Simple Living

As Lee and I are packing up our tiny little apartment to move to Tybee, I am wondering where did all this stuff come from!

For the past several months we've been cleaning out drawers, cabinets and boxes. I swore off shopping for clothes for months. I've tried to become less of a consumer. What gives?

I am just going to have to try harder, that is all I can do.

I've packed up all of my makeup and hair products. I don't wear a lot of makeup anyway but I have to say it is nice know all I have to do is put on my home made face oil, some cheek stain and mascara because that is all that is available at the moment. I still have a drawer's worth of eye shadow, lipstick and foundation tucked away in some box that I just am not willing to part with yet. I do like having my options. Who knows when an occasion will arise where I want to do a Liz Taylor look- I will need sky blue eye shadow and I have that. Or maybe I want to go goth for an event- I'm going to need that black lipstick that I have. 

Then there are my boxes and boxes of clothes. Sure I have not shopped in quite sometime and yes I did rid myself of some clothing items. I do pride myself however in being able to pull together an outfit for any occasion straight out of my closet. Mermaid parade? Yep I got that. 1920s Lawn Party? Yes indeed! Vintage cowgirl with chaps? Ok, well I might have to work on that one a bit.

Oh yeah we are also art collectors. Lee and I both love art and sometimes we just can't turn it down. I never think about "I love that piece but where can we put it?" Over the years if we have liked a piece and we could afford it, we've bought it. I love all of them! I do think I will hang in rotation from now on rather than trying to display it all at once. Oh but how to decide? We have a ton of pieces in storage, I am most anxious to see those friends again. They will probably get first dibs.

All I know is ridding oneself of clutter is a work in progress and I will continue as I am UN-packing in Tybee. Keep your eyes out, there maybe a really good yard sale in the future!

Stuff!

More stuff

There is no where to go!

Even Elvira is just trying to get out of the way

The big move is ON!

One week one day- that is all that’s left of me living the dream in New York.

Seven years ago Lee and I packed all of our worldly possessions in a UHAUL truck and headed for the bright lights and big city that is New York. We had no jobs and no sense moving with out one. It all worked out somehow, just like I knew it would. I do often wonder though when my luck is going to run out.

Sure I believe if you want to do something in life just do it. I also believe to make a success out of it you have to work for it and rely on a little luck.

Anyway we thought we’d be here for five to ten years and we’ve landed pretty much in the middle of that time frame. It’s been nothing more than fabulous. Really. It’s felt like a 7 year vacation where I just so happen have to run in and work ever so often to pay a bill or two.

I don’t know anyone who’s done New York like we’ve done New York. We hit the ground a runnin’ and we’ve not stopped. Museums, galleries, festivals, parades, marathons- check. We’ve explored every borough. Now there is plenty left to explore don’t get me wrong. You could never see it all nor could you eat it all!

Oh yes the food- that’s what I will miss the most. My waistline will probably be thanking me for getting outta town!

After our summer vacation last year to Wrightsville Beach NC Lee and I knew we had to start our exit plan. I’ve always dreamed of living at the beach. I also used to dream of living in New York and I made that happen so why NOT the beach?

Our “plan” was not much of a plan, it went kinda like this 1. Decide on a beach 2. Save some money 3. Find a house 4. Buy it 5. Move. Done. Simple as that.

We chose Tybee Island Georgia for one reason my sister lives in Savannah which is only 20 minutes away and it seems like a quirky, fun and artsy beach!

Follow me here as I am going to be documenting the move. In the mean time here are some pics from seven years ago on our way in.

Which way?

Lee before the gray hair

Are we there yet?

Almost there

Time to unpack!

Nearly 5 years ago I had this great idea to move to Miami. Somehow I ended up in New York. I am quite grateful for this detour. I have had nothing but fun in THE City. I am not a life time New Yorker nor will I ever be. I dislike winter way too much. But while I am here I am making the most of this wonderful opportunity. I've done more here than most people that I know that are FROM here.

I'm just gonna give you a list- a partial list of all done thus far. If ever you're up this way please feel free to ask for recommendations. I love telling people about this magnificent city. Also if there is something NOT on this list that I should experience please please let me know.

1. Coney Island ( like duh, I practically live there)
a. Mermaid parade
b. Hot dog eating contest
c. Tattoo bike and tattoo show (I won best back tattoo!)
d. Burlesque shows
e. Freak shows
f. Film Fest
g. Rockabilly Fest
h. sunken boat tour

In Front of the Cyclone which I've ridden once and that was enough

2. Yankee Games- old and new stadium

Inside OLD stadium

3. Elis Island

4. Governor's Island

5. Tram to Roosevelt Island

6. Hi-Line Park

7. Central Park

8. Cloisters

9. Learned to Burlesque Dance

10. Christmas light display in Dykers Heights Brooklyn

This was a fun Christmas Eve thing to do

11. Greenwood Cemetary

12. Train Show at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

13. Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge

14. Macy's 4th of July Fireworks

15. Macy's Holiday Parade

16. Broadway and off B-way shows
a. Wicked
b. Blue Man
c. De la Guarda
d. Fuerza Bruta

17. Sleep No More (Can't even explain this one!)

This mask was involved in Sleep No More

18. NY Transit Museum

19. Learned to surf at Long Beach Long Island

First day of surfing- my newest obsession

20. Air Power Museum Long Island

What a cool place to visit

21. Learned to be a pin up model

Can you say "cheese"?!

22. Saw the space shuttle

Look way in the distance in the mid left

23. Edgar Allen Poe walking tour

24. Fashion's Night Out

25. 1920s Lawn Party

How lovely we all were that day!

26. Giglio Feast Brooklyn

27. Christmas windows

28. Easter Bonnet Parade

This man and his poodle and parrot are at all the parades

29. Halloween Parade

Dia De Los Muertos

30. Tug Boat Races

In another life I'd like to work on a tug

31. Hidden Harbor Tour

32. Restaurant Week

33. The Intrepid

I pass her every day on my way home from work

34. Fleet Week ship tours

A tall ship training vessel

35. Iceskating in Central Park

36. Abandoned City Hall Subway Station Tour

This place was amazing with beauty

37. Amateur Night at the Apollo

38. Emerald Nuts New Years Eve run


39. Modeled in a Steam Punk fashion show

40. Roller skated central park old school style

41. Tour of Red Hook Brooklyn where some might good Key Lime Pie lives.

42. Met Chris Isaak (again)

Such a cutie! Oh and he sings really pretty too.

  

There are still a few known things on my list that I want to do...
1. Run the NYC Marathon. Which I will be doing this November
2. 5 Borough bike ride (need a better bike first)
3. Visit the Russian baths in the Lower East Side
4. Dinner at one of the Russian night clubs in Brighton Beach



When I leave this place I plan on being really really tired!

Gettin' Crafty with Maybelle

They say less is more. I'm not sure who "they" are but I'm quite sure "they" are wrong.

I take after my aunt Cleta and my Maw Maw. Cleta from my mom's side of the family and Maw Maw from my dad's- so you see there was no escaping for me. Both of these lovely ladies were beadazzling and glitterizing everything before it was the cool thing to do.

Well lately I've been on this crazy bicycle kick. I've been reading bike blogs, taking bike safety classes, going to bike shows etc. I dream of having a lovely Dutch step through with a front wicker basket and maybe some canvas roll up panniers. Pretty much any bike from AdelineAdeline bikes would do just fine!

Some days I think I will get a new fancy bike then I think of it parked on the street getting stolen- that makes me sad. The nicer the bike the bigger the target. So then I think Maybelle is just fine. She's a good solid bike. She just is not cute and I like cute.

I had this great idea to fix her up with some flowers. I live in Manhattan where you can get ANYTHING! But where do I get fake flowers? Michael's Crafts is a good bet but that is a couple hour ordeal at the least due to the location. I looked on line and by the time you pay shipping the price was a bit too crazy for some crappy old fake flowers. Keep thinking.

This weekend we had to go to the "Country" (Brooklyn) Greenpoint to be exact. There were dollar stores everywhere! Filled with faux flowers! I chose a lovely bunch of cream and pink peonies for the low low price of $2.41. Yes!

When we got home I got busy glueing zip ties to the backs of all the blooms so they'd be set for Sunday's ride to burlesque class.

This stuff will glue anything!

Yay for zip ties!

Ok, so she's no Dutch beauty, but at least she's a bit more jazzier than before. Cleta and Maw Maw would be proud!

The bell pictured here comes in rather handy

Maybelle takes a little break on the way home for a photo opp

This basket carries my Long Champ bag which holds the day's supplies- lunch, gym clothes etc

Lookin' good coming and going

Holy Crap!

Those were the words that came out of my mouth yesterday as I looked to see if I got in the ING New York City Marathon.

Orange shoelaces for those training for the marathon. I will wear them with pride!

I do believe the exact words were...

"Holy Crap Vanessa, I think I just got into the marathon!" Vanessa is my good friend at work who shares a cube with me. A tear swelled up in my eye. For the time being it is a tear of joy as I have dreamed of being in the marathon. Literally. I had a dream that I was in it so I thought I'd jump in the lottery to see what would happen. 

Now I have to dream that I am a millionaire while I'm on a roll!

Needless to say my summer/fall just got a lot busier. But Lee said he'd learn to cook since I'll have less time to prepare our meals. Had I known this, I'd tried to get in a lot earlier.

Anyway. Today is painting day. I finished up 2 of my pin up girls- Saucy and Bubbles. Now I'm moving on to my commission piece for the remainder of the afternoon.

This is Bubbles. I'm using the Iphone app Instagram now for the photos. I like it better than the Hipstamatic for right now.

This is Saucy. And saucy she is.

Saucy in the window!

A New York Easter

Easter back home in NC was always a big deal. As a little girl, my parents always prepared me an Easter Basket and we dyed eggs.

When I got a bit older we always had a nice ceremony at Church then a yummy meal of ham, deviled eggs and all the yummy southern trimmings.

Here in New York it is just Lee, the pups and myself. I figured we'd do something a little different...

We jump on our bikes and head to a bahn mi Vietnamese sandwich shop then head over to Union square for a picnic.

Catfish Bahn Mi. So good!

Lee enjoys his pork belly sandwich

Next it's off to the Easter Bonnet parade. It is really more like a block party of crazy hats and some dolled up puppies.

Puppets at the parade

St. Patric's Cathedral

On the way home I did actually get a basket- well it wasn't an Easter basket but a bike basket in stead!

Back home we grab up the girls and take them in a nice walk. They were so happy.

For dinner we opted for the closest thing we could find to a good southern meal- Low Country over in the West Village. They did have deviled eggs. They were not as good as mom's but they made do!

Shrimp and grits for me and fried rabbit and waffles for Lee

Deviled eggs

I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter as much as I did. Happy Easter!Here are a few more pics from the day.

This gals hat was so big she had to have someone help hold her up

I even found some sweet tea for dinner. I had two big glasses!

I see this man everywhere along with his parrot and puppy