Constructionism

Enjoi Manorexic Green Jeans - like them, but they are TOO LONG!

2009-12-15T15:41:41Z

Dolce & Gabbana D&G Mens Army Green Low Rise Denim Jeans

2009-12-15T15:30:30Z

Dolce & Gabbana D&G Mens Army Green Low Rise Denim Jeans

I am still searching for the perfect pair of green jeans. My father and I both snap up green denim when we can find it - in thrift stores, at garage sales, etc.

These jeans are not quite the shade of green we want, but I posted this picture here to illustrate how jeans should fit. I get truly irritated reading all of the magazine copy fussing over jean fit. They are jeans for the love of god!. They should be loose and flattering like this pair. I am tired of women complaining that they can't find a flattering pair of jeans. Again, you are buying jeans, not a couture dress!

This is why I often turn to men's jeans to get the right waistline.

More blue collar decorating....bathroom in Whiting, Indiana

2009-12-13T07:58:05Z

Listing Images

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Fergie knows how to wear a green jeans too!!

2009-12-09T14:26:42Z

Fergie-1.jpg (JPEG Image, 300x459 pixels)

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Green jeans. Like, REAL green jeans

2009-12-09T14:20:30Z

Every time I find a pair of green jeans - whether they are new, in a thrift store or resale shop, I snap them up.

One of the things I love most about the internet....

2009-11-29T00:14:30Z

348 Oglesby Avenue, Calumet City IL - Trulia

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I love looking at the local real estate listings. It is amazing how many of the properties around here look quite nice. I must admit I love the blue toilet and shower curtains, they bring me great memories of the seventies and eighties. I have great love for houses like the one listed in the ad.

I often wonder why expensive home furnishings brands don't take chances and re-create some of the casual warmth that these curtains and toilet have.

I AM IN LOVE....no cheap USB turntable for me!!

2009-11-25T13:30:05Z

Needle Doctor 1-800-229-0644, Pro-Ject Debut III in Red

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I apologize if it appears that I am just selling merchandise on this blog. I assure you that I am not.

That said, I have been shopping for turntables lately and am disappointed with the design of most new turntables. The USB models are particularly ugly.

Once I have my heart set on something, I have to have it or I will have nightmares about it for years. I have to postpone buying a turntable unless I can find a really good deal on this gorgeous Pro-Ject Debut III turntable in red.

Shoe rag: RHYTHM Footwear Saddle Shoes « Mens rag

2009-11-24T04:51:34Z

Shoe rag: RHYTHM Footwear Saddle Shoes « Mens rag

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Taos New Mexico hand tooled shoes at remixvintageshoes.com

2009-11-24T04:47:44Z

Remix vintageshoes.com handtooled taos new mexico

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G. H. Bass Shoes

2009-11-23T15:57:23Z

G. H. Bass Shoes

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Kevin, mom at beach

2009-11-14T13:46:20Z

Kevin, mom at beach, originally uploaded by liveinreality.

I cannot believe this shirt. It is so ugly and it might be polyester. It is hard to believe nowadays, but respectable department stores used to sell this stuff! I know because I remember this shirt and it was well made. It may have been part or all cotton, though.

I think the concept of the shirt is fun, though. Change the colors and fit and I might wear it.

I love old computer books, look at the graphics!

2009-11-12T02:29:20Z

Awful Library Books

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Awful Library Books

2009-11-12T02:25:24Z

Awful Library Books

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I am committed to this upholstery thing....

2009-10-30T14:24:33Z

I am a very competitive person. Not in a mean-spirited or personal way, but when I see people hawking their underwhelming craft projects on the internet, it inspires me to learn a craft that would truly be worth owning.

I love and greatly appreciate all of the craft sites on the internet, I love that the internet is encouraging people to recycle or make their own clothing, jewelry, and decor. But sites like Etsy are tedious to sift through.

A couple of weeks ago, I found a thrift store that I will not name that had some truly terrific furniture finds - so many that I would need a moving van to haul them all.

They had 1940s and 1950s chairs and sofas that looked like this:

Most of the pieces were under fifty dollars, save the sofas which were between $70 and $90. Used furniture bargains are hard to find in the Chicago area. I am teaching myself simple upholstery projects, but I realized that for a few hundred dollars I could learn to fix up tricky chairs and sofas like the one above.

I did a search for upholstery classes in Chicago. On a site called Back Garage found another example of DIY upholstery plus a discussion on learning upholstery in Chicago.

I am going to check out Truman College, where I took my first drafting classes.

With all of the old homes in the area, you would think there would be more people online interested in DIY decorating.

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Giorgio Brutini Italian Calf 15548 .... and I have to get them in TAUPE

2009-10-19T03:12:21Z

Giorgio Brutini Italian Calf 15548 - Black - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com

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Giorgio Brutini Italian Calf 15548

2009-10-19T03:09:27Z

Giorgio Brutini Italian Calf 15548 - Imageview - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com

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I need to find a pair of boots like this that are made for women. I bought a cool pair but they are not leather and they are falling apart. I am so sad, they look so cool with pants.

Which magazine do I buy?

2009-10-17T15:01:50Z

I rented a car for four days to take some of the burden off the old Astro van and to catch up on my local sightseeing and photography.

I paid a visit to a Borders out in Merrillville, Indiana. By the way, Northwest Indiana is lovely this time of year and worth taking a day off to drive around and check out farms and old buildings.

In any case, this was a good Borders, less picked over than its more urban cousins. It had a great magazine selection. I thought of picking up some trendy European design rags, but I am feeling conservative these days. In the spirit of true conservatism, I thought I would look at source material instead of the latest trendy thing, interesting as it is.

So here you go: Arts of Asia out of Hong Kong. $16, but each issue is like a coffee table book and it is worth every penny. Their site is great, it provides links to all of its back issues, and you can either browse pdf articles or purchase them.

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RAID ON TARGET, OAK LAWN, Oct 11, 2009

2009-10-12T17:36:54Z

FINALLY! A new doormat. Dad always neglects to buy these things. I fell in love with the rustic material, and it was only about six bucks.

A new dog bed, durable and washable. Dad spent way too much money on the last two, and they got filthy and fell apart. The dogs respect this bed too much to chew apart, and it zips open easily for washing. At $40, they can share it, at this point they are too fascinated by all of the new throw rugs I bought anyway.

Not the best photo - sorry. This placemat isn't that bright. It is gold and beaded. I have an old white dining chair that would look fabulous with this appliqued onto a new seat. FIVE BUCKS!

These two throw rugs are really a present for my dad, since he spends most of his time watching tv or talking on the phone in this dining room. I think the living and dining room should be brightened up with greens and this style suits the arts and craftsy style of our house. Duke is thrilled to pose sensitively with the new acquisition.

Domino's fluffy tail is SUPER CUTE and very inspired, but sadly you cannot buy anything like it in any trendy store, you can't even get a cheap knock-off of it at Target. Kind of looks like one of their shag pillows though, doesn't it?

Target had some ugly runners on clearance but for $15 apiece I got a bunch of chenille rugs in this bright green that look better and more artsy / craftsy than any runners I could find.

I'm not a huge Target worshipper - really my favorite thing about them is their rug section (and their candles). I have had my eye on this rag rug for a while and I bought the last one at the Oak Lawn Target, which is better than the one in Cal City.

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http://hautenature.blogspot.com/

2009-10-12T02:58:54Z

haute nature blog

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Why I LOVE FLOCK 10000 x's more than any other browser.....

2009-10-11T14:46:12Z

flock demo VERY LARGE C picture by richhunt35 - Photobucket

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I surfed for a wallpaper photo, selected a pattern, took a screencap, made a jpeg and uploaded it here in LICKETY SPLIT. Flock is so pretty and amiable that using it is an educational experience and a pleasure.

I MAKE A DECISION

2009-10-11T00:00:02Z

I am now practically hyperventilating about these (formerly) leather chairs. I decide they would be a perfect homecoming surprise for my dad, who is away recuperating for at least a month.

I went on a spree at Home Depot today, buying tools for sanding and for removing nails. I also bought my very own clamp! I had used them in furniture making classes and I had no idea that they were so affordable. Now my re-upholstering job will be more precise. I also got dust masks and safety goggles. My father has tons of equipment, but I decided I would like some of my own.

Furniture supplies are cute and small. They have a girly appeal. I fell in love with a mini electric hand sander ($40) and may ask for it for Christmas. I run around the house with my sanding block, testing it out on the floor and some of the old furniture I want to re-hab.

I got to work sanding the finish off one of the armchairs. I am more in love than ever with the look of this soft oak. I ordered fabric samples online, but the one I think I will use for these chairs is "Pony Ride" in "Nude". In spite of the sexy name, it is a style that will please both me and my father.

Pony Ride Nude | DIY Upholstery Supply

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Tomorrow I will use my tools to remove upholstery tacks and get the rest of the horsehair and leather off of the chair.

LP shelves - CHEAP (unfinished) from Gothic Cabinet Craft

2009-10-10T00:13:16Z

Gothic Cabinet Craft - 3+shelf+LP+Rack+W%2F+Base%28base+unit%29 - Real Wood Furniture at Incredible Prices

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Heywood Wakefield fabrics....for authentic and reproduction 1940s furniture. Expen$ive!!

2009-10-09T21:23:17Z

http://www.heywood-wakefield.com/fabrics/index.cgi?063624-312

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Puts "atomic" / retro whatever to shame. This is the real deal, inspired by modern art!! A shame about the staggering price, though.

I found a second leather armchair!!

2009-10-09T20:39:56Z

first leather chair clip
Originally uploaded by liveinreality

....and you're not getting another video from me until I take time to put up decent lighting, clean my room....and lose those last twenty pounds.

Also, I always sound like I have a cold on video.

Ah well, I'm off to Home Depot this weekend to start the first phase of restoration - stripping and re-finishing the chair. Once the frame of the chair is finished, I'll be more certain of the upholstery materials.

Fantasy furniture buffs....check out Design Toscano!

2009-10-09T14:43:38Z

Fitzjames Manor Ottoman - KS11057 - Design Toscano

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