Because Life Isn't Challenging Enough....

 Oh hi there. My name is Trish and I used to be really good at writing blogs here all the time but then life was like, "Trish you have time to blog? You could be using that time for homework instead! MORE HOMEWORK HEADIN YOUR WAY DOLLFACE!"

But I have breifly escaped the clutches of my homework dictator to announce that I will be participating in another one of Shoeperwoman's Shoe challenges! Starting today I will be saving shoes for the next full year and if I don't wear them all I have to get rid of the ones I didn't wear. Last year was a great experience, meeting a few new bloggers and realizing how hard it is to let go of shoes I know I don't wear. I'm starting this year with 62 pairs of shoes, of which you can see every pair on the Adventures of a Vintage Hippo Official Facebook Page.

As if that isn't enough to grasp, I'm also starting a few personal challenges of my own, the biggest being my $4.68 budget challenge. You see, I am severely bad with money. Well, not completely bad. I get financial aid because I'm a full time student so I get a lump some of money at the beginning and middle of every semester. I take that money and buget out the important things: enough gas for each month, my car insurance, money for school etc. But then I have all this extra after that, for food and shopping and whatever. That second part is what I suck at. Spending all my "extra" money in the first few months on shoes then not being able to hang out with my friends later because I'm broke. Lame right?
Well I did the math, my "extra" money will last me as long as I need it to if I spend only $4.68 a day. Sounds impossible right? Well I've been at it for a while now (about a month) and I've been able to stick to it! Some days I dont spend any money so I add that day's $4.68 to the next day and if I save up enough I can allow myself to shop a little and whatnot.

I admit, it sounds a little crazy, but it's really been working! I question my shopaholic ways now and I feel like because I have a "challenge" to adhere to, I hold myself more accountable. I'm not going to be sharing that challenge here on the blog, just wanted to share just in case I bring it up someday.
Anyway, that's what I've been up to!

I hear the homework calling me once more.. wish me luck!

Subtle Comeback

It's been such a long time since I did an outfit post just for fun and not part of some challenge that I've kind of forgotten how to do a proper one. I had just come home from a long day at school, kicked my shoes off and sprawled out on my bed when I thought, What the heck, a lazy photo shoot is better than nothing!

(Dress[Worn as top]-thrifted, skirt-gift, teal tights-target, seamed fishnets-a random store in the mall I can't think the name of, ear rings-Tilly's, nail polish-Essie, fishnet stockings.)

Sew Sweet

What a cheesey blog title. I'd apologize but the rest of the blog contains cheesey (but awesome) content so don't say I didn't warn you!
I know it's late but I'd have to punch myself in the face if I didn't show you what my sweet boy got me for our first Valentine's Day together: my, not one, not two, but THREE antique sewing machines.

The first is a Singer model from 1923. (That still works!!) I came with the original box thing and to be completely honest I am so intimidated by this machine. First off, it's older than my house (which was built in 1927) and it probably weights more than it too! (Seriously, SOOO heavy.)

The second is a Japanese model that I can't quite pinpoint the year of, but according to some internet research, mid 1940's would be my guess. It's really rusted but when I saw the hand painted purple flowers against the black model I knew it would at least make a beautiful decoration in my room even if it doesn't work.

The last one also works and is from 1951. (Didn't even have to do any research for this one, it says so right on the machine. :P) My favorite part of this one is how the front plate is so perfectly detailed, you just don't see that kind of craftsmanship these days which is really sad in my opinion.

These gorgeous things put my modern Brother machine to shame, but knowing I have someone in my life who knows me well enough to go through the trouble to get me these is kind of the coolest feeling in the world. :)

Maybe with all my new sewing machines around I'll be inspired to do some more sewing finally!