teri's posterous

Reconstructing Ideas


via GrassrootsModern


17Dec09

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Reconstructing Ideas creates collages that are equal parts typography, vintage ads, and plain ol’ awesomeness. Mundania Horvath is the creative mind behind this art and design studio based in Pittsburgh, PA. Check out more of her design work here.

Inspiration:
The city of Pittsburgh to me is a pulsating life source, a constantly revived heartbeat in a body of architectural skeletons. Growing up near this city, I’ve been inspired by the notion of demolishing the old to rebuild it in a way that allows you to see it with new eyes – paying homage to history while always looking ahead. I was surrounded by the looming remnants of steelmills, abandoned warehouses and weather-worn advertisements emblazoned on the sides of buildings. All of them put there one time with a purpose, still remain there tarnished and a testament to time, the way it changes, the way it doesn’t change anything.
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Like what you see? Reconstructing Ideas has an Etsy shop!  Prints available from $10.50 – $22.95.


Tis the season for charity (and tax savings)

Via Bradstreet CPAs
Tax Tip of the Week - Timely, relevant bursts of tax nuggets
Tax Tip of the Week | December 16, 2009
Make room for Santa
Tis the season for charitable giving and tax savings

Santa's feeling generousBefore Santa comes to visit, here is a year-end tax savings tip to consider:

Go through your house and garage and see what items you have not used in the last two years and donate them to charity.  You can clean out space for all the new toys that are coming and receive a tax deduction for it!

The IRS requires that these non-cash donations must be in “good condition or better.”  Furthermore, you can only deduct the Fair Market Value (FMV) of the items donated.  Access the Salvation Army’s Valuation Guide for Donated Items.
If the FMV exceeds $500 you will need to complete Form 8283 as part of your tax return.  On this form you will need to list: name and address of the donee organization, date of the contribution, description of the items donated, FMV and the original cost of the items donated.

If you donate a car, or have non-cash contributions exceeding $5,000 give us a call to discuss the details.

We hope Santa is good to you this year while you take as many tax deductions as you can.

Is TTW Real?
While your kids are questioning if santa is real, we've received some interesting feedback that some of you don't realize this is really Bradstreet CPAs reaching out each week (... some suspect this is a "packaged" communication to which we add our logo.) Well, rest assured it's us and we'd love to hear from you. Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered or SUBMIT a Tax Tip of the Week question.

Enjoy the week and  yes, Virgina, there is a Santa Claus,
Rick Prewitt - the guy behind TTW

Questions about year-end-tax strategies? In Dayton, call 937-436-3133 and in Xenia, call 937-372-3504. Or visit http://www.bradstreetcpas.com.

...until next week.
About the "Tax Tip of the Week" Series
We understand how difficult and frustrating the tax code can be. Bradstreet & Company created the "Tax Tip of the Week" to serve-up weekly nuggets of tax tips to help keep you informed and engaged on the latest  changes that might impact your taxes.

Want to share? Pass along this "Tax Tip of the Week": Forward

Comment on Blog: Follow and comment on the series on our blog: www.bradstreettaxblog.com

Previous 10 Tax Tips:
(Visit our blog for a complete archive of TTW)
December 9: Are your kids subject to the kiddie tax?
December 2: Pay estimated taxes in 2009
November 25: Back to school on education credits
November 18: Home buyer tax credit
November 11: Avoid an under-payment penalty
November 4: Racking up the Mileage
October 28: Employee vs Independent Contractor
October 21: The Taxing Consequences of Gambling
October 14: Do not open: IRS emails
October 7: 2009 Required Minimum Distribution

About Bradstreet & Company
Business owners, CFOs, controllers, and individuals trust Bradstreet & Company for our tax expertise and business acumen to provide the best tax outcomes and to avoid tax missteps. With offices in Dayton and Xenia, OH, we provide accounting and business consulting to firms and individuals throughout the region.

RetroRenovation: Original, mid-mod home stuff to snap up now

RetroRenovation newsletter reminding me that me love for all things vintage is shared by more and more people all the time.

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Greetings!

One year ago I bought this vintage Kwikset atomic door escutcheon, mint-in-box, with no competition, on ebay for under $20. Fast forward 12 months and prices are five times higher, with fierce bidding for even used sets.

vintage kwikset atomic door escutcheon

The embers of widespread mid-century modern -- and mid-century modest -- passion are still just heating up. Prices are rising -- but there are still great things to watch for and to snap up before it gets ridiculous. I'm so in love with it all, so it's hard for me to be dispassionate. Even so, today I spotlight stuff for the house that I am still seeing at what I would consider accessible prices. 

vintage escutcheon from liz's antique hardware

First of all, now that you are probably interested, I'd better tell you where to get the escutcheons. Liz's Antique Hardware has a boatload of New-Old-Stock (NOS), in a variety of styles. These puppies are $95 each. But - MIB, and your work is done.

vintage bargello needlepoint pillow

I was prompted to write this newsletter after discovering
a whole new (to me) world of Bargello needlepoint pillows.
Handmade by mom or grandma, these pillows are available on etsy or ebay for under $25.
See my picks from ebay - there's one pillow that is particularly awesome.
And you can buy the lovely unicorn above -- from zhiozaki on etsy for $15.

vintage snoopy switchplate

I've just begun to mention on the blog, my love for Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang. These guys are classic. I scored five switchplate covers for about $2 each.

70s-avocado-wallpaper

My passion for vintage wallpaper will never pale.
Anytime you can get five double rolls or more, you are in business.
Still selling at "reasonable prices" - $10-$15/roll -- on ebay now:
Early American motifs, kitschy 70s, or mod 70s.
See all my posts on wallpaper here.

Other things on my radar right now?

  • Vintage pinch pleat draperies can be an incredible deal...
  • I love vintage Sexton wall plaques -- Tip: They have great stuff for "man caves" and boys' bedrooms...
  • Parisian Print and Vintage Vera linen kitchen towels, tablecloths and aprons still with their original labels...
  • We also had a good time talking recently about vintage shelf edging...
It's great to watch interest in all things mid-century grow, but I don't like the competition for these treasures. Pooh. But I guess that makes the hunt all the more exciting.

Have a great week,  

Pam