The High Cost of Cheap Fashion

I just finished a very interesting book called Overdressed:The shockingly high cost of cheap fashion by Elizabeth Cline and had a few thoughts. Here is a link to the book if anyone is interested!
Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion
I am an avid thrift store shopper and I also got to the goodwill outlet which is the last stop before the clothes get baled. I have a sewing machine and I often mend my clothes. I don’t have much of a disposable income, I try to be thoughtful with my purchases both clothing and other. I guess that until lately I was in the minority?

I did realize I hesitate though when things are over a certain price and my ethics get shoved aside for affordability. Besides lack of money, why do I hesitate? I should be supporting other people who are trying to make a living fairly. I don’t mean that other countries don’t need to be supported too, more of supporting businesses that help their workers.

This book really laid out what the actually costs of production are and why things cost what they do when they are produced with fair trade labor etc. I think that now I am even going to be more selective. I remember going to the mall and seeing a hot topic and getting mad that all these things I had been searching for had been reproduced so cheaply and wondering how that was possible.

I have made a decision not to buy any new clothes, excluding bras and underwear for a year. I don’t think this is going to be too hard. I am also thinking about trying to make my clothes? I am not sure. I texted my bff and we are going to set up our sewing machines in our basement and meet up on Tuesday to make and mend things when our kids asleep. I have a basic knowledge of sewing and she is much better at pattern reading then me. I am hoping to become a better sewer and a more thoughtful buyer.Target doesn’t need my money.

I don’t need anymore clothes. I am thinking about counting and logging what I have and what I make and perhaps even blogging about it, but really there doesn’t to be another blog about it. I think it would be nice to have all my photos and thoughts in one place.

So here I am. I don’t think I am going to tell anyone yet, but I am going to just try and document things.

Hello again!

Current obsession…

Ukuleles. I can’t sing all that well, I dance like a dork but something about them is so darn happy. Maybe this is the perfect outlet to my for music nerd? I tried to play my tiny fake ukes, but the don’t stay in tune and it keeels me. I may have to spend my birthday money from the in-laws on a uke just to get it out of my system. I hate the sound of practicing (years of band maybe?) but I think I am willing to buck up so I can learn how to play “single ladies” on the ukulele.

Photobooth

In other news I have broached new territory into never having to go outside again by ordering new glasses on the internet. I will let you all know how that goes!!! I am hopeful because two pairs with lenses and my extra strength prescription was a whopping 41 bucks. That includes shipping! The folks at Zenni Optical even emailed me right away to confirm my weird RX. I have had two coworkers order from them and they were very happy.

I may have signed up for a 5k. It’s on March 14th.
Pretty palette

Tilt

As I sat down to write this post Blair came downstairs and surprised me with a Nikon D40!!!! I am so excited to finally get back to where I wanted to be with my photography. All my old fantastic lenses fit in it which makes me infinitely happy. Expect many more photos to start showing up here.
Onward to TILT

1. Homemade whip cream
2. Dave’s Killer Bread. So good and such a good message.
3. Things in pairs.
photo
4. Audio books are perfect for when I am cleaning the house or working on crafts. I especially like series. I have listened to The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Dark Tower Series and am now working on The Golden Compass.
5. New Cameras!!! I just need to think of a good name for her now.
6. Mad Men, I am now just about to start season 3. Mad men bar

ftilt

Had to work yesterday so this is a bit late!

1. Bacon Mayo! I learned how to make it from scratch. This may be a problem later on. I can see myself ruined for anything but homemade mayo from now on.

2. Blackberries. I totally just realized I could pick blackberries in the alley. Mmmm cobbler.blackberry/nectarine cobbler

3. shoes. I love shoes. OMG shoes

4. The bins. Need I say more?

5. Red and pink together.

6. Awesome husband. He is awesome even though he has started the winter bearding.
3rd Wedding anniversary
6. Deadwood cocksuckers!!!!

Tilt

biscuits and gravy

1. Little Red Bike Cafe. I love it, the people that work there, the food, they decor. I love that they have a blog, that they managed to reopen after their flood and that they have a window that opens in the kitchen.

coffee moat with pastry.

2. The Timbers! A little known fact about me is that the only sport I truly love is soccer. I had the chance to go to a Timbers game and now I fear I may be hooked!!!!

3. Powells in all it’s lovely overwhelming glory.

4. Bread

6. A drink that they are making over at Teardrop called The High Hat! Bourbon and all things good.

7. My sailor inspired clothing page.
sailor stuff from lucky
I still cut stuff out of magazines and paste them into books. I love looking through them and seeing all things I like!

8. Tomatoes from the garden. I didn’t manage to get a garden together this year but my friends have been hooking me up with “nature’s candy”.
Yummy dinner

9. Cats that try to light themselves on fire by jumping on the stove and don’t! Banana had a close call this week. I don’t have a picture of flaming Banana but here is a gratuitous Banana photo for you!

Magestic

10. They might be giants, Flood. Still good after all these years.

Things I Love Thursday

The lovley Gala Darling has been doing Things I love Thursday for 100 weeks!

I finally been motivated to post my own.

1. Models without makeup. Have you seen the gorgeousness in the September Bazaar?

2. I am really loving the idea of a giant gold cuff. I have yet to find one in my travels. Someday!

3. The preview of fall we have been getting. I am welcoming the break from the heat.

4. True Blood. Currently I am madly in love with Eric, we shall see how the season goes.

5.  Moustaches. Not on my husband but for me! The lovely tikimama brought some to the tiki kon and it was the most fun I have had in ages!Sara with moustache

6.  tiki kon I had a great time this year and look forward to next year. I do however need to do some serious thrifting for new aloha wear.

7. Fernet Branca! Oh how I love thee, let me count the ways…. 1. In the morning 2. in an old fashioned….. You get the picture.

That’s all I have for now!  What are you digging on lately?

The Return!

Journal Scans

Well I am back! I have been for about two weeks.  So much for regular posting!

New Orleans was fantastic! It was as hot and sweaty as you would imagine.  I did much better then I thought I would. The slip shorts were amazing!!! I love them.

I feel like this trip I really got a feel for the French Quarter. I walked around with Heather and Sebastian and managed to accomplish all of my missions.

Meyer

Blair’s main mission was to purchase a hat from Meyers. sauve new hat
It is indeed a fine looking hat.

I was lucky enough to meet quite a few members of the Cocktail Spirits Online Writers Group and I am so very sad they aren’t my neighbors. I am working on it!

I am now recovering from my sisters visit, which was fantastic. I miss her so much already! We went camping, ate bacon almost everyday and went to the bins. I am a great hostess!
Camping

Poker Face

Summer in Portland

We are leaving for New Orleans in a week and a day. I have been constantly trying on outfits and rethinking my wardrobe. I have picked up a few essential items over the past couple of weeks.

1. Slip shorts. My grandma had a pair of these and I loved them! I bought a pair in white and one in black. I foresee these being extremely useful. I don’t do hot weather well and these work well under skirts.

2. White pants. They match everything! I am actually borrowing the from the lovely Heather and depending on how things go I may need to procure my own.

3. Awesome swimsuit and cover up. Nuff said!

We shall see what happens once I get to the land of humidity.

Not much else has been happening. Much day dreaming about the yard but not really wanting to work to get it accomplished. I was sick for a bit, now I am back in the gym and trying to be active everyday. I am having varying success in that matter.

I did go to Seattle again last weekend and had a lovely time at the solstice parade and at my dear friends house. I didn’t get any good pictures of the parade so instead I will leave you with a photo of a very sad little dog. She always is very worried by packing. Sad moo.

Polaroid Week

You've killed us all.

I went to Seattle this weekend. I have been in Portland for 2 1/2 years and never managed to make it up. I had a lovely time visiting friends and perhaps have laughed harder then I ever had in my life.

pikes

Other then that things are still good. Got a little bit slacker on my marathon training. Today is supposed to be the first day but it is raining and I decided just to do the wii instead. I am rejoining the gym tomorrow. I have lost 22 pounds and am holding steady. Another 22 before I get back to where I was, I did it once I can do it again!!