A few of my new (and very innexpensive) favorite things

So...I am officially totally broke. I have a very pretty room to show for it. Going to have to take a break on the re-decorating of it for now though. Not to mention, any hope of going to NY (or anywhere else for that matter) this Fall is probably totally out of question. And I will be wearing two-year old clothes for another hot minute. But that's all normal for people of my age, right? Right. Hoping for some sort of random miracle. Not that money is everything, but life without the stress due to lack of it would be nice. Anywho, on my last room shopping trip at Target, I picked up a couple of things that weren't necessarily on the list, but needed none-the-less (well, one of the two items was needed). I picked up a super cute, and totally hip, camera necklace and a tote/computer bag. My fave United Colors of Bennington bag that my bought me when I was going off to college for the first time (4 1/2 years ago) broke a few weeks ago, and I have been using a re-usable grocery bag as a computer bag. Yuck! Check out my new items. Necklace was only $9.99, bag was only $12.99!

Why didn't I think of this? Talk about inspiration

Ever feel like you're not living to your full potential? Story of my life. However, apparently I lack the creativity or the brain power it takes to be super successful. Or I'm just lazy. Check out this story of three entrepreneurs who started now very successful companies with less than $150. Some have not begun paying themselves salary because they are still putting their savings in their enterprise, but lets just say they are not hurting. I especially like the first story, Live Wordly, LLC. Seriously? She is just selling other people's craft. Saw potential popularity and capitalized on it. Why have I not thought of something like this?!? Geeze.  I can't decide if these kind of stories are inspirational or depressing. Check it out here.

Jack Johnson Show!

It was a great show! Honestly, much better than I thought. Especially when G. Love took stage with Jack J. and the crew - Love me some G. Love. Thanks for the hook up on the great seats Ryan P. you're the best!

So many things I want to post. Totally forgot about the blog & decided to start taping the room instead. Got primer on the walls. Painting tomorrow. Whoop Whoop. More posts tomorrow...hopefully.

P.S. Slightly ashamed but purchased the new Katy Perry album tonight and really liking most of it. I guess I am a total sellout now Ryan - as Katy herself just said "I guess it's my own cross to bear" hehehe.

My bed finally assembled!

My new bed, one of my awesome $5 shirts with zippers from TJ Maxx, my new retro-like couch (compliments of my roomie) and the one really nice thing I actually own - my beautiful Macbook. Enough said. I realize my room looks a little Halloween-y right now. That is going to change sometime in the near future. I really like the color of this room, I have just been collecting black and white stuff too long to switch. I'm thinking baby blue or a gray/blue with bright accent pieces. Thoughts?

Love This: Lauren Conrad's new collection & Lo's new site

I get made fun of for this on the reg since I am 22 years old and all - but I must confess I totally keep tabs on anything that Lauren Conrad and Lo Bosworth do. Well, not anything, but anything that crosses my path when just browsing the Web, flipping through a magazine, what have you. Even though I stopped watching The Hills during the last two seasons, for the most part, these two have been my faves ever since the Laguna Beach days. I think it is mostly their fashion sense that grabs my attention - but I also relate to Lo's somewhat dry sense of humor and Lauren's calm and collected demeanor.

Both girls have new projects underway. Lo has her new site The Lo Down - and yes, I look at it at least a couple times of week (cough - once a day- cough). I know, I know. She also has a book also titled "The Lo Down," to be released January 2011. And yes, I am probably going to go out an buy it. I am also still behind on LC's literary series. I've only read the first one L.A. Candy and enjoyed it. However, I have been trying to read a bit more "grown up" literature, Like Chelsea Handler. hehe. (And some Jack Kerouac!)

Meanwhile, Lauren Conrad has launched her newest collection for Kohl's. Although I have not seen the collection in person (since I never go to Kohl's), the pieces are super cute in the photos. I'm definitely planning on checking them out this weekend. As cute and affordable as this collection is, what I am really excited for is her new casual wear line. I can't seem to remember when it is launching, but all I know is I hope I can afford a couple of pieces. ; ) In the meantime, check out the photos of my fave picks from her new Kohl's line below:

Home Sweet Home - Well, almost

My new Ikea rug for my new home office!

The mirror Bec found for me in TJ Maxx - got an extra $3 off, only $27 - ya baby!

My craftmanship - you can't tell that the clothes are crooked here. ; )

Quite the mini fridge, eh?

After approximately 2 years of yapping about moving out of my dad's house, I finally made a move. Sort of. An opportunity got thrown my way last month and I took it. The problem was - it was in Tampa, and I didn't really think the whole situation through completely. Imagine that. But considering the fact that I work in downtown St. Pete and go to the gym in Tyrone, my family and pretty much all my friends live in the Tyrone area - I guess it was silly. I think it was wishful thinking. I thought I would move to Tampa, go out there a couple of times and meet all of these new friends. Ha! Who the H was I kidding.

Anywho, I stumbled upon a new opportunity (thanks again Jill!) that landed me back in town, actually very close to work. It is sooo nice being able to sleep past 6:30 a.m., now I need to just start going to bed earlier so it actually makes a difference! I have much more privacy with this living arrangement and am really enjoying it so far. However, it's definitely a work in progress making it "my own space" or in better terms - "Shannon-izing it." I have a picture in my head of what the final product will be and I can't wait. It will be soo pretty. The problem is - I can't seem to focus worth a darn. I have been spending all of my time, money and energy on the little (and not so dire) things. And of course I have to go to the gym, or dinner, or to this or that. I really need a lesson on time management. I know all of the rules and guidelines, just need to actually follow them. I will crack down on myself this weekend though.

I did use a drill for the first time in my life tonight - and almost totally successfully. Apparently there needs to be enough room for the hangers to fit when hanging up a closet rod. Who woulda thunk? It's so close too. Well, get ready for lots of room updates to be posted (all three of you readers), considering how this "project" is consuming most of my time - it's the number one topic of conversation for me. I am loving every minute of it though...that is, after quite an emotional weekend. The dude (middle aged dude) asking me if my mini fridge was for a dorm room and not seeming to know to just let it go and continuing to ask for details almost made me snap - thought about punching him in the face - but I opted for a deep breath instead.

More good news is that I didn't walk straight into my bathroom door last night when I went to go pee in the middle of the night, like I did the previous night. Maybe I should just drink less water.

Music Making History

I am a bit late on this post - but hopefully not too late. If you don't already have plans for this Saturday, August 14 (and even if you do - cancel them), you should check out Reggae Night at the St. Petersburg Museum of History. The night features Mike Pinto from Philly, who I can attest - never disappoints, always puts on a great show, and local bands UNMOTIVATED and The Hip Abduction - two other awesome groups.

Tickets are $10 in advanced, $12 at the door, proceeds benefiting the Museum. They already sold more than 100 pre-sale tickets, so I would get yours soon! Doors open at 6 p.m. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Live in St. Pete? Part of a neighborhood group? Funding available!

As reported on one of my favorite sites, i love the 'burg:

Applications for neighborhood grants are now being accepted by the City for projects that are considered beneficial for the community. This includes landscaping, picnic tables, lighting, public art, youth-initiated neighborhood improvements, etc. Approved projects can receive up to $25,000 but must be matched by the applying group in the form of volunteer hours, materials, in-kind services, cash match or a combination of these options. Applications are due November 5th.

This is a great opportunity to get involved and contribute to the betterment of the community. I wish I was a part of a neighborhood group. Maybe I should join one, or better yet, start one! Who's in? 

Learn more about the available funding here.

So hipster!

If you have not already, you will soon catch on to the fact that I have some sort of fascination with the whole beatnik/hipster subcultures. Not that those are the same thing - believe you me, I know they aren't, but I kind of see today's hipsters as modern day beatniks. (Side note: I'm a huge Jack Kerouac fan.) Anyway, I found these amazingly hipster Ray Bans in my mom's house when having to pick what furniture to keep and decided they were a must have, most importantly for the sentimental value. I remember her wearing them in the early 90s. She was always ahead of her time in trends and knew how to do retro right. Goodness I miss her.

Back to the hipster thing. Here are a couple of sites I love, below. There are plenty others, but these two are my fave:

• Stuff That Hipsters Hate
• Look at this F***ing Hipster

Shows to be pumped about

I am so excited about these shows I could pee my pants! (side note: PMP - peeing my pants - is my new LOL, just an FYI.) To my knowledge, many of the below artists have never been to the St. Pete/Tampa Bay area (some in Orlando), or have not in a very long time. More importantly, I have never seen most of them live. Just need to figure out how to afford them all. Ahh!

08/25 - Jack Johnson - 1-800-ASK-Gary Amphitheater (ewe) got my tix already!
08/30 - The Beautiful Girls - The Social, Orlando
09/18 - Kings of Leon - 1-800-ASK-Gary Amphitheater - Ok, so they have been here tons, but it's my first time seeing them and I already have my tickets.
09/19 - Surfer Blood & The Drums - State Theatre - Cannot begin to tell you how pumped I am for this one
10/01 - Pepper - Jannus Live - Agine, they have been here planty, but definitely worth mentioning
10/12 - Vampire Weekend w/ Beach House & The Very Best - Jannus Live - So, sooo excited!
10/15 - Matt & Kim - State Theatre - Whoooo!
10/26 - Phoenix - House of Blues, Orlando - don't know if I'll pull this one off, it's a Tuesday, but I sure hope so!
10/27 - MGMT - Ruth Eckerd Hall - ditto & don't have tix yet : (
11/04 - La Roux - The Ritz Ybor - my guilty pleasure!

There are a lot more shows to come. These are just the ones I cannot contain my excitement about.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog about a whole lot of nothing. My inspiration to start the blog: I love to write. That, and I love to share my stories, thoughts and opinions. This way, only the people who want to read them can. I feel as though I will loose a lot less friends that way. ; )

I started a music blog (St. Pete Music Scene) focused on the reggae/rock/dub genre a while back that was somewhat successful, but just too time consuming. I became kind of obsessed with finding new artists, shows, news, etc. I find myself sleeping a lot less became a little burnt out. With "Thoughts About Nothing" I can now post about whatever I come across on my leisure, without being confined to just one specific topic or genre. And trust me - I have plenty to share. I will be posting announcements on local events, news, as well as discussions on music, art, fashion, health & wellness, exercise, work (I'm a PR girl, graduated a little over a year ago and still trying to figure out what I want to be when I'm grown up) and my everyday musings. I will also be sharing lots and lots of photos. There are two things you should know about me: I am immune to embarrassment and I almost never take myself seriously. I subject myself to public humiliation on the reg and am OK with that. Its just part of who I am.