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Showing posts with label Thrift Trick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thrift Trick. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Mindful Grrl


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I've been working...a lot. Behind the scenes!

Some of my readers may not know that I am also a full time student at the moment; having funneled my language arts degree in to a new endeavor (a B.A. in public relations), I have very little free time! In fact, I've been hitting the books hard (4.0 student, thankyouverymuch) and I've also been working full time as a PR practitioner for a non-profit school (where I have been the last 14 years), as well as being a mommy, and planning a wedding! Phew!

Therefore, re-branding seemed like something that was beyond my reach for quite some time. I thought for so many hours about what I wanted to say, who I really am, and how I was going to make the difficult transition.

Without further ado (yet with much to do in the future), I present to you my new blog name:

Mindful Grrl.

Why?

Thrift Trick has been an amazing outlet for me. And it communicates so much of what I still hold steadfast regarding a life that embraces conservation, living within means, and enjoying the things around us that still have so much life. Yet, as many readers have likely noticed, one of my main focuses isn't just being conscious in your spending habits, it is being conscious and confident in your daily life. From what you think, to how you shop, to what you put in to your mouth.

Why is being conscious and confident so important to me? Because it didn't always come easily for me, and it still doesn't.


Part of the idea of consciousness is mindfulness; you must seek to be aware at all times, or things can easily slip away. Every day of my life I feel temptations--from blowing my money on things I don't need, to mindlessly snacking, to shaming or devaluing my own body.  Staying intentional, daily, is something that takes effort and can prove to be challenging, and I want my blog to not only share with you my personal journey in maintaining those efforts, but also, inspire you to take charge yourself (because even if you have already, you still need a cheerleader!).

If you have known me personally for any length of time, than you probably are aware of my support and interest in women's issues, and feminism. A teen of the 90's, I spent many hours in my room listening to riot girl bands and standing up for feminine equality (and racial equality). My egalitarian viewpoints these days are shaped by intersectional feminism, cultural awareness and a readiness to react to the world around me, both politically and culturally. The "grrl" in my new blog name reflects that attitude and is a nod to thinking outside the box as a woman...and a grrl. This is SO important when we begin to have truthful and illuminating conversations about positive body image!

Regarding the blog's actual transformation, please be patient with me as the changes come! I thought for sure I would be done with my renovation by early April, but speaking engagements, radio appearances (more on that soon!) and design work has taken much longer than expected.

For now, know that you will soon notice social network changes, and the new website and blog will be coming soon as well. I hope you will come along with me in this new journey that will bring you more of what you have enjoyed at Thrift Trick, as well as new and more meaningful conversations.

Cheers!

Chantal

P.S. I'm not giving up my outfit posts! Or my thrifting adventures! =)

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

LIFE EVENT: I said yes.


My new life-altering peice of jewelry...

LIFE EVENT: I said yes.

It's hard to believe it. For many years, I said I didn't even respect the convention of marriage. I never really talked about my personal relationships in my blog, and I always felt it was better that way. Sometimes, life changes can be hard, and maintaining a level of privacy is always important. I think there was always a part of me that was running from it...scared to truly depend on someone, and let it go.

That began to change a year and a half ago, when I started dating my best friend (and I mean, literally, my best friend of 20 years!). He was everything that I ever wanted in a partner, and more. He was dependable, loyal, feminist, creative, intelligent, caring, musical, doting, gentle, and wonderful with my son. He was supportive, interested in my life and...he even liked thrift store shopping.

This last weekend, we took a romantic weekend to northern Michigan, and, while we sat in the sun on Bellaire lake, drinking Peach Spumante from Lemon Creek Winery with our toes in the sand, he fumbled around in the pockets of his shorts for the ring he had been hiding there (shown above!), and asked me to marry him. It was his first proposal, as well as mine.

I said yes. <3

I'm not kidding when I say that the shouts of joy, comments, high fives and cheers have literally surrounded us for days in a warm cloud of happy approval--from family to long time friends. And, it only took about one day after our "Facebook Official" status for the requests to come in to my inbox about blogging the wedding. As if I wasn't planning on it, right?

So here's to inhibitions and privacy out the window. Come along with me in this journey to create a beautiful wedding on a shoestring budget, with as many recycled, vintage or thrifted materials as possible! Share in my joy!

Believe it or not, the date has already been set--September 26th of 2015. Until then, I will be featuring regular updates on how things are going with my wedding planning--from the venue, to thrifting DIYs and Pinterest boards, makeup, hair, and positive body image along the way (who doesn't need an extra dose of self love before their big day?) and I hope you will follow along with me!

Look for the "My Wedding" navigation button at the top of the blog so that you can get all of my wedding related posts in one click! 



Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Check me out on MICHIGAN RADIO--Today!!



CHECK ME OUT ON MICHIGAN RADIO, TODAY, APRIL 16th!

Did you miss me? No worries,
Listen to the archive here!


Hey everyone!! Don't miss me today on Stateside with Cynthia Canty, from Michigan Radio
a part of the NPR network. 

Stream it at 3 and 10 p.m. today, April 16th, here online:

I'll be talking with the show's host, Cynthia Canty, as well as Brenda Parker, PHD from the University of Illinois about trends in thrift, being eco-conscious, and also body image!


Tune in on the following radio stations to hear me:

91.7 Ann Arbor

91.1 Detroit

104.1 W. Michigan



Saturday, December 24, 2011

Upon a Cozy Giveaway's Eve...










It's here! The eve of my first giveaway on Thrift Trick. I'm sure more will come!
It's those darn cute mug warmers! And guess what? They are both handmade by yours truly from upcycled and thrifted fabrics and adorned with vintage buttons!

They fit a standard mug or travel mugs too. Aren't they just adorable? They are stuffed with poly-fill so the insulated wrap should help hold in the heat, especially from ceramic mugs.

FREE FOR YOU!

How do you win these? Oh yeah! Too simple! Just subscribe to my blog with feedburner by clicking this link and remember: activate! Only active subscriptions will be entered.
OR, become a fan on my Facebook page and share it! Then you are also entered. Make sure you let me know you've done this by commenting on the page! I'll see you. :)

I'll draw two names tomorrow morning for Christmas and announce on FB, as well as emailing. After I've collected addresses I'll ship out this week!

Thanks so much for reading the blog. May all the blessings and joy of the holiday season be yours!

Chantal

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