The Final Goodbye On Their Way To Rock Sunday Evening Church Service

I must say up front, I generally could care less how a band is dressed. Typically their choice of clothes make little to no impression on how I appreciate their sonic thumbprint on an industry that often has more regard for image over substance. However, when I see a "gang" of guys together rocking a style that seems to say "we are on the same road, same journey, or even same tune" I immediately think they must be in a band. Just look back; from the matching suit British invasion of the early sixties to the color coordination of the White Stripes. It's fair to say that legendary bands have left a visual impression nearly as deep as their influence to popular music. Perhaps young and upcoming bands have taken note. I met three members of the indie-Christian band The Final Goodbye after fueling up at the S-Bux in Conyers en route to a nearby gig. 

Vocals - Burnie Sanders

Bass - Jon Gant "Ganty"

The never out of style oxfords of bass player Ganty.

Johnny B.(Guitar),Ganty (Bass) & Burnie Sanders (Vocals) of the band The Final Goodbye

Where Your Shoes Go Can Tell A Greater Story - The Palms Spring Yard Sale

My grandmother parted from approximately 80 pairs of shoes acquired from 5 decades today. Many of the shoes have never been worn and remain in the original box. Most read made in the U.S.A, Italy, Germany and Brazil. The brands ranged from Gloria Vanderbilt to Birkenstock and Candies. This was a big step forward for my 83-year-old grandmother. I'm very proud of her for realizing that it's time to finally offer the shoes to women who will put the leather to the pavement. The Spring Yard Sale at the Palms Assisted Living where she resides was the perfect opportunity to bring those shoes out of the closet to begin a new chapter.

A resident known for her thrifty elegance, was the first guest at my grandma's table Saturday morning. Lydia Gibby, 89 returned later this afternoon to make sure she didn't overlook a pair while wearing the very pair of prized white sandals she purchased earlier. All pairs not sold today were donated to the Goodwill.

Lydia Gibby, 89 sporting her new white sandals purchased at The Palms Assisted Living Yard Sale.

Marjorie Hadden stands next to her shoes for sale at The Palms Assisted Living Yard Sale.

Piedmont Park - On The Grass At The Dogwood Festival

One Day Without Shoes - Euclid Ave.

Imagine a shoe company encouraging you to go a day barefoot? That is exactly what Toms has done for 1 day in April since 2007. The inspiration is to bring awareness to the difference a pair of shoes can have on impoverished children in South America. One Day Without Shoes events are arranged throughout the U.S. at college campuses, Toms retailers, and devout fans of the brand in random places.

The Toms brand was born in 2006 and owes much of their success to the "One For One" model of the business. Toms donates 1 pair for every pair purchased. I hope to see more for profit, philanthropic inspired brands like Toms that are marketed primarily by word of mouth in the future.

Atlanta Arab Festival

A festival that can go under the radar of popular Atlanta spring festivals is going on this weekend at the 8th Annual Atlanta Arab Festival. While this may be the least crowded,  there is a strong sense of community at this culturally rich festival. Todays highlight included a fashion show of various styles of the abaya by the region in the Middle East. The fashion show was appropriately followed by Arabic folk dancing that quickly evolved from the stage to the crowd encouraging everyone to get on their feet and positively celebrate Middle Eastern culture here in the deep south.

Everyone Wins at a Color Run

I had the pleasure of photographing another successful Color Run Race this year. It's easy to see why it is dubbed the "happiest 5k on the planet". Competition takes a back seat at this marathon, and the driver is compassion. This 5k is more about uniting all colors, friends and family in a marathon where charity and volunteering take 1st place and is genuinely delivered with a smile and laughter. 

The Color Run Atlanta benefits Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Photo taken while on assignment for Souvenir Photograph. 

p.s. Sorry gals, the more synchronized jump photo is with Souvenir Photograph. 

Blue color zone volunteers Jesse Wiley(L) & Katie McLeod(R)

Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival

The opening weekend of spring rolled in chili air and rainy skies.  However, the 1st of many spring festivals danced on in the suburb of Conyers at the 32nd Annual Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival. There were no long lines for ice cream and the spirit of spring seemed to be only a memory compared to last year's annual celebration to the gift from Japan, commemorating a growing friendship.  Despite the blistery weather, bundled bodies, and typical over consumption of festival food and novelty items, one vibrant personality seemed to express the cultural spirit that the national festival aims to exhibit.

A traditional Japanese dancer performs at the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival on Sunday.

Dekalb Ave. - Last Day of Winter

It has been a long winter, and I realize it's been ages since I last blogged. Despite not posting regularly, the traffic remains relatively high and feedback continues to pour in. I've been nominated for Best Fashion Photographer Blogger by Tastemaker Magazine and contacted by CNN regarding a story in the works about the social characteristics of thrifting. My mug may not make it to the final cut, but it is possible that someone featured previously on this site will. I'll keep you posted on that, as it is available to me. 

This project is still ongoing and remains a passion to exhibit those who live A Thrift Life. I'm looking forward to catching up and seeing what I find as Atlanta heats up and the styles on the street cool down.  I'll try not to post a boring repetitive image and keep it interesting. Thanks for sticking by and keep it thrifty!

Thanks for Giving - My Friend Doreen

Some times friends come and go with the winds and some remain as constant as the tide. My friend Doreen Kutschke blew in to my life in 2004 as Hurricane Charley hit the east coast while I was living in Ormond Beach, FL. Doreen came to Florida from Germany as an Au Pair exchange.  Doreen loved nightclubs and we had a habit of attending a local nightclub, which I typically avoided.  I fed off her energy and enthusiasm for celebrating life, and went anyway.  Doreen was that kind of friend. One that grabs the “bull by the horns” or in my case a “friend by the hand” to the dance floor to celebrate our youth, health, and most of all life!

Doreen left Florida a few months later and I haven’t seen her in person since those final months of 2004.  Thanks to the launch of online social media in the following years we have remained in touch. Eight years later and not much has changed with Doreen's approach to life. However, she may dance to health with a little more heart and emotion these days.  I feel her compassionate character and lust for life as it transcends through today all the way from her homeland of Germany to my home state of Georgia. I just received a package from her containing some German Chocolate, postcard and her book The Fight With Cancer or Do We Have The Food We Need? 

You may ask, what does all this have to do with the theme of this blog? Thrift is derived from "to thrive". Doreen's book is about her thrive to live after being diagnosed with cancer. She is yet another walking, talking example of A Thrift Life. Doreen’s book chronicles her change in eating habits and outlook that defeated a diagnosis with cancer 2 years prior. On this holiday of Thanksgiving we reflect on our lives and give thanks to those friends and family that impacted our lives in some way or another. Doreen reminds me that it doesn’t always take a lot of time for someone to make a lasting impression and simple, yet thoughtful gifts of compassion can help the spirit of a friend last forever. 

Doreen in Ormond Beach, FL after Hurricane Charley in August, 2004

Indian Summer Style - College Ave., Covington

Just because the calendar tells us it's now autumn doesn't mean we have to start dressing like it. 

Memorial & Boulevard - Last Lazy Day of Summer

Thrifting For Fall

I really love this time of year. After months of dressing down it's time to start dressing up to stay warm and look stylish at the same time. With fall a few days away it's time to start preparing for those mild days and cool evenings. When it's too early to break out the trench and you don't want to look like another college guy on the street in a baggy fleece hoodie, a lightweight blazer is the choice for the distinguished gent. Chris Vaughn shows why the classic elbow patch blazer is perfect for all occasions.  

Chris Vaugh outside of the Goodwill Store in Jonesboro, GA.

Chris Vaughn

Clairmont Rd. - Decatur Book Festival

Euclid Ave.

Peachtree St.

Spring St. - Summer Traveler

Baker St. - 5 o'clock Friday

Old Norcross Tucker Rd.

Margaret Mitchell Square - "From Russia With Love"

Ulia from Russia gracefully explores Atlanta in a pink ruffled sun dress.

Marietta St. - "Lets Go To The Hop"