I'm back...my apologies

Well, friends, I have returned. Where have I been? Nowhere really. I needed a break from my blogging, not that I was very consistent at it by any means. I just felt uninspired and lazy. Many of you (2 or 3) asked me to get back to my postings. So, I am doing this for you. Thank you.

I have no idea where I left off, so let's start from somewhere new. I am slowly changing things in my house. It is definitely a slower process than I would have imagined. I am amassing vintage and thrifted treasures that I want to share with you. So, let's begin somewhere...

Perhaps it's easiest if I begin by seasons. I will attempt to put these photographs and descriptions in an accurate time line. Let's start with Summer 2010.

Summer 2010

One of the first things I wanted to do was get a bike. I have lived in Chicago long enough not to fear the cars as much, so off to get a bike. I found a great bike at Target brought it home, got buyers' remorse and returned it before riding it. I had doubt about the purchase, as I was becoming a hard-core vintage/thrift shopper, and paying money for something new seemed to go against everything I was beginning to stand for. So, the bike was quickly returned, hence no photograph.

I began researching where in Chicago I could purchase a used bike. I found Working Bikes online and went to check it out. I liked that they repaired old bikes, as well as donated the profits and other bikes to various countries. So, I came home with this fun bike:



I began riding it immediately and often. I convinced Josh & Ji Hye that they too needed vintage bikes, so...



I soon realized that all other bikes were passing me by. I hated being so slow compared to everyone else, plus the bike had only three gears. Not that I needed more or even knew what to do with more than three, but I was beginning to think that I needed a newer bike. So much for staying true to vintage.

Again, more research was required, as well as recommendations from friends which led me to Kozy's Cyclery. I found my dream bike...



I rode this bike everywhere and all summer long, including once to work...what was I thinking? I love my new bike. I outfitted it with back baskets, a horn, as well as security. Josh and I rode a 25 mile bike-a-thon benefiting Ji Hye's organization, as well. I was sad to hang it up for the winter.



Perhaps I should pause here...so far nothing I have been discussing has dealt with design, well I need to fill you in on a few things that inspired me and caused my return, so perhaps this post does have to do with design.

I decided to dabble a bit in selling thrifted items on Craigslist. My favorite part is the find & then writing the ad. So, here are a few items I sold...







I also tried my hand at recreating the well-known light fixture...can you guess at my failed attempt what fixture I was after?



Well, school was almost about to begin and I needed a vacation. So, off to New York. Here are a few things that I did and saw (that do have to do with design)...


I really enjoy these reclaimed driftwood tables.


Oh, and I do love the Bertoia chairs outside of MoMA.


Of course I had to visit the Statue of Liberty.


I normally don't enjoy graffiti, but there was something about this one that I really enjoyed.


This was so beautiful, too bad we couldn't climb it.


More beautiful graffiti...




I saw these chairs on Man Shops Globe, then saw them where they were being sold.

Well, I think that gives a good explanation as to what I did this past summer. I have much more to talk about for each season that I have been absent. The photographs are sorted by season, so please come back to see what happened to me in Fall.

Take care.