon ending, i wish i could have the last hour and 45 minutes of my life back.

here are some top movies on the "what not to watch" list (according to me):

i know who killed me
winter passing
next
the number 23

my favorite dip/sauce

2009-01-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

this goes with everything...chicken, fish - even pretzels. i also love to dip veggies into it. it is super easy to make and totally idiot proof. i don't even remember where i got the idea for the recipe, but like most things...i did not follow it 100% and kind of adapted it to my taste.

dill sip/sauce

sour cream
spicy brown mustard
fresh cut (or store bought - dried) dill

combine ingredients to suit taste...i usually to a 3:2 mixture of sour cream & mustard...and then just sprinkle dill to my hearts content. after mixing, chill for 1-2 hours. enjoy!

hey hey!

2009-01-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

thanks for stopping by! i look forward to posting lots of goodies...green-living tips, recipies, links to interesting articles and sites...and of course, the mundane and often humorous little happenings in my life!

and...if you have a blog i should be following...leave a comment & let me know!