The Thrifted Life: Take the Inspirational Tour

As a writer, I like to think that I see things just a bit differently. I suspect that other writers, artists, photographers and creative-minded folk feel the same. We observe the tiniest details and draw inspiration from unconventional sources. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that I find thrift shopping so appealing. Seeing and sometimes buying otherwise discarded items leaves me wondering about the previous owner. What did they gain from this book, this painting, this oddity that I now possess?

At the very least I know what I gain. I gain satisfaction and a sense of fate intervening when I find that one thing that just speaks to me that no one else unearthed. And in some small way I gain something immeasurably important: a muse, something to be inspired by.

After reading Thrift Core and seeing Van’s treatise on art, visual stimulation and productivity, I at long last know I’m not alone. It doesn’t hurt that we both share common devotion for zombies, robots, Japan, vintage wares and thrifting oddities.

What we own and what personal value we put upon certain possessions just speaks to our character. So here is my character study. This is the first of what will be several installments of my own virtual tour. This segment: My bookcase.

Of course the words and thoughts of other writers are of constant inspiration. And as you will see, I have varying tastes. On this shelf we have the macabre. Ever since seeing my first horror movie, I’ve had a dark love for the genre. I found a copy of All I Need to Know About Filmmaking I Learned From The Toxic Avenger while thrifting in Canada and very nearly shouted the pride in my acquisition aloud.

 
…Then there’s books and zines on crafting. The Big Ass Book of Crafts is a must-have.

…And a few classics, mixed with a few oddities. Remember 202 Things To Do: Activities and Finger Fun  for Children… now how does that get shelved near Kurt Vonnegut?

Here’s my entire shelf of books on Japan…culture, fashion, language, lore and of course…Japanese horror cinema. That Domo-kun and Totoro are straight out of Tokyo. I bought so many toys I had to buy another piece of luggage to bring everything home. The antiquarian copies of Japanese Fairy Tales and Tales of Japan were both thrifted, as was that pink laughing Buddha statue.

Well that’s just some visual support of what intrigues and inspires me. In the future you can expect a whole mish-mash of interests and collections that will likely make you wonder if I have some strange variety of Attention Deficit Disorder when thrifting.

Feminism? Zombies? Gnomes? Owls? Killer dolls? What’s the connection? The connection is me... and my strange finds that I love.

The Week in Review: My New Left Shoe

Admittedly, there was not a lot of thrift productivity this week. This is for a couple of reasons:

1. My right foot is still booted from the stress fracture.
2. Due to the inconvenient boot and the inability to drive, I’m at the mercy of others when it comes to getting out of the house.
3. I’m kind of broke and still awaiting my temporary disability payment. (Isn’t it just a little sad when you’re too broke to go thrift shopping)?

Earlier in the week, I had a run-in with a mob of angry clowns. But Saturday night, I paid a visit to 2nd Avenue and bought only the essentials:



60 cents and worth every penny.

 An adorable framed vintage tile piece with a little 70’s girl holding flowers. She's a bit dusty, but otherwise too cute to pass-up.

I also found a gorgeously kitsch framed 70’s yarn art for my best friend. (Photo will be posted a bit later). Truth be told, I love this piece and want it for my own. I just have no available wall space. Plus she has a similar 70’s floral decor theme and this would make a nice addition. It should also be noted that she’s been rescuing me from constant couch vegetation and literally pushed me around the mall last week in a rented wheelchair. Now that’s friendship.



Brand new, never worn Converse for $5.

And irony of ironies, I also scored a pair of brand new Converse One Star canvas flats. Of course I would thrift a pair of perfect-fit, size 11 shoes while I have a busted foot. But it’s not like I could just ask them to sell me just the left one for a discounted price, right?

This upcoming week will be bustling with frantic secondhand organizing as I prepare for a garage sale next Saturday. It’s just time to let go of a few things, maybe make some money, make some room. Then I will have a cleaner, better organized space for other new-to-me thrift acquisitions. Out with the old and in with the…old, I guess.

How was your thrifting week?

The Ones That Just…Get You

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of turning the ripe, old age of 27. While it wasn’t exactly a landmark occasion, as I think there are just fewer and fewer between now and 30, still, it was rather nice. Sushi, a few glasses of wine and homemade gnome cupcakes were shared with friends.

And judging by some of the gifts I received, it seems my friends know me all too well.



My best friend, Liz, slaved in a hot kitchen to make me the most delicious and original birthday cakes in the world. Not only were they butter cream iced, but they were in the style of my favorite kitschy outdoor commodity, garden gnomes. Look how cute they are peeking through the leaves of icing.



Dan thrifted me these copies of Sketches of Japan in 1945. Beautiful, every single one of them. But here are three of my favorites.





Also thrifted from Dan was this totally vintage album of Japanese classic folk tunes, printed in 1958. Love it.





Who recalls something I may have casually mentioned back in April in my post titled “An Assortment of Impossible Things to Likely Never Happen, aka The Thrift Wish List”...something about owning a Blythe doll…? Well the third entry on the list, Blythe herself is officially crossed off the list. Many thanks to my sister for being perceptive and spending entirely too much money for my birthday present. I can’t wait to start crafting together little outfits for her to wear and photograph her like a tiny, plastic model.



I also was fortunate enough to receive a lovely little Coach pouch, a few feminist zines, a punching bag and even more garden gnome paraphernalia.

In looking at this strange and wonderful assortment of items, some thrifted and crafted, some imported, some designer and some purely for punching, one could draw a few conclusions:

1. I am both eclectic and slightly eccentric when it comes to Japan, kitsch, designer goods and anything described as “cute.”
2. I have truly awesome family and friends that know this as fact and appreciate all of my quirks and interests. They just…get me.

How about you? Have you received any thrifted gifts from people that know you well enough to buy them just for you?

It’s In the Bag

Oh dear readers, it’s been a long time. And for the lapse in posts, I do apologize. I am working on drafting an editorial schedule which will guarantee regularity…even a few themed posts. So be excited!

As for the irregularity in clever little updates and quirky finds, I must say that the short story of the matter is that I’ve been rather busy. Busy in trying to work toward long term life goals is a whole new level of productivity of which I am not accustomed. Short term goals are so much easier, suffice it to say. Upload pictures, promote, update the blog. These are all activities I very much enjoy. But things needed to change.

And I couldn’t be happier to say that I am accepting my own ability to change for the better. Since joining Weight Watchers and committing to standard exercise and assorted daily physical activity I have lost nearly 30 pounds in the last two months. The chronic pain and fatigue from degenerative illnesses has been significantly less and I have a new found appreciation for life.

I have also expanded my freelance writing career as a fashion and beauty blogger for Rock This Style. And this has been a fun and rewarding experience, albeit one I feel is slightly conflicted by own ideals on commodities and cost. I love and appreciate fashion as an art form and I love the ability to transform and evolve my look as I so desire. And well…we all know my love for Sephora. BUT... I also have what could best be described as a torrid love affair with the kitschy, vintage, one-of-a-kind finds that only secondhand venues can provide.

So, in honor of my changing pants size and my new title of fashion blogger, I will attempt to utilize Let’s Go Thrifting to reconcile the difference between these two worlds.

God knows I need some new (to me) clothes while my body is transitioning. Now I can look for trends and vintage looks that are inspired by Rock This Style, but for a price I can afford.

And that was the long version of the story. Whew!

Have you just ever felt so…accomplished that you had to share the satisfaction with others? Weight loss? Writing gigs? Overall sense of accomplishment? It’s in the bag!

And since this isn’t solely a getting-to-know-you post…when it comes to bags, I’ve found a few that I just adore.



$4.97 @ Goodwill.

















This spacious floral number is my new favorite carry-all. Wallet, keys, phone, makeup, book, iPod. It will all fit inside with room to spare. It came with a shoulder strap, but I think I’ll use the handle so I can swing it to and fro’ while skipping down the street. 


$4.97 @ Goodwill.

















And for the first time, I’ve found two lovely bags on the same thrift trip. This beige, distressed leather satchel from Nine West has a little bit of a Western feel, which is great since I can't find cowboy boots in my size anywhere.

Sigh.

There is still much to be said on the topic of change…and, of course, the topic of thrifting. And I can’t wait to share my experiences with all of you!

 What positive changes have you made lately?