A few weeks before I started this blog, I purchased a home in a new neighborhood. While the experience was thrilling, of course, it was daunting. For three weeks, my fingers were tied crossed in hopes I would actually close on time with smooth results. I was going through endless documents and making a checklist to make sure all was in order. And…
it went superb! I am now a proud homeowner who has her fur baby by her side. One of my favorite things in my residence is the second bedroom. That was one of my top priorities so I could have my art studio/work room/ library/ etc. As I type this post, the beautiful aesthetic is still in the works but the room has a cozy academia vibe already 🙂
My first (nonbusy) weekend, I got to know the town more by doing two of my favorite activities: hiking and thrifting. I went on a ‘thrift hop’- aka driving around to all the nearest thrift stores in the area- to discover hidden treasures I could find. And wouldn’t you know…I came back with a couple things!
I got four books at two different stores that will be sources of inspiration. I would like to try Chinese Brush painting because watery, inky paints are among my favorite traditional mediums. Although I have the paint, I still need to find the brushes. My family raised me on Piers Anthony books and it was exciting to see a world building guide to the wonderous world of Xanth. I hope to apply some ideas to the fantasy world that I am currently working on. Whenever I shop for discounted books, I always make way to field guides. They are the inspirational key to my art: one of my techniques is to use the photographs as a source and then the rest is up to me. The Audubon Society book in the photo focuses on the natural world in the Pacific Northwest. This copy will go great with the Southwest version.
The Chaps dress only cost six dollars. It was a size small and while for the most part, I am a medium, there are times I can fit in a small. Even though I have a small bust, I was afraid that the top would be too tight. But the dress fit like a glove and I felt like a gothic 1950s housewife.
In spirit of the witchy midcentury aesthetic, I baked muffins the following morning using the Dolly Parton Blueberry muffin mix my friend Mikayla gifted me. I was super excited to try it out because I love Dolly Parton and muffins are one of my favorite things to bake.
I baked the muffins according to the box’s instructions. I also need to mention this was my first time using the kitchen’s oven (not to mention- my first time ever using an electric oven). That probably played a hand in it.
Overall, the muffins were…okay. They just tasted like blueberry muffins from muffin mix. Nothing more. My family did like the crumbles on the top and we mostly just ate the muffin tops and picked at the bottoms. After all, the tops of muffins are the most superior part anyway.
Personally, I would rather make muffins from scratch but this was a quick, fun and easy thing to do. Especially while playing Miss Dolly’s music in the background.
Admittedly, this first thrift post was all over the place. But let me know what you think! Comment any fun thrifting stories you have and what your favorite thrift purchases were.
