Week 9

The item: Three lamps. The second Eiffel Tower lamp and a set of 2 matching silver-tone table lamps. 
The backstory: As with the first one, the second Eiffel Tower lamp was sitting in the basement, along with one of the 2 silver lamps. The other part of the set was being used in the guest bedroom, but it wasn't a permanent fit. I listed the pair together, thinking they'd sell faster, but didn't think that all 3 lamps would sell all at once, so now I need to figure out a better lighting solution for the guest bedroom. Oops. 
Method of expulsion: Sold online.
Monetary impact: $50
YTD monetary impact: $118.88

Confused? Here's what's going on.

W3

"You are not Atlas carrying the world on your shoulder. It is good to remember that the planet is carrying you.” – Vandana Shiva

(Thank you Corinna.)

Sunday Stuff

What's Your Hidden Talent? Sweet. "Half perfectionist, half spaz." At least it's a magical combination? via Shutterbean

Earnestness and The Power of Vulnerability (2nd video down).

End each day like this. via Sassy Radish

Downtown Abbey Christmas Special Drinking Game. Who's with me?

I love Harriet the Spy. I hope Josephine does too. via Go Fug Yourself

And I wish we could send her to "forest kindergarten." via Design Mom

English Muffin Bread.

Week 8

The item: Set of 20 wall plates (Meet Ms. Switchplate -- she'll light up your life!) 
The backstory: When we bought our house, these silver wall plates were on every light switch and outlet in the place, and for some reason we both just couldn't stand them. I don't know why, they look classy in other homes, but perhaps with all of our white trim they just stood out too much. Replacing them all was one of our first "updates" (we downgraded to cheaper white wall plates that blend in better) to the house, and these silver ones have been in the basement ever since.
Method of expulsion: Sold online
Monetary impact: $30
YTD monetary impact:  $68.88

Confused? Here's what's going on.

W3 (Words of Wisdom Wednesdays)

“It's funny: I always imagined when I was a kid that adults had some kind of inner toolbox full of shiny tools: the saw of discernment, the hammer of wisdom, the sandpaper of patience. But then when I grew up I found that life handed you these rusty bent old tools - friendships, prayer, conscience, honesty - and said 'do the best you can with these, they will have to do'. And mostly, against all odds, they do.” ― Anne Lamott, via Sprouted Kitchen

Sunday Stuff

Why Writers are the Worst Procrastinators via Sassy Radish

I'm in love with this Kickstarter project. via Design Mom

One of my favorite Etsy shops has re-launched, and it is jam-packed with fun vintage finds. Pop over and check it out -- but hands off the bird mugs, unless you're shopping for me that is...

Week 7

The item: Cuisinart Convection Bread Maker
The backstory: This one was bittersweet for me.

I am Rachel-esque in my propensity for returning gifts. It's not that I don't appreciate the thought that went into the gift, but I have no interest in keeping something around the house that I don't like, doesn't fit, or just isn't me. I swap it and still think about the person and the love behind the gift when I wear it or use it. (Honestly.)

BUT, on the other hand, if it was a gift that I loved, I have a really really hard time letting go of it when it no longer fits or gets used. (Chalk it up to a weird personality quirk?) That was the case with this bread machine. It was a gift from my father (Thanks Dad!) when we were living in Japan (The land of loaves of bread that looked like this -- hello, Texas toast.), and it was wonderful to be able to make bread that reminded us of home. Once we were back in the States though, it just didn't get used, so now it's living with a mom who is excited to make bagels in it.

Method of expulsion: Sold online.
Monetary impact: $35
YTD monetary impact: $38.88

Confused? Here's what's going on.

PS: Happy Valentine's Day! Or just Happy Friday! I'm not anti-Valentine's Day, but I am all about these bitter cocktails. And I'm sending a virtual nerdy card to each and every one of you.

Week 6

The item: Cherry Bombe Magazine Issue 1 
The backstory: Due to an ordering snafu, I ended up being the proud owner of two of the same magazine. It's a great magazine (and more like a book really), but I don't need a duplicate, so off it went to a new home.
Method of expulsion: Gifted to a fellow food lover.
Monetary impact: $3.17 in shipping.
YTD monetary impact: $3.88

Confused? Here's what's going on.

Sunday Stuff

Lots of links. A post may or may not have fallen through the cracks, so some of this content is from the fall...but still interesting enough to share:

What do London Underground stops taste like? via Chocolate & Zucchini

Craigslist mirrors.

11 Reasons Baseball is Going to Seriously Miss Jim Leyland

I would absolutely watch The Midnight Coterie Of Sinister Intruders. (If it was real of course.)

One of my favorite women on the planet is running for Congress. The answers to her Campaign FAQs alone is enough to give me chills. (But I also loved watching her ride around with RuPaul.)

Vintage Crime Scene Photos Superimposed on Modern NY Streets via Juniper Moon Farm

20th Century Headlines Rewritten to Get More Clicks via Dooce

30 Non-Americans on the American Norms They Find Weird.

Water balloons + bald men. via shutterbean

I belong in the 50s. Maybe? via shutterbean

Which state matches your personality? I allegedly belong in Oregon. via shutterbean

How did it get to be okay for people to be late for everything? I have no idea. I am rarely late because the thought of being late stresses me out SO MUCH. The idea that I might be late is enough for me to break into a sweat and start sending apologetic texts. Hate. being. late. via shutterbean

I am 72% right-brained. via shutterbean

And why creative people sometimes make no sense. via shutterbean

What this kid knew when she was 2.