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.
