Spooktaculous!

Gearing up for Halloween...favorite time of year! Nothing like creatively re-mixing your existing Halloween decorations to look like something different each year! You will see from my previous posts (here, here, and here) the Cheapskate methodology. Here's a snapshot of this year's simple spooky ensemble. I haven't had much time to devote to getting too creative, and in times like that, simple is better.

Primate death by branch

A gothic glam entry way

Sugar skull figures from last year's Dia de los Muertos party, sizing each other up on the dining table

My favorite skull-arachnid-pirate thingy, waiting for unsuspecting victims at our front porch

Beautifully whimsical spooky cookie platters at my favorite bakery *yum*

The Floods of Current Affairs in Job Hunting

Hi folks. I've dropped off the radar for some time now. Hubby and I have been extremely busy with buttoning up all of the small and numerous projects on our stucco remodel. I will be posting updates on how that's coming along soon.

The other underlying facet of my absence has something to do with job misery. Unfortunately, we need jobs to pay for our bills, but it can feel like a penitentiary when you loathe what you do every day, and you hit the glass ceiling years ago. When the situation gets that bad, it can really affect our health, creativity and social lives. I can vouch that I have been head-deep into this "flood" and can't figure out how to get out.

Most of my free time has been wasted allocated to applying for new jobs, or cleaning the house in order to try to clear my head and soul from the icky feeling my job leaves me in at the end of the day. What's worse is the lack of response I receive after sending out my meticulously crafted resumes and cover letters--which, mind you, take hours to complete per job application. Why must we introduce ourselves on paper? Why are we overlooked simply because we cannot seem to sell ourselves in the exact way that the employer is looking for?

I know the majority of the population feels the same frustration. I ended up writing an applicant cover letter about how I really feel. I can't succumb to this marketplace prostitution any longer!

Apart from the painful crafting of resumes and letters to tailor to each job, I have on countless occasions logged into a company's website to apply for a position, and they want my social security number off the bat! In fact, they force you to enter it and if you don't...well, you cannot submit your application. One company was seeking it for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), which I can bet I'm not part of their target group, so no sense on hiring me! And should I be that hard up to willy-nilly give out my social security number so that big box employer can find out everything about me before they even decide if I'm fit for the job? What kind of nation are we? 

It's been years since I've been on the job market, but something has dramatically shifted. It has shifted toward benefiting the companies and not the people. I cannot tolerate these new requests that put my identity and privacy in jeopardy. I'd love to hear from you on your job application experiences, not only getting through hours of CV and letter crafting, but especially encountering online applications that fall into the gray "unlawful" category.

Afternoon Quickie

It's been hot here in Texas, and I've been finding myself retreating indoors as of late. The house has seen itself rearranged and well cleaned. The internet hours are overused. And Netflix is getting a run for its money.

After all, summer programming is a bore and I'm always outside during the fall and winter season. So here I am, getting pulled into shows on Netflix that I never thought that I would watch. One of those shows is "The New Girl."

There's no doubt that Zooey Dachenel has pretty cool throwback style. She brings out her fashion style with her character, Jessica Day, which is part of the fun in watching the show. One episode in particular had me craving this adorable adorned neckline sweater.

Of course there wasn't any possible way I could have THAT sweater. However, when there is a will, there's a way. I could have a VARIATION of THAT sweater....

I hit pause and began to dig around in my dresser and craft box.

Basic tee. Yep. 

Jewels. Nah. 

Permanent marker. That might work. It's fast too. 

And so my road to instant gratification began. 

Marker ink bleeds so it's generally a good idea to use a partition such as a cardboard box or Manila folder. Clip that tee into place. No sliding is allowed when creating with a steady hand. 

I drew the bow on similar to how Jess's sweater was designed. The pointillism technique almost looks like stitching or embroidery. 

Wham. Bam. Thank you. Ma'm. A cute tee in a quickie. Thank you Netflix. How serendipitous was that?!?

Dog Days of Summer

Teachers. We've had them in grade school. But it doesn't stop there. As adults, we continue to meet and connect with others who teach us about ourselves. Growing and learning are mutual. Without teachers, we would be stuck in a non-beneficial pattern. Perhaps you might have several teachers in your life right now, without realizing it.

Hubby is my teacher. My family members are my teachers. Our friends are my teachers. Even random strangers I have interacted with fleetingly have taught me something. Working from home has been challenging since my human interaction has waned significantly. Computers don't teach. They cause aggravation if anything. At the end of day, sometimes I need to scream.

However, I have discovered that there is one little living being that I spend the most time with, who is also my teacher...my dog. Each day, she provides to me an intrinsic connection to mother nature during these hot days holed up inside the house. She is my little reminder to live each day to its fullest. She reflects love and devotion. She enforces the sensory aspect of life. She is balanced.

What my dog has taught me:

1) Follow your nose and your eyes. Breathe in and truly look at your surroundings each day. 

2) Sunbathe no matter how hot it is! A dose of sun does wonders for the body. 

3) Explore...Always be curious. 

4) Continuously love, no matter how imperfect the object of your affection may be.

5) Exercise each day. It makes you calmer. 

6) Make time to goof around and play no matter what your age.

7) Equally make time for naps. 

8) If you find yourself near negative or unstable people/environments, just leave.
9) Remain devoted to your pack, but seek some time alone when needed.
10) Enjoy food as if it were your last meal. Do this every day.
11) Make new friends, always.

12) Cuddle with your favorite person.
13) Be you, and only you. 

14) Enjoy where you are and who you are with at this very moment. It could all change someday. 

The Summertime Pedi 'Cure'

It's summertime which means that it's that time to shake things up a bit! Break out the shorts. Throw on the tank tops. Paint those toenails some crazy color!

Over the years, I've collected some offbeat nail colors that were marked on clearance in the beauty store. Yet, I've always resorted to the classic red or intense mauve during the bare-all season. Not any more. This summer I will try something different. The (pedi) cure for summertime blues.

I thought back to my family descent when I saw the yellow and blue polish bottles in my drawer. That's when the idea was born. I cut small strips of Scotch tape to create the flag design and the rest is history.

The tools are readily available in your home...tape, toothpicks, paintbrushes, glue...play to your heart's content! 

I became inspired to see what others are doing in the broader world with their toes. (Hubby caught me searching for pedicures and was convinced I have a foot fetish!) I assure you that this post is merely an homage to bringing out the inner artist in you. Starting with 10 tiny blank canvases is the first step. No pun intended! 

Design style by way of mod stripes and floral via glambistro.com

Textile simulation with embroidery and Burberry plaid via nailedtothepost.blogspot.com

Celestial and aurora borealis bling via devashions.com

Critter loving - cheetahs and ladybugs via glambistro.com

Stepping Out of Our Shells

Warmer weather has indeed moved into the area. There's no stopping summer temperatures now. We had an early start to summer and just returned from our vacation from the beaches of the western Caribbean. My, oh my...how we needed that R and R.

Don't be a hater ;0)

Perhaps it's in part to taking the time to sit on the sand and look closely at it's genetic makeup of fine seashells. Perhaps it's the warmer weather getting us outside more often. Seashells have become front in center in my world as of late.

Here are some small, very simple rituals I performed with seashells this spring season. Take something that is connecting with you this season and do the same. It's nice to slow down when we can.

Guest bathroom beach dreams in vintage jars

Tillandsia creature nest

Micro-pendant made by nature

All That Glitters...

I was mail stalked by a J. Crew catalog the other day and these killer shoes whispered soft nothings into my ears.

Yowsa! $228 for these? I don't think so. 

Then, about a day later, I was electronically stalked by Anthropologie with these dangling in front of my face. Seriously, I need some sort of retail restraining order!

Pretty darned slick little kickers! The asking price? Going for $40, marked at 50% off from $80. Meh.

I have a ton of shoes sitting in my closet. No need to buy more. The more that I justified NOT buying new shoes, I began to realize that I have retained shoes for years that I no longer wear. Why? Well, they were damaged in some form or fashion. I suppose the thrifty side of myself thought that I could repair the shoes somehow.

The moral of the story? This retail stalking had evolved into another Cheapskate Tip!

I had an old pair of oxford shoes that I probably paid less than $20 for at Payless many moons ago. The material was composed of the worst synthetic elements because the top layer peeled off in small bits each time they were worn. Frustrating, huh? Glitter is course enough to cover up that business!!!

I taped off the edges with painter's tape so that the Mod Podge wouldn't dribble into the areas I did not want the glitter. Simply brush on glue with a paint brush, dust with glitter, allow to dry. Repeat these steps multiple times until even throughout and heavily glittered. Finish with 1-2 coats of Mod Podge to lock in the glitter and create a final seal.

Cheap shoes glammed up within a couple of days and $2 of supplies I already had on hand! I'm officially addicted.

I had another pair of shoes that could use a glitter treatment. I wore this pair of heels years ago when I was MoH at my bro and sis-n-laws' wedding. By the end of the night, the heels were ruined due to my heels sinking into the ground while we were taking photos outside. The light-colored silk heels had mud stains that I could not remove. I was so excited to get my glitter on that I forgot to take a photo of these heels to demonstrate what they looked like before. 

Here they are after the glitter treatment! I was happy with the results! The glittered heels match the glittered front strap. Looked like I bought them that way for $200, but I spent nothing!

Cheers to getting more wear out of our shoes!