Tuesday, February 16, 2010

all those quick recipes





Saturday Landon and I attended the Chictopia10 summit, it was, put delicately, interesting. I was very flattered that we were invited but couldn't help the feeling that we were terribly out of place in this crowd of fashion blogging enthusiasts. I was shy and stuck mostly in my seat next to Landon occasionally making my way through the crowd of pretty ladies to fill a plate full of delicious snacks. The organizers had the best intentions but not exactly the best execution for those intentions as the conference suffered numerous technical difficulties and delays. I've no doubt though that their next conference will be a great success and I'm grateful that they considered us to join them. It was neat to see familiar blog faces in the flesh like fellow Canadian Lydia, California girl Erin, Quiksilver friend Taghrid and Susan of ModCloth. The day has left me with plenty to think about and I've decided to make a few changes to this blog. So as I start anew I want to share a few things about myself you may (or may not) know!

1. I am 25, I have been married for almost four years to my best friend Landon. We are, at present, without babies or kittens, we plan to remedy one of those things shortly, can you guess which? 

2. Landon, while a bit beastman looking, is the most kind, peaceful and enlightened being I've had the pleasure of knowing. He also has incredible gap teeth (of which I am quite envious as my snaggle tooth is every day inching it's way out of my mouth). 

3. We are rich in love but not in dollars. The result has made us thrifty shoppers leaving us with a home (and closet) full of priceless oddities. About 98% of my closet is made up of goodies I've found digging through smelly, often stained, occasionally peed hundred pound bails of clothes at raghouses. This glamorous shopping method has found me face to face with bloody bandaids, insects of all varities (one that hitched a ride home on my boob once) large crates that have fallen on me and a decapitated mouse head (and later the body). I'm a bit useless at shopping in the traditional manner now - there is no adventure in it! 

4. This year I started my own vintage buying company with one of my greatest friends who lives on the west coast. My fingers are crossed as we shipped out our first order last week. It's an exciting and gratifying feeling to work for yourself (but scary when there is television, food and eventually a kitty or two to distract you). 

5. I love women. When someone with the same bits as mine expresses affection towards me I am ebullient, I am as a result quite shy around the fairer sex at first which often sends the wrong message. I am caught in a highschool boy's cycle of affection. 

Feel free to ask me some questions of your own! (perhaps while you are thinking of some you can pop over to Alex's blog and send her a picture of your rump! For rewards, of course.)

47 comments:

  1. Interesting because different photos showed up for my reader and on the internet, dont know why.

    Hopefully its kittens that are making their way. I love my kitty so much, shes just the cutest black ball of fur ever!

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  2. it is very exciting that you have started your own company!!!

    i am ridiculously affectionate with girls that i know and love. if i ever met you, there would be cuddles all round!

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  3. Hannah you must get a kitten!!!! You just must do it. Don't you think your readers deserve some fantastic Hannah-Kitten photos???

    Also, love to hear of your honest Chictopia review. ;P And I am really really interested in how you're going to change your blog!!! I love it now but can't wait to see what else you have for us.

    Cheers,
    Smog

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  4. reading this post was like watching random scenes from a quirky indie movie. very visual. i love how you described the chictopia conference. and i really think #3 should be some sort of midway montage in a film.

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  8. Haha, eeek! You've just reminded me of the time when a little tiny crab hitched a ride home on my boob all the way from Coney Island. Screaming ensued, once discovered. Mouse bits?! I couldn't deal. You certainly have earned every vintage treasure you've found.

    Excited to hear more about your company, too. I'm always on the look out for well edited vintage selections. I spend so much time at work that simple joys like thrifting rarely get to happen, and I have to rely on online shops & etsy to get my vintage fix.

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  9. I, too have a snaggle tooth. My boyfriend giggles at the sight of it, but I think it's one of my better attributes!

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  10. great post! my closet is full of salvation army finds (my all time favorite store since well... i was 14?).... and i wouldn't have it any other way... i love me some upscale stuff, but for all that i pop onto ebay way too often to hunt it down secondhand for a percentage of the original cost.... the best part... agreed is the adventure :)

    i'd love to see more of you in your vintage finds :)

    xo
    bravegrrl.blogspot.com

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  11. kittens!! hopefully sooner than later!

    I look forward to seeing the new changes to your blog, even though it's one of my very favourites how it is.

    I loved reading about your shopping adventures. I am exactly the same. I get no real joy from purchasing anything new from shops..it's just too easy. I am much more of a scavenger.

    ..I'm off the post pictures of my beautiful, white, wobbly bottom to Alex.

    xo

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  12. After experiencing tantrumy children this morning, I would hope you would be getting a kitten (although I came home to my cat trying to kill the living-room chairs...) but I won't hold it against you if you go for a baby!

    Also, in a non-creepy way, I have a major crush on you, and I know what you mean about shy awkwardness.

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  13. I'd like to know a few things about raghouses, as vintage shop owners are pretty secret about those things. Is it true they are only opened to businesses? And also, is it possible to go through bins or do you have to buy a ballot and then sort through it? How are they listed in address books? Do you know if they are common in Canada too (I believe you are Canadian?)?

    Ok, I'm done with the extensive questioning! Thanks for keeping such an inspiring blog! x

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  14. You're delightful!

    I went to the mall a few days ago, a place I used to spend hours at, and I just couldn't do it anymore. Overpricing and repetition. Snooze.

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  15. I've been following your blog for a while, and I figured it was time to finally comments. Oh, I just think you're oh-so lovely. Everything you ever post is so inspiring and creative. I'll keep reading forever and ever...amen!

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  16. I love your little tidbits! What kinds of things do bloggers discuss in conferences? And I would love to take a gander at your new vintage shop!

    xoxo

    leeluca

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  17. SUPERBE !
    http://mimietnini.canalblog.com/

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  18. nice to hear your stories hannah. and burly men with gap teeth are the best :)

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  19. I loved reading this post. It made me realize two things: one, that I think you're fantastic and two, that I really, really need to go to a raghouse.

    :)

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  20. Such a nice post Hannah! I am looking forward to seeing what you do with your blog (although its already one of my most preferred of all blogs as is). Those were really even handed and thoughtful comments on your Chictopia experience too. I know I would have felt shy in that situation, and whats more, I would have felt somewhat conflicted and confused by the whole concept: personally the idea of trying to bring together blogs and mainstream brand marketing just doesn't fit. It seems to want to corporatize blogging, and goes against the whole individuality (and creative fun) of independent social media. I wasn't there and I don't know the extent of what the conference was about but that was my impression.

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  21. Hi Hannah!

    I am a long-time follower of your many internet platforms; I used to read your livejournal when you still updated it! I am also a fellow Canadian!

    I have always wanted to work for myself, and have never known where to start. How did you get your business off the ground? Where in the world did you begin?

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  22. hi. i just found your blog. you are gorgeous and have fantastic taste in clothes. ;)

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  23. This is the first time I'm reading your blog, and I really like your writing style! I'm adding you to my reader, thank you! :)

    Mausumi

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  24. Oh you need to get a kitten! I love my little cat, you really really should get one!

    What was the conference about? I am intrigued! I am looking forward to the changes in your blog, but it is wonderful and one of my favourites just the way it is!

    I have been considering opening my own vintage shop, I would love to hear more about your business. And rag fairs sound amazing! I wonder if there is anything similar in England? I know there are vintage kilo fairs, I really need to go to one! I know exactly what you mean about the high street. It is so much more satisfying trawling through vintage and charity shops to find that one-off item xxx

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  25. women crush you too hannah...i'm crushed out!
    congrats on your new company adventures.

    love tara-lynn
    ps. i always fear shy around other girls too, & i think i come off either dorky or bitchy...

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  26. this is art. AMAZING what a human being can accomlpish

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  27. Love these paintings. I crush far more often on women than men, so I suppose I love women as well. :)
    P.S. It was really lovely meeting you in person, despite how ridiculously awkward I tend to be in real life.

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  28. i have a feeling a lot of blogger girls are shy, i know i would be, especially in the chictopia situation. but hey, free snacks are free snacks, right?
    i've been excited to join my boss on a trip to a rag house, but now you've scared me with mouse parts and bug stories! i am so squeamish. plus when i went to make toast the other day, a mouse jumped out of my toaster, no joke! it was the grossest/cutest thing.

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  29. Hi,
    thank you for sharing little facts about your life - thrifting is fun!
    Beautiful choices of the sirens, the muses.
    x Vanessa

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  30. Hello! I have been enjoying your blog for a few months now but never commented. Leave it to raghouses to summon a response. I used to be a serious, serious thrifter, even sold on ebay for about a year, but it's only recently that I've learned of such mythical places as raghouses... I assume they're only open to businesses??

    Anywho, love your style...

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  31. I saw some of the Chictopia pictures and was wondering if I'd enjoy being there... Probably not. But maybe I'm just a sociophobic blogger? Love that you 2 are trying for kittens...

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  32. Amelia, Irene and Lavelle regarding raghouses:

    Hello ladies! Raghouses generally cater only to businesses - however I would suggest looking some up in your cities and contacting them (if you're thinking of purchasing in large qtys). Most raghouses will sell by the item - generally prices in US will go between 3-15 depending on the items you're purchasing. You can also call them up just to go and check it out! Be forewarned though, it's work. it's a lot of digging and heat and funny smells! I went through a variety of coworkers and assistants that were not keen on the raghouse experience. I hope you like it though! Happy buying!

    Ami (regarding starting a company)- Hi Ami! It just kind of happened - haha. My old boss and I became really close while working together and used to dream about starting our own business all of the time then when I moved out here she began freelancing and I pitched our idea to a potential client and they went for it! I guess the best advice I can offer is to just do it! I keep a notebook and I write EVERYTHING down, I make lists for each day and try (not always with success) to cross them off. I wish you luck in your future business endeavors! I hope that as I go I can offer you better advice!

    Thanks everybody for all your kind remarks! I feel very fortunate to have such a lovely lot reading this journal!

    xo
    hannah

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  33. I hope you had an ok time even if the vibe was a little weird! Wish I could have been there to snack on cookies with you & your kindly man friend. Just saw some photos on Alexandra's blog, you guys looked great!

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  34. wow.
    first, I just came across your blog during my morning routine of dark coffee, fireplace and blog updates. I haven't even got past this first post before having to comment (thought I do plan on scouring for quite sometime after I hit "publish comment")
    You write incredibly beautifully... as if you were sitting across from us just being real. My best friend and design partner and myself just began to start our own business too... and it is indeed the most rewarding/scary/enlightened feeling I have had in some time.
    You have an avid new follower (or 2 I should say... as my best friend and I share our blog) from San Francisco.

    xx
    refusestolabel.blogspot.com

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  35. I love how you do your hair! Please please tell me your secret.. Bump it? Hairspray?

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  36. :) i so much love to visit your blog, and read. or just watch photos. Reading your story of buying stuff with an adventure made me laugh, but in that good way! you told that story with just perfectly :)

    Congrats on your business adventure :) starting your own company is a big and courageous step. I have been thinking doing that with my friend, we are both web/graphic designers, and she is also a very talented designer who makes great clothes and jewelery :) but we need a small push, that impulse of courage and fearlessness :)

    anyhow, enough about me :D have a nice weekend

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  37. I love when you said that you're rich in love. I feel the same way about myself (though not in a relationship but in relation to my who I am/my beliefs). Sounds like you've had some interesting adventures and it's nice that when you look at your treasures you can laugh at the stories behind them!

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  38. Hey Hannah! Is your business of the variety that we can shop at? I love your taste and I think you are a very talented designer/artist. I would be very interested in hearing more about the company and if you are offering any items for sale!

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  39. oh how lovely!!
    i enjoyed reading every bit of that.

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  40. Thanks for all your sweet and encouraging words! I will be launching an online shop shortly and will keep you notified on any advancements!

    Suf - regarding my hair, I have naturally large hair that is made larger by backcombing! I've never tried a bumpit though I have heard good things!

    xo

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  41. i felt much the same way at the conference! and what's more, i had been eying you all day but was too shy to come up and introduce myself. and then i couldn't think of anything interesting to say! but it was very nice to actually meet you in real life, and you looked lovely in that pink coat.

    next time i'm in new york, i'll have to muster up a little more courage to chat.

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  42. hannah, i think not only landon that falls in love with you, but me too :)

    i've been think about should i own a kitten ?! actually i keep some kittens in this time, but it's not only mine. we, people around here help me takes care and feeds them.

    your blog can make me smile !
    ,may

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  43. kittens and babies are both absolutely glorious, so i hope that whichever is soon coming your way makes you very happy!

    i can sympathize with your chictopia experience. there have been many a gathering in which i have been too shy to utter a single word. congrats on your company! i wish you luck!

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  44. Oh it must of been so interesting to be invited to Chictopia10, hopefully one day I will be invited...though i don't even think my blog is worthy haha.
    I really love every ounce of your blog. and how exciting to have started your own company!
    x

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Hello Friends! I do my best to respond to all of your thoughtful comments on your blogs, I apologize in advance if this is not always done in the most timely manner! Thank you for reading!

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