I have been a little busy...making things...

This Christmas please think of me and think of Gary Haugen's flat-top hair cut. i am making lots of gifts for Christmas and events, and i will be giving 10% of all proceeds to IJM (International Justice Mission)- an amazing "human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other ...forms of violent oppression." Look out for a photo album entitled: "Gary Haugen Flat-top Fund."
go here for more info: http://www.ijm.org/

go to my etsy to see more products!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/theprettiestbaglady

Buy This, Not That...

I have long-held had a love of thrift stores, I love the thought that I can buy something and by just wearing it, as is, I am re-purposing it. I do love buying from the thrift store with that intent, but I also love buying from the thrift store with the purpose of changing, altering, adding on- and thus renewing its original purpose. There are a lot of great "re" words, come to think of it (redeem, reclaim, reuse, re-purpose, redefine).








The pin...

Well as some of you may know, I have a love of Moosejaw. Usually when I describe Moosejaw, I explain that it is like REI's cooler younger brother, and it is based out of the Midwest, who can argue that?...Don't, it's not a good idea if you know who you are dealing with. Go here if you want to know what in the world moosejaw is... http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/home___




Anyways...There was a particular moosejaw sweatshirt that struck my fancy, and I developed a habit of playfully putting it in my virtual shopping cart everytime I went to the site. I loved this sweatshirt because it looked well worn and cozy. The distinguishing feature that made it stand out to me was that the neck was cut off, so it was like a Flashdance off-the-shoulder sort of thing. I never bought it because it was $42 and I have issues buying things that I know I can make, thus my belief on "creation before consumption"- If you can make it, do that.


Well today at the thrift I found a lovely sweater that had the potential to be a "lauren-cozy-flashdance-sweater". And so for $2.99 bones I bought it. Got my scissors and went to town...I also ended up making a sweet necklace out of the remnants, finished two purses, and made a pin...












Lauren's Flashdance Sweater<














The Necklace >>










The Moustache<<<

How to live off of $20 a week

I met with my friend Tracy this week, and she asked me this question: If you could spend a year devoted to one idea to implement in your life what would it be? With little hesitation I said that I would live out of need not out of want. Basically, I would simplify my life as much as possible.
I have thought a lot about living simply and how I can do it in my own life, but have failed to consistently practice simplicity.

There are so many ways to simplify- time, money, resources, etc. After more thought it occurred to me that I should just start by implementing a few key rules in how I will simplify for this year. The first thought I came up with after researching about budgeting and living simply (which I will be implementing), is to live off of $20 a week in groceries. Believe it or not there are a lot of websites which give detailed plans on how to do this. Living off of $20 in groceries a week may sound radical to some, but I realize that to others (many) it is not at all! For me I know this will be an amazing goal to accomplish as I have taken a shine to getting coffee...nearly daily...yikes! All this to say I am not writing this to sound radical because I know that many people do this and still others live off even less than this; but for me this is a personal goal that will require a definite level of sacrifice!

So tomorrow starts the revolution! Any suggestions on how to incorporate the food I have already bought?? Hmmm...
Another challenge I want to have is to not buy any clothing for a year.... and if I must then replacing it with a different item in my closet so that I don't accumulate more. As much as possible I try and get everything from the thrift or second hand so as not to create a need for more clothing in a store, but rather taking something that has already been used and redeeming it!

There are certainly other monthly expenditures other than groceries, but I have not yet figured out how I want to approach that. I will need to think through what is reasonable yet sacrificial in other aspects of the budget. For instance, I will need to think through how much to spend on "entertainment", going out to dinner with friends, going to coffee with friends, etc. I certainly don't want to oppress others with a rigid budget that does not allow for me to do these kinds of things!

So far what will directly be changing is bringing my lunch to work everyday, no more coffee :(
or buying my lunch, on the flip side I will be much more intentional about how I eat, what I buy, and more aware of what I have! I am excited! So if you could commit to one thing for the year, what would it be?

I Can Do Bad All By Myself

one ugly dresser = $65
pistachio spray paint = $2.75
girl meets electric sander = priceless

That Which Wasn't Said

Leave it to Thomas Merton to deliver- I love how he states with simplicity and perfect clarity. This is a particularly relevant passage to me, and I am thankful for his wisdom! This quote was passed along from a friend, and I would like to share it with you!

"False sincerity has much to say, because it is afraid. True candor can afford to be silent. It does not need to face an anticipated attack. Anything it may have to defend can be defended with perfect simplicity.
The arguments of religious people are so often insincere, and their insincerity is proportionate to their anger. Why do we get angry about what we believe? Because we do not really believe it. Or else what we pretend to be defending as 'truth' is really our own self-esteem. A person of sincerity is less interested in defending the truth than in stating it clearly, for that person thinks that if the truth be clearly seen it can very well take care of itself." - Thomas Merton

I have been thinking a lot about the passage in the Bible that says: "We need to be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16 Each of these in and of itself is not sufficient for the WHOLE christian. We can be wise as serpents but lack all the humility and grace of Jesus. We can be innocent as doves but without all discernment and trepidation. Both characteristics are of equal importance, and I think that we need to work on how to bring them to a balance. Which is easier for you to expose- innocence, or wisdom?

Why Pluck One String When You Can Strum the Guitar?

I just set up my high volume speakers in my office- it is currently 6:48 and I am technically not working thus the volume is all the way up and I think the senior center right next to my office is bumping too.


a couple of things i have been loving lately:
-childrens bibles (honestly it's the best way to learn the stories) I ain't ashamed to tote my picture Bible around!
-students who want more Bible studies, and time together :)
-torrential rain (although there is nothing like the awesome thunderstorms back in Chi-town)
-being able to give myself a haircut- what a gift (i just gave myself a compliment and accepted it)
-editing fotos!
-random acts of kindness displayed by great people
-my church and all the wonderful people that make my job such a joy! :)
-the spice club, lee dee lou, and my amazing friends
-my new handmade scarf, from etsy! http://www.etsy.com/shop/jilllauren
go and check out this girl's fantastic work! thank you!!!
shameless pictures with the scarf - love love love it :)

Kids in Wigs and a Sushi Conveyor Belt

adventures in yogurt-making

You heard right....i made my very first batch of yogurt today. i have been contemplating getting a yogurt maker for awhile but haven't got around to it...today was my day to acquire this treasure, for $6 no less!

During my lunch break, I went to one of the 3 thrift stores in the town I work in, per usual- (i rotate them throughout the week, and it is amazing how many new things i find -----this is another story for another day). Lo and behold, there was a yogurt maker...only in Washington. Only in Washington would you find a yogurt maker at a thrift store. So thus my afternoon adventure continued- bought my ingredients, and set to work...it involves a lot of waiting actually. I let it sit for over 6 hours, and it takes anywhere from 4-10 depending on how tart you want it.

Mission Accomplished!

P.S. (I can't believe I just wrote a whole post about yogurt and I look genuinely freaky in this last picture.)

Flea Markets are dangerous.

Actually, I didn't buy anything today, but I spied with my little eye a lot of wonderful nic nacs- including an old school beach cruiser (which I am currently searching for-although one with gears would be nice :) )



aaaandd a bow tie, made from scraps- make any outfit instantly formal :) even a t-shirt and jeans!

what's better than peanut butter?

Better'n Peanut Butter- If not just for the name I would be sold- but seriously this stuff is the bomb.com
Way better'n peanut butter!

yes....this item get's its own blog entry-it's that good, go get some- no really, please?

wednesday mornings

My Wednesday's are quite routine, quite special, quite unique...and at the end of the day- quite tiring!

Every Wednesday morning i have the unique privilege of cooking breakfast for any and all middle or high school students, we eat breakfast together and then i drive them to school! It's undoubtedly one of the sweetest parts of my job!

After breakfast there is a lot of clean-up, dirty dishes, pancake batter, ingredients strewn about, and a house well loved by the kids and in need of a little TLC. I get my coffee going and try to savor this time when the kids have all gone and it is just me in the house. (Geez, I sound like a mom!) I slip on my pink dish washing gloves (which have revolutionized my view of hand washing dishes) and get to work. Ah, the morning!

Time Seems to Drip Like Dali

Today was one of those days full of work- i'm gearing up for the "30 hour famine" with my students and there is never-ending planning...i'm not a natural planner, in fact i thrive in spontanaeity!

My wonderful job is sharpening me to become a better planner and i am learning so much in taking time to prepare, dream, and perfect my craft... what craft, you ask? planning a lesson, praying for my kids, teaching the Bible- not just a story or chapters and verses but actual meaning of the text, and just filling the "day to day" with complete intention- no moment wasted, but intention and thoroughness in everything i do.

I didn't leave the office till around 7:15, i didn't notice the time- i love these glimpses God gives me when the clock is not an impediment to my day- getting lost in work is no longer incredibly tiring and laborious but rather just another piece to my day where the intention of the task outweighs the logistics of time and clock work.

i also had to go into my retail job to sign some paperwork- 45 min away- potentially an annoying thing. i took a stop in the borders afterwards and sat on the floor and looked at books and talked with my friend on the phone. i am blessed enough to remain in constant, weekly and sometimes daily contact with some of my dearest friends...

hmmm that is all for today- very stream of conciousness

Do one creative thing a day...

Wouldn't the world be brighter if everyone followed this principle?

As God's creation He invites us to join with him as co-creators, fellow artists who help paint a brighter hope for individuals in need. Being creative and bright need not go hand-in-hand with artistic talent that is rendered on a canvas or blank page- as co-creators we are invited to join in the song of redeeming creation and restoring dignity to a world desperate for meaning. We are ushered in, to preserve and restore the vibrance and hope that faith gives and offer that to our brothers and sisters.

This creative life requires thinking outside of our personal boxes and exploring and seeing the world in a new way... Certainly the gospels are full of creative, inspiring and bright stories---one individual even had to get dirt rubbed in his eyes in order to be healed- this Jesus we follow is not boring or commonplace- he is humorous, loving, and even shocking.

The creative process is unleashed when people are willing to be an istrument in the hands of The Great Artist.

Pick your fabric and pick from the two different styles of purses- starting at $15!

Pick your fabric and pick from the two different styles of purses- starting at $15. This is a super cheap price and will soon be going up as my craftsmanship gets better- get it while it's hot and cheap! You can mix and match- with 2 different fabrics, or just trust that i will match something which the fabric you choose!



Style # 1 on the top= $20 (Dimensions: 16.5 " x 14")
Style #2 on the bottom= $15 (Dimensions: 15" x 12")

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=2015276&id=102500097

You can also check out my online store of great vintage finds!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/theprettiestbaglady