EURO TRASH........errr Ameritrash?

Remember Eurotrash - a photo menagerie? It was my weekly occasional posting of random photos that did not fit for other postings. Well......its back again. I suppose the term 'EuroTrash' is no longer appropriate since I'm not longer living in Europe. So what should it be called? AmeriTrash.....Pot Pourri? Any suggestions on the new name???

Ok, lets get started. Here is this week's MESS:

I couldn't resist taking this photo. While driving home from Seattle this week, I saw this car (complete with a plastic bag/duct taped window) daringly trying to carry a mattress home. The top was flapping all over, and any minute I expected it to be on my windshield. This would be so illegal in Germany.

At my military Christmas party, we have several State Troopers with our group. For FUN, we go through DUI (drunk driving - for my international friends) tests. It is VERY INTIMIDATING. Even though he has an 'Ugly Sweater' and a Santa hat on - don't be deceived. His voice and mannerisms were ALL BUSINESS. You never want to be pulled over for alcohol reasons, and watching this test in person was SCARY. I couldn't imagine if he had an actual uniform on and state trooper hat. Eeek!

Ugly Sweaters!!! No I didn't win....apparently only men can actually pull off the look since it's more believable. See the guy in the vest? That's Gary, he's one of my dearest friends. I served in Iraq with all 3 of these great guys - major respect for all of them.

So remember all of my hoop-la over MANPRIS? I can't help but think we were better off with MANPRIS over these hideous denim shorts. Yes - these are for MEN and I spotted them last week at my beloved H&M. Which...for the record - the American H&M sucks is no where near the coolness of European H&M. Could you imagine your guy busting out these shorts for your next event? The horror.

There is a gadget for everything, and Pier 1 is now offering stockings for your chair legs. This was at my sisters house, and because of how her chair legs were designed, the stockings looked pigeon toed. Who thinks of this stuff?

That's it for now!

xoxo,
Michelle

FRESH ITEMS AT THE YARD SALE

NEW ITEMS have been posted at the HPCB (hot pink combat boots) Yard Sale. Some items have already been sold as  savvy-bloggers were quick to see the posting before I had the chance to announce it here.

This week features new French skirts, accessories and of course a random smattering of 'stuff'.

Want to have first dibs on the next round of goodies? Simply sign up to receive emails when new items are posted.

Visit the homepage to sign up!

ADDED BONUS: I ship worldwide, and the US Dollar's value is low to other international currency's. The deals get even better when you consider the strength of your money. All purchases are lovingly wrapped and are shipped the same day payment is received.

It's All Too Much

Unpacking has been a bit of a challenge. Not that I don't have room for my new things, it's just that the cupboards, closets and drawers haven't seemed very organized - and the thought of just 'adding to it', seemed pointless. Where I have wanted to jump right back into selling on Ebay, I haven't been able to get organized enough to find a starting point.

 

On Monday- after having a fantastic lunch with Ms. SassyNerd, I had a 5 hour drive back home. I listened to  'ITS JUST TOO MUCH' by British professional organizer Peter Walsh (entertaining accent btw). Remember the TV show on TLC called Clean Sweep? Yeah - that's him. This 'in-your-face-approach' walked me through the process of organizing and letting go of the crap in my house - room by room. I'm lucky in the sense that I live alone, so any mess that is there was made by me. Others are not so lucky, since the clutter is coming in from multiple people. This audio tape covers the language and phrases you can use with family members to keep the arguments to a minimum.

A word on CLUTTER. My home is clean and neat - on the surface. But if you start poking through the drawers you'd probably think to yourself - "why in the world does she have this tablet, candles, scarves, shoe cleaning set, 3 hammers random stuff item in here? We are all guilty of hanging on to excess, and for the most part we simply buy more 'orgainizers' and  boxes to keep the extra stuff tidy. 

My hallway closet has been organized, and frequently used items placed together in bins. See the empty space? Errr, I should probably change out the shelf liner. That was there when I bought the home 6 years ago.

Bin 1 - new drugstore/cosmetic items.

Bin 2 - nail polish, remover, cotton, clippers.

Bin 3 - Spa stuff (facial steamer, masks, muds). Sunscreen was grouped together in a box (there was 4 brand new bottles!)

Bottom Shelf: linens and towels  (still in the laundry room - awaiting the purge process).


After listening to his words of wisdom, I immediately started purging at home. I have a huge garage sale pile building up downstairs - and yesterday spent 5 hours alone on the dressing room. No - it's still not done, but should be with another hour or so. I've already found things I've forgotten I've had, and the purging process has been exhilarating. It's like once you start - you can't stop. 



Drawers were purged mercilessly. This drawer hold my tights - and organized using a Christmas Ornament sorter. Yes - I have a tight problem. You should see my sockens!



The biggest 2 points made in the book.  ONE: things in  your home should represent something you love and honor - so they are given a place of prominence. Items you don't love, should be REMOVED - this includes inherited items you feel obligated to keep, other peoples items that you are storing, and anything else that does not serve a purpose. TWO: envision what you want for the room. How do you see yourself in this space, and are the contents supporting or taking away from that intent?



The north view of the dressing room. Better....but I still want to get rid of the shoe rack  (I'll get an over the door rack instead). My yard sale  next spring is going to be HUGE.



The #1 reason people hang on to their stuff is because, 'They (or someone else) paid alot of money for it". The ANSWER? Chuck it - it's costing you more to store this stuff in your home, and is taking up precious space. Not to mention the added clutter is a source of anxiety. Ditch it - either give it away, throw it away or box it up for you massive YARD SALE.

This West facing wall in the dressing room is a giant silver peg-board, and holds all of my handbags, scarves, belts and crap. This still needs to be purged, but shouldn't take long....

I feel like I could write a 10-page post on this topic. With New Years around the corner, and the the pending influx of unwanted gifts (generating more clutter.....) - consider you own personal space, and the items you've selected to reside with you. It feels wonderful to have a clean and organized space - even if they are spaces hidden behind closet doors and drawer fronts.

Thats all for now - I'm off to go shopping now that I have all of this extra space finish the dressing room!

xoxo
Michelle

Interested in listening to this amazing audio book? I found mine at a recycled book shop for $15, but you can find it for cheap on Amazon ($10!). Warning - it will make you purge everything and will change how you look at 'stuff'.

After Hours Cocktail Dress - the final outfit for Palm Springs

Ok - so this is it. The final dress for the 3-outfit Palm Springs (Frank Sinatra themed) event. Yes......I know it's 60's and not 50's, but it's EARLY 60's and seemed perfect for an after hours event. These are the 'before' photos as it is currently being altered for a better fit.

So...just to recap, I am wearing authentic VINTAGE clothing for all 3 events. Yes....I could have purchased brand new pieces, but it was more enjoyable to recycle existing pieces into something unique. To keep the look modern, 2 of the 3 dresses are being altered, and a mix of new and re-purposed accessories will keep the outfits interesting. 

Brande sent me an amazing hat to wear with it - similar to this one.



The neck, front and cuffs have an embroidered ribbon in silver. The dress was $13 at the Vintage Warehouse in Freemont (Seattle) Washington. However....the alterations are going to be EXPENSIVE with the amount of alterations required, so I will probably end up spending around $100.  Still a deal considering what you would pay for 'new'.  

Extra short and sassy!
I'll def wear black boy shorts underneath to keep from showing my bum on the dance floor. Actually I wanted to wear SILVER HOT PANTS, but Vintage Stylist/Consultant Brande (Victory Vintage) talked me gently off of the ledge . Thanks Brande. PS - I love your new vlog on accessories!

CHERRY RED lipstick, pear/diamond earrings and a silver clutch complete the look. UPDATE on the RED DRESS: You spoke, and I listened. I'm sticking with the red dress, but am switching the shoes to a nude-platform-peep-toe pump, and lighter toned belt. (Pending Brande approval - of course).



COME FIND ME! 
I'm doing a CHRISTMAS SPECIAL at Green Tea and Cupcakes. Want to see what I love about Christmas? You can read the short post HERE.

xoxo,

Michelle

German Bliss!

Hello from Seattle!

Look at these cool German Lederhosen-inspired suede shorts I found at 'Forever 21' today. A total steal at $29! Paired with ribbed tights and a cropped sweater (or fitted turtleneck) = weird German girl, STYLE QUEEN.

And yes...... I hoisted up my gray skirt and tried on these shorts in the middle of the store. Who cares, right?

xoxo,
Michelle

PS - Photo courtesy of my crap phone camera...

PSS - I tried to find a shopping link for you, and I can't find these online. Sorry!

Bowls, Trees, Beds + Giveway Winner Announced

I normally don't get this excited over a salad bowl, but i found this yesterday at a thrift store from $5. It's SOLID TEAK and looks to have been used once. I just found a similar one for $155!!!

I remember the BAD salad bowls from my youth - you know.... the extra-thin-wood-patch patterned crap bowl? I think salads are more fun when served out of a sophisticated bowl. Since the bowl has already been seasoned with olive oil -I can use less oil in my dressings.




See? It's taller than the nightstand. Odd.

 After years and years of sleeping on a worn-out mattress, I finally went mattress shopping and found the perfect one (for a hefty price, of course). It was delivered yesterday, and I can't get over how TALL the bed is now. Mr. C (who is 6'3), can sit on the edge and his feet still dangle above the floor. Me (at 5'4 - barely), I feel like a child who climbed into the top of a  BUNK BED. Is this height normal?

It is comfortable though.........even though I feel RIDICULOUSLY CLOSE to the ceiling fan........




The tree is up! This is my op-shopped $12 tree that I found 2 years ago. I bought it as a joke, since I was going to paint it GOLD and use it as part of a 70's themed Christmas party. I ended up loving the light color in the house, so it is now the official Christmas Tree. At night is looks like its glowing... and it really shows off the ornaments. I have a theme each year - and this one is birds, red berries with gold accents. Simple and easy. Last year was peacocks and silver. The previous year -60's gold bomb.

Ms. Angela!

GIVEAWAY UPDATE:

We have a winner for the Hot Pink Passport Cover from Australia. Using the random number generator, a big congratulations goes out to MS. ANGELA from the  REFLECTIONS blog. She lives in Malta - which is an island  in the middle of nowhere. I'm guessing she is pretty excited any chance she has to travel off of the island. Thank you to everyone else for signing up, I appreciate your comments and support.



xoxo

Michelle

PS - I'm off to Seattle today for an UGLY sweater party with my military friends and BFF Gary. This trip should make for some good blogging material......

Welcome to my YARD SALE - it's a pretty good time

 

Hello Kittens!

I have a bit of a dilemma ( a good dilemma, but still a dilemma nonetheless)........I  have TOO MUCH STUFF. Between eBay inventory (from my previous store - before I lived in Germany), existing wardrobe, and an entirely NEW wardrobe from Europe....unpacking has been next to impossible. 



SHOP HERE



To make room for the new and to simplify  my existing dressing room, I am starting up stores on Etsy and eBay again . In addition, I'm creating a store on my blog where you will have first dibs at the merchandise -at prices lower than what will be listed online. 

Welcome to Hot Pink Combat Boot's YARD SALE. I will post items for sale here before they are sold via eBay or Etsy. There will be a variety of items in ranging sizes - to include accessories, household, shoes, clothing and men's garments.

All currencies are accepted via Pay Pal, and I ship WORLDWIDE (usually same day service). Happy shopping!

xoxo,

Michelle