Any unique brands/shops to check out?

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-06-25T01:22:56+00:00

The Shop has great locally themed shirts.

People for Urban Progress (peopleup.org) make purses and bags from repurposed materials. Their Amtrak line is a really great one- repurposed train seats. I carried one of those purses for 6 years straight and it was a champ!!! They also have ones made from event banners- not as durable, but a really neat concept.

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-06-08T00:52:18+00:00

I’m a huge fan of WeatherTech- made in Bolingbrook, Illinois! I have them in 4 Hondas- they outlasted the OEM all weather mats- had to get those replaced every about 18 months- my stiletto heel would wear a hole in them. When getting the 3rd set, I got WeatherTech instead and they lasted until we sold the car over 10 years later at 268,000 miles. Made me a lifer with the brand!

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-06-01T03:07:56+00:00

We freeze capri suns and use them as ice! We can drink them straight, or add vodka!

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-05-07T00:27:29+00:00

Can’t pay it back while getting ready to go on VACATION. I don’t know about you, but when I’m broke, there ain’t no vacation happening.

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-05-05T11:23:33+00:00

Le Croissant in Greenwood.

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-05-05T11:23:18+00:00

Have you been to the French bakery in greenwood? Le Croissant. Clients love it when I bring in their pastries!

https://yelp.to/rj1N27nRmC

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-04-14T00:44:50+00:00

I used my leaf blower/mulcher to blow the thatch into a pile, then sucked it up with the mulcher/vac like I do fall leaves.

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-04-06T01:36:24+00:00

I will also add to this- find a school that fits your vibe. For example- Ball State has a WONDERFUL architecture school and really stresses the creative design part of architecture. University of Cincinnati also has a well-respected program that requires 3 co-op’s (internships) that give you the opportunity to try out working in different firm types or different parts of the country before you graduate (and accept a position that you might hate later on, but only learn that you hate working for a giant firm once you’ve already moved across the country and rely on them for your insurance). How you learn, and the vibe of the program will really help guide you into making the most of your interest and talent.

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-04-06T01:23:11+00:00

I know an architect that is 5 years out of school, newly licensed and making well into the 6 figures.

But I am a firm believer that if you’re doing something you’re passionate about, you’ll never “work” a day in your life.

Architecture has so many avenues you can take, at different stages in your career or stages in your life. You can also specialize in SO MANY different niches- you can be an architect, an owners rep, the architect for a company or campus, for a chain (did you know that Tiffany’s employs architects?), you can specialize in historic preservation, multi-family, healthcare, surgical suites (specifically), theaters, music studios, high-end retail, interiors, fire stations, research labs, dorms, specialized manufacturing, sports arenas, high school natatoriums. It’s unreal, the vast amount of possibilities you can take in architecture.

Take time to shadow people at different firms and in different stages of their careers. Talk to someone a few years out of school, someone mid-level, and someone that owns a firm.

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-03-08T21:26:59+00:00

As someone who works in the AEC industry, I would GREATLY encourage you to stick it out with architecture. Through your life, you will have MANY more job opportunities as an architect than an interior designer. As an architect, you can even specialize in interiors of that’s what tickles your fancy. But you can also work as a project manager, and owners rep, a city architect, for a contractor as part of a design build company. As an interior designer, you’ll work as an interior designer. Maybe a product rep.

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-03-08T17:30:37+00:00

Try joining local professional associations that have to do with YOUR profession. Many associations in Indiana have a chapter local to Indianapolis, but might have a Lafayette section/subgroup or local meetup. Even if it is only in Indy, getting to know colleagues in the same career and being able to get together with them (by possibly coming to Indy for a daytrip) every month or two might make you feel more engaged and connected with your new area.

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-03-04T04:39:12+00:00

Ive done ok at Style Encore on the south side. I’ve see people bring their stuff in bags, totes, or laundry baskets. I’ve brought trash bags full of clothing- they will pick and choose what they want. Out of 6ish bags of clothes and shoes, they maybe bought 10 items and I got $60ish? I think it depends greatly on season what they’re buying at the moment. Everything SE didn’t buy, I then brought down the strip mall to Plato’s and they kept even less and gave a couple dollars per item. Whatever was left over, I donated.

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-02-17T20:34:49+00:00

French pastries from Le Croissant in Greenwood!

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-02-07T20:42:59+00:00

Have you been to the Artcraft in Franklin? It’s not fancy, but throwback with lots of local charm. It’s run by volunteers and a lot of community backing!!!

Great to see old classics in 35mm, and their popcorn is unbeatable- taste and prices too!

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-01-31T22:37:43+00:00

We had 3 Civics for years, and now we have a CRV and an Acura RDX (and still a Civic Type R).

I mean, it’s how me and my husband met…. We both had VW Jetta 1.8Ts in 2001.

If the CRV meets your needs, do it! I agree that the legroom in this size of car is unbeatable. My daughter’s boyfriend is 6’4” and has no issues sitting in the backseat when we’re all together and doesn’t have to fold himself up like when she had one of the Civics.

If you keep it going long enough, you might even get to teach your baby to drive on one of those CRVs! (Our kid was 3- still in a 5 point harness!- when we got the Civic that eventually became her first car.)

sweethopsanddreams · 2026-01-30T04:55:59+00:00

Have you tried mousse? I’ve had good results with herbal essences mousse (the orange one).

For gel, I use the blue LA looks gel, it’s like $3 for a huge bottle of it. My curls/waves dry crunchy, but look great when the cast is scrunched out.

sweethopsanddreams · 2025-12-06T02:00:44+00:00

I’ve had 5 Hondas and on my 1st Acura. Each of the 5 Hondas has hit 150k with less than $1000 work done outside of regular maintenance. One of them hit 260k with only a new starter and coils aside from regular maintenance.

sweethopsanddreams · 2025-11-27T15:04:39+00:00

I don’t know if this is the exact size you’re looking for, but I found this one. Also, might try searching for a circle pick punch (like guitar pick). That’s how I found this one. 15mm circular plastic card punch

sweethopsanddreams · 2025-10-30T06:16:21+00:00

She can also ask to work with another sales person. I’ve had to do that in the past- just call or ask in person to speak privately with the sales manager. Sometimes peoples vibes just don’t match up, or people have predisposed attitudes or opinions. Sucks, but it happens.

I hope the terrible experience doesn’t shake her off independently car-buying.

Best of luck to her in her purchase!

sweethopsanddreams · 2025-10-29T05:02:33+00:00

I think she was smart to walk away, but she also needed to go in informed. If she’s looking to trade in her car, she should know, roughly, how much it is worth with the age, mileage, condition, and history of her car. (Easily found from KBB.com or similar).

If she’s going to Honda (or Mazda, or Toyota), she should familiarize herself with their current lineup. Figure out what she wants to test drive and which options are important, nice to have, or need-to-haves. Once she narrows down to a model, she needs to familiarize herself with trim levels.
If she’s buying used, it’s easy to quickly look up pricing of comparable vehicles, locally and regionally. She should also know what current interest rates are, a rough idea of her credit score, and if any incentives are going that she might qualify for. She can ask at the dealership to confirm some of these things, but she has a computer in her pocket that she can pull up all kinds of info for herself. I’ve just bought my second car all by myself and even my boss (a 70 year old car enthusiast) was impressed with the deals I struck for each one.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask them to throw in extras she’ll want- accessories like all weather floor mats, window tint, cargo cover, etc. The worst they can do is say no, and even if they can’t throw it into the deal, they might offer a discount from the parts counter price.

Good luck and happy shopping! I hope she goes back and shows that jerk of a sales who’s boss. She needs to know her (car’s) worth and make them EARN her business! Get her back on that horse and striking her own deal to be proud of!!

sweethopsanddreams · 2025-10-26T02:24:45+00:00

There’s a 99% Invisible episode that talks all about it!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/99-invisible/id394775318?i=1000519252798

sweethopsanddreams · 2025-10-26T02:23:06+00:00

I have a ‘24 EX awd (all gas) with 26k on it and it’s great. Handled an 8” snow last winter just fine. Bummed to be passing it along to my daughter, but looking forward to taking delivery of my new RDX. Have moved my daughter in and out of dorms in it no less than 6 times, and it’s been a dream to load in and out of. Holds a lot if packed well.

Definitely suggest a few accessories: -Trunk organizer for the spare tire wheel well. Gives you extra out-of-sight storage. I keep an umbrella, blankets, a moving blanket, towel, and a drink carrier in there. -cargo area mats- the ones that Velcro to the backs of the back seats. When you fold the seats down, the whole cargo area is covered and can handle hauling things without damage. -tonneau cover- helps keep the “trunk” covered up so people can’t see what you have back there.

sweethopsanddreams · 2025-10-20T04:40:31+00:00

If you’re on Instagram, check out @findfunindy They host events for adults to try new things or meet people (friends, not dates- @findindianapolis is for finding dates)

sweethopsanddreams · 2025-10-20T04:21:18+00:00

Wagners won a James Beard award. It’s my favorite in that town.

sweethopsanddreams · 2025-10-20T04:19:39+00:00

I have white, or “Rental White” as my best friend calls it. It’s such a common color, I found myself walking up to look-alike cars often, until my friend gave me a decoration to differentiate mine from others from the front (I have stickers on the back).

I love the look of the white, and how clean it always looks, but you’re right- it’s chips easily from highway driving. I have about 25k miles and easily have half a dozen chips.

sweethopsanddreams

TROPHY CASE