Hipster or not?

I'd suggest getting it to a point where it is rideable/enjoyable and go from there.

If you feel like a certain part would be a positive then try it, decide to keep or discard.

Simply repeat this process until you end up with a bike that you like, or bankrupt.

One of the two.

Well that might not be far off. Longer stem, potentially different handlebars, new brake lever (got them already), longer seat pole and the clips I ordered. That's no fun. I want a real project.

Maybe I should just get this one quickly sorted and then get an old frame and work from scratch. I love building bikes and I want to get in at the deep end again. Bring back the good old days of my mum coming home to find my bike split into it's component pieces in her kitchen. I might even go do it at her house so we can experience "The good old times" together. I'm sure she'd love it.