Yearly Archives: 2009

How An Allen Wrench Saved Me $600

November 12, 2009finances, home projectsKirsetin

Once upon a time, in a memory long ago, I thought I would grow up and spend money on fine furniture like this lovely side table for the dining room. You can purchase this treasure at Ethan Allen for a little over $1000. Yep, you read that right. It’s a pretty piece of painted wood to store stuff in and put food on. They even throw in the cute wine rack: $1049.

But Ethan Allen, as fine as it is, isn’t as trendy as say, Pottery Barn. And, oohhh, who doesn’t love Pottery Barn? You could buy this beautiful side table there for only a few dollars MORE. Candles and wine not included: $1399

But a funny thing happened on the way to growing up. Although I still think both of the above buffets are absolutely lovely, I have, along the way, acquired three helpful boys with the ability to destroy anything new within moments of said item entering our home. And so I ask myself, “Is this the best use of my $1000?” Ummm, what do you think?

So I looked around, and I saw this fantastic buffet for less than HALF the price of the others at the always wonderful Cost Plus/World Markets.

And you know what that means, don’t you?

Uh huh. It means screws and allen wrenches and an hour of looking at an incredibly lame instruction guide. It means a little sweat and a little frustration.

But it also means I won’t tear my hair out the first time I find matchbox or lego scratches. It means that instead of hanging onto this piece long after we’ve worn it out, because Dear Lord I paid over $1000 for it, instead I will happily repurpose it or give it away when its time comes. And in the meantime, darn, isn’t it cute?

The brown plates, though, they might have to go. I was trying to be practical, because I use them ALL of the time and where can I store them (?), but I think it’s too much dark in here. What do you think? Find them another home or leave them be?

When Is A Shoe Box Not Just A Shoe Box?

November 10, 2009activities for kids, christmasKirsetin

Do you have one of these in your closet? Hidden in the back, maybe, beneath an old sweatshirt?

You could recycle it, or use it to store photos. OR, you could gather your children and, together, you could add a few little trinkets, things like toothpaste,

matchbox cars,

and pretty little barrettes.

You could even throw in a little treat, like this:

Then you could follow the instructions here, for Operation Christmas, and instead of an old shoe box bound for the trash, it could be magically transformed into a joy-giving gift.

One look at these faces tells me it’s true: It’s not just a shoe box anymore.

In A Perfect World

November 9, 2009family, home projects, nostalgia, travelKirsetin

A warm, cozy, inviting home is a wonderful thing. If we lived in a world without complicating factors, like jobs and kids and money, I’d be living on the beach somewhere. I’d be sitting on a porch like this tonight, looking at the sunset (because you all know that in that perfect world I wouldn’t be up for the sunrise) and enjoying a lovely glass of red wine .

In this same fantasy, I’d have plenty of time and money to decorate my home, and I’d be really good at it. I wouldn’t feel woefully inadequate every time I peeked at the Inspired Room or flipped through old copies of Cottage Living Magazine, may it RIP.

In my dreamed-up world, our children would run and play and love the beach as much as I do.

And as a couple, we’d laugh and cry together. We’d be sure to make time to create new memories with old friends.

And no matter what, no matter how many business trips or book proposals or football games or soccer games, we’d always find time to travel and create memories for our family.

Not a bad dream world, huh?