Getting little [Cary]ied away

First off, I just want to say that I know it’s been awhile since I last posted….if I didn’t have school I would’ve had more chances to experience thing is worthy of this blog,

BUT I did manage this weekend to go hangout with some new friends of mine and visit one of my favorite shopping places ever!  

So Halloween is literally next week, and so a few of them were still trying to find things for their costume. Well since we are all broke college students are go to shopping destinations are thrift stores and consignment stores.

Which surprisingly I ended up completely changing my costume idea for Halloween which I am so stoked about.

Now I got to be honest, I’m still new at the thrifting game, so I actually only spent $16.85 on all my goodies, but I’m sure as time goes on and I stick around more expert thrifters I’ll get way more for way less. <insert pics and prices>

In the midst of thrifting I got to go to carytown, eat at galaxy diner and create some fun memories.

If you haven’t already been to these places I totally recommend giving them a shot!

P.S Hope Thrift is having a raffle (only have to spend $5 to enter) and the prize is having an incredible photo shoot done by the lovely and talented Leney Breeden.

A little out of my price range but still so sweet

if someone could make me this in my size I'd wear it

I wanted this mask so badly, after this pic

first time wearing a top hat

the go to place to eat at carytown

uh...should I be concerned?

DEEP DISH APPLE PIE

ran into my man this weekend ;)

inside of the vintage store Halcyon which was pretty cool

Halcyon has vintage patterns, I wish I knew how to sew

other than 2 records from Plan 9, I also bought these as well

The places I went to this weekend were: (include addresses)

Hope thrift

11260 Patterson Ave.

 Henrico, VA 23238

Second debut by Goodwill

3114 W. Cary St.

 Richmond, VA, 23221

Clementine

3118 West Cary St.

Richmond, VA 23221

Bygones

2916 West Cary St.
Richmond, VA 23221-3516

Plan 9

3012 West Cary St

 Richmond, VA 23221

Halcyon

117 N Robinson St
Richmond, VA 23220

Galaxy diner

3109 West Cary St

 Richmond, VA 23221

                                                              I also caved and bought this...freaking love this mask

A little inspiration from a Comrade

As you may have read in some of my previous post I do tend to gain inspiration from those around me.  So why not meet some of the few people who are inspirations to me.  My hope they could possibly also bring out some inspiration/encouragement to you as well.

  

 When Laura Reitzel enters a room she just shines so bright with the light of Christ that makes it hard not to want to see what she has to say, which is a great thing because this girl has got some pretty  creative ideas that God has bestowed upon her!

She's doesn't just play bass for the band Comrades, sing/play guitar for her solo project, but also has a knack for sewing, knitting amongst other awesome gifts as well. Seriously what can't this chick do! So since she can’t be in a million places at once, I figured why not give you a smidge of who she is and what she is about in a little interview!

What form of art(s) do you use to express yourself and why?

Thinking about this, I utilize a variety of different art forms for different reasons. I write, on rare occasions I draw or paint, but mainly I stick to fabric and yarn craft, and my first and foremost love, music.
I have always been drawn to good literature, and I've been attempting to create my own since I was young. I have recently been allowed the privilege of having a short story published in a compilation by RVA's own Sink/Swim. I was so stoked.
I find myself usually involved most in my music, and a lot of the other things I do stem from it. I have an acoustic solo project, as well as Comrades, which is often on tour. Being in a band that is one of the more serious of businesses I involve myself in, it is very consuming and doesn't allow for time and schedule flexibility. So I have to use the things that are readily available to try and make ends meet. This is where the yarn and fabric come in.
I have a collection of yarn that I have acquired from friends and strangers all over the country (you'd be surprised how many people get it and never use it). One of my good friends taught me how to knit a few years ago, and ever since I've been slowly turning out hats, scarves, and wrist warmers to sell at shows. It has definitely given me another source of income, but I would say that even more so it has given me a platform to converse with people about life and what I do.
I also make bags out of remnants and scraps and old clothes and sell those at shows. I purchase most of my clothes at thrift shops, and rather than giving them away, I usually try to make something useful out of them. I think that's one of the things I enjoy most about making things with your hands. You see a little bit of redemption in taking a cast off piece of cloth and giving it new purpose.

Where/who do you get your inspiration from and how does it help you remove a creative block?

Being completely honest, I find that I receive a lot of my ideas and my inspirations from varying sources. Sometimes it’s the band I see at a show, sometimes a photograph, a sentence... the list could go on and on. But I find that my most creative periods are when I am striving a relationship with the Creator. He made us to be creative, so He of course, has the best ideas.
What are your go to books/blogs/shows you use to help you gain new ideas and if so what are they?
Restating from the previous question, I often find that being in the Word of God gives me such a full head and heart. I write better, I am more connected in my music; I have more desire to create, when I am spending time with the Creator.
I do have a few websites that I go to:
For yarn, Ravelry.com
and otherwise, it varies from tumblr.com to C.S. Lewis books.

Has your art(s) helped you financially?

It’s given me a new platform to keep supporting my dreams. Being a musician doesn't pay much (despite the hype). We have to work really hard. This has given me that little spare cash fund for things that are outside of food and water. I also have an online store that you can check out at http://laurareitzel.storenvy.com/

(this is one of many items found in her store, I love how she lined the inside of this bag!)

what advice/tips do you have they may encourage my readers who may be considering dabbling in ways to save money creatively?
Talk to people about what you want to do. Sometimes you'll find that your aunt once bought 30 skeins of yarn to make an afghan and quit after an hour. If it’s been taking up space in the attic for years, she might be willing to part with it. Also, see what you already have. You can do something with anything, and with the internet being such a rich resource of information, start looking for things to do. Also, check out the YouTube channel called Threadbanger. They have tons of super easy DIY projects to occupy your day.

                                       ( 2 of her EPs that can be heard on her myspace page)

Here are a list of sites not only did she mention but also Comrades and her solo project!

http://laurareitzel.storenvy.com/

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=threadbanger&aq=0&oq=thread

https://www.ravelry.com

http://www.facebook.com/WeAreComrades

http://www.myspace.com/LauraReitzel

Be on the look out for more interviews of more people who help get my creative juices flowing!

Room Raiding

I’m not sure if it’s just me, but have you ever wondered how a random person’s living quarter might look like?  In my opinion, I think there’s much to be said about character/personality based on their room.  During my preteen years I use to watch this show on MTV called “Room Raiders”.  The show’s idea was a single guy/girl would go through 3 random people’s rooms. Based on what they saw/found in their room would decide out of the 3 who they felt matched them the best.   Typically it worked out that the room they liked best matched a person they would be attracted to, but Lord knows what the end results were after the cameras were off.

Still, this show did strike up some curiosity in me.  Could you really learn about a person just by seeing their room/place of living? 

What would my room tell you??   Well, why don’t you see for yourself….

                                       

                       (the zebra striped container was actually plain pine untill till I repainted it)

                                                         

                                                              

(Even though its my Christmas tree I just love this flamingo filled tree! They are my favorite animals)

Surprise! I’m a girly girl!  My parents jokingly refer to my room as a “high class bordello”; however, nothing “bordello[ish] goes on in my room.  Yet I can see why they would consider it as “high class”, but here’s the thing, it wasn’t with a high price tag.  All of my furniture was passed down to me, the sheets/pillows/curtains & their fixtures were under $200 dollars, and everything else I recycled and made to match my room for less than $50.  The faces my friends make when they finally see me room is priceless!  Who would have thought this chick who wears mostly dark solid color V-necks with jeggings and chucks would reside in a princess room?!?  I will admit it shocks me a little too, but I cannot express how much this room brings me joy and comfort every time I come home to it!

Now that I have given you an inside look to my room, I would love to see/hear about your rooms! Also if you would like some creative advice/tips on how to achieve your perfect space while saving money hit me up at: