Jewelry making on Blackstone & Herndon

I made that bracelet and pair of earrings. I haven't felt that accomplished in so long!
In February, I went with my friends Angelica and Stacie to Bella Bead where we took a jewelry making class.

I've always been crafty, but I had never done anything like this before. When we got there, the setup was pretty intimidating. There were wires, beads, tiny pieces and pointy tools.

I had no idea what I had gotten myself into, but I was excited to get started.
We started off making the bracelet.

We beaded, crimped, plied, squinted and squeezed.  After making the bracelet, we started on the earrings. I was more excited to make these since I wear more earrings than bracelets (they make my wrist itch). 

The top part where the loop is, used to be straight! I made that loop. It was pretty difficult, and while it didn't come out perfectly (practice makes perfect!), it turned out pretty well anyway.

While I didn't have the money to buy the tools or beads to make my own jewelry, looking around at all the beads was still fun. I loved this section the most. So many cute, green beads!

Wandering Thoughts: 

1. I still need to go back to get my earring-making tools. 

2. I'd definitely take another class.

3. New adventures with great friends is always fun.

Herndon/Blackstone (kinda)

For our second excursion we switched it up a bit. I've been wanting to take a jewelry class for a couple of years now. So, one Saturday Michelle and I, along with our friend (and my roommate) Stacie ventured to a strip mall near the corner Herndon/Blackstone. There we learned ourselves the basics of beading at Bella Bead.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is what you call big crimpin.

After learning the names of various tools and supplies (head pins!) and about two hours, everyone in the class left with one bracelet and a pair of earrings. The most valuable piece of knowledge, though, was learning how to make things. Lately, I've been experiencing a creativity drought. Now, to continue with my metaphor, it's pouring!

Such high levels of exposure to pretty things can make three women very hungry. We took a very short walk (about 25 steps) to the Imperial Garden restaurant and chowed down. I ordered the teriyaki chicken and chicken chow mein.

My favorite part of lunch was my interaction with the waitress when I tried to order:

Me: "Can I get the teriyaki chicken?"
Waitress: "No."
Me: "Uhhhh. How come? I'm ordering the entree."
Waitress: "Oh."

The food was delicious and served as heaping dishes. Surprisingly, it was even better left over! Stacie enjoyed it so much, she splattered it on her glasses.



After, we headed back to the bead store where I spent way too much money on beautiful beads. Current earring count: 10

The Four Corners of Cedar & Shields

While we (Angelica and I) only visited three of the four corners, that doesn't mean the fourth one ceases to exist. It just means that Rite Aid is there, and we know what that store looks like inside.

On the first rainy weekend of the year, we decided to start our adventure to take on as many strip malls as we can to share with everyone we know. Well, maybe not everyone.

Two of the major disappointments of the day were:

1. The "Fine Food" at Cedar Lanes was anything but fine.

2. A majority of the stores were closed or out of business.

We still managed to make the best of it. 

At Cedar Lanes, after waiting for what felt like forever for the waitress to even take our drink orders, we received our food.

After perusing the menu, I decided to go with my default meal for new restaurants: The French Dip. I didn't think I could go wrong with the sandwich; turns out I was wrong. Not only was the meat dry, the bread was stale and the Au Jus wasn't very good.

After eating, we went to Fallas. I've never been there before, but it's basically a Factory 2 U. It has discount, well, everything. I ended up getting a men's gray zip-up hoodie for six dollars. I think that qualifies as a successful purchase.

I love fuzzy socks, so it was hard to pass off "Hot Kiss" and "Footnotes."

 Man down...

Of all the silly things we saw, my favorite part was the conversation I heard while standing in the checkout line between a mother and her teenage daughter.

Daughter: "Mom, I almost stole $100."

Mother: "Oh? How?"

Daughter: "It fell out of this lady's back pocket, but I told her she dropped it and gave it back to her."

Mother [said in a fairly sarcastic tone]: "Aw, isn't that sweet?"

Daughter: "Seriously! You know what I could have done with $100? I could have bought a hella lotta booty shorts."

I'm not sure what I enjoyed more: The way she said it, or that she said she would spend all her money on booty shorts. I'm not entirely sure I even know what booty shorts are.

We eventually made our way to many little stores that were closed. No New Beginnings today.

We stopped off at a few thrift stores, most weren't that great, but Harry's Attic was pretty awesome. The guy (assuming he was the owner) who was inside was nice, and a little scatter brained. I left with some jewelry and records. Even found a record from my cousin, Vincent Furnier. He's known better as Alice Cooper though.

I almost wanted to ask how much he would want for this old Dr Pepper crate.

There was even pure water waiting outside for those who got thirsty while shopping.

We ended up walking around some more and finding some pretty neat walls. The yellow rocks were dirty, but really cool looking. There was a restaurant with a red brick wall too.

And what first blog would be complete without a feet picture? I know, none.

Wandering Thoughts:

1. Try the Hot Fudge Milkshake at Foster's Freeze. It's delicious and super chocolaty. 
2. Next time, eat at one of the local restaurants in the area where there are a bunch of people and the food smells good. Stay away from anywhere that's basically empty at peak lunch hour.
3. Next time I will write key moments down.

Cedar/Shields

A couple of weeks ago, Michelle and I headed out to Cedar and Shields. The intention was to pick one corner and strip mall it up. The problem, however, was that we could not pick just one. We wanted to eat fine food at the bowling alley on the southwest corner. But the thrift stores were on the northeast. And, of course, a visit to Foster’s Freeze, across the street, was necessary. We spent hours that Saturday afternoon shopping, eating, driving for four minutes and then doing it all over again. In other words…good times.

First stop: Cedar Lanes bowling alley. We did not bowl. But took in the aforementioned "fine food." I think I speak for both of us when I say it felt very strange to be in a bowling alley simply for the food. The meal was not great, but the sign is fantastic.

Next up was Fallas Discount Store. Neither Michelle or I had been to this mecca of discount goods before. Despite the amazing discounts (six pairs of fuzzy socks for $3, anyone?) I'm not sure if we'll ever go again. Without a doubt, my favorite item in the store was the Boom Boom Jeans.

Discovering that more than half of the thrift stores in the area had closed, was the major disappointment of the day. I was especially bummed to find out that the Hinds Hospice location was shut down. They always had boxes upon boxes of great records for $1.

The best part of a thrift store, without a doubt, is the randomness. You absolutely never know what you’re going to find. In this particular one (AMVETS) I found three jack-o-lanterns stuffed in a plastic bag, a blue/white wig on the floor and a bag full of old, multi-colored Easter eggs. I will never understand the person that packages the merchandise and says...this bag needs not one, not two, but three pumpkins. Below are some of my favorites finds.

a sad monster cookie jar

or the perfect outfit for your favorite Hawaiian-vacationing toddler

The Cedar/Shields area is certainly not upscale, but it has a definite mystique to it. On one corner there are beautiful, vintage signs that have been left completely untouched and there for your instagram-ing pleasure. Yet right across Cedar is a newly built, same-as-the-others Rite Aid. The whole are seems a little confused, but that is what's sort of great about it.

Pooped after a day of eating and exploring, we decided to eat some more. If you've never been to the Foster's Freeze at Cedar and Shields, you have to try it. The jukebox is free and has the top hits from the 60s and 70s - that alone should get you there.

A few things I learned:

• Bowl at Cedar Lanes, don't eat there
• Eat at Chan's Cedar Chinese Food, it smelled amazing
• Stop by Harry's Attic thrift store, they have great jewelry
• Always finish the day off with a swirled cone

And, lastly, just because.