Abercrombie and Fitch...Sucking Mega-Time...Some Swears Ahead!

Whoa!  What a decidedly UNPOSITIVE title!  Why is Jaclyn being so mean?  Well, because A&F's CEO (pictured below) has come out and said if you are over a size 10 you don't belong is the brand's apparel.  Not that I WANT to wear their shit, but what a jerky thing to say.  I'm gonna leave it to Peaches to talk about this one...she sums it up quite nicely.

Who wouldn't want to fit this man's ideal of attractiveness?  (eyes rolling...)

Source.

For anyone, especially young people, who does not "belong" (according to the the CEO) in A& F's clothing, I offer you this: Fuck them.  Fuck them and then smile while you spend your dollars somewhere more egalitarian.  You don't need to conform to a 67-year-old's fucked up concept of attractiveness.  You don't belong in their clothes?!  This company does not belong on your credit card statement.  For those of us who fit into the brand's sizes, thereby earning admission into the A & F culture, I ask you this: do you want to advertise for (by wearing the logo) and give money to such a fine example of corporate fuckery?

Thrifty Art!

I haven't posted about my thriftin' finds for quite some spell.  Well, it is time to rectify that!  Here are some thrifted pieces currently residing in our home:

This measures 12 x 6 inches (the canvas part), and seems to be oils.  It was a whopping $5!

Irene H. Something ?.  1863? Or was it 1963 and someone changed it?

Tattered tag on the reverse.

Blurry shot...a needlepoint of crazy animal/plant delight.  (Is that a dragon?  The squirrel is HUGE!)  I think it was about $20- $25.  Probably 18 x 18 inches.

This one I have had for about 6 years.  I got it at an antique mall in Maryland with a friend for about $10. 

I wonder what the "H" stands for?

Herman!

Awwww...birdies and les fleurs!

I love a good, thrifty, piece of art.  Just because the artist isn't "known" does not make it any less lovely to have around the house.

Watching The Hobbit and Realized....

...Bofur, one of the dwarves, TOTALLY looks like Anthony Kiedis from the Red Hot Chili Peppers (a band I love ever so much).

Seriously,

Take this...

Source.

Add one of these...

The hat, not the girl.  Source.

And you get...

Bofur.  Source.

Anyone else see it?

Not only does Chad Smith, the drummer, look like Will Ferrell (see my post here), Mr. Kiedis looks like an inhabitant of Middle Earth.  What a mystical band!

Thrifty Eco Spring Cleaning

Today I super-cleaned the apartment.  We're talking full-on ceiling and walls stuff here.  I actually don't mind cleaning--it's kind of relaxing in a way.  While I do employ some Mr. Clean and Ajax/Comet/generic brand of bleach powder, for the most part I use something more eco and thrifty: vinegar.  I know this is not an earth-shattering discovery, but I really cannot stress the delight it gives me to make my own cleaner.  I'm like a pioneer-woman or something.

I don't really use a recipe, but kinda wing the following:

1:1 ratio of white vinegar to water
5-10 drops of lavendar essential oil, which helps it smell less pickle-ish.  Don't get me wrong, there is still a vinegar presence in the house, but it's more lavender than pickle.  I like to open up the windows to help air out the scent, which disappears as it dries.

I put the whole shebang in an old spray bottle and it's ready to roll.

What do I use this cleaner for?  Mirrors/glass (use a lint-free rag or paper towel, which is, admittedly, less eco and thrifty, for a streak-free clean once it dries), wood, ceramics/tiles, linoleum, stainless steel, faucets and fixtures.  Basically everything.  I DO break out the hard-core cleaners for the toilet and tub once in awhile, as well as the oven.

For more vinegar-cleaning tips, this site is useful.

Screen capture from here.  Even Mr. Clean is all about the vinegar.

Cats Never Forget...

Source.

This cracks me up!

How I Try to Live a Healthy Life: Running

Source.  Ain't no shame in thunder thighs!

If you had told me 10 years ago that I would become a "runner," I would not have believed it.  Running with all the huffing and puffing and general sweaty discomfort was not on my list of "shit I wanna try."  Yet, sometime in my twenties I decided to give it a whirl and fell in love.  Why?

1. The majority of my running is done outdoors, and being in the fresh air and scenery is delightful.  Yes, I do partake in the "dreadmill" from time to time, but it is not my preferred mode.

2.  Once I hit my stride, it is all gravy.  By that, I mean my mind goes clear and I enter a body-mind connective state of being in the here and now.

3.  One of the best feelings is sprinting--it's as close as I can get to flying without going on an airplane.

4.  It is rewarding and confidence-building to watch goals be met.


Running has also taught me some important lessons:

1. Listen to your body!  SO IMPORTANT!  When I brave the cold for a winter run (which is rare), I know when to stop for a breather (literally) and take my puffer.  If I need a break, I give myself one.  I'm sure this guy would as well.

2.  Don't be afraid to go slow.  Sometimes we need it.

3.  Also, sometimes we have to branch out and try something new: such as a faster pace, challenging route, or making our way up the steeeeeeeeeep hill.

4.  Monotony is soul-killing (such as treadmill running all winter long, looking at the same wall week in and week out).

5.  Sunshine, fresh air, and being outside is naturally healing.

6.  Don't compare yourself to others--your journey is unique.

7.  You are stronger than you think.

8.  If it's not fun, something's wrong.  If I don't have a smile or contented look on my face for at least half the run, I need to figure out what was amiss.  For me recently, it was needing new sneakers.

9.  You are worth the investment.  The largest investment is time, but money is also needed to run.  Gear--especially, as I mentioned in #8 good running shoes replaced as needed--is not free.  However, you don't have to be all Lululemon-ed out (although their clothes are lovely and I am an avid wearer of their sports bras): Wal-Mart and other stores have some pretty sweet athletic gear.  But PLEASE, take the time to be assessed for what shoes are best for you.  The Running Room does this quite nicely.

10.  Sometimes we just need to sweat!

What Toby Wore: Winter Time

Remember Toby?  Of COURSE you do, how could you forget such a handsome and stylish pug?  As we look towards lovely spring days, Toby would like to share some of his hot looks from this past season.  Do enjoy.

A warm jacket, fashionably COLOUR BLOCKED, is a must for snowy romps!

As the weather warms up, no need to bundle oneself up so!  A bandana tied jauntily around one's neck will suffice!

Lounging around indoors during the winter does not mean foregoing style!  Fleecy and woolen  blankets serve as  wraps.  The addition of stripes takes this from functional to fantastic!

As always, all credit (photos, set design, wardrobe) goes to Toby's mother, Marianne Beckwith!