Okay, people. I need some real-life advice, here. We've donated/sold/given away of a lot of stuff already in preparation for our big move, but there's still more to go! And I have a few select items that I just do not know what to do with.
So now let's play a game called "What Should Ginny Do With _____?"
What's behind Door #1?
My wedding dress. And no, it sadly has not been cleaned, though at least it is hung in my closet in its pretty white bag. I know most people would freak out at the thought of doing anything with a wedding dress but preserving it, but I just don't know. How many people really wear their mother's dress? I did not (poofy 80's sleeves. Sorry, Mom. Love you).
I feel that my options are:
a. Preserve and save it (so it can sit in storage).
b. Donate it to a worthwhile organization (like my friend Jessica--read that story here).
c. Sell it (unlikely, and I don't really want to do that).
d. Save it but use it in some other manner. I would love to somehow non-cheesily display part of it...but I have no idea how. Any ideas?
On to Door #2...
My graduation cap and gown. Is it possible to resell these? Or does everyone just give them to Goodwill?
Things are getting really exciting now! What's behind Door #3?!
My old Macbook that won't turn on or work at all. Obviously Apple is not going to buy it from me since it no longer works. But is there any other way to wipe it clean and recycle the hardware?
And lastly, behind Door #4...
Cowboy boots. Yep, we both have 'em and don't really need 'em (plus we have been told that people in Georgia do not like people who wear cowboy boots). They're still in great condition. Anyone know if there's a place to resell these? Neither of the consignment stores in town take stuff like that, to my knowledge.
I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and advice. :) Thanks and gig 'em.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Two ways to freecycle
The nerd in me feels victorious. Know why?
I got a bunch of free moving boxes from Old Navy! And all I had to do was ask nicely. :)
I'm not sure when I did this or what organization I was involved with at the time, but I vaguely remember calling our local Old Navy during college to ask if they would give us their shipment boxes. Somehow, I also remembered that they got shipments in on Tuesday morning. Just call me random trivia girl (though I am no good at Trivial Pursuit).
Two days ago, I was going to deposit some checks at our bank near Old Navy. I suddenly remembered all that random college information and popped in to ask if I could have the boxes from that morning.
Unfortunately, they had thrown them all away, but the employee informed me that they get shipments on Tuesdays AND Thursdays. She told me to call on Wednesday night and "reserve" the boxes so that they could save them for me.
Last night I did just that. And after removing all this random camping equipment (stolen borrowed from Trav's parents' house) from my trunk...
...I am now the proud owner of more than twenty boxes in good condition.
However, maybe you're moving AND you like a challenge. Maybe this first option seems a little too tame for you.
Another way to obtain moving boxes is to wait until a family or couple moves into a condo down the street from yours.
The steps:
Drive down and park in their driveway.
Take all the nice-looking boxes from beside their trash can and shove them in your car.
Drive away quickly.
(This works best with a partner.)
We may or may not have done this about a month ago. I will say that the Old Navy option felt slightly more legitimate. But maybe you'll enjoy the thrill of the box heist.
I got a bunch of free moving boxes from Old Navy! And all I had to do was ask nicely. :)
I'm not sure when I did this or what organization I was involved with at the time, but I vaguely remember calling our local Old Navy during college to ask if they would give us their shipment boxes. Somehow, I also remembered that they got shipments in on Tuesday morning. Just call me random trivia girl (though I am no good at Trivial Pursuit).
Two days ago, I was going to deposit some checks at our bank near Old Navy. I suddenly remembered all that random college information and popped in to ask if I could have the boxes from that morning.
Unfortunately, they had thrown them all away, but the employee informed me that they get shipments on Tuesdays AND Thursdays. She told me to call on Wednesday night and "reserve" the boxes so that they could save them for me.
Last night I did just that. And after removing all this random camping equipment (
Yes, that is also a body pillow.
Meant to be donated to our church rummage sale...not used for camping.
...I am now the proud owner of more than twenty boxes in good condition.
My backseat is full, and there are more in the trunk!
If you are moving and need boxes, I highly recommend this course of action. The only danger is that you will look silly in public trying to wrangle all those broken-down boxes into your car by yourself. But you'll survive. At least, I did. :)
However, maybe you're moving AND you like a challenge. Maybe this first option seems a little too tame for you.
Another way to obtain moving boxes is to wait until a family or couple moves into a condo down the street from yours.
The steps:
Drive down and park in their driveway.
Take all the nice-looking boxes from beside their trash can and shove them in your car.
Drive away quickly.
(This works best with a partner.)
We may or may not have done this about a month ago. I will say that the Old Navy option felt slightly more legitimate. But maybe you'll enjoy the thrill of the box heist.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Recent Obsession: Maps
I've always liked maps. I remember spreading out the U.S. map in the car and tracing our route on our family vacation to Florida every year (I got to sit in the front seat because otherwise I'd get carsick. Win).
When I went to China three years ago, my host sister wanted to buy me a gift, and I told her the thing I most wanted was a map of Xi'an (the city I was living in) with English labels. And she looked all over the city until she found one! In my old apartment, I had it hung on the wall with pictures from my trip lining the borders. I even put little sticky markers where my apartment and workplace had been, so I wouldn't forget.
In my last post, you saw a glimpse of my present from Laura, which also used maps!
And most recently, I bought Travis this map from Pop Chart Lab (which I saw on Apartment Therapy), charting all the breweries in the US:
When I went to China three years ago, my host sister wanted to buy me a gift, and I told her the thing I most wanted was a map of Xi'an (the city I was living in) with English labels. And she looked all over the city until she found one! In my old apartment, I had it hung on the wall with pictures from my trip lining the borders. I even put little sticky markers where my apartment and workplace had been, so I wouldn't forget.
In my last post, you saw a glimpse of my present from Laura, which also used maps!
And most recently, I bought Travis this map from Pop Chart Lab (which I saw on Apartment Therapy), charting all the breweries in the US:
(source)
It's kind of small, but you can get a better idea from the Pop Chart site!
[Sidenote: I would probably love to be friends with those guys. Their goal is "to render all of human experience in chart form." A list-maker's dream!]
Anyway, you get the idea. Isn't it neat how something can be functional, educational, and decorative?
Here are some other inspiring map decor ideas I've seen lately (these were all found through Apartment Therapy, too. Don't judge me).
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I've loved this ever since I saw it a few months ago.
I also really like how they split this one up onto three panels:
(source)
And lastly, for word-lovers like me, we have typographic maps:
(source)
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Anyone else have a certain decor item they've been into lately?
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Colorado: Saturday
Click here for Thursday and Friday if you missed them!
Saturday was a long and fun-filled day, though we did sleep in after our late night at the concert. First, Laura and I headed to brunch at this awesome place called Snooze. There was a bit of a wait, and for good reason! We both just got pancakes, but everything we saw coming out of the kitchen looked freaking amazing. (If you can't tell, we planned this entire trip around where we were going to eat.)
This is the only other picture I took while shopping:
Saturday was a long and fun-filled day, though we did sleep in after our late night at the concert. First, Laura and I headed to brunch at this awesome place called Snooze. There was a bit of a wait, and for good reason! We both just got pancakes, but everything we saw coming out of the kitchen looked freaking amazing. (If you can't tell, we planned this entire trip around where we were going to eat.)
Sitting up at the bar. I loved the coffee mugs here.
And our pancakes were possibly the most awesome pancakes in the history of mankind.
Laura's (on the left) include plain, blueberry blossom (lavender infused), and the pancake of the day, which I believe involved Oreo pieces, strawberries, and mint. Mine are red velvet with espresso syrup, peanut butter cup, and plain.
It's okay if you're drooling.
After breakfast, we headed over to some great little boutiques and shops and took our time walking around. I saw a lot of things I wanted to buy, but I refrained...all except this little stamp featured here:
I just love it so much! I can't wait to make little cards and gift tags with it. :) Perfect for mailing things from our new home in a few months a month! (AHHH!)
The stamp is pictured with an awesome gift from Laura...but that deserves its own post in the future. I have to wait until she finishes making another one for another friend. ;)
This is the only other picture I took while shopping:
I think we need one of these at my job (along with this one).
After shopping, we had about an hour to kill, so we went to Walmart and bought Laura a bike. It took forever, because it's Walmart. But we did successfully fit it into the back of her Elantra without taking off the front wheel. So in case you're wondering, that is possible.
To finish up our adventure, we headed downtown to visit the Wynkoop Brewery! (Cross one more off my 30 Before 30!) We took a free tour and ate a delicious dinner in their restaurant. That day, some of their proceeds were going toward wildfire relief in Colorado, so we were grateful to be able to help out.
I also bought Travis this glass:
(source)
Get it? The Mile High City...har har. (We liked it.)
Unfortunately, it was then time to head to the airport and say our goodbyes. :( I was sad to leave my dear friend, but I'm so thankful for a great weekend! Now it's time for her to start planning her trip to Atlanta! :)
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Colorado: Thursday & Friday
Well, you guys already heard about my bus adventure in Denver, but since the rest was much more pleasant, I thought you might like to hear more about it. ;)
My flight on Thursday was delayed by about half an hour and then took foreverr to get out of the gate, so I got off the plane only 30 minutes before our dinner reservation! Luckily, they held it for us.
We ate dinner at a restaurant called Linger. The building actually used to be a mortuary called Olinger (the restaurant sign made light of it by calling itself an "eatuary," haha). It was fairly trendy and was supposedly a tapas bar, although the portions seemed pretty big to us! I didn't take any pictures because the lighting was rather dim. One fun thing: Instead of chips or bread to munch on, they bring you a bowl of seasoned popcorn. Delicious!
Laura had to work on Friday, so I had a lazy morning and finally ventured out on my own around 11 a.m. I visited a bookstore where I got a used copy of The Kite Runner (yes, I am just now reading it), then walked down to a local coffeehouse. I was jonesing for a bagel, but unfortunately they were out. However, they did have pretty good vegetarian burritos (?).
Laura picked me up after work and we headed home to freshen up for the evening. We ate dinner at a place called Pho 95. Best. Pho. Ever. I am not kidding. We both got the veggie and tofu kind and the broth was sooo yummy!
Next we were headed to Red Rocks! A brief shower came through after we got there, so we checked out the displays in the visitor's center. It's so amazing to see how many great bands have come through there.
Seeing the Avett Brothers perform there was probably my favorite concert I've ever been to. They were so energetic and fun, and I love how their music incorporates different styles.
Of course, the awesome acoustics and the scenery didn't hurt, either. :)
My flight on Thursday was delayed by about half an hour and then took foreverr to get out of the gate, so I got off the plane only 30 minutes before our dinner reservation! Luckily, they held it for us.
We ate dinner at a restaurant called Linger. The building actually used to be a mortuary called Olinger (the restaurant sign made light of it by calling itself an "eatuary," haha). It was fairly trendy and was supposedly a tapas bar, although the portions seemed pretty big to us! I didn't take any pictures because the lighting was rather dim. One fun thing: Instead of chips or bread to munch on, they bring you a bowl of seasoned popcorn. Delicious!
Laura had to work on Friday, so I had a lazy morning and finally ventured out on my own around 11 a.m. I visited a bookstore where I got a used copy of The Kite Runner (yes, I am just now reading it), then walked down to a local coffeehouse. I was jonesing for a bagel, but unfortunately they were out. However, they did have pretty good vegetarian burritos (?).
Inside the bookstore
Mmm.
Next we were headed to Red Rocks! A brief shower came through after we got there, so we checked out the displays in the visitor's center. It's so amazing to see how many great bands have come through there.
Seeing the Avett Brothers perform there was probably my favorite concert I've ever been to. They were so energetic and fun, and I love how their music incorporates different styles.
Of course, the awesome acoustics and the scenery didn't hurt, either. :)
Stage and beyond.
Once night fell, you could see all kinds of city lights shining in the distance. Super cool.
More prettiness.
Blue skies after the rain!
Obviously we were much closer to this monolith than the other one above...
Laura and me
After dark
The Avett Bros.
We were behind this on the way home.
Stay tuned for the Saturday recap! :)
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