Iowa Nice.

Until now, I have claimed myself as "Midwestern Nice." I'm re-branding as "Iowa Nice" from now on. 

In case you've wondered why I ramble about my home state, here's just a little taste. There some spicy language, so here is your NSFW warning.

PS- Remember this?

On Dressing with a Motive

Whew. I just polished off my first 11pm episode of Seinfeld in probably two months. For a long while, it was my evening ritual to perch on my couch and enjoy a little Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer. It's no secret that I am mostly annoyed by TV and its culture--and lived happily for a couple of years without a television or computer (or microwave!)--but I can't deny the appeal of daytime PBS or a little nighttime Larry David comedy. I've missed this!

That was a pretty weird tangent, but it illustrates how I feel about my day. It feels like summer out, even the late evening air feels warm. The sun was shining all afternoon, and I had a day equally accomplished and lazy. Today felt like the day that everyone was reminded how life is outside of the winter doldrums, and everyone began to feel like their ideal selves--their summer selves. That is probably a gross generalization. Geeeeeez.

Outfit, Boyfriend & Girlfriend Edition

Top: His: screen-printed by Ramona, $15ish. Hers: Thrifted men's button-up tied at waist, $1.00

Bottoms: His: Thrifted Lees that fit the rump perfectly, $3.50. Hers: Vintage pleated skirt, $2.50

Shoes: His and Hers: Loafers given as gifts, FREE

Sunglasses: His and Hers: Both thrifted at Thrift Mart at different times, $.50 total

Approximate Total: $22.50 for the two of us

 

To get our bodies back into their ideal summer selves as well, Jake and I have started limiting our dinner date nights. Tonight was our one for the week (or weeks?), and we chose a local pub-style restaurant for their in-house brewed beer and outdoor seating. Cedar Rapids, you disappoint with your lack of beer gardens and patio dining!  We were one of two "parties" outside enjoying the weather, the other being a young couple of co-ed friends catching up over some drinks. On her way inside, the girl next to us commented on my outfit, noticing how "adorable!!!!" I looked when we first walked out. She was pretty adorable herself in cowboy boots! Be still my heart!

Oh yes, it's flattering. Flattery is always nice, if not maybe a little awkward. There are a lot of politics that go into clothing and appearance and vanity and dressing for others, but my greatest issue is this: clothing can be the first word in a dialogue. Yes, wearing things I like gives me confidence, but wearing things I feel confident in also gives me the chance to promote possibilities. These are the possibilities within thrifted, recycled, and second-hand clothing. There is such satisfaction in letting complimentary strangers in on the secret that this SO ADORABLE! ensemble came from a thrift store. 

You spent HOW MUCH? on that pleated skirt from Urban Outfitters?! Because I spent $1.00 on this one! And there were three more in different colors for just as cheap.

The idea is that I am a walking promotion for attempting a more sustainable lifestyle. Yes, putting on a precious sundress only to cover it in coffee grounds every day has one foot in vanity, but the other is foot is strapped into advocacy. So maybe I like the compliments, but it's really all about you, Mama Earth.

YADA YADA YADA. See what I did there?

Hey, how'd you like those (unintentional) matching T. Rex arms?

Taking Back the Nice

To start the weekend off, I thought I'd give a small salute to the Nice People of the world. The word "nice" has gotten a bad reputation, often used in lieu of "okay," "boring," "bland," or "I don't really have anything else positive to say about it." TAKE BACK THE NICE! Nice is downright spectacular.

Cliche dictionary definition: Nice: adjective, nic·er, nic·est. 1.pleasing; agreeable; delightful. 2.amiably pleasant; kind. 3.characterized by, showing, or requiring great accuracy, precision, skill, tact, care, or delicacy. 4.showing or indicating very small differences; minutely accurate, as instruments. 6.having or showing delicate, accurate perception: a nice sense of color. 7.refined in manners, language, etc. 8.virtuous; respectable; decorous. 9.suitable or proper. 10.carefully neat in dress, habits, etc.

I've always been a staunch advocate of niceties, raised to believe every person (and animal) should be treated well and to make someone sad or uncomfortable is certainly the "ickiest" of feelings. No, nice guys don't finish last. When you are a decent person, reciprocation is practically inevitable. I've received overwhelming kindness from both loved ones and strangers these past few days, and I'm basking in the light of NICENESS.

I could write a whole thesis, "On Being Nice." I won't. So humor me. Here are a couple relevant links, an ode to being nice:

Be sure the watch the video above, found on youtube via Vaclav.

Lives- Nice Girls- NYTimes.com, by John Moe:

"I did not say what I wanted to say: “I think you’re really great because you give me hope that people will be nice to my daughter later on, and so this is a completely platonic thing and it’s O.K.!”"

On the financial and fun-times benefits of being nice, from myself:

"We were able to throw this prom for VERY little money. We can thank that to craftiness and friendliness. Being nice to people is cool to do and occasionally has its financial pay-offs. After being loyal patrons to our karaoke master, Mike at Crowne Karaoke, he volunteered to run the music at our prom for FREE! His newest karaoke venue, Gatherings, offered up their beautiful restaurant/rental space for payment merely in smiles. We returned the favor by cleaning up their space afterward and putting out tip jars for everyone."

Outfit, Friday:

Cardigan: Vintage, from Revival in Iowa City, $7.00

Top: Thrifted, $2.00

Belt: Vintage $.25

Jeans: Clearance rack at Target, $5.00

Shoes: Thrifted jazz-style work shoes, $4.00

Approximate Total: $18.25

Surfin' the Positivity Wave

Friday night was a treat! Large portions of good times and major positivity! Jake, Carissa, and I three-way dated to Iowa City to see Koo Koo Kanga Roo perform the all-ages show at Gabe's.

These two fellas are so much fun, just oozing with a zest for life and every person and thing in it. Koo Koo Kanga Roo promotes bein' nice, havin' fun, being silly, and feeling great. We participated in a ninja vs pirate dance-off, played with an old-school parachute elementary P.E. style, and did a lot of call and response. If you know me, you know I love group activities and TOGETHERNESS, WHOA. Minneapolis needs to watch out, because I may kidnap them and keep them for all positivity, all the time.

Carissa, myself, Jake, and Bryan (of the 'Roo) posing for the band's webcam. They bring their computer to all of their shows and encourage all of their new friends to take photos. Bryan gifted us each mustaches on a stick--handmade by them.

The headband I'm wearing was hand-braided by Leslie Hall using spandex scraps. You can get your own here.

Free friendship bracelet making station as part of their merch station. "MAKE ONE! And give it to someone you have NEVER met before! THOSE ARE THE RULES!"

Gabe's has two pinball machines I've never seen before. Wheel of Fortune and Big Buck Hunter. The Wheel of Fortune is a beautiful rave of a machine, but the Big Buck table was terrifying, frankly.

 

Friday's work outfit

Top: Reconstructed by myself, an old stained tee embellished with that funky stuff from a thrifted top, $3.00-ish

Skirt: Thrifted, $1.75

Earrings: Rusty La Rue (by pretty lady Emily, can be found at White Rabbit), $7.50

Shoes: Grungy work Keds, gifted by boo

Approximate Total: $15.25

PROM!

All that PROM! build-up totally paid off!

FRIENS! That was totally my fault.

The highlights:

Over 40 people came!

No one broke anything or barfed anywhere!

Everyone danced! And sang!

My friends are terribly handsome and clean up well!

Lots of new friendships!

Pretty and weird. The best kind of people.

We were able to throw this prom for VERY little money. We can thank that to craftiness and friendliness. Being nice to people is cool to do and occasionally has its financial pay-offs. After being loyal patrons to our karaoke master, Mike at Crowne Karaoke, he volunteered to run the music at our prom for FREE! His newest karaoke venue, Gatherings, offered up their beautiful restaurant/rental space for payment merely in smiles. We returned the favor by cleaning up their space afterward and putting out tip jars for everyone.

Mike, our karaoke guy of over three years, second from the right

Tom, the owner of Gatherings (top, second from right) and Tina, our long-time friend and all-time favorite bartender (front, center).

Pair that with decorations that cost less than $40, and the event cost us organizers less than $10 each to put together. BAM!

Instead of buying $2 weights for the $1 balloons, Carissa tied them to cassettes she had around the house. It reduced the balloon bundle price by 2/3 and was much, much more inline with our prom's concept. Bonus: the NKOTB and Ted Nugent tapes made excellent conversation starters.

All of the photo booth pictures are courtesy of Liz, who graciously volunteered her equipment and expertise for the evening. Check out the whole set here.

This is Liz. She's nice and nice to look at. I'm so glad to know her.

After the cut follows more of my favorite photos

Momma

This beautiful lady has one green eye and one brown eye

Happy Birthday to my amazing mother. She taught me to sew, never be afraid to be myself, snuggle all the animals, and that every person is a person and deserves to be treated as one. For her birthday, I karaoked "Mother" by Danzig, one of her favorite songs.

Mom and I when she came to watch me help out at the Leslie and the Ly's show in Iowa City.

Love you, Momma!

Everlasting Birthday

Man, I have really perfected the art of the two-week birthday. Tonight was my final celebration, a delicious dinner at Cibo Fusion with my lovely Momma and boy. The most interesting thing I learned about my childhood tonight: Today, Cibo is in the old Denny's building. My mother and tiny tot Broke would frequently lunch at the Denny's to practice manners.  Napkins on the lap, "please," "thank you," and elbows off the table. I'm proud to report that Momma claims that, "apparently it worked." I'm polite! Excellent!

Can I tell you that their mushroom risotto was definitely the best rice to ever meet my mouth? Oh, man. And their whole menu is covered in my favorite flavors: olives, feta, cucumbers, hummus....MMMediterranean! I definitely practiced my manners tonight, but it is certainly no longer a Denny's.

Should'a worn my saddle shoes, for extra German Boarding School Student effect.

Jumper: Reconstructed long-pant overalls, $1.00 from Salvation Army...I'm going to shorten it another couple inches so it's more flattering

Tee: Target, $2.00 on clearance rack

Necklace: Gift from Carissa, made from a found key from Jake and other wonderful trinkets

Tights: A thousand years old, stained and ripped

Socks: Target, $2.00

Boots: Second-hand, FREE

Bangs: Perfectly, purposefully asymmetrical (trimmed myself yesterday)

Total Outfit Cost: Approximately $5.00

Don't you always want to feel like Stevie feels here?

Carissa helped extend my birthday by adding to my wooden placard collection. She handed it to me with a, "I don't even know if you like Stevie Wonder, but I thought it seemed like you should have it." Girrrl, I love Stevie Wonder! Life is so so good when your friends "get" you.  The confetti border reminds me an awful lot of the amazing Photoshopping Carissa did in this post. (Side note: she also challenges me to a Best of Maid Rite duel!)

Bathroom collection, dedicated to kittens, unicorns, and Jesus. And Wal-Mart family photos.

Today ended at craft night in the loveliest Liz's apartment. Her place is adorable, with tons of thrifted and found objects, lots of books, thick cats, and beautiful crafty women. I worked on some crochet necklaces-- Carissa-style--that all either turned out like tiny hammocks or hemp necklaces minus the wooden beads. Oh well. Let me know if you need a hammock for your next Miller High Life 40oz.

Carissa, crochet necklacing.

Oh, pretty ladiiiiiiies! Liz worked on a meticulously ribbed cowl, and Jessica worked on math homework (the most impressive craft of the evening!)

Deuce, one of the "thick cats," playing hide & go seek.