3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

shopping

Day 190/365: Summer Wardrobe on A Budget

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New Summer Wardrobe
New Summer Wardrobe

I love getting new clothes, especially when they are such a bargin. What’s the damage this time?

  • 5 pairs of shorts (two brand new from Casual Corner with tags $29.95)
  • 2 shirts (one with new tag $34.95)
  • 2 skirts
  • 1 purse
  • 1 summer book
Bargin Price!!
Bargin Price!!

A grand total of $21.50, juts the clothes with the tags were $96.00 retail. With bargains like this I can get a new summer wardrobe every year. Where did I find everything? My favorite thrift store, Bits N’ Pieces in Elmwood. Why would I ever shop retail with prices like this? I’m so spoiled.

Day 90/365: Bangles at Coop deVille

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Bangle jewelry bracelet
Day 90-: Bangle bracelet,

This week I went shopping at one of my favorite stores, Coop DeVille & Feathers, in Louisville Nebraska. Both stores are a woman’s shopping heaven. Everything from funky jewelry, purses, whimsical gifts, and decorating doodads made out of the most unique items. Everything is displayed in the most creative fashion the whole place is a feast for the eyes in an array of color.

These bangle bracelets  is just of one of my favorite pictures, love the way I captured the sparkle and shine, but I took so many that I’m going to break the rule of the 365 project and post pictures from the same day in this series. Hey, it’s my project, so I can make the rules.  Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing.  In the meantime you can visit the Coop de Ville & Feathers Facebook page.

Photoshop Notes: Cropped, added standard action layers, added more sharpness to the rhinestones, adjusted layers brought the right marker to the edge of the histogram,adjusted the color to get the original pink color of the bracelet. The original image is  below.

SOOC (straight out of camera)
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Day 89/365: Coop de Ville, a Shopping Paradise

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For the next two days I’m going to break out of the typical 365 Project rules. I took so many neat pictures during my shopping trip at Coop de Ville and  Feathers that I’m going to expand a little and break out of the one photo limit. Won’t do this often, but hopefully you’ll forgive me this time.

Welcome to Feathers

Coop de Ville & Feathers are two dynamite retail stores. They have everything a chick needs for her home, her garden, her gift giving needs and herself.

Feathers Gift Shop- Louisville, NE
Unique way of displaying jewelry and scarves.

Photoshop notes: the lighting was perfect in the store, nice big windows so the only adjustment I did was add an artistic plastic wrap effect.

Don't forget to look UP!!

Why does an old refrigerator door look perfect on this wall and not mine? I just couldn’t pull off the forks and knives either.

You look Maaaarvelous My Dear

Around every corner is a new visual vision for the eyes, something unexpected, whimsical, and things that are normally out of place, look like they belong. Don’t know her name, but she looks Maarvelous!

Paperdoll Wall

Across from the lady in the bathtub is this wall, yes decoupaged with paperdolls and whimsical funny sayings. “Being in therapy is great, I spend an hour talking about myself. It’s kinda being a guy on a date.  Caroline Shea” or “It’s the good girls who keep diaries, bad girls don’t have the time- Takiah Bankhead” Note the whimsical light at the top and the old hair dryer? There is so much to see in each room, around every corner that it’s easy to miss things.

Don’t worry, I’ll revisit the stores, there will be random posts throughout the year, but if you would like to get a regular does of whimsy visit the Coop de Ville & Feathers  Facebook page. Both stores are located in Louisville Nebraska, just 30 minutes from Lincoln or Omaha. If you visit, reserve and afternoon.

Day 71/365: Purses and Camera Bags

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Purses, Purses and more purses. A trip to my local thrift store, Bits N’ Pieces on a quest for a purse that I can convert to a  camera bag.

Thirft store shopping for a camera bag
Day 71: Thrift Store Shopping

I’m really not purse obsessed, but I do get bored with the same one and have to switch it out every few months. For that reason I can’t justify spending a small fortune on a purse, so I keep my eyes open for bargains at thrift stores. I’m on a quest for purses that can be converted to a camera case.

 BBP DSLR Camera Insert, Make Your Own Camera Bag – Orange

Now, if I were to go and buy a brand new purse it would have to be multi-purpose for me that means a combination purse and camera bag. I like to carry my photo gear with me everywhere, you never know when you’re going to see an amazing sunset, a bald eagle, or a perfect photo opportunity.

Red Tote & Shoot Camera Bag By

But, I don’t like carrying my camera bag separately. Nor, do I like using my plain, boring camera bag as my handbag. I may not have much fashion sense, but I do know that black does NOT go with everything. A camera bag can be stylish and functional at the same time.

Purse and Camera Bag Combination

Each one of these fashionable camera bags also has the convenience of extra pockets for wallets, cell phones, keys and credit cards. I haven’t decided which one I want yet. But so far I like the looks of the Tote and Shoot variety which has a separate zippered pouch to easily pull out your camera, it not only has the short straps but a cross-body strap for a “hands free” carrying option. Kinda like a messenger bag.

Kattee Canvas Cow Leather DSLR SLR VintageKattee Fashion PU Leather Canvas DSLR CameraGracie MintRed Tote & Shoot Camera Bag ByCosmos New Classic Vintage Casual Brown ShoulderKattee Vintage PU Leather/ Canvas DSLR CameraKelly Moore Posey 2 Women’s Multifunction CameraBlue Tote & Shoot Camera Bag By

Day 58/365: Another Dog Toy Bites the Dust

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Day 58: Grrrrr….Give me my toy!!

The search for the indestructible dog toy continues. Why do I try? Because it’s fun, because I like a challenge, and one day Brody might learn that the fun will last longer if he doesn’t totally destroy his squeaky toys. This time is was with a line from Tuffy Dog Toys.

When I worked for a pet supply company I had a lot of excuses to indulge my dog. I tried different dog foods, various types of dog toys, and all kinds of  dog treats. Brody eats anything so that wasn’t really a fair test.

But, I digress, back to the dog toy test. My daughter played tug of war, keep away, and pulled him around the kitchen. It wore Brody completely out. He actually didn’t eviscerate this rabbit for over an hour, but was content to slobber and just gnaw.

It took almost three hours this very determined Jack Russell to break through the 3 layers of fabric and reach the stuffing. then it was an all out war on the dog toy. Kill the Rabbit, kill the rabbit,…isn’t that from a movie, I think Bugs Bunny.

The squeaker came out first, then all the stuffing, all over the floor. When the toy was sufficiently dead and just the skin left the novelty of the toy was over.

I now have a Boxer, in addition to my Jack, and Leah loves stuffed animals and carries them around like a baby. So as long as it doesn’t have a squeaker

This was also a level 9 dog toy from MyDogToy.com and it’s a good thing I participate in the Dog Testing program, otherwise these experiments would cost me a fortune.