2010 Rocked...and was Rocky: Lessons Learned

Posted by Unknown at 11:15 PM

I won't waste your time with a boring New Years resolutions list or joy-kill your day by talking about how awful 2010 was. It just wasn't that bad. I want to share a few lessons I learned in 2010 as a friend, wife, business owner, employee and daughter of Richard and Beverly Perry.

1. The best part of adulthood (opposed to high school and college), is that you get to choose who your friends are. I lost many "friends" in 2010 and I chose not to pursue a friendship with several folks. Yeah, my going-out roster is sort of short....but my life is so much more authentic and the friends I do have are appreciated beyond words.

2. My advice to married folks or soon-to-be is to have fun. My friend @artchild gave me this advice and I live by it completely. I have the most fun with my husband and we try to always show each other something new about the world. Always a surprise.

3. Being a business owner is a huge sacrifice. I mean HUGE. Everyone's not meant to do it. But if you're going to do it, be a business person first and a person of your craft second. Too often we're so excited about our passion and we neglect the idea of being a business person. We have to do better.

4. Sam Fine said it best: "There's a difference between gaining exposure and being exploited." I learned and owned my worth in 2010. Bout time!

5. I truly believe that we owe it to our parents to be in a position to take care of them. I forgot about that for a minute...but now that I've been reminded I'm about to get even more beasty on ya'll;).

I say forget the goals, commitments and the plain out stressful strategies. Just plan to be better in 2011. So much that you look back and ask yourself, "What the heck was I thinking in 2010?" Blessings.

Photo Creds: Brian Ellison

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When Being a Compulsive Shopper Becomes a Drag...

Posted by Unknown at 1:01 PM

About 9 months prior to my wedding earlier this year, I made the vow to not shop anymore. I did pretty good, only breaking my vow on special occasions where cocktail dresses were warranted and when a heavier coat was needed for travel.



Since then I've managed to only go on mini-splurges when traveling or thrifting. However, I've since developed a greater appreciation for the clothes that I currently own and my love for the real, real thrift stores has grown significantly. When you're a true thrifter, it becomes increasingly more difficult to justify spending insane amounts of money on "designer" brands and vintage clothes that are stupidly marked up.



So, one day reality struck. What started happening was, I'd go out and buy an outfit for an event. Wear it. Then go home to my closet and think, "Dang, I forgot about this dress." Which is usually one of my favorite pieces that I don't get enough wear out of. 

(This is just a snapshot of the insane amount of unworn clothes I own)


While I'm not quite as crafty as the New Dress a Day gal, in desperate times I've turned dresses into skirts, dresses into blouses and more. As of Friday, December 10th 2010 I will no longer buy clothes until January 1st 2012. The only exception will be for wedding attire, jewelry, undergarments and shoes (specifically flip-flops...I'm way too rough on them), and the occasional travel necessities. Essentially, I will not be going on any impulsive sprees. Or making any impulsive purchases for that matter. 

Stay tuned for my remixing, self-disciplined and sometimes frustrating journey. I'll also post about my financially liberating experiences;).