nouvelle design

Things I buy at thrift stores that I don't use.

2011-01-10T23:11:00.000-08:00

This post was written probably about a year ago, yet it still rings true for me! No, I haven't learned to restrict what I buy..

Typical Situation:
You're in the local thrift store that you go to every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (and sometimes Saturday) and it happens again..

You see something that you will NEVER use or wear, but its just so cheap and/or pretty!

My latest examples:

1. Vintage Valentino Brogues
Because..they are Valentino! So what if they are a size 5 and I am a size 9....9.5.

2. Laptop bag (and many other purses)
It said Vancouver on it..and that's basically my hometown, so I had to buy it!

3. Vintage plates for our wedding

Thought Process:
Yaaaayyy!! I'm engaged, let's have a sweet wedding where we buy all vintage, pretty plates, and then sell them and make ALL my money back.

Actual Outcome:
Buy 22 plates..some cute, some 70's brown kitchen plates...I give up.

Update: returned ALL 22 plates to a thrift store. And come to think of it, we didn't even use plates at our wedding! Oh well..

But even after going through it all..I'm still glad I bought it all!
(Except..maybe those plates, I really didn't need those.)

Do you ever run into the buy-and-never-use predicament?

100 Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own: Part 1

2010-04-07T01:11:00.015-07:00

I recently went to a consignment store that had a printed list of "100 Pieces Every Stylish Women Must Own" on the counter. It looks like it was scanned and printed from the 2001 Vancouver Sun Newspaper, but after doing a quick read through I found that quite a few of the items could be classic pieces (there are still a few randoms in there...
"Leather pants: buy tight - they'll stretch)"

Anyways, I'll show 10 at a time (and compare it to my wardrobe..and recent trends) Please note, I did not write this list! Found here, but don't peek ahead!
(Quotes straight from the article are in italics)

1. A-Line Dress (be bold in a bright pattern)
Is this still relevant? I had to google this..I'm trying to find a recent picture of someone wearing one. I guess I thought this was reserved more for wedding dress styles..I can't find any in my closet, maybe you have one? Show!

2. Animal Print (try as an accessory!)
Newspaper article trust me, I'm trying!! I have had leopard print flats on my "want" list for a while, but now that its becoming spring, I might wait until Fall again? Ok wait, just checked, I do have some leopard prints floating around my closet..

(No, I haven't worn that coat out in public, and no I don't wear all these prints together.)

And these sandals, although they might qualify more as a "reptile" print..

3. Ankle Bootie (for pants or skirts)
Personal choice: I don't really wear heels and if my ankles were covered up my legs would look just a leeetle more stumpy, so I avoid! But I do like how they look on others.

4. Aviators (classic sunglasses)
I think owning aviators from Old Navy kind of brings the "cool factor" down a bit, but I do love my aviators. Although in some pictures they appear ok, other pics they appear more..well, look at the picture. See how far away from my head they go!

"Oh hi, I have circle rimmed sunglasses."

5. Ballet Flat (simple flat shoes)
Yep, always a classic. My current favorite are a cognac pair from Target.

6. Bangles (pile on these bracelets)
I have three. One pink one, it's pretty with a skirt, but bordering on barbie-ish. And two skinny turquoise/green ones. I just don't wear these on a regular day because I'm working, and if I have to type with a bangle or bracelet on it gets really annoying. Try it.

7. Belts (small or big, they create form)
Agreed! (Love those shoes too..)

From Hey Fancy Pants, found via Selective Potential

8. Bikini (keep it basic in solid colours)
Your choice. I wouldn't have counted bathing suits in this list, a bathing suit is a given?

9. BlackBerry (essential for girls on the go)
Although I'm sure this has been updated to an iPhone, I still have the trusty BlackBerry. I'm not really picky about a phone, as long as it texts and calls. (But I wouldn't turn down an iphone?)

10. Black Opaque Tights (as matte as possible)
Also agreed. I wear these a LOT at the office to make skirts more work friendly, but I also think that being matte, they aren't confused with mom-butts and pantyhose.

via The Sartorialist

Well, that's it! How does your wardrobe stack up to the "Must-Own" List? Anything you think doesn't belong here?

(Look forward to 100 Pieces: Parts 2 - 10 to follow!)

Vintage Cream Ceramic Mirror

2009-11-13T00:18:00.002-08:00

Testing some stuff out...

But if you want a slightly damaged mirror thats cool too, just let me know :)

Your opinion here:

2009-11-11T00:58:00.001-08:00

My new lamp (another "thrift-shopping-on-lunch-break" find)

Yes, it is shiny gold chrome, straight from the..90's? 80's? Anyways..I love it but what do you think? Don't be deceived by this picture, maybe this is a better rendering: (Look at that base!)

Here is where your opinion comes in. What colour should I spray paint it? I want it to be shiny still, and to naturally look like the first picture, so basically pewter..but what would you do with it?

Just add: Friends & Cozy Lighting

2009-11-04T23:34:00.000-08:00

From House&Home magazine.

From Domino Magazine

Right now I just want to go back in time (or forward to another time?) when I'm with my friends, cooking appetizers and drinking wine and friendly (but loudly) bickering about something. Mainly Dordt gossip if I had my way right now. Honestly..I miss it.

We would make:

-nachos x10

-fried zucchini

-probably some mushrooms (but I would just look at them. I bet they are good though..if you like mushrooms.)

Ok I've been away too long that I can't remember what else we usually make! Refresh my memory..you know who you are.

Also, pick what your favorite kitchen/dining room is (all of you) and tell me in the comments!

PS. Value Village is still overpriced.

Happy Worst-Holiday-Of-The-Year

2009-10-31T01:10:00.003-07:00

I really dislike halloween..the decorations, the music, the themes..I don't mind the parties and the chocolate..but besides that it's all gross.

Plus half the blogs I read have been talking about "halloween decorations" all month..

Does anyone think that even looks good/fun?

Ok my opinion is a little harsh.

I DO like hanging out with people at parties though, which also happens on halloween. So this is my practice costume for tomorrow:

ADD ONE:

Can you tell what i am being? here are some more funny ideas (that are not slutty, which is hard to find) Also a good blog to read.

PS: I realized that this low quality picture might not be as obvious as i thought. If you can guess what I am being..I will send you a letter in snail-mail. Oui oui!

Some other halloween outfits that fellow friends are being this year:

-A DANGEROUS person (I'll try to get pictures..)

-a-pack of tennis players

-tennis balls
Add yours in the comments, I'm curious!

Have a fun and safe weekend!

My closet in 5 years?

2009-10-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

I'll need about 50 more pairs of shoes too then..and maybe the bench in a different color.

Bar Cart

2009-10-06T21:19:00.003-07:00

It's Tuesday night and I thought I'd quickly run out to Salvation Army (Salvation Army because Value Village is officially the most overpriced thrift store..ever.) after being inspired by the girl at www.emersonmade.blogspot.com (I don't know her..) who is:

-gorgeous
-well-dressed
-has the best house ever (from the pictures at least..)
-but..also has really different writing style. like..what does this little paragraph from her blog mean?:

"Bravo, Bravo Pink! well played! encore and encore again! and encore again! we're not done here! get back out here Bravo Pink! don't leave the audience angry! you know angry audience = Mob! lets not turn this beautiful debut into the angry mob that overturned your tour bus in the parking lot!"

Yeah..I don't know either.

Anyways, instead of finding clothes like my blog idol; I wandered over to the home decor. Lately I have been looking through magazines/blogs seeing bar-carts that kept catching my eye, and wanted to put one in the basement to kinda make it cozy. Some that I have seen around online include:

And then I found this beauty!

My shopping was complete. Do you like it or am I just fooling myself..

"Bar Cart" - $4.00 from Salvation Army
Glass Whiskey Holders-in our garage
San Pellagrino bottles - saved from before (because Jess and I could never get the lid off that one night we needed a drink but were too scared to leave the room..)
Books - Film book left behind from Alvin,
Paris book bought at Chapters for $2.00!

I still have yet to stock it with actual liquor..but then you are invited over! (Admission: 1 bottle of Gewürztraminer)

Well, tomorrow I am taking the red-eye to Iowa to see some great people that I miss A LOT, so right now nothing else matters! (besides doing laundry) I CAN'T WAIT! Have a great night!

2009-09-28T21:55:00.010-07:00

It's reassuring (for the future of Nouvelle) that on any particular day, I will always love to go thrift shopping; I just don't get bored of it.

I left home at 7:30pm which was perfect because it meant there was only me and and a few other shoppers in the game. Now, in the evening I only have two choices; Salvation Army and Value Village. They wouldn't normally be my first options because they are

1. Overpriced

2. Owned by Wal-Mart? (that's a rumour about Value Village that's not true..but so possible)

But like I said, I just don't get bored of thrift shopping. Salvation Army had some deals, but Value Village only helped to prove my thoughts, when I ran across a row of purses priced at $28.99! What's the point, when I wouldn't even buy a new purse for that much. Even last Saturday at Penny Pinchers my mom and I noticed that there must be a new "pricer"..as lamps were priced around $8 or $9, up from the usual $2 or $3 (plus 50% off)

Am I obsessed with Penny Pinchers?...probably.

Well, something has come up and I'm no longer in the mood to write. But if you need to have a better day or a reason to make fun of me because of how much I like this song, listen to this.

Picture is of the corner of my room.

National Geographics - free from garage sale

Suitcase - $2.50 from garage sale in Sioux Center

Chair - mom's from Belgium (?)

Commercial break..

2009-09-23T20:30:00.002-07:00

Just saw Miley Cyrus in her music video "Party In the USA"...

How old is she again?

There were rumours that she was going to be in the new Sex and the City movie..(which is obviously much classier) they better not be true! She should try to be like Taylor Swift instead.

A Weekend of Buying

2009-09-20T21:50:00.017-07:00

This weekend was a pretty good one.

Obviously it started out good Friday afternoon when I came home and (finally) did the switch! I left with this:

and come home with this fully reliable car! (and a different outfit?..these pictures must be from different days)

No longer will I have to turn the car back on every time I slow down at a stop sign. I might miss the plush seats and the sunroof..oh and the honk. But not that much.. Also, if you know anyone that wants a slightly used 89 Buick (fully loaded) we are selling it (not sure why, but the the car dealer said they would give us one dollar to trade it in, so we just kept it..)

Saturday I went to the Interior Design Show in Vancouver at the convention centre, which was also a lot of fun, and it introduced me to a new store in Yaletown, The Cross that had one of the best displays at the show (in my opinion).

I balanced out all the high end designer booths and sticker shock of $3,000 items by going to Penny Pinchers (!!!) for some good deals, which Jessica might only be excited about these, but oh well!

black purse -75 cents

green leather carry-on bag - $1.00

yellow leather carry-on

$1.00

Record - $1.00

Pewter Clock - $2.00

(these are both from garage sales, but I'm putting them here anyways)

After looking at these pictures...it doesn't look as exciting/nice as it actually is, you'll just have to believe me.

I am slowly building inventory for Nouvelle..just storing it in a huge mass outside of my room for now. (Where you can also see the mirror I got for $2.50!) I should stop admitting the low prices if I want to make any sort of mark-up..

I also did other things this weekend that didn't involve spending money..I promise.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Turning Over a Nouvelle Leaf

2009-09-04T13:22:00.022-07:00

I'm not sure if that title is even gramatically correct (french-wise) but..that is what I want for this blog! Somethings that might change:

1. The blog address. But not yet! I know that nouvelle.blogspot.com is already taken, but it is just a blank website! So I've reported it as spam (here, help me out) about..once a day hoping that Google will let me have it. Does anyone know how to contact Google so I can figure this out..I don't wanna get frustrated because I LOVE google (almost as much as T-rav does) but really!

2. The focus (foci?) of some of the posts might also change. I want to show some before and afters of things that I find at thrift stores & garage sales mainly, but some posts will just have rambling, like on days when all three bosses are gone from work and there's nothing to do but sit and be mad that you forgot your lunch at home!

3. And, possibly just inspiration or other things around the internet that I find..even though I think I was talking to Alvin about this and it doesn't really make sense if every blog blogs about other blogs and so on..but I'll try to keep it interesting.

This is all IF I remember to blog regularly or even rarely.

As for this weekend, I'm excited for a good wholesome Friday night with Ali watching Sex and the City, reading celeb magazines, and eating food. Saturday will be garage sales (maybe a new project for this blog?) a mini female Dordt reunion/bellini drinking time which will be nice, and then Monday is labour day, which is a holiday here in Canada! (suckas..I'm sorry) Do my faithful (3) readers have any awesome plans for this weekend?

Anyways, I'll keep this short and end with the "first draft" of the logo for Nouvelle. Yes, it was made with Paint, and as Alvin mentioned it kind of looks like anatomy on the one side..so it is still being edited. As soon as ~~I learn how to use InDesign~~ Paul helps me with the logo then I will make another draft. Any other comments on it would be much appreciated!

And if you don't know what Nouvelle is about..well I'm not sure how you got on this blog then, but keep checking and it will be explained in future posts!

2009-06-13T17:13:00.039-07:00

Roadtrip Playlist (to Kelowna)

1. Paul Simon

2. Bon Iver

3. Great Lake Swimmers (Alvin, listen to this! It reminded me of driving in your buick/lincoln)

4. Sarah Harmer

5. Dixie Chicks (don't make fun of whoever picked this..it's not bad? Am I a hick now?)

6. Sarah Slean

7. Anything that didn't skip because our tape player adapter SUCKS

I'll get this out of the way first:

Job Updates

On friday Jessica had 4 people call her for jobs. The verdict:

Superstore - hired, has a shift on Monday (although she's still not sure if she'll take it permanantly)

Fort Langley Campsite - interviewed, found out she would be working weekends and late evenings with kids and it would require her to drive around the campsite in a tractor singing loudly OLD MCDONALD HAD A FARM....This job is obviously right up her alley.

Mexx - another folding clothes job, only 4 weeks long though.

Babysitting - For a lady in Abbotsford, only gives one day notice of the next days hours..and when Jessica said she was expecting around 10 dollars, the lady mumbled that she would pay around 8..ish..dollars (which means she was wanting to pay $7.) Does anyone else think 7 dollars an hour for 3 kids, also expecting cleaning, playing etc. is not enough? I know the economy is bad and stuff..but so many jobs are being underpaid! (More on this in the Christina update)

UPDATE: I just applied for a marketing director position. Will keep you updated..

I had just one interview on Friday, the Bread Affair position. I am still really excited about this one, as I still think it's my dream job. The interview started off well as I shook her hand and my belt fell off of me. My interviewer picked it up for me after seeing the 3.99 written on the back, and handed it to me as I put it in my purse..that was super awkward. But then it actually did go well. She was pretty young and seemed nice. The job is basically making it so that people want to come into thier cafe, and actually stay for a while..which is perfect! So, I thought I would go through the pro's and con's so that you guys can help me decide (if I would be offered the job) if I should accept it. Basically there is one con.

CONS

-pay's 10-12 DOLLARS AN HOUR! And I would be managing people..and I have a degree and a bazillion loans to pay for! How can I afford this!

PROS

-very close to home, like I could walk/bike there.

-was my dream job, and I would enjoy it SO much (I hope!)

-it is organic, local food..and its food!

-so good for the resume, managing people, hiring people, doing inventory, increasing sales.

What do you think? What is your perception of me with a "Food Service Manager" job after college. Or does this not even matter? I want this job so bad! But the only way I can afford it is because I am living at home with parents..but even then..should I wait for a higher paying job?

I hope my next post isn't me saying that they hired someone else.

Ok, onto life outside of JOBS.

My mom, sister and I are in Kelowna right now, visiting my grandparents. (Don't worry, my dad is on a little vacation also in Seattle for a bachelor party for my cousin, golfing/drinking/gambling)

It is actually really relaxing and nice seeing my grandparents again, I feel like I know them way more and way differently than I have before. They are 70 and..65 or something and just seem so young still! We walked in thier house at 8:00 last night to my grandma yelling SUGAR! You guys are early!!! Apparantly the blender on her counter meant that her house was a HUGE mess and she was so embarassed that we were early and had to see the "pig-sty" that she was living in.

My grandma was running late because she forgot her purse in the Costco parking lot and didn't figure it out until she got home. So she drove back to the Costco (this was an hour later) bawling and praying the whole way, and after looking through the bushes (somewhat like a crazy lady), she found it in the buggy! (That is a shopping cart, for you americans) I love hearing my grandma telling stories, she has lots of them, and she's always saying God answers her prayers and is so thankful to God for everything! I need to think this way more. She was very happy that my grandpa didn't get mad/make fun of her for forgetting her purse..seems exactly like something I could say about Paul..which reminds me that my grandpa reminds me of Paul a lot. (Is that weird?) A neighbour came over and immediately he started harassing her (like Paul & Lynda?) and making fun of my grandma (every 5 minutes) for forgetting her purse and wasting gas driving back and forth to Costco (like Paul & I?) Maybe I am the only one that sees the similarities..

Some pictures:

My grandpa is really into genealogy, so he printed off a big family tree for me, I can't wait to put it up in my room! Also, my grandparents gave me this sillouhette that was made for them after they were married. Like their pose?

For Paul! There were 5 of these coming into Kelowna...soo obviously he should have been here.

Glasses all around! I'm wearing moms, Jessica's wearing "hers."
Very flattering picture..BUT it is used to show the size of the wine glasses my grandparents use..this is one of the two that are left from their original set of 4. For some reason my grandma broke the third one last night, right after she drank a glass and proceeded to run downstairs and send us e-mail forwards that she thought were funny, and then started yelling at me from downstairs: CHRISTINA, YOU WANNA BUY YOUR DAD SOMETHING!! while she was on the internet..hmm
Jessica and I overlooking Kelowna (it was actually warm)
Cool view point thing

Gr and Gr and us walking.

So, here's what I've learned from this weekend:

-pray more

-appreciate your history!

-eat, (lots, if you're at your grandparents) drink (wine) and be merry!

Hey Jess! It's that guy that was running up the street..

Thoughts

2009-06-11T20:31:00.006-07:00

Jessica got a call from "Row" at superstore (kind of like USA's walmart)...she has a job! Although I don't know if she is going to take it..it only guarantees 20 hours a week, it pays $8.50, and it is folding clothes..it reminds me of the women in that book Nickel and Dimed. She also has 2 more interviews tomorrow and maybe those will work out instead. Jessica also got glasses today..ask her about them.

>My new favorite store right now is Penny Pinchers. If you ever move anywhere and need to find cheap anything, find a thrift store that runs for charities or hospitals, because those are the ones that actually do sell things for 30 cents. I mean, my mom and

I just had a half hour conversation about how much we love this store..and today when we were there we ran all around in circles trying to find all the good stuff (It's kind of like how Jess and I can talk about how much we love UO for an hour..and that's seriously all we talk about while getting all excited.) I think I'm going to start putting before and after pictures of all the things we buy and update..soo..be excited for that.

And then we went to the mall. I know, "fail."

So lastly, heres the cutest video ever made:

http://www.fubiz.net/2009/06/09/partly-cloudy/

PS. I realize that only 3 people read this blog, and 2 of them have already seen this video..but I'm just going to pretend I have lots of readers..or that someday people will read it and agree its cute.

PSS. This blog entry is kinda lame. Maybe next time it will be better..

Continuity..

2009-06-10T21:09:00.012-07:00

To continue with the theme of the last post, vintage thrift stores, I applied for a "vintage clothing picker" position that I found on craigslist today. Was my business degree worth it?.. We'll see.

I have also been applying to lots of other places still, so far having a total of 5 interviews (out of 758,375 applications)

1. Vision Critical Admin Assistant- Sounded promising in the beginning, but didn't work out. I was intimidated by this job anyways..the girl looked like Rashida Jones..gorgeous!

2. Farmers Market/Various Farms Marketing Coordinator - Again, sounded promising in the beginning (this job I actually really wanted!) but again, didn't work out.

3. Phantom Screens Exec. Assistant - Unsure about this one..liked the atmosphere of the workplace, but not a big fan of the 45 min. personality tests! As I mentioned to someone today, the test results are 50% exactly what I am, and 50% complete bull.

4.Fraser Institute Events Assistant - This one was only a "pre-screening phone interview" which went ok, I think I really want this job also, but I maybe should have been more prepared..we'll see for now!

5. Lastly, A Bread Affair - Service Manager. As per usual, the most recent job that I apply for is the one that I know I reeeeally want, so I reeallly want this job! The interview is on Friday morning. Theres a story with this one:

A few weeks ago I went into "A Bread Affair" (which is a cafe..some of the logans include "we're great in bread!"...don't know what my oma will think if I have to wear that on my t-shirt..) anyways, and as I left I told Jess, "I would love to work here and fix it up a bit, add more seating, put a menu up somewhere, etc." The next day I found this job on craigslist, which is exactly that! (plus hiring people, and some numbers stuff) So I decided to go ahead and apply, saying in my cover letter that I "have a vision for their company" all the while lacking the 2 years food management experience, but applying anyways. Within 24 hours, I got

an interview! So, we'll see how that goes. At this time I'm usually in the "no one else is applying, of course I'll get it!" mood, but the interview will tell more I hope.

In other news, I joined twitter yesterday mainly to find a job and see new events/markets etc. around Vancouver, so I will see if that is useful. So far twitter has brought me: ridicule from my boyfriend, ridicule from my best (cooking) friend, and fake "tweets" that my sister quickly wrote while I was out of the room..so I'm off to a good start!

But do I really want a job? Of course I need the $$$ for all the plans I want to do..but I want a flexible job where I can take time off, leave early, do what I want..etc. Which is pretty much impossible for a new grad. Some of my plans for my jobless summer would include:

-roadtrip with Heidi to Oregon! (Sorry Paul, southern California is too far to drive in so few days), Heidi and I's plan B would be to just fly to LA, since those flights are super cheap also.

-paint my bathroom downstairs and the living room downstairs (aka my new "suite," I love living downstairs! and then re-decorate it with all thrift store finds, and still love it. (I LOVE THRIFT STORES!!) Here is a visual aid:

k nevermind with the picture..it is impossible to work with pictures on blogger! How do I move them around without losing them?

summer plans ctd.

-go to Kelowna this weekend with Jess, to visit my grandparents! I'm excited, and they are too. I think we are going to get some sun, get out of Langley (obviously) make some good food, and just relax..but I'm gonna be honest and hope that they have wireless internet! (Is that lame?)

-drive to california, then drive paul and jess to dordt..this is more of a "wish" but my dad loves roadtrips and is totally in! so as long as I don't get a job until September..it should all work out

-and I have a lot more ideas....but this post has been long enough for a 2nd entry..so have a good night! (alvin I hope you find this..because you requested it!)

-nina-

When I grow up..

2009-03-29T19:58:00.000-07:00

I want to own a vintage boutique store..with prices like a thrift store. Here's how I imagine it.

Vintage Boutique - by chrstnbm on Polyvore.com

(Polyvore was used to make this)