Who doesn't remember packing a picnic hamper into the boot of the family car only to have the car break down? It happened all the time when I was a little girl. Dad would attack the engine with a spanner and a greasy rag, and sometimes that would be enough to get us on our way. If not, it was a call to the AA (Automobile Association) and a wait for the patrol man to turn up on his motorbike, just as he does in one of these sweet little books.
Thank you for accompanying me on my travels! If you would like to know more about any of the books, please click on the links above each one.
When I started this post, I assumed the four books above made up a complete set but by a strange coincidence, I was offered another set of five books. There can’t be very many of these around so it seems like the best kind of luck to have two sets plus an extra! Now two lucky customers can own a little piece of travel history.
A journey is best measured in friends, not in miles... Tim Cahill
Thanks for being my friend and for breaking your journey here...
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Ashlynn Acosta with her Dream Mentor, Maeve Merton
A dream mentor is very much like a midwife, but instead of helping the mother birth a new person into the world, the dream mentor supports the dreamer who is like a mother birthing of a new consciousness into awareness and action. Dreamwork, when done with the help of an experienced mentor, is an intentional exercise used to facilitate the process, much like a midwife would instruct the laboring woman to breath or sit in a position that will help the birthing process along.
A dream is a symbol for a new awareness waiting to take on life, and it is the role of the mentor to not create the new awareness but just to help it along. Dream mentoring is basically a helping and facilitating role, not a directing role. It is guided by nature’s way of bringing new awareness into our waking world.
Towards this end a good dream mentor will prepare the dreamer to give birth to new consciousness by coaching the dreamer:
- To record and remember dreams. For many people, just making the intention to do these two things is a major step in a new direction and often prompts the dreamer to remember his or her dreams. Following through on the choice alone quite often helps people to become more aware of their dreams.
- To work with dreams through various kinds of processes such as association, storytelling, improvisation, and re-enactment.
- To proactively seek solutions for problems and concerns through dream incubation and lucid dreaming. Instead of just waiting for an answer from a dream, the dreamer can request a specific answer from a dream by asking to have a dream that will provide the answer. Writing the dream down and making the intention the night before helps a great deal to get a good result.
- To work in a dream group whereby members can help each other with their dreams or can dream for each other such as is done in Henry Reed’s Dream Helper Ceremony.
For an example of how a dream mentor works, please read or have your children read Dead Men Do Tell Tales, a teen mystery novel. In the story thirteen-year-old Ashlynn Acosta learns how to work with dreams from a dream mentor, Maeve Merton. With this assistance she learns to turn nightmares into problem solving tools, heals grief and helps save a friend suspected of a murder. She has learned skills that will help her for life and set her above her peers in accessing an important inner resource that can be relied upon in time of crisis.
Today we bring you our weekly sampler of cool youth media and marketing gigs. If your company has an open position in the youth media or marketing space, we encourage you to join the Ypulse LinkedIn group, if you haven’t yet, and post there for... Read the rest of this post
If you went through my closet you would find name brands like Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan, Coach, Michael Cors, Prada, Bianca Nero, etc… The list goes on and on of name brands found all over my bedroom. It reads like a who’s who fashion magazine. One would probably think that I have a very good job making loads of money, or that I am a superficial clothes whore…But, I’m Not. I just know how to shop and shop well.
The truth of the matter is that I everything I own, practically, comes from the thrift store. What? Yes, you heard me right. Every brand I mentioned came from the thrift store. Now if you are a reality television hound and have seen the show Southern Belles: Louisville, there was an episode with one of the “Rich” women going to the thrift store with her other “Belle” friend. The “Rich” woman was so put off by the place it was almost snobbish. The friend, who is considered a “Belle” on the show was just so down to earth and lovable. When her “Rich” friend went shopping, she bought four things from a boutique and spent $1000. You heard me right folks. She didn’t even bat and eye. The “Belle” was in disbelief. So that is when she took her “rich” friend shopping…thrift store style. And would you figure, the “Rich” lady didn’t buy a thing. She didn’t even really touch anything either. Oh my, I think I’ve got the vapors, is probably what she was thinking.
A thousand dollars could get you a whole lot of stuff anywhere if you use it right. If you gave me a thousand dollars to spend at a thrift store, I could fully furnish a a home for a family of four, including clothing and food. No, I so am not kidding. And if there is anyone out there reading this who would like to see this happen, give me a thousand dollars and observe. You would be very impressed. Oh, and I would give you your change back too.
If you are on a really tight budget, but enjoy having name brand things, this is the way to go. You have to have an open mind and patience though. People who are easily irritated should not shop a thrift store alone. Trust me I have seen women at thrift stores by themselves for the first time. It is not a pretty sight. They look lost and confused and you just want to give them a candy bar or something to distract their feelings of blah. It is so sad.
I personally am the cheapest of the cheap. I am not cheap on quality. I do hold out for the better quality items, but even still, if I find the price a bit much. I will decline. The whole thing about thrifts stores is that you’ve got a good chance of finding the same thing over again somewhere else if you pass it up. Some things I do know are a once in a lifetime deal though. My most fabulous find yet is a pair of Michael Cors Bamboo Platform Wedge Heels for $4.00. They were probably worn once. Those shoes new were probably upwards of $100. or more. I usually won’t spend $4. on shoes, but these were a true find. A lot of times the higher end designer items are considered unknowns in the thrift store world. It takes a fashion worldly pricer/sorter to know what they’ve got. In this case, they just didn’t know. All of my Coach purses are from the thrift store. I don’t just buy any Coach purse either. Just because I see Coach in a thrift store, I don’t go crazy. Nine times out of ten the purses are in fabulous condition and depending on my mood, I will spend the money. Since Coach is a well known name, people know what they have and price it accordingly. The most I have ever spent on Coach is maybe $3.00. Trust me, there is a lot of Coach out there in thrift store land and you will see the prices range from $20-$60. Even at those prices, you are getting a deal.
When you go to a thrift store it is best to have a plan. If you are going there for the first time, you should bring a friend. It helps if your friend is already into thrift stores, but if not, it is okay. Even two first timers would be able to be supportive of each other in this venture. If you go into a thrift store “blindly” you are just going to be too overwhelmed. You would probaly walk in then walk right out. Just like with anything new, it can be scary.
Sometimes the word thrift store brings up images of well worn clothing, uncleanliness, and filth. Some thrift stores look more like boutiques or department stores. They are organized, clean, and some even have free coffee and donuts. Clothes are separated by category, size, and even color. But thrift stores are more than just clothing and shoes. You can find furniture, books, appliances, household goods, electronics, computers, jewelry, and even cars. Yes, even cars. The majority of thrift store items come via donation. People who donate are given a tax deductible form. This way they can claim it on their taxes as a write off. So the items that they want to make big claims on are high dollar items. Cars and boats bring in a good chunk of change. Sometimes you may get a fixer upper, but most of the time you get a good used car for much less than some private owners would sell.
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Some of the other items I mentioned like jewelry and computers are also great finds for shallow pockets. I love real silver jewelry. I can not get enough of the stuff. A lot of times the sorters and pricers are unaware of the jewelry they have and mark it according to whether they feel it will sell or not. In doing this they do not look closely enough at the marks on a piece. A lot of times, they don’t know what they are looking at anyway. When it comes to silver, real silver, they have a several different stampings to signify that it is real. If the sorters and pricers don’t know, they just don’t know. I have gotten a lot of beautiful pieces for under a dollar. They even have some jewelry that they sell in bulk just because they can not untangle it or whatever. Now a day you can sell scrap and broken gold or silver jewelry and make some money from your thrift store finds. I know I have.
Computers. A lot of thrift stores now have people who are know how to work on computers. Most computers donated to thrift stores are just “older” versions. And just because they are “older” doesn’t mean that they don’t work. If you see a computer at the thrift store, they usually have them set up so that you can see they work. A lot of times you can buy a complete set up for under $200. That’s a great. I mean unless you are going to do some crazy high tech stuff. These computers will do the job. They are usually internet ready, have dvd/cd rom, have a version of Windows installed that might not be the newest, but just a step down, and are just the right thing if you want good basic capabilities.
Did I mention discounts? Yes, even thrift stores have discounts. The volume of items donated can far surpass the amount sold. In this case thrift stores will have sales, clearances, and even sometimes free offers. Most thrift stores have a color tag, or day discount system. Depending on the color tag, or day is what your discount will be. You may get 50% off the tag price, or maybe buy one get on free on Wednesday. Some places offer “bag sales”. This is where you are able to fill a bag up with anything in the store for a set price. Seasonal clearances are always happening and is the best way to save and get ready for the next year. Even better still is the “free table”. One of my favorite thrift stores has a free table. Yes, you can take whatever you want from that table. And boy, do they have some great stuff too. You just never know what you may find.
So, if you have read this entire article, I suggest that you look up some of your local thrift stores and check them out. Not only will you find some great items, but you will be saving money. In the long run it will help out yourself and support your local thrift store. By doing this who knows what it will do for the economy
Guest Post by Lisa Braithwaite
Creative businesses are fun! But, like any other business, creative businesses still require a lot of hard work. Most of us start a business because we’ve found something we are good at and passionate about, and we want to make a living doing what we love – for example, turning a favorite hobby into a business. Unfortunately, we often forget that there’s more to running a business than just doing the stuff we love.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the creative side of what we do and neglect the business side. If you want to make money and move from “hobbyist” to “entrepreneur,” here are some tips to help you make the transition.
1. Take yourself and your business seriously
Carry professional business cards, and not the free ones that have a generic template and advertising on the back. Put up your own website, even if you’re using a third-party seller. Get over the discomfort of approaching retail shops, galleries, media outlets and other professionals who can help you grow your business.
When people ask you what you do, tell them! “I’m an artist.” “I’m a handbag designer.” “I’m a writer.” Don’t shy away or show embarrassment just because you might be struggling, or don’t yet feel “successful,” or still have a part-time job. Hold your head high and be proud of your creations! When someone admires your necklace say, “Thank you, I’m a jewelry artist.”
2. Charge what you’re worth
If you keep your prices low from fear that no one will actually pay what your work is worth, you might as well stay a hobbyist. You have to take into account your materials, your labor, your overhead, your health insurance (you want health insurance, right?), vacations, family needs, retirement funding, and your general lifestyle. How much money do you want and need to make to have the kind of life you dream about?
You undermine the value of your work when you price according to fear and discomfort rather than looking at your own needs and what the market will bear. You also, by the way, undermine other creative entrepreneurs. Your customer then expects that every other soap maker, graphic designer and illustrator should offer their wares for the same low prices you do. So you hurt yourself by not bringing in as much money as you should, and you hurt the industry as well.
3. Learn all the aspects of your business, even the parts that aren’t as fun
As I mentioned above, most of us start a business out of passion and excitement for what we do. And it’s infinitely more fun to play with paint, experiment with designs, shop for materials, mix flavors and visit galleries than it is to pay invoices, maintain your website, and send out press releases.
I’m not saying that you have to do all of those things yourself. You can outsource any administrative task, hiring contract workers or a virtual assistant for example. Have a bookkeeper do your books, a web designer update your site, a rep sell your products.
However, knowing the basics of how your business works will protect you from quacks, scammers and other shady or unprofessional types. Also, if you’re without help for a period of time, it’s great to know how to add photos to your website, place a magazine ad or balance your books.
Being an entrepreneur can be frustrating, exhausting and gut-wrenching. It can also be exhilarating, rewarding and an amazing learning experience. Take pride in your work, take pride in all of your successes, and be willing to learn and grow. See yourself as a businessperson as well as a creative soul, and your business will flourish.
Lisa Braithwaite is a public speaking coach working with individuals and groups to build their skills and confidence as speakers. Her philosophy of public speaking is that it’s fun, it’s an awesome way to express yourself creatively, and that authenticity and passion are worth more than a thousand techniques.
Before launching her public speaking coaching business in 2005, she worked in the nonprofit sector in Santa Barbara for 16 years as an advocate, educator and trainer, creating and implementing programs, curricula, and training materials for nonprofit organizations. Her areas of expertise in the field of training and education have involved gender equity, domestic violence prevention, media literacy, adult learning principles, and communication skills development
In 1997, she co-founded Body Electric, an organization promoting sports, physical activity and gender equity for women and girls. In 2003, Lisa was honored for her work with Body Electric with the Louise Lowry Davis award, named for a pioneer in womens sports.
A lifelong jewelry artist, Lisa was the creative force and the “LB” behind Elle B. jewelry from 2004-2007, when she made the difficult decision to close up shop to focus on her coaching business.
Lisa received her B.A. in Theater from Pomona College and her M.A. in Education from UC Santa Barbara.
Website: http://www.coachlisab.com
Speak Schmeak blog: http://coachlisab.blogspot.com
