Funky Haircuts

I feel like I am studying for a final choosing a hair cut. Research day after day, should I go shorter or stay long? I've been growing my hair out for like 3 years or so, just trim after trim-not adding much style to it. I don't know what to do! (said in child like-scary voice) 'Well the best thing about hair, is the fact that it grows back,' says friends. Well the trouble is, it will take at least a year to get it to the length it is now. I want something new though. All the 'Long Hair' photos look very similar to what I have going on right now. Boring.
I know color is where the real change may be, but I need to do something. I'm looking through these photos online of medium length hair and think, "What kind of person does this make me look like? What's the message I am sending?" I know I am mental to think of shit like this, but lets just go with it. I don't want to look like a tight ass-boring-bitch face, I description I use to describe SOME mid-length hair people. Not regularly, just when I am on my period.
On the other hand, I just do nothing with my long hair, because I can. It just dries straight. I used to curl it with a straightening iron, but that is hard core not ok all the time. I have so many split ends.

One thing that I hate about his search is that NO ONE in these pictures has glasses, most of them have bangs (not practical, you just tuck them behind your ears anyways), and parted down the middle.

So here my top 4. For now. I still have one more day to decide.

Sure, it looks cute, but are you really going to curl your hair like this EVERY day? Not me.
And I don't think that I could commit to something so short. I would have to cut off like 5 inches:(

This is more like it. BUUT it has bangs, and again, curly. If only I could figure out a simple-non-iron way of curling my hair.

The traditional Jennifer Aniston. I usually choose one of her or Sarah Jessica Parkers' hair cuts. But I think this one only looks cool because she has blond hair. Also one of the annoying things about searching photos, they ALL have blond hair.

So this is long, but blond, and some layers. Kinda cool... but almost like what I have, minus the blond part.

So now what? I will probably ask the opinions of my friends just to get a general idea of what my options are. I'm pretty sure that is the only reason I ask my friends anything. It might seem like I'm not listening to their 'advice', but I am, I just usually go with what my ovaries tell me to.

Crochet, ok!

Hand made Christmas, Part 2

For my Brittany:

She works at a bank, has to dress up everyday.. So I thought a classy scarf would do the trick. I originally found this pattern for a version of a scarf from Sweet November, and was going to making something for someone else, but after working on it for a while, I really thought she would appreciate a scarf like this. So I bought some cute yarn, made with wool and sparkles, and it is super cute. It's functional for not just at work, not just for winter, but summer too. I am completely jealous! This is for her and her only, but I will have to make myself something similar! Note: Another reason to buy the appropriate amount of yarn for a project all at once instead of as you go-I've been searching for the yarn at Michaels for FOUR WEEKS now. And all I have left to do is the fringe you see missing here:( So sad, prolly have to finish it with different yarn.

So, I'm not too awesome at taking pictures of my progress, this is what the scarf looks like AFTER I blocked it, it was much smaller before I got it wet and stretched it out.






For my Journey:

Mommy and Daughter hats:)

She is turning 4 right before Christmas, so for her birthday, I made a Hello Kitty hat.. and one for Destiny too so they can match! I didn't use a pattern for most of it, just for the crown part of the hat because I am awful at making sure it will fit a kid head.

I will create a pattern for this hat eventually, it's on my to do list:)





Since I've been really into scarfs this month, for Jessica, I made a picot scarf<3  I scored the pattern at Lionbrand. However, the pattern calls for Vanna White's shimmer, which is a little thinner than worsted weight, and it also suggested to use two strands of yarn. I used Loops and Threads Worsted Weight and only one strand. I think it turned out juuuust fine:)

I took this picture BEFORE I found the HDR switch on my fancy phone. But this is the Picot Pattern, simple:but Super cute:)

 

This is the finish product pre-blocking. It was just over 5 ft. long and approx. 1ft wide

So it grew about 14 in long and 3 in wide. O the power of blocking:)
So I blocked this sucker before I went to bed, so that I could wake and mess with it some more.
I finished the fringe at work, and didn't take a picture of it. Go me. But I am getting better.

Photo-Cropping Fun Times

This year I've decided to do my best making every present myself. I tried mostly last year, but this year--everything hand made by me or by a local artist!

I feel like I can put my positive energy into these items, and it will mean more to the person receiving them, because the entire time that I am making these things, I am thinking about how much I appreciate this person or all of the fun we have had together.

There is no reason to get overwhelmed about trying to do this yourself. I know how easy it can be, I have a hard time not putting things off until that last moment. I do it daily, but I like to live a suspenseful life. Ha! Not. I just have too many thoughts going on in my head at once.

Over the last year I have taught myself to be resourceful. I have learned that it only takes a large amount of patience to find that perfect thing for someone. I just think about all of the things they are into, and pay attention to those hints they throw out this time of year, and try my best to create them.

For my Destiny:

I swear we are soul mates. She is apart of the Traverse City Toxic Cherries derby team, and through out the last few months has earned awards that we now have on our wall in the living room. I found my inspiration for her gift in the Big Ass Book of Crafts. I am doing a photo collage of her individual team photo for our house. Everything about this screamed "She'll just fucking love this!"

I found the photo on her facebook, saved it to my computer like 20 some odd times. I used the basic Windows Live Photo Gallery thing that was installed on my computer and cropped the photos to show only a portion of the original. Then, I opened the cropped photos on the Paint program to organize them and get a rough draft of the finished product.

I sent the photos into Walgreens from my computer.. This photo is a rough layout of the finished product.
For the frame: I won some vintage frames at the auction back in the summer, and there is one that is long that will work perfect for this. I need some glass cut out for it, but you can find that service at most hardware stores. I used Northern Michigan Glass. Very nice people!

Now for the collage, you need to tape (I'm going to use double sided tape) and something to tape the photos to for a background. The article I read said to use just poster board, so I got a black one from the Dollar Store for 75 cents.
These are not soo good pictures of the finished product, I will take a picture of the finished product on the wall at home.. when I get home:)

And she LOVED IT! Super cute, and it didn't take me too long to make. Note: cropping the photos part sucked. The first time I sent them in, I didn't crop correctly, also didn't feel the need to purchase software to make this any easier, and they turned out horrible. Second times' the charm?!

Stay tuned for more handmade Christmas gifts. I actually accomplished a lot this year as far as everything hand made and had to spread them out a bit!

Little this, little that

If you get, give. If you learn, teach.

— Maya Angelou

I man came into my store yesterday looking to men work jackets. I don't sell men things, mostly because I seriously don't know what they are into. Tools? Also, from my brief experience selling men's clothing, they buy nothing, because they seriously could care less about their wardrobe.

Regardless, he took a look around and found something that he could use. During the check out, we talked about why he was purchasing what he chosen, and it turns out that he is a volunteer for the Habitat for Humanity not only for building houses, but also in the  Restore itself. Mind you, this man is retired, 63, Veteran of Vietnam War. He entered the service at the age of 17, began as a pilot, then studied engineering. He remained in the service for 20 some odd years. I know only because my grandpa won't speak of it, that the war in general took a lot of life out of him due to the things they were forced to do. But this man was so full of life. I talked with him for over a half an hour about things he has went through and does for the community all because he feels fortunate to have just good health.

63, retired, volunteers, takes scrap wood and builds things with it to sell and donate ALL profits to his church so that elderly people who don't have transportation can use that money to pay someone to take them around.. Wowo. And I am sure that is only a small list of things this man does for his community. I truly am in awe. Initially, I would imagine a man that has went through all that he has, been shot down piloting a helicopter THREE separate times, would be old and weak. Nope, he chooses to live every day to it's fullest still.

I don't think that old people drive slow because age is weighing them down. I think that they drive slow because they know there is NO need to rush. Take it all in, you'll get there eventually.

After my dad pasted, I didn't feel it immediately.. like the missing him thing. I thought that it was weird, but I had my boyfriend around to make me laugh and distract me from all that pain. When I thought that it couldn't get any worse, he was feeling the weight of keeping me happy, and the fear of responsibility creeped up on him.. and I lost him too. Now, yea, maybe the timing was a little inconvenient.. but I am thankful now. If he didn't leave and let me stand alone, I wouldn't have grown to appreciate MY life. I thought, everything will be ok if we have each other.. but really we both lost touch with making ourselves happy and things would shadder eventually because next comes resentment. Feeling like you gave up so much to make this person happy, and they aren't really THAT happy. WTF?

I know I will love him forever. I've always felt like that, but now it's different. I never once hated him, was able to be mad at him because of him leaving me when I probably needed him the most. What I needed what exactly what he gave me, a chance to heal myself.

For a long while, I just kept reminding myself to breath, walk, sleep. It was only a week ago that I finally stopped trying to analyze what the fuck he was thinking. It was then that I started loving myself, and doing things based on the thought that it will make me happy. Weeks are going by a lot faster, which kind of sucks, but I am accomplishing something everyday.

I love this Dave Matthews song. He is so clever.
My cure is purely based on inspiration, things that make sense to me have to do with Philosophy. So I bought a couple books and read about it. I am becoming more of a 'Do-er' rather than a 'Idea-er'. I want to be more persistent with my blogs so that I can at least get all of my thoughts out and come back to them when I have the time to do them.. like create stuff. I have a 'I want to do everything' complex, but I am starting to realize that I will do all of these things eventually, and everyday I am walking a path to the life I want, because I am creating it with every decision I make. I know I used this quote in the last blog, but I try to read it everyday to remind me.

We are the creator of our own experience--remembering this, and living our lives from this perspective, empowers us.
Mike Robbins

Green Avenue Bench Collection

Coming soon to Simply Sweet! Over the summer, I came across 4 old chairs on the side of the road. They are in rough shape, so this project will be super fun. Stay tuned for updates on my progress.

Green Avenue bench collection

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Usually when I get into art projects, I start with a general idea of what I hope to create, but by the end, something completely different happens. I try not to be indecisive, but it plagues me:) I found these chairs on the side of the road last August when I was helping my mother move to her boyfriends. I HAD to have them! They are totally unusable right now, paint flaking, holes in chair itself, and covered in dirt. My brother calls me a hoarder, but I WILL do something with these eventually! Right now, they are sitting up in the top of my garage.. but a project like this is totally do-able at home.

We are the creators of our own experience- remembering this, and living our lives from this perspective, empowers us.

Mike Robbins

The thing I like most about this quote is that he uses the word 'experience' not 'destiny' or anything like that. I want my life experience to full and rich with adventure. I want to take in every scent, view, and the emotion it brings to the fullest. Over indulge, if you will. I'm pretty sure that is what it is all about. Doing this for me makes me appreciate every moment, truly. Good times.

Lucky for me, I sell walking sticks for a wood guru, Tony Woody. Ironic name, I know. Hopefully with some coercion of chocolate anythings, he will give me some tips and tricks:)

   

I plan on taking pictures of my progress, then in turn tell you how it's done! And hopefully, inspire you do simple things like this. I used to get overwhelmed by starting odd projects, even in crocheting, that be large or take a lot of time because I fear losing my inspiration. I used to often grow tired and NEVER finish it. Books, movies, cleaning, homework, crocheting, you name it, grew bored and started doing something else. Or I would wait until that last moment to get something done. I find myself doing that still, but I don't know why. I don't 'get off' on the pressure or anything like that, my motivation just either takes a while to grow, or runs out almost immediately. But like most things for me, I wasn't just born with the knowledge or know-how to do anything. I have to make a point to sit down and learn it. Growing up, I always felt a little out of tune with most kids my age, like I wasn't understanding things as quickly as them. I have a general idea of why that is, but I don't want to blame others for my shortcomings, instead, I try to accept what it is, and then find my way around it. 26, and FINALLY choosing to grow into an adult.

Adult: Someone who makes big people decisions like budgeting money, making sure bills get paid ON TIME or even earlier. Someone who chooses to grow and always learn and has this little thing called AMBITION. (Believe it or not, I was NOT born with this, something that recently tucked her way into my cranium) Working is no longer a tragedy for me. I used to wake up and think, Eff, I have to work, ALL DAY. Now, I don't mind it, but then again, I doo work for myself, but I have a lot of responsibilities there. People depend on my performance. I hate that my dad left me so early, but it gave me that push I needed to WANT to change my future. It made me aspire to have a nice beach house with a ginormous art room and a Vespa! In order to have all of these things, I have to do something everyday that will improve my future, such as getting life insurance, maintaining a savings account.

There are a lot of things that I want to do, and I am ready to have that life. Everyday, I promise to improve myself. I hope to help those around my to just own that dream to be better.

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Another Hundred Years @ the State Theatre

Support the State Theater

Another Hundred Years

If you love the State Theatre and the things it does for our community, please support their year-end campaign.  Renovations where made to the historic movie theatre interior in 2007, when it then re-opened, but the exterior hasn’t seen the same TLC since 1949!  So to fix the urgent repairs needed to the crumbling exterior of the building, the State Theatre invites you to participate in a fundraising campaign that celebrates nearly 100 years of its history, and help it stick around for Another Hundred Years!

Things you can do to help a little are very simple.

·         Volunteer to help with concessions and (you receive a free movie voucher if you do!)

·         Buy a year-long Couple membership for only $300

o   Admission to any regular show, all year long

o   Admission to member only events

o   Early ticket availability to select admission events

·         Make a simply donation at Statetheatretc.org

·         Buy your loved ones gift cards as gifts!

·         Buy Meal and a Movie from Bubba’s ($30) or Grand Traverse Pie Company ($27)

I think that the State Theater is awesome and inexpensive entertainment for Traverse City.  Friday night flicks are $3 each or 2 for $5, 25 cent movies on Saturday morning, and concessions are super cheap- pop and popcorn for $2. They also provide FREE movies for those who have to stay in the north for spring break! The promotion has not been going on for very long, but they are already close to the halfway mark!

Showing this week @ the State

Monday:

My Afternoons with Margueritte 1:00pm
The Way 3:30pm
An Evening with Michael Moore: “Here Comes Trouble” 7pm

Tuesday

The Way 1:00, 6:00pm
My Afternoons with Margueritte 4:00, 8:30pm

Wednesday

25-cent Hitchcock: The War Years Matinee
Spellbound 11:00am
My Afternoons with Margueritte 1:30, 6:30pm
The Way 3:30, 8:30pm

Thursday

My Afternoons with Margueritte 1:00pm
The Way 3:30pm
NT Live Collaborators 7:00pm

Friday

Free Community Night Holiday Cartoons 6:45pm FREE
Friday Night Flicks Trading Places

Saturday

A Christmas Story 10:00am
25-Cent Kids Matinee Handel’s “Rodelinda” 12:30pm
Met Opera Live in HD TBA

 Learn more about Another Hundred Years by visiting AnotherHundredYears.org

A Way to Save Money

Resale shopping for Christmas

I don’t know about anyone else, but what I dislike most about shopping during the holidays is the patience it takes to find that perfect present for someone while making your way through a crowded mall and long lines.  

Resale stores commonly provide the same gift possibilities during this time of year, without killing your budget.   You will also have a greater chance of finding a more unique gift for your loved one, while enjoying finding these secret shops full of great possibilities.

I have found lately that certain resale stores are going out of their way to find small treasures that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else.  Here at Simply Sweet, I like to gather popular home décor and knick knacks from the 60’s- now.

 

Another great thing about keeping resale in mind during the holidays is still indulging in items to decorate your home for the holidays without making many sacrifices due to the cost.  You can find wine glasses, punch bowls, napkin rings, and more at Simply Sweet for just a fraction of the cost in retail stores.

Now for a recap:

Shopping resale not only is convenient, it’s fast, entertainment for that cold winter day, a way to find that one-of-a-kind present for that one-of-a-kind loved one, and supports a local small business all at the same time. Now that feels great, doesn’t it?

Stop by Simply Sweet Resale for daily sales, but make sure you have enough time to check out all three rooms packed full of extraordinary gifts for yourself or your favorites! We also have handmade hats and scarves, carved canes and walking sticks, and landscape artJ

Small Business Saturday

This Saturday is Small Business Saturday and though it started as an American Express marketing campaign to rally support for our kind in the frenzy of two of the biggest shopping days of the year (Black Friday and Cyber Monday), it did work, and here’s why YOU should be ready…

Since its incorporation last year, Small Business Saturday has really taken off. Businesses that accept American Express reported a 28% increase in sales last year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving compared to the year before. And, as I write this, nearly 2.5 million people—business owners and consumers alike—have joined the movement on Facebook. There are more than 27 million small businesses in the US and 60% to 80% of all new jobs in our country can be attributed to small businesses.

So stop in @ Simply Sweet Resale Boutique today and receive 15% off your total purchase!!

Vintage Dresses @ Simply Sweet

Seems like Fall didn't visit very long, and as we slip into Winter, I invite you to stay colorful and don't resort to wearing dark hues through the Winter season.

Target has sweater nylons that make wearing a dress

during the winter possible.

This dress is a 'free size'.

I think it's fantastic to wear as many colors and patterns as you can:) I've been shopping around, and found a few vintage dresses that will surely make a statement.  One of the things that I love about vintage is the patterns. So creative!

You can incorporate many accessories with a dress like this, like a chunky belt worn high waist. Maybe a hand made crochet shawl, or vest. Do people wear vests anymore? I think I'm going to attempt to bring it back!

By the way: I have a deer skin vest for sale, one of a kind! This sweet number was made in the USA by Deer Wear.

You will be able to see our whole collection of vintage dress via FaceBook or on our website:
www.simplysweetresaleboutique.weebly.com
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I want to take a moment to explain my choice of Blog title. I recently went to Borders and indulged in their unfortunate book sale:(  I have been thinking lately that I want to get heavy on some spiritual, non-fiction, educational books. I found 'The Story of Philosophy' by Will Durant. In this book, he profiles several prominent philosophers, including Plato. Several quotes from Plato caught my mind, but this one stood out and I understood it immediately:

"It is true that the individual who gets out of the place to which his nature and talents adapt him may for a time seize some profit and advantage; but an inescapable Nemesis pursues him- as Anaxagoras spoke of the furies pursuing any planet that should wander out of its orbit; the terrible baton of the Nature of Things drives the refractory instrument back to its place and its pitch and its natural note. The Corsican lieutenant may try to rule Europe with ceremonious despotism fitted better to an ancient monarchy than to a dynasty born overnight; but he ends on a prison-rock in the sea, ruefully recognizing that he is "a slave to the Nature of Things." Injustice will out."

It turn, I've took from this to trust what I REALLY want to do, in business, in life, in crafts, and with food:)


P.S.
I HIGHLY recommend reading that book.  It's kind of out there, I keep it around for light reading from time to time.


Peace out home slice:)

My First Halloween-y

My first Halloween? Well, technically just as an 'adult' (term I'm loosely using to describe myself these days).  My Bestie is REALLY into it, and after 2 weeks of ridicule, I decided to simply tickle the idea of dressing up.  I suppose I had always pictured Halloween as a night of dressing up 'slutty', but for me, it turned into how crafty I could really be. Why wouldn’t I love Halloween? I mean, creating things is one of my many hobbies, so creating a costume would be super fun, right? YES! However, I recently gave my mom back her sewing machine, so all sewing I decide to do is going to have to be by hand.

Bless my bestie for being so persistent because it turns out that I pretty much have everything on hand to make a Ladybug costume! Not a trampy bug, but a cute one for sure.  I am also going to blog the process of Destiny (bestie, roommate) because she is going to be a character, Miss Argentina from the movie Beetlejuice, and it will be far more interesting than a ladybug because it involves painting her body with latex blue/green body paint.  Yum!

This little baby-bug was my inspiration for creating my own simple number.  After reading a few blogs, I am going to creating my own tutu from black tulle fabric and cover it with red fabric (both of which were donated to the store last year) with black glitter spots on it. 

Red fabric and Tulle

I used a chair to wrap the elastic around,
it made it a lot easier.

Creating the tutu was rather easy and quick. Cutting everything and assembling it only took just over an hour.  Next I decided to make a simple red skirt to tie around the top, I wanted everything to be glitter-ed, so I cut out circles, used spray adhesive to attach glitter.

I just wore a regular ole black t-shirt Bestie had 'up-cycled'.. and for my wings, I used the same red fabric, twisted wire into a circle, and hand sewed the fabric using the same technique as Quilting Yo-Yo's and cut circles from black felt and glued them on.  For the straps, I used old elastic head bands and glued them in between two black felt pieces in the middle to connect the two wings.

My original idea for antennae did not succeed, so I was without.

This is how Bestie turned out..

Simply Sweet Store

Hello Friends☮

This is numeral uno blog post for this gal. Already super confused. In a funny way.

All I really wanted this post to consist of was a little tour of the store, but then I was thinking, I really want this blog to be super cute, How do I do that? So I took a little detour and search how to create a custom banner, and how to change the font.... Egh! Not today my friends, you'll have to suffer with my boring until I become more blogger-literate.

Well now that I got that out of the way...

I little piece of knowledge about Simply Sweet Resale Boutique

It's not your usually Resale store, mainly because I'm not so usual myself, so I'm told.  I've been told that I was referred to as the 'Hippie Martha Stewart', I couldn't tell you how happy that made me feel!  THAT is exactly what I'm going for. In the front portion of the store, you'll find my clothing hanging from racks I created using closet rods and chain, all of the other fixtures used for displaying clothing was bought resale. Note: I sell woman's clothing, vintage and now (tops, pants, Dresses, skirts, coats, hats)

I have created a flower garland with fake flowers sewed onto string that hang on the wall in the Kitchen area and flickering pink lights donated from some really friends hang in all three rooms.

I sell purses, belts, luggage, lights, mirrors, shoes...

My hand made items

:Crochet, sewing, knitting:

This is where I am going to end it for today, let all of this ridiculously cute information sink into your cranium.  Until next time, you can follow me on Facebook