Minimalism Resolution

This past New Year's Eve, I celebrated by going to bed early and watching Netflix (and I have zero regrets).

After finishing The Crown (SO GOOD!), I decided to try Minimalism, "a documentary about the important things".  It was created by two guys who left successful (but unfulfilling) careers, wrote a book, and went on tour.

I loved it.

I'd scrolled past it a million times, and have no idea why I didn't watch it earlier. I have A LOT of stuff, and I've been consistently trying to get rid of things I don't LOVE, dating back to (at least) August 15, 2010.

I was so inspired, I jumped out of bed and emptied a dresser that has always bugged me. (I bought it in New York and just couldn't find a place for it in this house.)

Turns out, I could not only get rid of the dresser, but also about 90% of the stuff in it. (YAY!)

The next day, though, I started thinking...

Can I justify running a retail business that sells STUFF, and support the concept of minimalism? 

Yes!

The point isn't to just get rid of material possessions. Instead, it's about getting rid of the excess, the stuff we don't LOVE.

So, I'm trying to get products in the store that I think people will love - high quality, reasonably priced, and (as much as possible), products that are somehow sustainable, recycled, cruelty-free, environmentally friendly, or do something (anything!) good for the world and won't end up just taking up space.

So, keep an eye on lili as I continue to add new products, and check out The Minimalists if you need a little inspiration to clear out your excess stuff!

And if you have Netflix, watch The Crown and Stranger Things too!  

SO GOOD!

Spring Break - 2015

Not really a "break".  In fact, I came back from my trip to Las Vegas exhausted (and not for the usual reasons).

The event center I manage is connected to a restaurant and hotel, all owned by the same person.  The hotel is a member of the Wyndham Hotel Group, which held its 2015 Global Conference this past week in Las Vegas

where we won an award!!

this is a big deal

Although the conference consumed most (almost all) of our time, we did get to see a few things.

We stayed at the Luxor, which was fine - close to the conference at Mandalay Bay, and cheap.  Its on the south end of the Strip, so not as congested (good!) but still within walking distance.

homesick!

We stopped into the Cosmopolitan (GORGEOUS, girly casino), to get our fortune...

lucky! 

NOT lucky!

you have to, right?

What we didn't see (but really wanted to) was this...

So I'll settle for this...

SO GOOD!

Bittersweet

One of my neighbors recently asked if I liked bittersweet.

"I've never tried it", I replied.

"You don't eat it."

Oh.

(Sounds like something you'd eat, though, doesn't it?)

The next day I came home and found this on my front porch...

Pretty...

I added a (very) little to a wreath I picked up for $1 at a flea market last weekend (it needs more, I know)...

Also Bittersweet...

Hint:  If you ever see "Big Head Todd" somewhere, don't tell him he was your favorite band in college.  He doesn't like that.

Beauty & the Beach...

Boys.

My new car has a 6-disc CD changer, but my "vintage" (only 7 years old!) computer no longer burns CDs.

So, I checked Goodwill.

And...

for about $2 each (less than the price of 2 songs on iTunes (not that I could listen to them anyway)), I have the whole CD.

Other "new" CDs include... Jason Mraz Waiting for My Rocket to Come (I love You & I Both!),  Elton John - Greatest Hits, and Elvis Presley The Number One Hits.

Two more and I'll be set!

I also found this cute sundress from JCrew for $7 (kind of expensive for Goodwill)...

I don't really go to the beach, but this dress is perfect for these last few (really super hot) days of summer.

I can't wait to see what Winavie found this month at Lemons & Chambray!

Next month - Back to School!

April Showers

It's been really rainy this year.

Like, every day.

And, there's more rain predicted.

(Like, every day.)

Almost makes me wish I was in Philadelphia (where it's always sunny).

I've never seen this show, but it's gotten great reviews on imdb.

And Season 1 and 2 were only $2 at the Goodwill in Dubuque (still in the original package!).  That's the same price as one episode on Amazon (see The Gang Gets Racist).

And it stars Charlie Day (who is adorable!).

Adorable.

What better way to spend a rainy day?

I can't wait to see what Winavie found over on Lemons & Chambray.

Next month's Goodwill Hunting challenge:  May Flowers!

Live and Die

I'm not sure I like the song, but I love the video! :-)

Great SCOTS!

Yesterday, Southern Culture on the Skids (SCOTS)

played at this year's Big Apple Barbeque Block Party in Madison Square Park, right next to the famous Flatiron Building.

Mary (and her wig!) was gorgeous,

and Rick was entertaining.

Grillmasters come from all over the country (including South Carolina!),

and even though The Salt Lick (my favorite) was here from Austin, my friend & I wanted to finally try barbeque from Memphis, and 17th Street BBQ is supposed to be one of the best.

Honestly, it was just ok, but that might be due to sitting around all day.   (A trip to Memphis may be necessary!)

SCOTS, though, was awesome.  They're funny, a bit raunchy at times, and the blend of "Americana, surf, R&B, rockabilly, and swamp pop" is different, in a very good way...






But, be forewarned, if you ever go see them in person, and they play 8 Piece Box, you may want to take cover!

The Dreams That You Dare to Dream

really do come true.

On Friday night, I went to see Rhett Miller at City Winery.

Rhett was cute and entertaining, as always.

Then he began introducing the song Fireflies, a duet he recorded with Rachel Yamagata.

Usually, when he sings this song solo, he looks in one direction when he sings his part, and the other direction when he sings her part.

I've had this dream (a fantasy really) that one night, he'd begin introducing the song, and some friend of mine (usually the friend that lives in Mississippi, who would totally do something like this), would point at me and yell out that I could sing it with him.

So he'd nervously call me up onstage, and as soon as I'd start to sing, the crowd would go wild!  And Rhett would just smile in amazement.

On Friday night, it happened.

Just not to me.

(Which is actually a really good thing, because I am a terrible singer.)

Still, it was pretty cool.

It's Just Not Right

I really should be Far Away In Another Town today.

Specifically, San Francisco.

This weekend is the annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival.

And I should be there!

But, as a friend said...

"Oh calamity what hath high airfare wrought".

So, I'm Blue.

Because I'm stuck in New York, and this ain't no place for The Weary Kind.

But only For Today.

Because maybe someday soon, I'll be able To Go Home, or See the World.

Until then I'll just listen to Another Travelin' Song.

Because, like another friend said "there's always next year".

"Thanks E'rybody"

- Murray Hammond, Old 97's bassist


Last night, I met up with some girls for Spaghetti a la Pete's at the historic Pete's Tavern, followed by an Old 97's show at Webster Hall.

As usual, the spaghetti was delicious.

And so were the Old 97's...

Rhett Miller

We have got to leave all that behind

Sometimes a song gets stuck in my head.

Today, it's this...



And I'm totally ok with that.

Out with the Old

97s.



Friday night, the Old 97s played The Music Hall in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The Old 97s are an alt-country band that have been around forever (well, since 1993).

This is a band that must be seen to be appreciated.

And the show Friday night did not disappoint.

Rhett "Let the Whisky Take the Reins", so forgot some lyrics...

But then he looked up, and smiled, and all was forgiven. (Rhett must also been seen to be appreciated.)

Some favorite Old 97's songs include:
Big Brown Eyes
Salome
Time Bomb
Please Hold On While the Train is Moving
Melt Show
Designs on You
Barrier Reef
Dance with Me
The Grand Theater
Coahuila

I could go on.

And on.

And on.

I highly recommend going to see these guys. I'm already looking forward to the next show!

(The Fillmore in San Francisco on January 22?)

A November (Blue) to Remember

Best "November" song ever.

It was Inevitable

Everyone who knows me knows I love to read. (I've read 17 books already this year.)

So, I really don't know what took me so long.

But, better late than never...



I thought I would miss having a book.

But, I don't. (At all!)

In fact, after only 2 days with the Kindle, I might already prefer it.

I love being able to highlight sections I want to remember, and look up words I don't know - without having to reach for a pen or dictionary.com.

And, the Kindle keeps track of my progress for me! I no longer have to look at how many pages are in the book, then calculate how far into it I am.

(Doesn't everyone do this??)

The inaugural book was....

The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro.

One of the reviewers asks, about this book, "What is the meaning of professionalism in today's society? How much should one sacrifice in order to remain true to his own personal ethics? ".

These are questions I ask myself constantly. I've never been able to just keep my mouth shut and do what I'm told.

Maybe my life would be a little easier if I did.

I'll see how it works out for Mr. Stevens first.

Whip It (Good!)

I watched the movie Whip It tonight. It was good (if predictable).

I don't want to try roller derby (!), but could really relate to the main character - an unhappy girl, looking for her "calling" and a better life.

Maybe I should try roller derby... You never know!