Pulp Sushi - Fresh Handmade Design & Sweet Creative Dreams

Things I Don't Love Thursday

Playing along with today's Things I Don't Love Thursday from Lulu & Sweet Pea because I do need to vent a little.   So here is my list, it's simple and straight forward.
-I'm at work right now but the network seems to be down so I can't do any actual work.
-The office is always freezing.
-I have such a loooooooong commute to work.
-Office hours are 9 to 6 instead of five like most places
-That I have a lot of gripes about my job
-I have not been sleeping well. I keep waking up every hour so I'm feeling cranky.
-Money problems aka empty wallet
-Student Loan that won't go away
-My weight
-Car problems
-My incredibly low tolerance for others
-Hipsters
-Ghetto
-Beyonce
-People who are TOO politically correct
-Girls who try to grow up too fast
-High-pitch voices
-Cigarettes
-Dark Chocolate
-People who walk down the street looking at their phones and not paying attention
-Everyone who I take the evening train with.

 

Life Lately...

In case you're viewing through a blog reader, you won't notice that I just up and changed my layout Friday afteroon.  The three column layout was just starting to look cluttered and driving me nuts. I'm so happy switching to two columns which means bigger images! If your computer is slow to load pictures, sorry Charlie!

I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day weekend if you celebrate.  I went down to my parents and spent the night. We NEVER go out for Mother's Day, in fact my Mother does the cooking! I know! But she wouldn't have it any other way. That's just the way she is. :)

I've been writing more of these "Life Lately.." posts. Like I mentioned last week, there's not much shop news to share but I still like to share other stuff. Outside of my blog, I don't have too many girlfriends to talk to about little things like the new shoes I just got from Target...

I just love wedge shoes. My poor feet need some kind of platform for support or else I'm in pain after five minutes of walking. And flats? When you walk as much (and as fast) as I do, you go through flats pretty quick.

And just for the hell of it, here's a picture of me on my morning commute looking MAJ!  I wish I could wear big sunglasses all the time to hide half of my face.  I wear scarves a lot too.  Have a great week!

A Look At April In Instagram

Spring continues to struggle to get here but there were more signs of it in April (later in the month). Enjoy!

1. Shipping Top Secret goodies today! :) #pulpsushi #handmade, 2. Going home #metronorth #train #newyork #Nike #brightasstights, 3. Casket art by Patrick Conlon @lurkus69 - congratulations on your new shop! #newyork #hudsonvalley #tattooshop #Peekskill, 4. In wearing a #dress covered in #hearts. This seems out of character for me. #fashion #dressup #newyork #tuesday, 5. From my lunch walk the other day #Spring #nyc #newyork #midtown #eastside #sidewalk #street, 6. Just arrived : Adventures In Pompom Land, this looks so fun! #books #handmade #craft #cute, 7. At Dream In Plastic @jschrufer #Beacon #hudsonvalley #art #newyork, 8. MILK!!! #kitch #japanese #hudsonvalley #newyork, 9. Oh my God, can you stand the cuteness??? #craft #cute #devil #handmade #fiber #toy #doll, 10. Every #morning (no that's not my #train). #metronorth #newyork #Beacon #hudsonvalley, 11. Space Shuttle on the Intrepid #nyc #newyork #hudsonriver #ship #boat #manhattan, 12. I WANT THIS IN MY HOUSE!!!! #nofilter #iswear #Shag #lovehim #art #awesome #nyc #newyork, 13. #art #nyc #newyork #fineart, 14. Walk through #Chelsea Market #nyc #newyork #manhattan, 15. New glasses makes pair #5 from #Coastal @coastaldotcom #glasses #morning #dianevonfurstenberg #selfportrait, 16. Going home #hudsonvalley #newyork #metronorth

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A Look At March In Instagram Photos

Life Lately (Pulp Sushi News Too)

I've been working on some new items but not for Etsy. In a couple of weeks I will be doing the Rock n' Roll Flea Market in Kingston, NY.  I don't have any shows and fairs lined up for the Spring & Summer because they're usually outdoors and I kind of hate doing outdoor shows.  I know, I'm stubborn. 

I don't want to spill all of the beans just yet but it looks like there is another local store interested in selling my jewelry so I'm gathering items for that too.  I can't wait until things are finalized and I'm ready to shout it out to everyone (and go shopping for myself!)

My collection of glasses continues to grow.  This is my latest pair from Coastal from the Diane Von Furstenberg collection. The Black Apple print behind me is also wearing glasses.  A coincidence. :)
And this is the book I'm currently reading. I picked it up at work.  I've wanted to see the movie but just never got around to it. I probably will once I finish reading this. I like learning about Old New York.

I feel like I've been kind of quiet on Twitter & Facebook lately.  Once again I've been hit with a financial blow that I'm trying to recover from and it's kind of pissing me off. Every time I feel like I'm finally getting ahead something unexpected happens and kind of screws everything up.  And it's not over yet.    Maybe this might be a good time to remind everyone that I still have Sponsorship ads available for May and that I'm trying to sell this brand new dress I got from Modcloth.  Have a good week!

Thinking Of Boston

In light of what happened yesterday, I just don't have it in me to share my usual blog post.

Etsy: Victoria Camp Designs

Boston has a special place in my heart. I have had A LOT of good times there. I haven't been back in over 10 years but I think about going regularly.  What happened yesterday hits too close to home. I really wish we could just live in a world where we didn't have to worry about things like this happening anywhere.

How Do You Measure Success?

Recently I met up with Etsy teammate and fellow jewelry seller Lisa from Merry Alchemy.  She started taking a business class and was asked to find an "Accountability Partner" to help her stay on her tasks in running her business. Up until this point, we were just friendly aquaintances so I was surprised she asked me.  We're in similiar situations selling jewelry online but working full-time doing something else but trying to get out of that routine.  She wanted to pick my brain on how I manage to juggle everything. I'm always happy to share things like that. We had a nice chat at Starbucks where I gave her some ideas on priortizing and sorting things out - just speaking from my own experience but it was so fun! I was surprised at some of the things coming out of my mouth.

A few days before meeting her, I was talking to Mike about this and how I can't imagine why ANYONE would come to me for advice about selling on Etsy or writing a blog. I've been doing both for so long yet I still haven't quit my day job.  He frankly said "Because you're still doing it! Other people might have given up by now." Whoa! He's right!  Pulp Sushi has driven me in such a way nothing else has and I still enjoy working on it after all this time. 

2013 has been a year of re-evaluating just about everything in my life. I've been reading a lot about growing your business, blogging and becoming your own boss. I've been on Typepad since November 2006. Before that I was on Blogger, LiveJournal, Diaryland, and other websites under various names going back to the late 90s and doing it all without much of a clue. No idea about making jewelry or running my own business. Pulp Sushi was suppose to be something completely different but now that I have a better understanding about "branding" and direction, I'm so excited to continue my journey with a fresh approach.

Do you find yourself being too critical about where you are with your business or blog?

NYC Weekend On A Budget - Fashion Institute Of Technology

I stayed in Manhattan this past weekend with Mike. We were kind of on a budget so I put an agenda together which was fairly safe on the wallet.  First up was a trip to a museum.  There are hundreds in NYC but many of them can be free like the Museum at FIT.  It's in the campus of Fashion Institute of Technology but open to the public.  They had a special exhibit on shoes! 

 

It was pretty funky, some shoes more crazy than others. Those are the ones I was drawn to.  I was surprised not to see any Armadillo shoes in the exhibit. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take pictures inside.

Right across campus was another exhibit showing off gowns made by Rosario Rizzo - an opera singer and FIT instructor who passed away.  The beading and embellishments in some of these gowns were stunning. His wife, Rose, was his muse and she just happened to have been there when we were.  A sweet lady who stopped to talk to everyone and would appear very emotional when she spoke about how much she loved her husband.  Mike asked her which of the gowns were her favorite and she said her wedding gown which wasn't displayed. I almost started crying!  She was absolutely adorable. Read more about their sweet story on FIT's blog.

Also on our cheap agenda, a visit to The Antique Garage on 25th Street. A two floor antique flea market. Fun for window browsing but I did score some fun vintage beads.

And last a visit to the Chelsea Market where my only indulgence there was deliciousness from Amy's Bread but it is a fun building to walk through. I would prefer it a little less crowded.  So that's that!  If you plan on visiting New York City and want to avoid the tourist traps and junk, give me a shout and I'll recommend some fun places to go. :)   

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Photos: "Shoe Obsession" exhibit in New York City

 

A Look At February In Instagram Photos

SNOW!  That's what I think of when this past month comes to mind.  It was a cold and grey month, it kind of killed my creative momentum for most of it but things have picked up this week. I've been working on a custom order for one of my *BEST* customers. I better remember to take pictures before I send it off.  Here's a quickie look at February.

1. Just because. I wish I can make one big enough to slip my whole body into like a #crochet cocoon. It feels snug. #handmade, 2. Now THAT is bread pudding! #food #dessert, 3. Snowed in #Nemo #Blizzard #newyork #HudsonValley #Fishkill, 4. I sometimes collect paint swatches for no reason #pretty #colors #rainbow #colorful #february, 5. One day I'm kidnapping this doggie #cute #chloe #dog #love #february, 6. It's Friday, leaving the city, it's cold. ❄#night #nyc #newyork #midtown #thirdave, 7. Sunday afternoon reading - Blogging Etiquette #books #blogging #dream #business, 8. New home for my #yarn - for now #knitting #crochet #handmade, 9. This morning #february #snow #ice #hefe #hudsonvalley #newyork #winter, 10. At work #red #rose #Flower February #work, 11. IMG_8031, 12. Warning... #metronorth #train #sign #newyork Created with fd's Flickr Toys

PS: I start the BLOG BOSS e-course tomorrow and I'm so excited!! Have you ever taken one of Holly Becker's e-courses?

52 Lists - Week 7 - What Makes Me Feel Healthy #52lists2013

Time for another list!  This week we're looking at what makes us feel healthy, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. Immediately stuff started coming out - some that are pretty obvious but some others that kind of dawned on me - like doing a silly dance.  I do that from time to time and Mike looks at me with pity.

 

This week's list

- Practicing Yoga, meditating, praying
- Going for walks, lifing my weights
- Hiking, anything cardio
- Eating more fruits, vegetables and nuts
- Avoid junk food and sugar (sooo hard!)
- Thinking positive, making goals
- Create something new
- Getting together with friends
- Learning something new
- Visits to a museum or gallery
- Buddhism, spirituality
- Eating more fish
- Home cooked meals
- Breaks away from the computer (Tues & Weds nights)
- Drinking more water
- Singing along to a favorite song
- Doing a silly dance
- Laugh out loud
- Say something nice about others
- A full night sleep (I'm lucky if I get 6 hours)

What do you do that makes you feel like you're taking care of yourself?

Are you following along The 52 List Project?

I ♥ Fluff Friday - Music I Listen To

I love music! I need to have it on constantly - at work, on the train, on the computer. Back when I was younger I use to go to shows every weekend (and a few times during the week).  There's TOO many bands to list so here are the ones I'm probably listening to the most at the moment.

Don't ask me about  pop, rap, dance, R&B, anything with auto-tune. I can't stand music like Beyonce and whoever else is popular with the kids nowadays because I just don't know. Anyhoo....

This week's FF comes out of my own Music Loves pinboard on Pinterest.   

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Marilyn P Sushi on Pinterest

 

Let me tell you something about Volbeat. This band has managed to take my entire music collection and meshed it into something awesome. They fuse Thrash Metal, Punk, Rockabilly and Honky Tonk music and I friggin' love them for it! 

Source: google.com via Marilyn P Sushi on Pinterest

 

 

The Bouncing Souls were included in Grateful list two weeks ago. I feel like I've grown up along with them. 

 

Source: gigposters.com via Amy on Pinterest

 

Mike Ness is one of my favorite storytellers.

 

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Marilyn P Sushi on Pinterest

 

Rancid, yes please

 

Source: google.com.br via Marilyn P Sushi on Pinterest

 

Of course!

 

Source: google.ca via Marilyn P Sushi on Pinterest

 

I've known about Jesse Malin for a while but haven't started getting into his music until maybe a year ago. He came up in the NYC Punk/Hardcore scene and managed to mature along with his music which I really appreciate. Some his songs are pretty nostalgic of the old New York which I can appreciate. ♥  I listen to him on my morning commutes.  Speaking of..

 

Source: google.com via Marilyn P Sushi on Pinterest

 

I listen to A LOT of Tom Waits on my morning train ride too.

I hope this posts gives you a little idea of what makes me tick and keeps me going every day.  Have a great weekend!