Find Hidden Vintage Shops Before You Go

It is fruitless sometimes to look for lists of vintage clothing stores on the internet prior to taking a trip. You really have two choices:

1) Looking them up on an internet phone directory
2) Scouring individual vintage clothing sites on the internet to see if any happen to be at your destination

Both are very inefficient. Most local yellowpages on the internet fall a little short. Often, they are cluttered with all sorts of sites that are completely irrelevant.

I was actually very successful at finding what I needed on Local.com. For example, I tried "vintage clothing" in New York city and think that the site managed to find every shop that exists. It must be intuitive, because it not only brought up the category, but related ones that would be helpful to me. For example, some shops might classify themselves as consignment, rather than vintage and antique, and may have things that interest me.

Yellow page services, yelp.com, and citysearch are all integrated here, preventing you from having to shop around for your info. Sure, there are some sponsored links in there like at other sites, but the physical locations are much more abundant.

As always, take time to call the shop if you going to be there on a certain day to verify hours. Seasonal hours or closures for renovation and very recent store closings are not something that may be updated on the internet. If not, you may find the list of local restaurants in proximity to the store very handy to wait out the time.

Drivers Software May Keep Computers Out of Landfills

Websites that supply computer drivers on the internet are proliferating. One of the reasons that I think they are is that people tend to lose their driver disks. When they buy their computer, they neatly tuck them away. In the time that passes, they get misplaced or damaged. When they need to reinstall the modem drivers, they are stuck. In fact, I was told to reinstall drivers as a remedy to a problem, but did not have them.

If you go to the manufacturer and ask for a replacement, they often do not have them. I found that Acer Drivers were not available by disk if they were a few years old. The maker went to the downloadable format, only they didn't make older models available.

Another reason people need drivers is when they inherit a printer form another family member or they purchase one second hand. I had a printer but did not have the Lexmark drivers to make it work with the computer. Of course, since they were not as computer savvy, they tossed the software out. Unfortunately the printer was not "plug and play."

Luckily, I was about to go to DriverAccess.com and get what I needed. I think sites like this help keep computers out of landfills. Sometimes just new driver software is what is going to make things usable again. If everyone only knew. Of course, it doesn't make them run faster, but it turns them from "I don't know what is wrong with it" and basically junk to a functional item again.

Be Treated Like a Princess or Prince in Myrtle Beach

I was just thinking about golfing trips to Myrtle Beach. What if you are not interested in golfing, but prefer laying on the beach or shopping at antique stores? Some people like to go somewhere and just do "nothing." There are plenty of Myrtle Beach Resorts that have nothing to do with golf.

The next time you consider wandering down to the Carolinas, consider a Myrtle Beach ResortsMyrtle Beach Resort rather than taking your chances at whatever motel you happen to find. It is much less stressful to have an idea where you are going, that you have a reservation, and that you will be close to everything you want to see.

The Princess Resort features well appointed Myrtle Beach Accommodations. Condos feature full kitchens so that you may eat in rather than racking up the restaurant bills. Higher end furnishings give you a luxurious setting rather than feeling like you are staying at a flea bag motel. In fact, it gives it more of a sense of home. Of course, not enough home to wonder why you went on vacation, but enough to be rested and comfortable. When you go, you may very well want to check out the property's website and book a room.

Golf in the Footsteps of Legends

Myrtle Beach once seemed to be exclusively a spring break destination. Did you know that Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations were even more popular? Because of the mild weather and the amenities, golfers flock to the area almost year round.

There is now a website, Ttimesonly.com, that offers the inside scoop on Myrtle Beach Golf. You can use the site to check out the amenities at the various golf courses. After you choose your course, you can find out if the property is offering any specials or promotions. If this is to your liking, then you can reserve a tee time securely online at any of the courses.

In other words, you can create the perfect Myrtle Beach Golf package that fits all of your specifications. In fact, you don't have to limit yourself to just one course and just one day. There are special packages that allow you to play at a variety of courses. You can walk in the footsteps of legendary golfers, or you can go for a package that highlights the most beautiful golf courses as far as natural features and foliage.

Whatever you decide, it is sure to be a memorable trip.

So Many Cars, So Little Time

There is nothing like old pickup trucks in my books when it comes to vehicles. They have so much character, can be driven in all weather conditions, and the visibility is far superior. Some of the trucks I have owned definitely won't bring a Rolls Royce or a lamborghini cars to mind, that's for sure! Because some of my favorites have been gmc trucks, I am very inclined to look at the new models they have.

I am currently in the market for a vehicle, and I am really waffling and wavering with all the choices that are out there. Even though my heart is always with old trucks, I have waffled and wavered. I was thinking about a more economical car, like a kia, but must admit that my head was definitely turned by the 2010 chevrolet camaro. In fact, at the International Auto Show I saw the "Camaro Black" concept car. The 2010 model looks very much like it.

I have also really been intrigued by the new smart car. They are such a unique design and illicit a lot of nostalgia in me as they remind me a little bit like the BMW Isetta. It was in the "microcar" class, meaning that it seated one to three people. I have passed a dealer every day that has them, and the more i look at them, the more they remind me of a little roller skate. I am not quite sure if that would be safe enough for me in the winter time. If I had disposable income to have a little car on the side just for fun, I would consider it.

I am not sure what I will decide. I have another few weeks to consider it, and will let you know.

Compare Online Before You Renovate Your Kitchen

When I am looking for something on the internet that is not so "one of a kind," and is mass produced, I have found that ShopWiki helps me out a lot. It shows items at different shops on the internet. Many other sites do that, but in this case, no site pays for placement. You legitimately get the best deals that are crawled by the search system.

Kitchen appliances are a big ticket item, and when there is a price difference, it is not like paying ten cents more for the convenience of going to the store closest to you. On the contrary, there can be a difference of fifty to hundreds and thousands form retailer to retailer. Also, you may find that some retailers have the same maker but carry ovens and dishwashers not available at others. You can use the site to sort everything out before you hit the "buy" button.

Personally, I was looking at Food Processors as many big box retailers no longer carry them. If they do, it is only one model, and how much of a selection is that? I like to make sauces from the garden vegetables and freeze them. Chopping them by hand turns tomatoes into salsa, not pasta sauce. Hand mixers are dandy, but they only beat. I really need a processor.

The easiest item to order online is dinner ware, as it ships very easily. One tip given on the site that I didn't think of is considering the size of your cupboards. I lived in one apartment where I had to stack the dishes sideways on a rack because they didn't fit. Most cabinets can accommodate any style of plate, but mine were unusually small. The other tip is to never go by the color shown on your screen. Most of the time it is close, but your monitor may alter the exact color based on resolution and colors available. Some colors, especially reds, just don't photograph easily.

With a little research, you can find the perfect plates, the blender to whip the food in, and the dishwasher to clean them in.

Belt Fans for Your Historical Restoration

The first time I remember really noticing a Ceiling Fan was when I saw Citizen Kane for the first time. I remember the high contrast film style, showing curls from the ends of cigarettes dancing up towards the long, paddle blades. It seemed so much classier than the painted white ones with gold town curlicues that were in the bedrooms at home. Of course, the smoking was not classy. The art deco style fan was. It pushed me out of the mindset of Ceiling Fans being ugly and cheap looking.

What I really like is the belt driven ceiling fans that Hansen Wholesale Ceiling Fans offers. I have not seen anything quite like it offered to the public. This style was originally developed in the 1800s by Shediker and Carr, and would be very much at home in any number of historic restorations that you might be involved with. Now, Fanimation produces this style, and they call it the Brewmaster Longneck model.

An important improvement on the original has been made. Instead of the belts being made out of leather, they are now made with Neoprene. The change still preserves the look, but makes them not so high maintenance. You won't have to replace neoprene like you would leather, which could split over time without meticulous care. Even with the best of care, the elements would probably batter it.

Whether you decide on adding standard fans to your home, or go for an all out restoration, there are many options available. If you decide to go for something unique, you definitely do not have to settle for what every other home on your block has.

Drivers Wanted...For My Computer, That Is

Getting a new computer can be a joyous occasion, but it can also be very frustrating. If you want to migrate your printer to your new computer, it is not always a plug and play situation. On several occasions, I have tried this very thing and realized that I could not find the disk which contained the driver. Of course, I am always the driver as I take no guff from the computer. I meant drivers.

This happened to me about a year ago, and I finally broke down and decided to call and request a copy of the hp drivers. Okay, that was doable. A replacement disk was expedited to me.

Then, the tricky part came when I wrestled with the linksys. First of all, I called my service provider. The representative walked me through and in the process lost my IP address and created another situation where I definitely needed the drivers. Well, they told me that the disk containing the linksys drivers software was discontinued awhile ago. Discontinued for my model? I am sure that is a ploy to get you to buy a new one every few years.

I wish I knew back then what I know now. There is an entire website at DriverSoftware.com that has nothing but drivers available for every conceivable peripheral (otherwise known as "external doodads.). That is a good thing, because after all of this I was seriously considering going back to hunting and pecking on my Royal. Then I would run into a bigger problem because ribbon is no longer made for them and I would have to unravel a modern ribbon and respool it and have my hands stained for weeks. Fun!

They Still Had Acne in The Good Old Days

Back in the "good old days" if you had acne, you basically had to suffer through it. Well, that was not entirely true. You could scour your face, or use witch hazel. The most popular remedy was just everyone assuming that you would "grow out of it" eventually.

"Growing out of it" without any sort of more sophisticated acne product, it usually meant that you would have scarring later. Laying off certain foods didn't always help, as the reasons that one had acne breakouts was uncertain as two kids could exercise the same care with cleanliness and grooming and one could still be afflicted. Don't be fooled that no one had acne in the 50s. A tv show might center around the fact that a character just had a single blemish but it was all gone in time for the next episode, sometimes using a very comic acne solution, such as something from the sandbox.

In more recent television history, Kelly, on the original Saved by the Bell, get acne. Screech creates a substance that instantly erases zits. Unfortunately, the side effect is that your face turns maroon. The plot line has been repeated since, and has occurred in other shows prior with the details and results slightly changed.

If you suffer from acne, it is nothing to be ashamed about whether you are a teenager or you suffer from it as an adult. With the right acne treatment, you will get your confidence and dermatological health back in no time.

Trade Shows: Think Like a Rock Star

I first explored companies that made and rented trade show displays thinking along the lines of furnishing booths at antique fairs and trade shows. I had no idea about the breadth of items you could obtain that go way beyond the realm of exhibit booths.

One item that I didn't think of were logo floor mats. I often see them walking into grocery stores and very high end companies. What I didn't consider is how pulled together and professional a small business can look with them. When pennies are tight, I don't necessarily recommend getting one for your front walkway. However, when you are on the road at various shows, or have a local week long show, you want to grab people as many times as you can with your name. Memories relate to a variety of senses, and I seem to remember the graphics and logos of mats in someone's booth for some reason, over one of the many brochures that are stuffed in my bag.

The idea of making a top notch impression at shows has even crossed over into the realm of the concert experience. You can order a truss for a stage show at the very same place you order your curtain holders and displays for a booth. Both types if mediums sometimes involve wowing the senses, but when you take a show display to the next level and think of entertaining rather than just passing out fliers, you are burned into someone's mind.

Your Restored Bungalow Needs Authentic (Looking) Lamps

I am sitting at home with a cup of hot chocolate and a dog next to me on the floor, looking through websites of lighting fixtures. The whole thing is a bit odd. The lamp part is fine, but drinking hot chocolate in humid, 90 degree weather is not, at least usually. There are many fixtures out there that are great to use if you are restoring a home or at least want to evoke a certain era. Maybe I was drinking the chocolate as I it was all evoking a bit of nostalgia.

There are some lamps and lampshades on Farreys.com that may very well do the trick. There is a great product search tool that really helps you pinpoint exactly what you have been envisioning. A cousin of mine has an arts and crafts style house. I think the light fixture, pictured at left, would really do the trick. It is made by Kichler, and evokes the style without looking SO original that someone is tempted to steal it!

There are also plenty of ceiling light fixtures that would carry the theme throughout the home. I am of the mind that light fixtures do not have to match each other. Of course, if you have a formal arrangement such as sconces or lights on each side of a door, you may want them identical. Let me clarify: I don't think that the kitchen light fixtures such as the one above the sink has to be identical, or from the same collection as the one above the table. You could have floor lamps in the eat in kitchen to create a more formal dining room effect that may be harmonious in era or color palatte but do not match.

Of course, you may not want to buy an elegant and delicate fixture to be in the same room as the big plaster floor lamp in two tone pink and elephant green that you have had since the 1980s. However, I am not one to judge!

Made Mistakes? There is Hope

It is so important to do a little health check on your finances at the end of each year. Summer is actually an even better time. It is equally important for people who have had a major change in their life such as a divorce, or a marriage. For me, this year marks a year of "starting over." There is so much debt that I have that is from the mere restructuring of my life. I just had no idea how a life change could affect you.

There are a few things you can do to repair bad credit, such as pulling your credit reports and examining them carefully. Check the items that may be wrongly listed on your credit report, and try to make amends to some that you in truth have defaulted on or have forgotten about. You can file a credit dispute if you find something that does not seem quite right, such as a debt of a person with a similar name, or a credit inquiry that you did not authorize.

While it does take seven years to improve credit in some ways, as some negative marks hang on that long, there are a number of ways that you can make major improvements in spite of that. Pay all current bills on time, of course, to create a new track record. Creditors may give you a break if you made mistakes in the past but your recent history is good. Do not give up hope. You can do it, even if it takes consolidating or cutting back. However, most bad credit is generating with missing payments for reasons of mismanagement rather than not having the funds.

Not everyone was blessed with clean credit, but with some diligence, you can get yourself a lot closer to the reality.

Being the "Piano Man" Isn"t Our of Reach

I played two musical instruments in school, but the one that I was most interested in eluded me. I have always wanted to learn how to play the piano. I thought I was always a bit ahead of the game because I could handle Sight Reading. However, the price of a piano made my dream be dashed.

Sure, sometimes people get rid of pianos, but buying all the sheet music, or finding something you like adds up. Of course, that is the case, unless you are content playing chopsticks or the chords to "Mary Had a Little Lamb." I was able to find some suitable sheet music to download at http://www.yokewong.net/freesheetmusic.html. There is definitely a better selection to offer that is a bit more exciting, such as boogie woogie piano music, and also selections that fall into the new age category.

I am going to give it a shot, and fumble away on the electronic keyboard that has been languishing in the basement. The keyboard is a comparable size to a standard piano. It should be easy to transition to a piano, once I master it a little bit. I have always pictured myself as the person in old movies that suddenly sits at the piano and gets the whole room to snap out of their doldrums and put on a happier face.

Rain Barrels: What is Old is New

Many people have jumped on the bandwagon of doing little things and tweaking their game to do more environmentally friendly things. What people have been doing all along that saves some energy is rain harvesting. Not only is using rain water barrels environmentally friendly, but it is also very budget conscious.

You collect the rain in special rain barrels, then can use the water to take care of your garden. Of course, you can use any old barrel you find, but it is better to use plastic so the barrel doesn't get soft, and you also can clean them much easier if the need arises. Some people use the rain water to fill up the bird fountain as well. I knew one woman who actually washed her hair in the rain water, especially when the power went out. Since her home was on an electric well, she lost water during bad storms as well.

I was surprised how far the design of the typical rain barrel has come. The design, at left, looks like an architectural piece. Obviously, if you tapped it, you would know that it is plastic and not plaster, but it looks very attractive. It is a good alternative for someone who does not want an item that looks like a barrel. It has a removable top planter that adds to the effect. This style is available at Simplyrainbarrels.com

Classic Myrtle Beach

Before sixteen and seventeen year olds wandered down to Cancun by themselves for Spring Break, Myrtle Beach Resorts were long the hot spot to go to. The weather is just as pleasant in the summer as it is in the Bahamas or Mexico, but you are still in the good old U.S.A.

Things have changed, of course, from the Myrtle Beach shown above. Now, Oceanfront Myrtle Beach Resorts dot the skyline . They are bursting at the seams on spring break, but remain fairly busy year round. An alternative that you may not have thought of is what is offered at the Towers on the Grove, a Myrtle Beach Resort. They don't merely offer hotel rooms; they have condos to rent.

Condos are a great alternative for several reasons. While relaxing, some folks don't like rushing out for the room to be done up. The greater benefit is being able to cook inside the condo, and to bring a larger number of people along. Sometimes it is just more economical for two couples or a family to share, rather than rent seperate rooms.

Are you planning to wander down, or up to Myrtle Beach this summer or fall? I would love to hear about it.

Dust Yourself Off (Literally)

The matters of mold and dust are very important to collectors. Often people ignore it in the thrill of the hunt. They look at an antique book, a 1920 bathing suit, or a creaky old barn and things that would normally alarm them, or incite a Dust Control plan in their own home just don't register. I have seen people get seriously ill.

While I have learned to avoid that, even if it meant leaving a treasure behind, the dust that cannot be avoided by me is dust in the environment. I am not speaking of a little dust on a shelf. There was a new development put in where I used to live. Instead of gradually building as funds and interest allowed, they clearcut forty five acres of land. For months, there was a coating of dust on cars that had been left in driveways within a mile of the destruction. Occasionally, they would wet the soil down, but it proved to be a poor plan for Dust Abatement, as it was a temporary fix that cost the area a substantial water bill.

I wish the homeowner's association had seen the Top-Seal that is available. The dirt roads throughout the new development could have been easily turned into something a bit more solid. Of course, in the future, the developers could have paved roads, but by the track record of the whole area, it was more likely that many back roads would be vacant for years until concurrence dictated. In the meantime, they could have sealed them. That way, the soil was already graded for the future project.

In 1987, a PM10 compliance was put into effect. There is such a thing as "dust emissions," and projects and products that are PM10 compliant control dust with a particulate matter of 10 Microns in diameter or smaller. That may not mean much to most people, but it sure means a lot to our lungs and eyes. Asthma attacks can be substantially reduced as well, if that is a trigger, when you live in an area where dust control is in effect.

The next time you have a dusty road on your hands, there is a way to eliminate the problem.

Leave the Oldies But Goodies at Home

Some of my readers prefer owning a set of vintage luggage. There is something about weathered leather or nostalgic train cases. However, sometimes a trip to the luggage store to buy a few pieces is a little more in order and helps you keep your oldies but goodies intact.

Nowadays, you cannot carry on as much as in the old days. Riding down the chute, and being tossed in a bin with other luggage causes wear and tear. Newer models are able to withstand that a bit. Designer luggage in distinct patterns or bold colors can also make it easier for you to find your bags once you are reunited with them. Tumi luggage offers a sport series in bright red, which is much easier to see in the sea of black bags, while hartman luggage offers tweed.

Also, it is worth noting that some older pieces may just not be suited for your laptop. Just like less and less people are traveling with wig cases, the laptop bag is more a sign of these times. Even if you are buying a regular suitcase, it would be more equipped to protect your valuable electronics. Among the briggs and riley luggage, there are several wheeled totes that would suit electronics well.

Have fun on your next trip, but there are some cases where you may want to leave your old favorites at home and let the new kids take the abuse.

Life Insurance: Available for the Unemployed and Self Employed

I used to work at a job where I received full benefits. I had health insurance, and despite me being a bit puzzled why I even had it, I had 20 year term life insurance. In my early twenties, single, and not even seeing anyone, I really wondered why the heck I needed it. No one depended on me. Perhaps I justified it by the slim price it was. It was just a few dollars a month.

A 20 yr term seemed like a long time to me at the time. In 20 years, it would mature and if needed, I or a beneficiary could receive the full benefit. It is not just for funerals, but there are other cases where you would be able to use it. I think there was something like dismemberment that prevented you form working, or at least to the full price scale that you were accustomed. I know, it sounds pretty gruesome. You just never know what is going to happen, however.

Now that I am a bit older, I think life insurance makes a little more sense. I have seen folks give all of their assets to charity in their will, and then have no family. One animal rescue ended up paying the expenses for a head stone for a benefactor because there was just no one left in the woman's life. That was extremely sad. If she would have had insurance, burial expenses would have been taken care of.

Whatever you decide, at least it is something that you can purchase regardless of having an employer or being self employed.

Don't Know a Classmate? Get the Notes Online

When I was in school, my course load was pretty intense. The classes within my major required many, many hours of out of classroom participation. By the time I arrived at my core classes, such as geology or math, I was pretty wiped out. In my major classes, I pretty much knew everyone, but in the basics, I knew not a soul in the sea of desks. It was really hard to compare notes with folks.

There is actually a site now that has course notes for various classes. They are not just generic classes, but classes specific to the college or university you attend. Say you are in a huge statistics class, you can get STAT Lecture Notes from statistics class right online at Coursehero.com. The set up of the website is not to provide plagiarized term papers, but to offer notes and outlines to help you study.

If you have been out of class for awhile, you can look up a STAT Homework Solution. It is sort of like when you were in grade school and the answer key was in the back of your book. This is so you could figure out how to arrive at the answers. Of course, the tests were something the teacher compiled and you wouldn't have a cheat sheet for.

If this was available when I was in college, life would have been less stressful. If my lab time ran over and I couldn't quite make it to the next class, I would have had a way to catch up.

Planters Make a Home Restoration Complete

Many of my readers are restoring homes to the Victorian, Tudor, or Bungalow splendor. One of the easiest ways to push your renovation from just simply "cleaned up" to "a walk back in time" are the living elements of the home. Your decorative planters, both indoor planters and outdoor planters are going to really give your home authenticitiy.

The terrarium is a popular indoor planter choice for a variety of eras. The victorian and deco area models looked like little greenhouses or castles. The 1970s versions sometimes were mirrored. Either way, they create a lot of visual interest, and allow the right plants to be easy care.

Window box planters with daisies or wildflowers evoke an cottage look, while trailin planeteg vines bring "Ivy League" to mind in more ways than one. Ivy clinging to the side of a stucco home is stately and beautiful, but it also does a lot of damage to the structure over time. Just a little ivy in a planter that can climb in a controlled way can give the same feeling in a more manageable form.

Good luck on your project and remember a few natural touches can really transform the look of a home.

Look Like an Expert at Trade Shows and Fairs

Planning for summer antique fairs and trade show exhibits are upon us. Some exhibitors use very makeshift set ups. It may work if you are going to set up in your shop, or just around the corner, but often completely home made set ups aren't flexible or are unwieldy to travel with.

I urge you to look beyond what you typically see at antique fairs and think about the examples that trade show exhibits give you. Many elements are built to be knocked down and taken with you. What is more, is that the polished looking trade show exhibit that participants have is what is going to set you apart and make you more money when you transition from the local community center to a national event like Viva Las Vegas.

There are some "roll and go" table top trade show displays that may cost more than purchasing poster board at the office supply store, but it will give you an infinitely more professional look. You will only have to purchase it once to give people an image of yourself as an expert in your field and not just a "dealer" or a "seller." Companies like Gilbert Displays offer complete customization of something just for you. They even offer rentals of equipment and hardware if shows are not something you do as your bread and butter.