Nickel and Dime: Shoppers Drug Mart

I ran out of deodorant and dish washing liquid at the same time (so weird) and decided to make a Shoppers Drug Mart run. This is especially dangerous since I have, by all accounts, what some have described as a lip balm fetish. I didn't do too badly though and only splurged on some Burt's Bees lip gloss. Surprising, since when I usually go on a Shoppers run, I end up with bubble bath, a handful of impulse makeup purchases that end up being discarded due inappropriate goopiness or sparkle (my Rave days are way behind me) and various other fun buys while forgetting the original purpose of why I went there in the first place. This time I went with a list and only veered off of it when momentarily distracted by the Burt's Bees display at the end of the aisle (boy, those marketing designers really know their stuff, huh?). After that, knowing my limitations, I headed straight to the cashier checkout.

Oh and heads up. If you're ever in the market for a great natural deodorant, you should check out the Shopper's Life brand. It's the only natural deodorant that has worked for me. I have tried so many name brands and found that this one not only keeps me dry but doesn't leave stains or stickiness on my clothes. It also has excellent stink-blocking capabilities as discovered last summer during a heat wave at my cabin (where I didn't shower for a couple of days because I was camping and hopping in and out of the sauna). It's also a dollar or so cheaper than the brand name one. Just a tip for all you Shoppers Drug Mart lovers out there!

 (Life Brand Dish Detergent $2.49, Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer $6.99, Life Brand Natural $6.99 Deodorant — Shoppers Drug Mart)

Nickel and Dime: Groceries

(Groceries $97.76, Metro)

We were officially out of everything yesterday, so I went grocery shopping.

The cost of food drives me nuts. We live in a small community and prices on average are more expensive than in other cities. But what are you going to do? Everyone needs toilet paper, right? I have been seriously considering buying into a farm share — where you pay into a local organic farm and for a season you get a box loaded with locally grown fruits and veggies delivered to your door once a week. It's enough food for a family of four, so I'm trying to find another couple to go in it with me. We also can't wait until the farmer's market in town goes into full swing and we can start going regularly to buy our vegetables. Every time Chris and I go to a produce section in a grocery store we shudder. We're also thinking about putting in a small vegetable garden in our back yard. I miss the way food used to taste. 

When we lived in Calgary, our landlord had an amazing garden. He liked us because we were quiet and paid the rent on time. He was from Europe and every Spring would put in the most incredible garden — it was probably the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. He used to drop off bags of vegetables on our front porch pulled that day from his garden. We ate some delicious, seasonal produce for the six years we lived there. He introduced us to some amazing food and taught us how to cook with things like purple potatoes and root vegetables. I swear, I almost wept when he brought us some of his organically grown lettuce. 

Hmm, it's something to consider either way. Because paying almost a hundred bucks for some sad looking vegetables, granola and dairy products doesn't seem right, does it? And the store we go to is the cheapest one in town. I may just need to start hoeing — the earth that is!

Movie Night

It's funny, ever since my husband Chris started his new job a little over a year ago we have had a bit of a movie exchange going with one of his colleagues and friend Hubert. Both are movie lovers to say the least and regularly exchange DVDs that they think the other will find interesting. We have watched so many interesting and amazing films over the course of a year that I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. Over the weekend, Chris and I watched the film The Bothersome Man (thanks again, Hubert!). I loved it! If you haven't had the chance to see this film yet, you should. It is a Norwegian/Icelandic movie about a man who shows up in this weird town one day and gets a job, an apartment, a girlfriend and has no idea how he got there. Everyone wears muted colours. The food has no taste. The only thing people talk about is furniture. The kicker? He can't leave. No matter what he tries. He's trapped in purgatory.

I won't tell you too much more than that. I don't want to spoil it for anyone. But it does make you think and question what's important in life. It's not for everybody — not a typical film by any stretch — but very funny and thought provoking. It's stayed with me days later. I still find myself thinking about it.

Nickel and Dime: Update

(Sorry, not this time Beklina. Ashley Watson Kestrel Purse, $285)

So, I think this little experiment of mine is working. I didn't purchase or pine over anything this past week. Oh sure, there were things out there that I wanted to buy (especially over at Beklina. My word, they do have the most lovely handbags, do they not?). The reason why I didn't breakdown and splurge and buy the amazing handbag shown above? Because I would have to confess to all of you what I bought and for the life of me, I couldn't justify the purchase. So thank you everyone for saving me $285. Instead of spending online, I spent the day doing yard work — it was much more satisfying and gave me a shot of instant gratification.

This blog series is really helping me curb my spending — more than I ever would have imagined when I first started. Before I could secretly buy whatever I wanted, and wouldn't have to explain myself to anyone (OK, maybe my husband). In short, I was embarrassed to admit to all of you that I would spend that much on a bag. For no reason. Just because I liked it. This series is truly helping me sort out wants from needs. Now I can put that money towards going on a trip — somewhere I've never been before. I mean, really, I have about 20 handbags already — but I have never been to Eastern Europe! Now when I do purchase something I'll know it's something I really want, need or that can somehow improve my life. 

happy earth day

We Are All Connected Print by Jen Renninger at Please Be Still.

barely spring

Nothing much else blooming in Thunder Bay except balloons, so we decided to head out to camp and check things out. There was gorgeous light out on the beach the other night but still some ice on the lake. Come on Spring don't give up now! 

Nickel and Dime: The Weekend Edition

(A thrifted 1960s wooden chair with beautiful blue upholstery — $7, Salvation Army) 

(Morrissey's "Viva Hate" on vinyl — $17.95, Comics Plus)

(Saturday's Globe and Mail — $3, Safeway)

(J-Cloths — $2.99, Shampoo — $9.99, Conditioner — $7.99, Shopper's Drug Mart)

Nickel and Dime: A Consumer Art Project Series

I decided to change the name of my art series from "New Additions" to Nickel and Dime. New Additions just sounded too much like one of those awful box store chains in an outlet shopping centre that carries pastel track suits ;). I've also included a running tally on the side of the blog to keep track of how much I'm spending and on what. I'm going to keep an ongoing total from every post. I'm sure that number is going to get pretty scary very soon! Here's some of my new purchases:

(A cute reusable tote with a saying that I think everyone can appreciate right now — $8)

(W Magazine $4.99 — I couldn't resist, I'm just so excited for the Grey Gardens HBO movie this weekend. Plus, I have a major girl crush on Ms. Barrymore!)

new series

I'm thinking about starting a new series for the blog in a way to help me curb my spending habits. I will attempt to catalogue everything I buy within a single year (from shoes to chocolate bars). A consumer art project if you will. I figure if I keep an eye on what I'm spending my money on, I can understand where my money goes and attempt to be more thoughtful about what I purchase. It's a little like policing myself, but I really want to save up some cash to go travel and as an independent filmmaker/artist type, this is almost impossible to do without saving up every nickel and dime. So, here is my first installment of the series "New Additions." I figure that I'm such a snoop when it comes to seeing what other people own or buy, that it might be fun to do it to myself. Here we go. Plus I figure that the "Annoying Effect" of having to document everything I purchase will deter me from wasting money on things I don't really need or think aren't worth the time cataloguing. Call it good old fashioned cyber-shaming!

Orla Kiely place mats (Target) $4.99 X 4

Cute sailor-inspired top $50 (Electric Fetus)

Printed skirt $14.99 (Electric Fetus)

Orla Kiely tray ($10.49), Orla Kiely canister ($10.49) (Target)

Nylon/Urban Outfitters graphic tee ($14) (Ragstock)

On my border shopping long weekend I also purchased three Criterion Collection DVDs for 30 bucks each. 

So we'll see how long this experiment goes on for — I have a habit of not finishing what I start, so hopefully I can keep this going and have more cash in the bank to prove it! Have a great day.

this is what awesome looks/sounds like

Me + John Hughes = Happy Dance. Have a great rest of the day!

The Rosebuds!

(The Rosebuds)

This past weekend I took a short roadtrip with my mom, sister and my sister's friend Jenna to Duluth, Minnesota. It was fun to just get away for a couple of days and really take advantage of the four-day long weekend. Not only did I get a few cute things (some new tops, a skirt, Orla Kiely housewares from Target — hooray!) I also saw one of my favourite bands perform at of all places — a pizza joint. It was amazing. If you haven't seen The Rosebuds play live, I would suggest you do so NOW. They are so adorable and fun and the crowd in Duluth was one of the best I've ever been a part of (which reinforces my belief that some of the best audiences in the world for live music are in the States, hand down). The show was all-ages and had such a great energy. The kids were punching it out, dancing and having the best time. The band themselves admitted never having been to Duluth before and only stopped there by the suggestion of their opening band Megafun. I never heard of Megafun or seen so much facial hair in all my life — the beards in that band were impressive. Any band who rocks the banjo while still playing serene, lush harmonies is alright by me! The Rosebuds were all smiles and totally feeding off the energy in the audience. They kept saying how happy they were to be there, what a surprise the whole thing turned out to be and that they were glad they took a detour to get there. The night was pure pop perfection and I'm so glad that I walked down to the pizza place per the suggestion of the store clerk at Electric Fetus to check it out. At first, I thought the pairing of Megafun and The Rosebuds a bit odd. However, after witnessing both bands play it was evident that they were a family of musicians. The folk of Megafun and the energetic pop of The Rosebuds actually complimented one another and captivated the audience the entire time. Members of Megafun played onstage with The Rosebuds and the whole night was seamless and enjoyable! I think the only way to get a real feel for a city is to go see live music and check out the crowds. I'll be heading back to Duluth again for another show very soon!

The only thing that perplexed me about the evening was that the show itself started pretty late —  the opening bands (one local, the other Megafun) didn't start until around 11 p.m. The Rosebuds didn't go on until 1:00 in the morning. When I made my living writing about music and attending live shows all the time, this was one thing I was always curious about — the late start for bands, especially at all-ages shows. By the time the headliner gets onstage most of the crowd has cleared out to go home. I always wondered why venues insist on pushing the performances and letting the opening bands play close to full sets? Admittedly, both opening bands that night only played for a half-an-hour, but still... If I ever own my own club, I would make it mandatory for a 9:00 p.m. sharp start policy and opening bands playing for a max of 20 to 30 minutes. The headlining band on stage by 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. — especially for all-ages. I know the general idea of pushing a show is to get more of a crowd in the bar drinking before the entertainment hits the stage. However, if most of the audience leaves before the headliners even go on, what's the point?  

A successful roadtrip to me is always bookended by great music. All-in-all, this little getaway to Duluth was by far one of my best (and I've been to that city a hundred times). Not to mention that I totally geeked out in the Criterion Collection section of the Barnes and Nobel and totally got my Godard fix! I hope you all had a great weekend too.  

Happy Easter to Me!

I received this cute Marimekko change purse as an Easter present from my husband (he knows me oh so well). The fabric is new to their textile line and I just love the combination of pinks, reds, blues and oranges. It reminds me of a sunrise — it's so vibrant. I can't stop taking it out of my purse and looking at it. I'm such an old lady when it comes to keeping change and bank receipts. At least now all my bank statements from two years ago (seriously) and collection of pennies will look so pretty!

do the iPod shuffle

At the moment I am Riding the Lightning.

On the agenda:

Listen to vintage Metallica.

Visit my 92-year old Assyrian grandmother.

Go to the bakery.

Return a movie.

Go thrifting.

Make Mac and Cheese.

Watch another movie with my little sis.

Drink cheap wine.

Play Scrabble.

i heart celluloid

I'm so excited to see these movies — both of these trailers made me tear up while watching them. Coincidentally, both were co written by Dave Eggers. I am SO my demographic (and also overly sentimental).