Friday, Pennyweight posted about the music group called Gem Club. OMGosssshhhh I’m in love. Gem Club’s newest album, Breakers (released Sept 27th) has been on repeat since Friday and I don’t see an end in sight. I thought I’d pass on the greatness to you guys. Happy Sunday!!!

I must say one of my favorite aspects of traveling to a new city is being exposed to the local music. Portland has some not so shabby music groups that I was completely unaware of before I got here. While my best childhood friend and I were spending time together we stopped in Tender Loving Empire and perused the rows of CDs (click to watch video of store tour)by local artists. The sweet shop owner noticed we were interested in several of the bands she had displayed and offered to play each of the groups in the shops sound system. This totally sold us on all of the groups we were looking into and walked away with 3 new CDs.

[vimeo 6543897 w=515&h=290]
1. Loch Lomond: Little Me Will Start a Storm
Check out their album via Tender Loving Empire–>

[vimeo 8791061 w=515&h=290]
2. Typhoon: Hunger & Thirst
Check out their album via Tender Loving Empire–>

3. Nadine Mooney: Mouse House Worm Hole
Check out their album via Tender Loving Empire–>

I got bit by the spring cleaning bug and felt the need to empty out every single item in my closet, throw stuff around the room, organize into keep/donate piles, and then put everything back in the closet. I took inventory of everything I had, starting with laying all my shoes out in a pretty lineup, then moved onto bags, etc. The pictures attached to this post are mostly after all the ‘controlled chaos’ happened because most of the before images are quite frightening. haha

I’m pleased to say that I ended this little adventure with a pretty good size donate pile. I really should try to sell some of my clothes online or something, but that seems like a hassle at the moment. I’ll save some things for my younger cousin who is about my size, take some things to the gals at work and take the rest to local goodwill or thrift store. Feels good!

*There was a bigger mess and many more donations that what is pictured above.

Things I’ve discovered from taking inventory. (all bad discoveries for my wallet)
1. I need to step outside of my flat shoe comfort zone and get a little more adventurous in that department.
2. I need a stripped t-shirt or something else stripped. I have one thing in my closet with stripes, yet I LOVE stripes
3. Could always use more dresses!
4. Need to also step outside of my skinny jean comfort zone. How about high-waisted or wide leg jeans for once??
5. HATS! I feel stupid saying this, but I own ZERO hats! ( I have a child size head that makes hats hard to find.

Curious about something not shown, like where I keep all my belts or how I store my pants?? I took more pictures, but didn’t post them all. Just let me know.

Sunday, the boy and I hit up the antique mall and thrift stores in the area. I saw a bunch of things I desperately wanted to take home, but my latest camera purchase has put a hold on buying things for the house. I brought the boy along for the ride and gave him my iPhone camera to shoot video of our little adventure. I think he took video of every creepy baby doll in those store, but I edited them out of the video below so you wouldn’t get nightmares from reading my blog. You’ll thank me later. After a bit of rummaging through old junk we stopped at a Steak & Shake for a milkshake and grub. It was a great day to end the weekend AND the sun was shinning!

*Video taken with 8mm Vintage Camera iPhone app.

* I thought long and hard about buying this little family or brass owls. They were only $12! I left without them, but if they are still there the next time I stop in, they’ll be mine.

* I also thought long and hard over this $20 hand-made blanket. I just loved the colors and it was soft like it had been loved for years.

*Was I stupid for walking away from this perfect camel color coat for $65??? I regret not buying this! Might have to go back.

*I’m dying for a green retro kitchen. These will be perfect one day. I’m sure I could find them again.

*I had to take this picture. Look how it matches The Veda House perfectly!

I hope all of you had a great weekend and have started your week off on the right foot! Here’s to a Happy Monday!

I’ve been in a bit of a funk these past couple days and I think it has everything to do with the weather, but who knows. I know these kind of days come and go so there is really no need to dwell on them. I’ve been listening to a lot of Mumford & Sons recently and I’m starting to think this great band is contributing to the blaaa feelings. One of my favorite songs by them is titled Thistle and Weeds and for me it kind of exemplifies how I’ve been feeling. Not necessarily the lyrics, but the “feeling” of the song.

*click image to enlarge