There may be a one or two of you out there a wee bit envious of my latest Value Village find, but I just couldn’t leave these completely kitsch ceramic owl lamps behind. For only 12$ each, and in full working order, this pair has real potential!
Whimsy. Wit. Style. All in a trip to the thrift shop…
When the time is right, these babies are going to meet a can of glossy white spray paint, inspired by a few pricier versions below.
Owl lamps from Urban Outfitters & Anthropologie.
I was recently tagged by a fellow O Town blogger Ottawa Street Style. The idea was to put together a list of 6 things that make me happy, and then tag 6 others.
This has taken me awhile, it’s true. It may even have taken me too long, but what the heck. It was fun. I took some time and really thought about it a lot. Turns out, I had a really tough time narrowing it down.
So, to those of my fellow bloggers on the list below, no rush…it’s tougher than it looks!
1. Lists:
I love lists. I am constantly making them. It’s almost as if they’re my most effective means of self-expression. They’re quick and easy to do, they don’t need to be perfect and they provide a sense of deep satisfaction – both in writing them and in crossing them off! I make them on the back of envelopes, on the refrigerator, on multicolored sticky notes, and in my head. Actually, I am almost always making a list of some kind in my head, or trying desperately to remember to add whatever item or task to a list I already have underway. My mother often refers to the notebooks she totes as her “brains”. It seems I’ve inherited this same approach…
I’ve kept journals, sketchbooks and agendas for years, but now I rely exclusively on my Moleskine, which travels with me everywhere I go.
Anyway, my lists have most definitely served me well over time, as I’ve kept track of much more than just my daily “to do’s”. In fact, they’ve truly helped me to be less reactive and more focused on what’s important for moving myself forward.
My fella once referred to the constant whirl inside my head as a “beautiful storm”, which was profoundly flattering, and even a bit romantic. I do try to remember his kind characterization, especially in my more scatterbrained moments, as it does provide me a wee bit of relief. Instead of feeling like a complete freak, I end up feeling more like a creative genius with an endearing intellectual habit. This can be quite comforting at times….
Other than groceries, the following is a partial list of the lists I maintain:
(you get the idea…)
2. My Green Machine:
I don’t know how I would survive without my laptop.
Eighteen months ago, I finally decided to equip myself at home. Prior to then, I had been more or less happy with a museum artifact for a home computer supplied by my employer for use on those few “work at home” days when productivity took precedent over my presence. I would bank online or surf only when necessary, and I viewed myself as a bit of a technophobe. Interestingly, I was also feeling restless and uneasy about the direction my life was headed in.
Then, I heard leading social media marketer Mitch Joel of Twist Image at a conference. I heard him loud and clear. “The future is now!” he said emphatically, and I was convinced. After listening to him speak about the emergence of Web 2.0, I immediately left the building and went directly to inquire about the purchase of a laptop. Looking back, this was a pivotal moment, and it precipitated a giant leap forward for me. It was then that I realized the awesome enabling potential of the Internet.
Shortly thereafter, I was the proud owner of a shiny new Dell – with a long list (as per above) of things I wanted to learn specific to the digital world. In fact, my New Year’s resolution just last year was to sign up for Facebook, and then find out more about Flickr, Blurb, Etsy and E-Bay.
Anyway, it wasn’t long before the my laptop, the Internet and Google helped to transform both my outlook and my life. I know it sounds dramatic, but if you consider that I have been blogging since June, I’m quite proud of the accomplishment.
Once logged on, a world of possibility was revealed to me and I began to see paths and opportunities I hadn’t previously noticed. To start, I signed up for a reader, uncovered a community of like-minded individuals, learned about blogging, and began to feel empowered. Each step forward I took, I was confronted by obstacles – both real and perceived – and each and every time, a resolution could be found online. By tapping into forums, by searching Google, or even by reading personal development blogs, my learning and development was fast, furious and undeniable. Google became my catalogue for the Universe. I could shop for, look at or learn whatever I wanted to, whenever a thought crossed my mind, and there was no limit to what could be found.
Fast forward to now. As it turns out, the kind of self-directed discovery that is facilitated online is perfect for someone like me (with a cerebral storm underway most days!). Since acquiring my laptop, I have started a blog, rediscovered my passion for decorative design, signed up for school, learned to manage time more effectively, balanced my work and life, started to sketch, taken my digital photography to a new level, dabbled in graphic design, begun to think seriously about a more creative and independent career, and even imagined a different future.
Thanks to my green machine, I am no longer restless or uneasy. I’m inspired, motivated and busily creating the life I imagine.
3. Vintage Living:
I confess to being a consumer by nature. In my own defence however, I also believe this is an essentially human instinct. Since the dawn of civilization, our desire to surround ourselves with beauty has inspired the creation of art, decorative objects, furniture, architecture, clothing and jewellery. Our collective appreciation of art, adornment and finery throughout history cuts across culture, class and geography, and unites us in the recognition that creativity has made a tangible contribution to the evolution of humanity. Fighting the compulsion to create, share and acquire beautiful things seems to me like denying our capacity to love.
Anyway, we have all gone a bit overboard, and now this innate desire for beauty seems to have been replaced by a mad drive to accumulate useless crap. This same stuff takes way too much energy, resources and cheap labour to manufacture. While I too have been known to swoon over pretty things that sparkle or rationalize the acquisition of some shiny new little do-dad, I am increasingly uninspired when perusing the vast variety of available matter. The sheer volume of goods that are produced for mass consumption astounds me, especially when considering that most of it will someday settle into a landfill somewhere.
Instead, I have begun to develop a penchant for old things, and vintage living has become almost a philosophy for me. I have grown to value longevity, quality and timelessness in just about everything I want – or need – to acquire, and most often, would rather sift through what has already been used to find what I’m looking for. From cars and clothing to furniture and first editions, I believe that making “heirloom” choices can contribute to a more sustainable way of life, and that by learning to discern the treasures from trash, I can reduce my impact and enjoy life’s small luxuries.
Images from Wary Meyers and Domino Magazine.
Whether it be a junk shop, a thrift store, a garage sale, an antique market, a flea market, an auction or estate sale, finding vintage, thrifted, or “upcycled” goods that inspire me while also serving a purpose just suits me better than frequenting big box mall or the local dollar store. So, when buying new, I try to get only what I know will last as long as possible and otherwise, I prefer to shop vintage.
And, as my shopping habits have evolved, I’m pretty sure I have spent less and gained considerably. My sense of personal style has strengthened, my environment has grown more reflective of who I am, and my little girlaboutOtown has even begun to eye up my wardrobe. One day years from now, she may be able to wear what I have acquired, as I often keep her in mind when making choices.
4. Books and Magazines
Despite my stated belief in the virtues of vintage living, I’m not beyond reproach. I love books and magazines, and can’t accept the notion that there will ever be such a thing as too many. Over the years, I have wrestled with this addiction, through several phases of simplification and more than a few moves, but I have finally conceded. While dragging several hundred pounds of books and magazines from place to place may have been bit embarrassing, there is no doubt that I do not regret keeping them. I read and re-read regularly, and relish the thought of curling up and returning to them again soon.
Evidently, certain themes have emerged in my choices, and over time, I have curated quite a library of design & decorating, fashion and architecture related reading. Add to these a decent supply of business & marketing, personal growth & development, and art & photography books, and it seems I have succeeded in surrounding myself with a real life collection that reflects my most enduring interests and passions.
Currently, I subscribe to no less than 5 monthly periodicals, and shamelessly acquire both new and used books as often as I can rationalize it. My Amazon Wish List is among my top-five most visited bookmarks, and I am constantly adding to it.
5. My Home
It’s a little house on a corner, and it is different than most in town. In fact, its “one of those things that not like the others”, and I suppose that is one reason I love it so much. Off a main road and into a neighbourhood not known for trendy shops or tony real estate, my place sits under a pair of majestic white pine trees and is surrounded by an excess of peony bushes (is there such a thing?). A bit out of place maybe, but right in the centre of the city, this little west coast craftsman style cottage feels a bit like cheating. It is almost as though I have uncovered a little slice of California life right here in Ottawa, the thought of which makes me smile every day.
It is bright and sunny with a Southern exposure, and dotted with windows in every direction. With wood floors, high ceilings and a cozy second floor that is only half height, this unique house will most definitely need its fair share of care and attention over time. But, it is a decorator’s dream. I am never without hopes and aspirations for it, and I look forward to making it a more intimate, personal and happy home as I settle in through the years.
With its old-fashioned front porch, coloured stucco and symmetrical design, it is a charming and unpretentious retreat that is both comfortable and completely liveable. Small spaces require a certain discipline, but they can be liberating as well. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by too much cleaning or maintenance, I am inspired by the enormous potential of the house and excited to participate in its evolution. As a former real estate junkie – who once had a constant eye out for the next house for sale that might be more suitable – I am profoundly satisfied to have found myself here at home.
My home is similar in look and feel to this historic craftsman style home in Richmond, British Columbia, from Bob_2006.
6. Music:
Ok. Last, but not least, I love music. I am not a musician, a music historian, or an audiophile of any kind, but I do listen. When I do, it is because my soul demands it.
Music has always been a core component of my life, and its affect profound. At times, I have felt a real communion with the universe through its sound, and I have been known to lose myself completely just listening. I cry, or dance, or think deeply in these moments, and I am at once comforted and inspired by its its cathartic power. There are certain strains that will always lift my spirit, or lyrics that stir memories, and there are some songs that I simply must sing.
I don’t have a huge “High Fidelity” style collection, I haven’t bought an iTune yet, and I have no affinity for any particular genre. Instead, I prefer to enjoy a diversity of melodies, harmonies and rhythms, and I like to listen alone. That is not to say I don’t enjoy live music, or singing around a campfire, or even sharing in someone else’s experience, but when I am alone, and the music is loud, I am at peace.
Image source
