Happy 2012!

Did you get a chance to celebrate the new year just as you wanted? Whether or not you're a resolution type, January 1st makes for a wonderful opportunity to say good-bye to rough times and push the reset button. Or, in more optimistic cases, note the chance to maintain or improve upon a good year.

I had the fortune of spending my year transition in Iowa, with some of the most important people in my life. Sure, NYE in a big city is luxurious and exciting, but it is also expensive and a little lonely. My celebration in Iowa was my favorite New Year's Eve experience yet, full of loved ones, dancing, sequins, and a all-participated pajama party.

Resolutions aren't something I participate in, but I make a habit of creating motivating goals for myself at the onset of every cold season. This time around I hope to focus on building my creativity and MAKING MAKING MAKING, letting go of my homesickness and lapping up a social life while I'm here in Chicago, and hanging up my clean clothes.

Friendship, Formally: Prom 2011 Preview

My buddies and I have organized this:

Flier made lovingly by Ramona.

It's free, open to all ages until 10pm, and will have food & drinks (off the menu, the only not free but totally optional part), dancing, karaoke, and a professional photo booth station. Gatherings is graciously hosting us, allowing us to feel fancy while still being a little silly.

A donation jar will be out to support the NewBo City Market, which is totally optional but a cause pretty dear to our hearts. Wouldn't you love to have a year-round, indoor farmers market right in the heart of your town!?

You are all invited, as are your fun-loving (but respectful, of course) friends...and their friends too. Bring your mom, your same-sex partner, your boy in the side, your sister, your son, or your boss. Invite the girl you actually went to prom with years ago, or invite the girl you regret not asking.

Handmade bunting made especially for the occasion, just a peak at the fun decorations to come.

Wear something pretty, or something silly. Cross-dress!  Your actual prom dress from 1984, or something you thrifted yesterday. Maybe you bought a pretty dress or handsome tux but have never had a reason to wear it. Create a wacky corsage for your date, or buy one from Peck's. Wear all black in remembrance of how much you hated high school. Please, just come as you are and as you wish!

A preview of my dress. It's formally ridiculous.

There will be no kings or queens. No popularity contests or breathalyzers at the door. Tickets to the event are not being sold. Parents will not force you to stand in your backyard and smile for photos until your jaw aches. Make this prom whatever your original prom wasn't.

Cleverly designed by Carissa.

Friendship, Formally: The Facebook Page

HOT Mess of a Jess

This weekend was exceptionally good to me! I had a day off on Friday, and the sun was shining bright. Nothing motivates me better than a good dose of sunshine. After sleeping in, I tackled chores at a leisurely, day-off pace. Recycling was driven to the local center, I kept the sewing machine busy, tidied up...I find the more responsible and adult I act, the more I enjoy my free time. Doing dishes and vacuuming makes me happy!? That's messed up.

I rewarded myself for a day off well-done with food and friends at my "comfort restaurant," the Tic Toc, way too much candy, and a movie with Jake (who spent 4.5 hours fixing my car's shocks in my mom's garage...I guess having a car savvy boyfriend is a money saving tip...). We watched Easy A, which was significantly better than the average high school romantic comedy while still being a kind-of average high school romantic comedy.

Friday's outfit. Outtake photo face chosen for your pleasure.

Top:  Originally Old Navy (purchased about 4 years ago), appliqued to cover some holes and stains, $7.00

Skirt: Thrifted, cut, and re-hemmed. This was my first-ever experiment with using binding to finish off a hem. $2.00

Belt: Borrowed from a thrifted, gifted dress

Tights: Betsy Johnson, $3.00

Shoes: Not pictured, I wore white leather, high-top Keds, thrifted, $4.38

Approximate Total: $17.00 

Blue and purple placed so daintily in my hair by Kelsey at the Fix Salon here in Cedar Rapids. Kelsey uses Goldwell color (ammonia free and gentle on your hair) and has a real kack for putting in fun colors without making you look too "Hot Topic." I love it!

Saturday evening was devoted to Jessica, whose birthday falls right in the middle of the birth-dense month of January. Jessica has been a friend of mine for a couple years now, and an especially good friend recently. She is someone who grows more admirable every day, realizing and chasing her potential with serious momentum. Jess has her fingers deep in some of my favorite issues: the locavore movement, feminism, and general compassion for our people, our world, and all of its living things. Published and on a lecture circuit one day, I can't wait to be the friend giggling in the audience because I know why she army crawled that one time or how she makes use of the sports mode on her camera. Still, I will buy 100 copies of her book and make her sign every single one...and I won't even sell them on ebay. 

What a gal. Let's add the fact that she is one of the most classically beautiful people I've ever met, can sing like a diva, and has next to no shame. She's a keeper!

The birthday girl wearing her gift from Ramona to one of our favorite karaoke bars.

My own romper, worn in Jess' honor.

Romper: Vintage dress altered into a one-piece that fits my torso, $4.00

Belt: Thrifted, $1.00

Tights: Betsy Johnson, $3.00

Shoes: Black cowboy boots, free dollars

Earring: Single gold chain with heart, made from upcycled materials, $.50

Approximate Outfit Total: $8.50

I made this earring out of two old necklaces and a earring hook. I wanted an earring that dangled longer than my hair. I love it!

Mona wore this "expensive" thrifted gem ($7.00 in Canada) to her Roller Derby Black & Blue Ball, then met up with us. This girl looks better in stretch velvet than should be legal.

 Jessica began a new tradition this year of making a birthday speech addressed to each of her friends individually, detailing her feelings for us and making us generally emotional. If you plan on getting married, I suggest you rent Jessica to be your maid of honor--the girl was built for giving sappy speeches. She'll look great in your photos, too.

I have to say, though, there was one thing (and just one thing!) lacking from Jessica's speech addressed to me. Fortunately a neighbor strolling by as I unloaded groceries today picked up her slack.

"Girl, you have an ass that shows the sunshine!" And then he bid me a good day and went along his merry way, happy just to share a compliment with a stranger.

It was a really good weekend.

Smudging the Awkwards

"Even though you got part of it at Urban Outfitters, your outfit was ROCKIN'! -B (the other one)" Note left on my apartment door by my co-worker, house-mate, and buddy Brandon. He is oh-so-sweet and terribly handsome, ladies! I cannot for the life of me get this to publish the right way...so I'll have to try again later.

I cleaned the eff out of my kitchen tonight. Tackled the avoided recycling pile, moved things and scrubbed off the who-knows-what-it-was sludge underneath them, and soaked my stove grates in All Natural Borax. 

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm trying to beat those winter doldrums--the doldrums that manifest as a serious case of the awkwards. Completing tasks that show immediate results is my number one combatant against a bad case of bummers. Next time you feel down, I challenge you to clean or organize something. Pick a small, easily accomplished task like a load of dishes or scrubbing your tub. Organize the pile that's on top of your coffee table. Don't bite off more than you can chew for the time you have, nor choose something that will discourage you halfway through (some cleaning projects seem to get worse before they get better, like organizing a closet). SEE? Doesn't that feel better?

Frolicking/acting a fool in my freshly cleaned kitchen. That weird bump on my hip is from the pocket.

Top: Urban Outfitters, bought in San Francisco when I was 16, $12.00

Skirt: Grey corduroy, thrifted and rehemmed and shaped, $2.00

Belt: Borrowed from another dress

Tights: Betsy Johnson, $3.00

Socks: Christmas gift from the boy's momma

Necklace: Gift from Carissa of Luxe Debris

Shoes: Justin's, $4.38

Approximate Total: $22.00

I've got a lot to say about the place I bought this shirt ten years ago. This isn't the place to say it (if for no reason than to avoid libel). What I will say is that since I was 16, I have obviously realized the necessity to avoid being a consumer of the mass-produced, and spending my money outside of the community. Still, if I were to throw the shirt out on principle, that money would have been spent in vain. It's too late to do anything about it, so I may as well get every last cent's worth. If you ever want to have a chat with me about Urban Outfitters, I'll bring the coffee if you bring the snacks.

This is a smudge stick, just dried sage bundled together to be burned like incense. I got mine for cheap ($3.50) at The Wishing Realm.

I smudged my space for the first time tonight. A bundle of sage and a brain full of empowering thoughts and positive goals to cleanse and renew. Surely there are various ways to do this, but my process was to slowly follow the perimeter of my apartment while blowing on the sage and focusing deeply only on the smoke and my thoughts. This is the time in my life that I make good on the promises I make to myself. Negative feelings are only motivation to try harder. My energy will be devoted to being a better person, a better friend, a better family member, and a better member of my community. Say all you want about the hippie-dippie, crystal-humping stigma behind a practice like this, it is never a bad idea to take five minutes to focus on your priorities and goals. 

Besides, what can it hurt? 

And it smells good.

Weekending

I got hit with a double anti-blogging whammy the past few days. Feeling crummy and losing our internet connection. Psh.

I've been...

Eating delicious gnocchi handmade by Jake, paired with marinara I made this summer with my CSA veggies

Doing my body a favor and avoiding fried things and red meat after a two-week Birthday Food Extravaganza

Drinking a couple of whiskeys with my buddies at the Irish Democrat, and eating the lettuce off a friend's burger to avoid eating their AMAZING cheese wontons...I still ate two...which is better than 3 or 4 or 6...

Making my share of coffee, espresso, and awkward moments (sometimes simultaneously)

Tap dancing, running in place, doing sit-ups, and stretching in my living room to work up a sweat...I hear you calling, spring skirts!

Wearing these cat socks made of bamboo, a birthday gift from my dad. I love how the eyes peek out from the tops of my Justins!

Playing with glowsticks to "Sandstorm" for longer than is probably acceptable for not being on hallucinogens.

Wriggling around in all that foam with all those fools. In someone's dining room.

Wearing a thrifted summer cover-up tank, and doing some foam-inspired dance moves, The birthday boy made his own foam machine out of a trash can and shop vac!

Just hangin' out with Jake and Sushi Cat

Practicing (busted) keytar

A Day Off

As a barista at the most delicious and cozy shop in the area, I'm fortunate enough to wear what I want (without looking like a floozy) and listen to what I want (minus "bitch & ho" lyrics). I exercise my right to dress cute (almost) every day, and exercise my short-skirt rights heavily on the weekends.

Today was a glorious, glorious mid-week day off. So today, I flex my lazy clothes muscles. Stained shirts, ripped jeans, greasy hair...you get the idea. Days off also include anything white and shoes that are still in that initial stage of preciousness--I am way too clumsy to wear these things without getting them covered in espresso.

Lazy Day Dressin'

I reconstructed this shirt from a thrifted long-sleeve turtle neck. This is a very simple DIY project that gets tons of compliments! It's the perfect length, perfect floral and  so so soft. Simply cut an old shirt to your desired shape and hem the sleeves and neckline with thrifted lace. Voila! I paired it with a snuggly cardigan today, battling the frigid Iowa snow.

This hat is the envy of all other winter hats in Cedar Rapids. Thrifted for a whole 25 CENTS, it is the perfect level of slouchiness and blue--and hand crocheted by someone with more patience than myself. When I reported that a knit hat had been snatched when someone threw a brick into my car window in December, most of the condolences that came my way were about this blue hat--luckily the guilty party had only stolen a much less adorable red cap.

Lazy day shoes, both too white and too precious to cover in work scum. My boo does a good job of keeping my Ked-style shoe collection up to snuff. These are actually thrifted Margaritaville brand (notice the parrot!?). A big thanks to Jimmy Buffet!

 I spent today doing various responsible things: a trip to the bank, a wash of my hair (my dry dry hair begs me to shampoo just once or twice a week), a little bit of exercise, a smidge of cat maintenance. The crew ladies have been candid enough to share their winter goals this season, a means of avoiding cold weather hermitage and doldrums. Recently, we revisited our goals for encouragement and accountability. I'm about half and half with my successes and not-so-successes. My biggest triumph has been maintaining a clean apartment, which allowed me such a carefree, lazy day. Future Broke thanks Past Broke for not having that constant, "I should be cleaning" nag.

Exercising has been one of my to-date goal failures, so I took my carefree day off to get started! I chose to do a little jazzercise to the DVD I received when preparing to be a stand-in Ly for Leslie Hall's performance at ISU's VEISHEA festival in Spring of 2010. It's a free, fun, & hefty work-out, and now I'll be prepared at a moment's notice for when I hear Mother Gem's call to the stage again. It's too cold for outdoor exercise and I'm too poor for a gym membership; can you suggest any fun, free exercises I can do in my tiny apartment?

Backin' up to Tuesday

Dress: Thrifted and re-hemmed to the perfect length, $2.50

Belt: Thrifted $.25

Pin: Patch purchased at What a Load of Craft, made by Nemesis Tattoos in Iowa City. $3.50

Shoes: Cowboy boots, thrifted brand new! FREE

Socks: Bought new from who-knows-where a million years ago, worn for a little pop of color
Approximate Outfit Cost: $7.00

Dress detail: back buttons

Dress detail: True color. Pin detail: This was actually tattooed onto authentic skin substitute! I hot-glued a pin back so I can wear it whenever I choose.

Amazing belt detail

More amazing belt detail

Tonight, I'm showing Jake the magic of the Marion Maid Rite for the first time. If you're ever in the Cedar Rapids area and are hankerin' for some loose meat or onion rings, you've gotta try the best Maid Rite there is, complete with greazy walls and charming, uncohesive decor!

PS- I realize I am kind of bad at this whole photo-layout business. Sorrrrry.

Crew Year, New Age

Crew Year's Eve 2011

An attractive bunch in an attractive home, right?

Party theme: ALL THAT GLITTERS

Dress: Thrifted show choir costume, with hand-cut sweetheart neckline for a rare cleav peak, $5.38

Tiny Hat: A gift from the party's hosts

Shoes: Hand-me-downs from a very generous purger (a hoarder's dream friend)

Hair: One night's uncomfortable sleep in foam rollers

Not pictured: Red all-over-sequined bolero, an old Leslie & the Ly's costume gifted to me by lead Ly, Ramona
Total outfit cost: Approx. $5.38

I am blessed and cursed with a birthday almost immediately after the first of the year. By the time the big day passes, I'm inevitably cranky and exhausted by the holidays (which, to be frank, I am not especially fond of). Still, with each new year and age I feel a sense of relief that I've survived the last 365 days and am ready to focus on what's next.

First things first: new blog!

I've been inspired and encouraged to follow in the footsteps of my bloggy buddy predecessors (and real-life super friends!), Ramona and Carissa.

My birthday, legit.

Photo courtesy of Ramona

Top: Thrifted, $2.38

Sweater: Thrifted, men's Docker's cardigan I originally bought for an ex-boyfriend but happily kept when he rejected it (jerk), $1.00

Belt: Belted (Gold, silver, and bronze braided makes it soooo versatile!) $.50

Skirt: Thrifted $1.50

Tights and Socks: Target and a Christmas gift from my guy's momma...the only non-thrifted items in the outfit.

Shoes: Thrifted and perfectly worn-in Justins. My very favorite pair, which earned me my tour nickname, BOOTS. $4.38
Approx. Outfit Total: $10.00

I love activities, so we organized an old-fashioned ice skating birthday party at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. My buddies don't fool around when it comes to dressing appropriately for any given activity. Here's Jessica in my favorite skating outfit of the night, looking graceful.

Vaclav was a great sport and came skating with us for the first time ever.

 Birthday Outfit, age 26 

Top: Christmas gift from Carissa, one of many many items in a huge box of very perfect things. The print is many creepy pink cat/chupacabras.

Belt: Thirfted, elastic gold scaled. $.50

Skirt: Thrifted that day! A new item to add to my square-dancing collection. $1.75

Cardigan: Thrifted, worn for warmth. $2.50

Shoes: Pictured below, brown leather Peter Pan booties also thrifted that day. $4 is so worth it for their buttery leather and they're totally mint!
Approx. Outfit Total: $8.75

 Here, my perma-boo and I are doing the traditional birthday slow dance to Beck's "Debra." I like to make him spin and dip me while I sing the silly lyrics at him. We're looking very 50's Country Western here, no? The boo, Jake, is wearing my favorite pair of thrifted Lee jeans, a Wrangler pearly-button-up, his favorite USA belt buckle (RIP!), and stained rubber boots (his winter staple).

Thanks for a wonderful, wonderful 26th, everyone. This lady is a lucky one.