No.10: Checkered Pattern

I'm not sure how it started but since my mid-teens I have been addicted to anything checkered. I have and have had multiple pairs of the Vans classic slip-ons in the check pattern, checkered purses, scarves, socks, flip-flops, keychains, earrings, wrist cuffs, backpack, photo frames, lamp shades, vases, area rugs etc. You name it, I probably have it.

I tend to be more inclined for the black and white check but have black and other colours as well. Anytime I'm out, anywhere, that awesomeness always catches my eye. Then I have to buy whatever it is. As long as it has the checkered pattern on it, I will risk going over budget and claiming that item for myself.

On any given day you will find something checkered on me. I'm not kidding, take a look at the picture of my front entrance before I was forced to get another shoe rack by my old roommate...

No.9: Magazines

My first magazine supscription was to "All About You" given to me as a birthday present from my aunt when I was 12. This is where my addiction started. Shortly after I started receiving my copies of this teen mag in the mail I began to buy more and more each month. "YM", "Seventeen", "Teen People" and the occasional "Teen Vogue" all became monthly staples that I just had to have.

As I grew older my tastes changed and every month my addictions became "Vogue", "Nylon", "InStyle", "Cosmopolitan", "Vanity Fair" and even though I'm heterosexual and a feminist, I had a subscription to "Maxim" when I was 20 (believe it or not, the writers were hilarious and the articles were always good for a laugh).

These days I'm more inclined to purchase "Martha Stewart Living", "SPIN", "Revolver", "Everday with Rachael Ray" and I have a subscription to "Women's Health." Quite the variety of tastes but that's just me. My music collection refelcts the same kind of eclectic taste. From one end of the spectrum to the other.

There's something about the glossy pages, the artistic photography and layout of the pages that sucks me in every month. It's a costly addiction, but subscriptions are a money saver. Right now there are two magazines on my end table that need some attention so I'll end this post and see you again next week.

No.8: Vinyl Records

Vinyl records are so cool. My addiction to them has fluctuated over the years, but I have always loved them. I started collecting vinyl several years ago when my brother also really got into it. We would go to garage sales and thrift stores to find the hidden gems. Then my brother was given the ultimate collection from our dad and I was so jealous, however, I was lucky enough to get the doubles and inherited some original press Beatles albums amongst others.

Then I started to find picture disks and coloured vinyl on eBay and I went a little crazy. I bought single after single (7" records) from my favourite band My Chemical Romance and also found a couple Nirvana live and b-side singles as well. Shortly after my eBay craze ran dry, in other words my credit card was maxed, I drifted away from the vinyl for a short period of time.

Recently, my boyfriend and I have gotten back into the vinyl hunting and collecting. We visit a flea market almost every weekend and get the best bargains on the coolest and strangest albums. Anything from Disney Halloween sound effects to Robin Williams comedy albums to Janis Joplin in concert.

Our combined collection reaches a total of 300 and counting. My brother's collection is double that! I know I won't stop until I surpass my brother's collection so I'm off to the flea market again this weekend. See you all there!

No. 7: Halloween

As you may have already guessed from my previous post, my favourite holiday, and another addiction, is Halloween. I love the spooky atmosphere and the excitement of playing pretend. The Reese's Peanut Butter Cups don't hurt either, except on the scale!

I have always been fascinated with the afterlife because it so mysterious. It happens to everyone yet none of us can explain for certain what happens when the time comes. Sure some have theories or beliefs, but there is no telling of what happens. Halloween is the day to celebrate those ghosts, goblins and other dark creatures of the underworld.

I am so addicted to Halloween that I keep the decorations up year long. I have black, twisted trees in the living room, a painting of Captain Spalding in the dining room, horror movie figures around the house, blood splatter and flying bat decals on the windows and a Psycho shower curtain in the bathroom complete with sounds effects. The best day to go shopping for this stuff? November 1. It's like boxing day but for Halloween addicts. The best!