I am in New Paltz, NY visiting my boyfriend and had to find my dad a birthday gift. It’s his 59th birthday and I am going to see him in a few days. He enjoys watching TV and or movies at night but always falls asleep and misses half if not all of the what is being watched. (This is a trait I seemed to have inherited when watching movies late at night!) Anyway because of this I thought I would get him a used book to read as opposed to watching TV (its the educator in me). If he falls asleep while reading he can just pick up where he left off the next day.
Last time I was in New Paltz I stumbled upon a local used bookstore called Barner Books where I purchased books for myself and a friend. I thought it would be the perfect place to buy my dad a gift. He enjoys reading about other people’s lives, especially those associated with the Italian Mafia but I couldn’t find anything good on that topic. The gentleman who owns the store called me over to a shelf and I found the perfect book, The Life of Bobby Darin by David Evanier. Dave (my dad) is a big fan of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin,etc.
If you are ever in New Paltz, NY definitely make your way over to this used bookstore!!!
The First Few Cuts For My First Few Remakes
I have a whole slew of T-shirts that I never wear because I do not like high necklines. I have a small chest and torso and kind of get lost in them. So Rachel let me borrow Tease, a book all on transforming boring, too big, or old T-shirts into something you will actually wear and or use.
Best of all the T-shirt you redesign is a one of a kind when you are finished. I decided to start out simple by changing necklines and doing things that did not require sewing and or a ton of focus. I wanted to be able to watch Damages while being creative. Pins, needles and a sewing machine would interfere with this addictive series.
This year I vowed to be more creative. I moved to Rochester about 7 ½ months ago and for the past 7½ months I have been on a tight budget. One of the things I love most about Rochester, other then the fact my backyard is attached to my best friend since 4th grade Rachel Chaffee (check out her website www.madebyrachel.com), is that most of the people I have met all have a creative outlet. I was always inspired when I visited and am constantly inspired now that I live here. My personality is such that I want to try everything, get completely overwhelmed and then feel like I have too much going on, burn out and then let my creative side fall to the wayside. But after a series of events in my life I have come to the realization that I need to slow down and choose a few things to focus on. It took me awhile to figure out what that focus would be and it wasn’t until Rachel came over and helped me purge my wardrobe that I came up with something I wanted to try.
I have never been a fan of the mall or overpriced high end fashion, but I care about what I look like and enjoy up-keeping my own sense of style and wearing the latest trend with my own spin on it. I was nauseated by the amount of clothes that I had. After spending an hour and a half we still did not get through my entire wardrobe. I am too embarrassed to show you the pile that was on my bed but I am sure that the picture will be revealed at some point in time. Mind you over the course of an hour and a half I tried on things I hadn’t worn in awhile, along with trying to figure out what could be repurposed, folding the clothes in an organized fashion (thanks Rach) and all those other excuses I am giving you so you don’t think I have a shopping addiction. It’s not so much of an addiction as I just don’t get rid of anything. So since having to pinch pennies and the desire to live simply I came up with the idea to take what I have and or what other people have had and “remake” it into something new.
About once a week I will find something that I am inspired by and or need, whether it be an outfit or some curtains and write a post on my journey to remake what I have or what someone else had into something new. Exceptions will be made for intimates, cause I am somewhat of a hygienic person and practical shoes such as sneakers, hiking shoes, etc. Also because a lot of my friends own small businesses and or sell handmade things I will make an exception because I want to support the community of people around me.
Some of the places I will purchase from:
Local Vintage Shops
But seeing as how my budget is small I will do the best I can with stuff I all ready have. This also includes gifts for people. I recently learned how to sew and everyone got handmade napkins made out of recycled material.
I hope you are inspired to purge your closets and try and “remake” what you have.
