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Baltimore Artscape 2016: Our Escape
Posted by Lisa Johnson on
I stumbled upon Artscape three years ago, when I had to deliver my daughter to Baltimore to an all-weekend birthday party, and found I had an entire twelve hours of day to spend by myself on the Saturday between the Paramour / Fall Out Boy concert on Friday night, and the Saturday arcade and laser tag festivities. The birthday girl’s mother, who knew I was artsy, recommended going to what was fortuitously happening that very weekend – the largest free art festival in the country, smack in the middle of Baltimore. Though “The Wire” was my all-time favorite show,...
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- Tags: Art, Best Birthday Presents for Teen Boys, Body Adornment, Capitalism, Community Building, Creative, Education, Environmental, Fashion, Get Noticed, Good Idea, Handmade Gift, Health and Wellness, Knock Your Socks Off, Paper Art, Psychotic Leopard, Recycling, Shopping, Social Activity, Steampunk, Talent, Upcycle
Bringing New Life to Old Things, and the Sexiness of Nerdy Boys' Hands: Refinishing a Dresser
Posted by Lisa Johnson on
One of the big changes with my new relationship, which isn’t so new anymore, is that my boyfriend actually likes to DO things together. Instead of sitting and watching shows nearly every night as the highlight of our “time together,” he actually likes to go tag “sailing” with me on Saturday mornings, so we’re able to kill several birds with one stone: I work and spend time with him, he enjoys treasure hunting, and he’s got a great eye for stuff I miss, and is happy to stand guard while I do my last loops and revisit what I might...
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- Tags: Can Do, Capable, Cheap Gift, Connection, Crafty, Creative, Dating, Expert Advice, Garage Sale, Good Idea, Handmade Gift, Knock Your Socks Off, Lover, Men's Life, Middle Age Life, Power, Real Men, Reclaim, Recycle, Reflection of personality, Romance, Rummage Sale, Self-Sufficient, Shopping, Skill, Social Activity, Tag Sale, Talent, Upcycle, Use Your Hands, Womens Issues, Yard Sale
Latest Bathroom Reading - Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel and How She Inspires Me
Posted by Lisa Johnson on
I read constantly, and am one of those people that can’t even eat alone without a book in front of me. I have books on my night table, in the dining room, on the front seat of the car for when I wait at traffic lights, and even in the bathroom, so I can get at least four minutes per day while using my toothbrush timer. The last “bathroom” book I read was Part Swan, Part Goose, a memoir by actress Swoosie Kurtz, which was an easy and quick read. For a little while, I got a copy of the Mike and...
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- Tags: Body Adornment, Can Do, Character, Creative, Disguise, Fashion, Get Noticed, Knock Your Socks Off, Power, Reflection of personality, Rummage Sale, Sense of Humor, Shopping, Tag Sale, Talent, Teen Fashion, Women and Business
CONSERVING CREATIVELY WHILE BUILDING COMMUNITY: How to Hold a Successful Tag sale / School PTA Fundraiser in Several Easy Steps
Posted by Lisa Johnson on
I have been independently chairing school tag sales and book sales for the past 10 plus years, and decided to condense some of what I’ve learned here, in hopes that others will try this fun and profitable type of fundraising. To me, a successful tag / garage / yard / rummage sale is not about how much money you make, but more importantly, how much stuff you get rid on, how many happier homes you find for your unwanted things, and to build a sense of community. New friendships develop when putting together events like these. Romantic relationships are often...
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- Tags: Boy Scout, Capitalism, Chairperson, Cheap Gift, Community Building, Connection, Creative, Education, Environmental, Expert Advice, Finance, Fundraising, Garage Sale, Get Noticed, Girl Scout, Good Idea, Grassroots, Income Opportunity, Manager, Money, Parenting, PTA event, Recycling, Rummage Sale, Shopping, Social Activity, Tag Sale, Talent, Trade, Upcycle, Use Your Hands, Women and Business, Yard Sale
Tag, Rummage, Estate, and Garage Sales: The Good, The Bad, and How to Tell If It's Worth Your Time
Posted by Lisa Johnson on
Tag sale season is right around the corner. My inventory is low, and I am hungry. As the ads start to appear on Craigslist, as well as the occasional sign stapled to a telephone pole, I feel stirrings inside, and get ready for the hunt. But not all sales are created equal, and as the season slowly begins, I have to be careful not to race right out to everything I see, no matter how tempting. There are the wonderful sales, and the ones that are a complete waste of time. Here is a general guide to a few types...