Toward 2013

I'll be the first to admit that I've ultimately failed at maintaining this blog. The worst part about that is how much blogworthyness has occurred! Perhaps I'll post-date everything in the future. For now, though, it's time to focus on the future.

Three things have led me to a very important decision: Credit card debt, lack of space (it's becoming low-grade hoarding) and being fed up with my hypocrisy. It's sad that it took all three to get me to this point. Starting January 1st, I'll be undertaking the "Buy Nothing New for a Year" challenge. Traditionally, the challenge allows you to purchase used items, but since a considerable amount of my shopping already comes from pre-owned Craigslist, Ebay, Etsy, or thrift store items, I'll be removing that option from my own challenge. Lets face it, I have everything I could possibly ever need, and I'm getting to a point where it is almost unmanageable. There is no reason to buy anything at all, except for my shopaholic tendencies which have reached a breaking point. Of course, this excludes food, gas, and essential items that break. I will also for my purposes allow non-tangible experiences, ex: plane tickets, concerts, and events.

As I gear up for this feat, I decided that in order to be efficient, I must set a few ground rules. For every $300 added to my savings account, I will allow myself the purchase of one item from a list I've created of things I will allow myself. Many of these have been on miscellaneous "wish lists" for some time-- most are non-essential, but at least to an extent useful. I've decided to undertake only buying things on this list until the start of the new year (without the $300 requisite) as I ease into the transition.

Secondly, I will no longer be making trips to non-grocery stores of any kind, including thrift stores. I will also not allow myself the option of visiting Craiglist, with the exception of selling items.

Third, with the exception of wedding gifts and baby showers, I will be making all gifts by hand. While this only affects two of my three-fold reasons, it should spur some creativity and also help me use up my crafting supplies. With the exception of a few gift ideas I have in mind, this will affect Christmas 2012 and any remaining 2012 birthdays as well.

So, in summary--
2013:
Eliminate accumulated "stuff"
Save money
Help the environment
Buy nothing for a year.

Wish me luck!

The Best of the Ryan Gosling "Hey Girls"

Oh, Mr. Gosling. Your handsomeness has no bounds. I dig the tounge-in-cheek "perfect guy" ironic humor so much that I had (just HAD) to compile my favorites. Hey girl, read on. 

AND:

The Return

A lot has gone down in the past ... seven months (?!) since I've updated this thing. I've taken five classes (now on the sixth and seventh of 2012), and co-coordinated my sister's Labor Day weekend wedding. That in itself could cover an entire two years worth of blogness. Second to some of the weddings I've seen online, it was definitely the most DIY I think a wedding could get. Most definitely the most DIY I've attended, and with much to document, but I've got a thousand or so pictures to edit and upload (from the shower, bachelorette party, crafting for, and day-of pictures) so I'll (yes) put off detailed updates for a later date. I hope the next year has more entries, crafting, and adventure ahead!

Galentines Day - The Prequel

I apologize for the lack of updates. Recently I became a full time college student for the first time in the better part of the last decade. Between that and my regular 40 hour work week, I still find the time to craft (etc.) but very rarely manage to fit in the daunting task of uploading and editing photos to share to prove my creativity. :)

At the moment my precious free time has been devoted to the planning of a little annual soiree I am hosting next weekend called "Galentines Day." The idea came from an episode of one of my favorite shows, Parks and Recreation, where Galentines Day is celebrated the day before Valentines Day as a ladies brunch outing.

Our first Galentines Day celebration was last year. I had to schedule it a few days after Valentines Day, but it actually worked really well because I was able to score gift bags and candy on clearance. The gift bags were simple little red "Happy Valentines Day" enscribed paper sacks, and I made the V into a G with the help of some red construction paper and a white paint pen. In addition to a variety of chocolates, each also contained a little surprise (like lip gloss, nail polish) and a mix CD of what I like to call "girl rock" -- upbeat rock music with female vocals (including Sleater Kinney, Tilly and the Wall, Thao Nguyen, you know the drill...).  Guests brought wine or a dish, and I believe I made some kind of hors d'evours.

Anyway, in the past year, I upgraded from a tiny apartment to a house I share with an awesome roommate, so we're making a slightly bigger deal out of this year's Galentines Day. And I can't wait!

I'm currently doctoring up kraft paper bags with lace, making a tassel garland out of tinsel strands, and finishing up a little online shopping for some surprise gift items.  Stay tuned for pictures of the whole shebang! And for Martha Stewart to totally rip me off in a few years.

"Book Review"

One of my favorite gifts this Christmas was Amy Sedaris' new book "Simple Times: Crafting for Poor People."
I'm a huge Amy fan (not to mention a huge Sedaris family fan) and loved her last book, "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence" which has an honorary place on my bookshelf.
Like it's predecessor, Simple Times is chock-full of absurd, hilarious how-to's that are more for comedic value than actual use to a crafter (or hostess), but every now and then you'll find an idea you can't wait to try.
My favorite is the "milk carton skid row" below:

Once you get past the farce, I can see this being a really lovely touch to my mantel. The electric candles can be found on Ebay for less than $10 for a row of 5.

My favorite less practical segment involves Amy giving us all lessons on the importance of stretching before and after crafting, with a step-by-step guide.

Thanks Amy for the wisdom!

New Year's Resolutions

There are a number of definitions that Merriam-Webster gives for the word "resolution." The one typically used when referring to New Year's Resolutions would be "a formal expression of opinion, will, or intent." Willpower is a funny thing.  I learned long ago that the desire to do something is far from being determined to do it. By stating our intention of turning over a new leaf or meeting certain goals, we are no closer to accomplishing them than we were the year before. So I propose we make use of a different meaning for the word: "the process of resolving, as the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones." In short, what we all aim for when we make these resolutions is to become a better person. And my "New Years Resolutions" this year will be items to focus on to help reach that goal, rather than individual goals unto themselves. Therefore, if I fail at almost every item on the list, by accomplishing a mere few I'll still have maintained my resolution, being that I've bettered myself in some small way. This overall seems more positive, and less like I'm setting myself up for disappointment.

Many of these focuses are repeats from previous years... goals I still haven't reached but haven't given up on.

• To be more focused, in general.
• To be more punctual.
• To more concretely follow through on things.
• To become less materialistic - spending less money, letting go of things I don't need.
• To attend church services with more regularity.
• To create more (starting by the creation of a monthly craft night!)
• To cook more and eat out less.
• To be a better friend:
• visit a good friend in NYC that I have been meaning to visit for years.
• send more snail mail/packages
• return calls and texts promptly
 
• To complete to-do lists (especially those of long standing) quickly and efficiently
• among them... taking my box of electronics recycling to be recycled, cleaning out my room at my parents house, complete unfinished projects.
• To get more sleep.
• To socialize more.
• To find a reconciliation between these last two.
• To blog more! And be less verbose in future posts. :)