How to Thrift

   

Thrift advice from an expert

       I love to thrift. Mostly clothes, but I've been known to find a mean home decor item. I started thrifting because as a little girl I didn't feel confident in clothes from Justice or Hollister (where everybody else in elementary and middle school shopped). Jeans and shirts from Goodwill (my local thrift spot) were more comfortable for me. So I've shopped there ever since! 

       I would say that 80% of my closet is thrifted. I love searching for my next cute piece. My friends wonder how I find the pieces I do (humble brag). So, here I am! I am sharing some tips on how to thrift like an expert.

5 Tips for the Best Thrift

1. Have some ideas on what you want
• I find that going in with a few ideas helps me to not get overwhelmed. Sometimes, I'll be looking for Levi's or a black graphic tee. Having a general idea is good.
2. Don't expect to find replicas from Pinterest
• That being said, expecting a very specific item in mind will lead to disappointment. I have found myself going into Goodwill expecting Urban Outfitters. To avoid being discouraged, I recommend not having a SUPER specific piece in mind. Just observe what's already there.
3. Be ready to SEARCH
• People assume that I have a super power that makes me find good pieces. The truth is that I just spend a lot of time searching the store. You have to put some effort into looking through the racks and evaluating pieces in order to find clothes you love. It's part of the fun! It's like a treasure hunt!
4. Drift from section to section
• If you are in the shirt section and you just aren't feeling it, go unto the jeans. Or vice versa. I've found that traversing through the sections is more fun AND you find more. Don't pressure yourself into finding something specific (back to Tip #2).
5. Don't be discouraged
• Some days, you just don't find anything. I've been to several Goodwill's within a day and not find anything. It's just like that sometimes. But don't give up! I honestly think that thrifting is a bit of skill so you may need practice before you can score big. Or maybe it's just luck, and I'm being dramatic. Either way, you shouldn't give up!

Okay! I hope that some or all of these tips helped you in some way to achieve your best thrift. You got this!

-Addi

Summer Playlist

Welcome to Summer!

Here is a little gathering of a few of my current favorite songs that 

are perfect for a summer day!!

1. Dream Glow by BTS & Charlie XCX : This is probably my FAVORITE song at the moment. I have put it multiple times on separate playlists. Charlie XCX's voice melds really well with Jimin, Jin, and Jungkook 's. This is a WHOLE bop.
2. Brand New by Ben Rector : I feel so young and hopeful when I listen to this song! It truly embodies how I want to feel in summer.
3. Dear Maria, Count Me In by All Time Low : Okay this song is from my middle school emo phase but it has withstood the test of time. It is a nice little head-banger that forces me to break out the air guitar.
4. Old Town Road feat. Billy Ray Cyrus by Lil Nas X : My love for this song started off completely ironically but now it's legit. Such a fun, goofy experience.
5. Ride by twenty one pilots : Another hit from my middle school emo phase. There is no denying the summer energy that is on this track though. You have to roll the windows down in a car to get the full experience.
6. I Don't Care by Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber : I was not expecting to like this song as much as I do. What can I say, I am a Beliber.
7. Still Into You by Paramore : This is the third song from my emo phase; did I ever leave it?? Anyways, belting this song at the top of your lungs is very therapeutic and that makes it qualified in my book to be an Addi Favorite.
8. Sadie Hawkins Dance by Relient K : Funny story, I actually was introduced to this song in 5th grade and for some reason I thought of it recently and downloaded it. Has similar jam-ability to Still Into You and Dear Maria, Count Me In.
9. Weak by AJR : I burst into a random rave whenever and wherever I hear this song. Something in my body forcefully makes me dance to it. But hey, I'm not complaining.
10. All Night by BTS & Juice WRLD : BTS only produces quality music. I probably won't listen to Juice WRLD by himself but he did well in this song with RM and Suga. I love BTS's rap songs so much.
11. A Brand New Day by BTS & Zara Larsson : The third BTS song on this playlist. They are just THAT powerful. JHOPE and V were a combo I didn't expect but they thrived. The tropical vibes are perfect for summer!
12. WILD by Troye Sivan : Something about Troye Sivan's voice in this song is just *beautiful*.
13. Don't Stop by 5 Seconds of Summer : An oldie but a goodie. I wasn't a huge fan of 5SOS at their prime so I'm making it up by playing this teen-anthem often.
14. Used To Be by the Jonas Brothers : Honestly the whole Happiness Begins album is gold but this song sticks out to me. I like that I can see myself driving with the windows down to it.
15. Free Falling by Wolfside : This song is a funky little jam. I have a lot of fun listening to it!

Thanks for Reading!

Have some fun with my amazing taste in music!!

- Addi :)

Customizing Your Neon Light

Customizing Your Neon Light

you're probably wondering,"wow addi! where did you buy that light from?" and i reply "i actually made it!" well i didn't make the wiring or put the pink translucent covering on the wire BUT i did mold it into 'good vibes' . 

how did i do it?

i did it in 5 simple steps!

1. first i got a strand of neon light for Christmas.(if you search neon light wire on amazon, you'll find it.) a couple months later, i lettered 'good vibes' onto my mom's chalkboard wall. if you don't have chalkboard walls at your disposal, i recommend good ole' paper. so you are looking at my handwriting! how awesome is that!

2. i molded wire to the handwriting. i followed the lines of the writing with the wire to create a sturdy foundation for the lights.

3. me and my mom tied the neon light to the wire using fishing line. this was the hardest and longest step out of all of them.

4. finally, we transported it from the chalkboard wall to my room and hung it on some clear command hooks. we used 5 clear hooks in total. since i put this sign above my bed, the leftover neon light is hidden behind my bedside table. 

5. enjoy your masterpiece! sometimes i just turn on my neon light and admire it. gosh, isn't it aesthetic? 

i totally recommend anyone to do this room decor item! not only is it cheaper than what you will find at Urban Outfitters but it's also customizable! one day if i decide i don't like "good vibes" i can take it down, untie it from the wire base, and start again! don't be limited to just sayings either! draw a picture or you could just have a neon line around your mirror. the possibilities are endless!

how will you customize your neon light?

My Word for 2019

My Word for 2019

what's the point in caring about what other people think? 

does it make you happier? does it make you enjoy life more? does it help you to develop into the person you want to be?

i know from experience that caring about what other's think accomplishes nothing.

nothing. zero. zilch. nada. none

i guess you could say i am kind of an expert on caring about what other's think. i think about it a lot. it's why i don't wear my harry potter shirts to school. it's why when people ask for the music i like i don't say BTS. it's why i procrastinate writing on this blog. 

i am afraid of what people will think if i like or do something contrary to the "rules". 

and to be honest i am kinda tired of it. 

i am tired of worrying over what people think. it's pretty exhausting being constantly worried about other's thoughts. because the thing is, i can't control anyone's thoughts but mine. and honestly people are too busy thinking their own thoughts to be thinking negatively about me. 

i can choose if i want to be worried all the time OR i can choose to not care. 

this year i am releasing my self from the worry of what other people are thinking about me. i am not going to worry about if i everything i say and do is perfect. this year is going to be about freeing myself from the expectations others may or may not have on me. i don't want to feel the pressure of trying to be perfect. news flash: i and all other humans aren't perfect. "to err is human" - alexander pope 


my word for 2019 is FREE.