Second Mile

Today the weather was beautiful and I enjoyed being out and about in the sunshine. Patrick and I slept in VERY late but it was nice because I haven't slept in like that for weeks and weeks. I love sleeping so much, I always feel so fresh and happy when I wake up from a good, long night's sleep.

This afternoon I took a lot of clothes to The Second Mile, a thrift shop in my neighborhood. Of course I found some good stuff there too like a $5 Nine West top with the tags still on (originally $60!!!) Here are some tips I always keep in mind when thrifting:

1. Just because it is cheap does not mean you must buy it.
2. Always inspect for holes, stains, missing buttons or a broken zipper. Chances are you will not be able to get out the stains if someone else could not.
3. Think long and hard about what you'll wear it with-- again, just because it's $2 doesn't mean it won't end up sitting in the closet unworn!
4. You probably won't take the time to shorten/remove the sleeves/add some cute pockets. So spend your $$ on something closer to what you want.

I have found some other really cool stuff at the Second Mile. Such as the dress I wore for my recent bridal shower! Check out the photo above-- I am on the right. The dress was brand new and only $8! Patrick and I got a bamboo table there once that we repainted and sealed and now use as an outdoor table. I also painted a little shelf from there and it looks really cute in my bathroom.

Be sure to check out the Second Mile if you are in the area and treat yourself to an iced coffee at this little cafe on 45th street between Osage and Pine. I don't know if it has a name but it is friendly!

An hour at the museum

Today has been a lovely day! After riding bikes with Patrick to his work I decided to soak in some culture (and some air conditioning) at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I got there just in time for a guided tour of a fairly new exhibit called "The Art of Japanese Craft: 1875 to Present." It was a very small exhibit, about 50 pieces, but just perfect for the hour-long tour. We learned about several Japanese traditions shown in the works on view such as an appreciation for empty space, a focus on craftsmanship and connections to the intellect. One piece, a small glazed porcelain pot used in tea ceremonies, really caught my eye. It was made by an artist who lives in the north of Japan on a small island. I could really feel the ocean in the way he shaped the vessel and applied the glaze.

The exhibit made me think about my dad, who is a builder of wooden boats. He has made 2 kayaks so far and is working on another with his friend. I think they are all "stripper" boats, not because naked ladies ride in them, but because they are made of many thin strips of wood glued together. It is a time-consuming process, requiring many steps and a lot of patience. Good craftsmanship is key, since all the pieces have to line up neatly and be sealed perfectly. The tour guide said that one of the wooden screens in the exhibit took 2 1/2 years to complete because after every step the piece had to dry fully. What patience! What perseverance! What passion!

Here is a picture of my dad's friend showing my Grannie the boat they are building. That is the bottom part, I think they have now moved on to the top.