I am suddenly dying to get a tattoo

but only if Amanda Wachob does it. Check out her gorgeous art tattoos. They are elegant and painterly, and very different from any tattoo I have ever seen before.

Vintage Bathroom Update

The bathroom is shaping up! I have new walls and it looks like I'll be able to paint tonight or tomorrow. The floor should go in tomorrow as well. SWEET! Just days away from having a totally re-hauled, fully functional bathroom again. It will be such a luxury. Stay tuned for snapshots.

And for those of you who are wondering, my foot is doing much better too. I'm finally able to walk around without too much pain.

Vintage Bathroom

With the help of my mom, sister, and boyfriend, the hideous bathroom in my adorable Bloomington bungalow is slowly morphing into something beautiful. However, there have been some serious costs! Last night I stepped on a couple of nails, so the project is on hault for a couple of days. Luckily, that means I can bet back to work on the Etsy shop. So here are some photos of the demolition phase. Hopefully work can resume soon, so that I can post photos of the final product! Some of the features will be:

• a vintage clawfoot tub, complete with copper feet
• a HEATED slate floor
• an uncovering of the long-long window that was once concealed by the tub surround
• a pedestal sink
• gorgeous vintage-look faucets
• a faux copper ceiling (eventually)
• a shaving mirror
• some built-in cabinets

I have so much to look forward to, but there is still so much work to be done.

Throw a dinner party.

In the midst of the throes of my summer projects, I have realized that my home has descended into utter chaos. Personally, I don't mind working amongst the clutter, but even I have my limits! I read a fantastic tip for house cleaning motivation: THROW A DINNER PARTY FOR YOUR FRIENDS! Brilliant. I don't want anyone to see my house in the state that it's in, so I'm going to schedule a get-together with some of my closest pals. I'll probably stock the table with some local wines and delicious, adventurous light fare. Maybe I'll spring for some fresh flowers from the farmer's market. My favorite part is that I'll be busting out some of the fancier vintage wares hidden away in my kitchen.
Is it time to tidy up your nest? Schedule your own dinner party! The deadline can be a really great motivator to tie up the loose ends on your summer projects. These beautiful BirdsChasingBugs housewares are there for you if you're craving something fancy to spruce up your home.

Mission Statement

I think it's time that I shared with you all why I am so into vintage. It runs much deeper that dealing in pretty things. At the risk of sounding grandiose, here goes:

I want to change the way that the world buys things. I especially want to change the way that AMERICA buys things. As a society, we have been on a non-stop, production-heavy, highly disposable roll. It makes my stomach turn a little when I think of all of the STUFF that is out there, floating around in the world, unwanted and unused because people opted for new stuff. Don't get me wrong, every once in a while I just crave something brand-new and never before owned. Also, sometimes vintage clothing just doesn't cut it. At a tall and fleshy size 12, I have a really hard time wearing all vintage all the time. Old clothes just don't usually fit me, but there's always a gem out there, in my size, waiting to be discovered. So you bodaciously curvy ladies, you listen up too! Vintage isn't just for the waifs and the long, lanky ladies. Curves are in and they will fit into vintage as well!

Beyond the strictly "20 years or older" vintage rule that Etsy lays out, I also believe that it is best to try to buy used before I result to buying something new, in ANY CATEGORY of daily life. If I need a toaster oven, I'm going to troll Craigslist and the local thrift stores for a good, clean, working-order toaster oven before I EVER think about hitting my local chain stores. This saves the conscience and the wallet. Furthermore, the mixture of things that you end up surrounded by is evermore eclectic and interesting! Want to start a great conversation when some friends are over? Bust out a set of nesting coffee cups that stack into a neat little column and stow away in the tiniest of corners!

I'm rambling, so I guess my point is, if you don't want to be a part of filling our earth with excessive junk, please consider buying vintage or previously-owned. As a society, we need to slow down and think about what it is we're doing to our Earth. It's the only one we get, after all. Be a part in slowing it down. Demand less "shiny new" and turn to things that have already been made. You'll love the result!

Are you looking for something specific? Vintage or not, comment and list items you're lusting after. Name a reasonable price, and I'll find it for you! Simply email me at anidealinsideofme@gmail.com. If it's out there, I can find it! It's the most affordable personal shopping you'll ever find.

So the 4th of July has passed. We've seen our fireworks and had our giant barbecues. What's left on your summer agenda? Every year, after the 4th of July, it seems like our summers fly by! Here's my summer-time list:

• go on a roadtrip - check
• go to the quarries - check
• go to the lake - check, but needs to be done several more times!
• set up my Etsy "studio space" - NEEDS ATTENTION
• eat some hot dogs - a girl's work is never done in this area
• find some fantastic boots for the shop for fall - in progress
• organize my inventory
• have an art show - the proposal is in the drafting process
• get some paintings on Etsy
• release the "grumpy birds" upcycled line - way behind on this one!
• oh yeah, re-do my entire bathroom - starts tomorrow

Well, you get the point. It's time to carpe diem, ladies and gentlemen! The clock is ticking.

LAST DAY!

It's the last day to take advantage of the BOGO sale at BirdsChasingBugs! If you've been lusting after some items in the shop, don't miss this opportunity to get half off of the lesser purchase!

Pinup Heels are #100

100 items in the shop, and what the perfect item for this milestone listing! These shoes are GORGEOUS. I'm not so up-to-date on my garment history, although I'm learning. If any of you ladies out there know some better key words or more technical terms about these shoes or shoes in general, then please share your knowledge with me! It would be so very appreciated.

Some new textures await you in BirdsChasingBugs, PLUS I'll be photographing the loot that I picked up at Salvation Army, so there's something to look forward to in the future ;)