I feel like the world would be a touch funkier place if there were more Great Aunt Verna's in it. My momma's maternal aunt was one of those Great Depression raised, dirt-poor-work-to-the-bone, everything has a purpose type ladies.

Now departed, I hope she's watching her stash from heaven because we're sure doing it justice. I've milked five quilts out of her stash, have two more planned, shared a few kilos of fabric with Emily and Andrea, and there is truly no end in sight . . .

My Great Aunt Verna was way ahead on these eco-, upcycling, repurposing, fads, eh?

Stash: $0, 70 years in the making

Crate: $0, roadside find (thanks, Dad!)

It's pronounced Aunt because there's a 'u' in it: $0, uphill battle

Coco Chanel - "When accessorizing, always take off the last thing you put on."

Erin - "When accessorizing, keep going."

Silver: $0, thank you momma & 1980s

Wood cuff: $2, somewhere long ago on Yonge

Wood bangle: $0, thank you momma & 1980s

Silver chain: $0, LeChateau destash from the older sister

So I was rollin' with Ali last night at this rather hip little spot. We happen to score a spot at picnic table occupied by this box and its owner.

With a little Erin charm, I convinced dude to huff through the remaining three on the asap, and give me the box.

We exchanged cyber coordinates, so go say yo to the man of the hour - Cat at Hook.

Reason to start smoking cigars: $0

Miscou Island, New Brunswick - 2008

I am so lucky. I get to go home for 8 days. It doesn't happen often.

Three times in eight years.

Home is a 17 hour drive to the middle of my heart's paradise.

salt water runs through my veins

How can a dream vacation get any dreamier? Discovering that city-dwelling Icelanders leave treasures by the side of the road, too! Duty free to boot!

Four bowls, two saucers: $0, Nordic roadside find

Beautiful, tall, blonde, fit, nature-loving, tanned Icelandic men: $0, scenery

Scored this prize a few weeks back.

I'm waiting until it's ironic to use it. Right now it just feels a bit too icky political.

Either way, I'm taking it to the Antiques Road Show when I'm 92.

Travel mug: $2.99 at Goodwill in 2010

Travel mug: $18,500 at auction in 2074

So, I fell in this. Okay, hauled into this by a less than sure footed German trekker who thought yanking me into the river was the best way to save his own soaking tail. I got wet. My pack got wet to the tune of 60lbs plus, my boots got wet, I got soaked. Through and through.

It's okay, it's not like it was a rapidly rising, kilometer-wide, glacial river, on a stormy day with 13 hours of hellish hiking ahead of me. Not at all.

My loyal, trusty, well loved, even better used, 3.5 year old camera didn't survive the swim.

Rookie mistake: One $700 camera

Blog silence: $0, we'll all get over it