Carrie Laven - Pretty Penniless

15 Nov 2012

Extreme Weather Relationship Therapy

Like millions of East Coasters, the recent Hurricane Sandy left me without power, heat, Internet, or phone reception for nearly a week.  I also missed work during that time, which totally sucks because I get paid hourly, and the world knows that I am one seriously broke girl.  Basically, I

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11 Oct 2012

Broke-Ass Romantic Comedy Pitches

Listen up, I took a handful of Film classes in college, watch tons of foreign movies on my home projector, and could be seen as what some may call a “film snob” (actually that last part’s not true– unless citing my favorite flick as Home Alone 2: Lost in New

Carrie Laven - Pretty Penniless 0
03 Oct 2012

Being a Californian in New York City

I am a Californian living in New York City.  I was born in the suburbs of Los Angeles, raised in the suburbs of San Diego, and went to college in the Bay Area, so I’d kind of consider myself somewhat of a semi-expert on Californianity.  Living as a Broke-Ass-West-Coaster-Gone-East for

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25 Sep 2012

Get Cultured at Smithsonian’s National FREE Museum Day This Saturday

In my humble opinion, the best part about visiting This Nation’s Great Capital is all of the FREE Smithsonian museums that Washington, DC has going on.  Would I like to learn about everything from airplanes to the decorative arts?  Why yes, especially if I can do so for FREE!  Because

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18 Sep 2012

Sashay Away to FREE Zumba Classes Every Wednesday in Williamsburg

I, like many others, love myself a little Latin flavor. I also– like many others– enjoy gyrating in a semi-slutty way, while wearing stretchy pants, and a ponytail, and sweating out all of my toxins in a roomful of other ladies doing the same thing. What I’m describing here is

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11 Sep 2012

Learn About Urban Chicken Keeping at a FREE Workshop in Bed-Stuy

The words “Chickens in Bed-Stuy” may conjure up images of an awesome muppet remake of a Spike Lee joint, but don’t get too excited just yet– when we talk about hens in Central Brooklyn on this website, we’re talking about urban chicken keeping.  Intrigued?  Then attend a FREE workshop on

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05 Sep 2012

The Best Thing Ever: Snail Mail

The other day, I received a plain envelope in the mail.  I wasn’t expecting it, and was perplexed as to what it could possibly be.  The return address was from one “Crystal Skull” in Chicago.  “Crystal?  Who the hell is Crystal?  I don’t know any ‘Crystal’ in Chicago,” I thought

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