Archive for March 2010
Help! To buy or not to buy
A little birdie told me today that I could save a bunch of dough on the sofa I’m planning to purchase from Crate and Barrel this June.
It’s $1500 at C&B, but only $450 on Craigslist. Here’s the catch: the white fabric has a few stains that did not come out with professional cleaning, and there is a small tear in the armrest of the sofa.
I think, for that kind of savings, I could make it work. I mean, if I bargain it down to $350, I save $1150. That’s a lot of savings. But is it worth it?
Here’s a peek at the brand-spankin’-new sofa from C&B:
I think I could easily throw a fun little blanket over the arm to cover it up.
And in reality, I’m the kind of girl who’s not embarassed to have a torn C&B sofa, if it means I got it at a huge discount. Heck, I’d probably be proud to announce to guests that that tear scored me a bargain. I’m silly like that.
But what do you think? Am I crazy to consider it?
Posted in 
Pretty in pink
Even though I’m on a cash-only, low-spending challenge for the next few weeks, I had to go ahead and purchase some of this perky pink fabric for a project in my next home. The fabric has been discontinued so I needed to snag a yard of it before it’s gone.
Here’s some of the other fabrics I plan to pair it with for a big dose of cheer in a small neutral space. I. Can. Not. Wait.
Question: Do you think these patterns and colors could work in a room that has pale gray paint and white molding on the walls?
I guess I’m just hopelessly in love with pink and green, even if the boyfriend does say it looks like a watermelon combo. Here’s hoping the new room turns out better than my pink and green living room.
Tonic Living has a slew of reasonably-priced fun fabrics and they’re quickly becoming my favorite online fabric retailer. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you should!
Live a little
With the plant-attacking foster kittens finally adopted out to a permanent home, my living room was ready to live a little. I couldn’t wait bring the outdoors in with a small grouping of houseplants. They’re fresh, they’re cheerful, and you can’t beat having a real live air filter.
This little grouping only set me back 20 bucks, pots and all, during my last trip to Ikea. And let me tell you, they seem to really be enjoying the little bit of sunlight they get in that window. I wanted an interesting grouping of textures, so I paired the spiky leaves of the aloe with a small bushy plant and the taller braided tree. I really like how it turned out.
Ahhh, that bright dose of green really does keep things cheerful. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for gardening season. These guys will tide me over until then.
The Frugal Abode
Inspired by a post at my favorite personal finance website, I Will Teach You To Be Rich, today I’m starting a “cash only” challenge for the next 4 weeks. I’m also going to take on a no-new-stuff challenge, limiting my spending to just the necessities – groceries and gas and pet supplies. And chocolate.
Why am I doing this?
Simply put, I want to save more money. I used to suck at managing money, but I’ve become pretty financially savvy in the last year. Heck, I even boycotted heat all winter just to save some extra dough. I sock away a good chunk of my paycheck in savings each month. But my rent is going up when I move, I’ve got my eye on some new furniture, and I love to travel. And I really just want to see how much I can cut my spending . . . before I head to my fave vaca spot, Miami, on May 1st!
How will I do it?
On each payday (first one is today) I’ll withdraw cash for my biweekly budget from my bank account. Once I’ve spent the cash, that’s it until the next paycheck. If I end up with a surplus, it can be put in savings. I plan to do whatever it takes to have leftovers for savings.
Other Inspirations:
I’d be a lame-o slacker if I didn’t mention my other inspiration: Katie at Making This Home. Katie is a simple living, non-shopping, sensible spending goddess. She kicks some majorly sensible butt when it comes to not cluttering a home with unnecessary stuff, and she’s living a fabulous life with her husband in a 480 square foot apartment in Berlin, Germany.
Will I Be Bored?
Heck no. In clear defiance of my New Years resolutions, I’ve still got a slew of unfinished projects. And with April 25 just around the corner, now we’ve got a move to pack for. And when I find myself wanting to shop, I’ll simply ask myself: What’s gonna make me happier in the long run? “Stuff” that I buy on impulse shopping trips? Or memories of fabulous travels and coming home to a beautifully furnished and decorated home?
Reference Articles for All:
Here’s a couple of my favorite articles at I Will Teach You To Be Rich: The Cash Only challenge, and a not-so-average take on the housing market.
The Borrowed Abode’s Most Wanted
When hunting for a new apartment or home to rent it’s always a good idea to brainstorm a list of your ‘must haves’ and ‘must-not-haves’ in a home. A clear list of priorities makes shopping the Craigslist ads a breeze!
Here’s what my list looked like (and some commentary ’cause I’m verbose like that):
Must haves:
- Location: close to our office yet still a small-town, local business feel.
- Pet friendly
- Washer/dryer
- Dishwasher (I love to cook. I hate cleaning dishes.)
- Lots of natural light (because a home without it is just dreary)
- Yard of 0.3 acres or larger
- Landlord ok with my blogging about his/her property
Location was not negotiable. After enjoying the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria for 5 years, I insisted that we move to another area where I could still walk or bike to local businesses as well as a farmer’s market (in the warm season).
As for the washer/dryer? Look, I’m not a snob. Nor am I picky. It’s just that I think when you’re paying out the wazoo to rent a single family home in a nice area, you shouldn’t have to take your laundry to the laundromat. Period.
This time around, I also had my blog to think about. It was pointed out to me that some landlords may not appreciate my blogging about my experience living in their home. If that was the case, they probably had something to hide. Not the right landlord for me, that’s for sure!
Nice to haves:
These aren’t necessary, but I’d be lying if I said they wouldn’t influence me one way or another.
- Fireplace (The snowy weather this past winter had me longing for this perk)
- A decent kitchen. (I love to cook, usually for an hour each night. Some rental properties have Godawful kitchens.)
- Large yard (0.5 acres or larger, because I want a backyard wedding)
- Screened porch or sunroom
- Central Air
- Wood floors
Must Not Haves:
- Location on busy road (I love my cat. Like it or not, he goes outside. He doesn’t need to be murdered by a car.)
- Cruddy heating system
- HOA
We really didn’t want to be part of an HOA, or Home Owners Association. I just don’t like them, and don’t trust them. I don’t need someone telling me what color petunias I need to plant on the left side of the driveway four feet from the sidewalk. And don’t get me started on rules against drying laundry in the back yard!
But overall I really didn’t have many “must-not-haves” on my list. This is because when I see a property I immediately get a feeling if I know it just isn’t right for me. That right there is the biggest must-not-have at all: trusting your gut.
But enough about me, what about you? Anything you think I missed on the list that I should have included? Any ideas of mine that you think are just whacked?
Rental Remedy: Hooked on Command
When Jeannine over at Small and Chic in C-ville was waging war on the electronics cords in her living room, I popped in to suggest my favorite problem solver – Command adhesive hooks. That’s when I realized I was hooked on ‘em, no pun intended.
Organization at the Borrowed Abode wouldn’t be the same without the family of Command adhesive doodads. They get used for everything around here, not just hanging dustpans and Swiffer wands at arm’s reach. These little guys come in handy in every nook and cranny of the abode.
I’ve been using the standard hooks for years. As a renter, I like that they adhere sturdily to almost any smooth surface, and come off cleanly upon move-out. (Or upon each reorganization project.) I especially like to use them inside closets and on closet doors, like in my bedroom – where they keep my workout clothes and pj’s handy.
In my last two bathrooms the hooks rescued me when other, more conventional, shower storage options failed miserably. Those wire bath caddies that hang over the shower head? Yeah, they’ve never worked with my shower heads. Command makes special adhesive strips for the bathroom – I guess they hold up better in the humid environment. I smacked two of those suckers on the wall, and voila – my caddy has hung out in my shower for two years now.
But the best thing these hooks have done for me lately? They’ve wrangled cords that would otherwise look ugly behind furniture. Here’s an example:
My computer’s unruly power cord was outta control behind my desk until I whipped up this little storage system out of Command hooks and cord clips. One little doodad (the top right) does double duty as a hook and a cord tie. That was perfect for containing my power cord. I used two types of cord clips, which (you guessed it) are made for running cords along the backs of furniture or walls. Believe me, the advertising is right on the button. These guys do what they’re supposed to, and do it well.
Here’s the overall solution that hangs out behind my desk.
It seems the peeps over at 3M have been busy, adding even more kids to the Command Adhesive family. Upon my last trip to Tar-jay, I spied velcro thingies that claim to hold pictures and art on the wall. I wouldn’t mind trying a few of those at the next Borrowed Abode. It would mean no more straightening art on the walls – the velcro would keep it right in place. I could have used that when I needed to keep my jewelry display boxes secure against the wall. Instead, I used the regular adhesive strips:
So there you have it – just a few of my many uses for Command adhesive hooks around the Abode. If I’d put up even half as many nails as I’ve used hooks, my apartments would have been riddled with more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese. Luckily for my landlords, not to mention my security deposits, I’m hooked on Command.
As for Jeannine? She whipped up an even more frugal and creative solution for her crazy cords – but you’ll have to visit her to find out what it was.
Savings Tip: Score $2 in coupons at the Command website and let me know what you think of them.
Divine Decor: Pizza by Elizabeth
My mom, her friends, and I recently had a great girls’ day out in Delaware. Before experiencing the Orchid Show at Longwood Gardens, we dined at one of my fave lunch spots, Pizza by Elizabeths. They have one of the best interiors of any restaurant in the state, as far as I’m concerned. I had to share a peek with you. The space has come a long way since it’s days as a generic and not-so-tasty brewery.
I’ve always been a fan of the classy patchwork banquettes:
And you’ve got to love how they painted the random fireplace wall turquoise. I guess they’re very down with Pantone’s Color of the Year!
The bathroom just oozes with old Hollywood glamour. Which reminds me – did I mention that the walls of the restaurant are bedecked with photos and references to all the famous old actresses by the name of Elizabeth?
Pizza by Elizabeths is located in Greenville, DE – right on the edge of Wilmington. I definitely recommend stopping in for a tasty lunch if you’re ever in the area. Their pomegranate mojito was yummy, the salads (especially the one with fresh crab) are great, and the desserts rock too. I’ve never had the pizza, but it’s infamous in the Wilmington area.
New Patio Furniture
This past weekend I reveled in the warm spring weather while doing two of my favorite things: furniture shopping and home decorating. Shocking, huh?
My patio upgrade is by far one of the most useful projects I’ve done here at the Borrowed Abode. Every spring, summer, and fall, the menagerie and I can often be found hangin’ on the back patio area. As of this weekend, we’re now hangin’ in style.
When it came to patio furniture I – surprisingly – knew exactly what I wanted:
- Solid wood that was ready to weather the outdoors
- Not made in China
- Table space for 2-1o people
- Seating for both dining and lounging
- Reasonably priced (but of course!)
- No wicker
I did a ton of research to find the perfect pieces. I’m confident that Ikea has the best deal around. They have a slew of outdoor dining and lounging options, all crafted from solid Acacia wood. Acacia furniture is resilient enough to live outdoors from spring-fall, and it only wants occasional oilings to keep in shape. The only catch? Each Ikea gets one shipment of the Acacia stuff per year. Once they’re out of furniture, you’re outta luck.
And that is why I dipped into my savings to score a patio set early Saturday morning. I didn’t want to miss out. An hour later, Strawberry-Basil Caipirinha in hand, I set about assembling the furniture. It was the easiest Ikea furniture assembly I’ve ever performed. I was done in a jiffy.
These sturdy and adjustable armchairs can do double duty for lounging and dining. I sprung for the slightly pricier versions ($70 instead of $50) which can be adjusted from an upright position into a slightly more reclining one. I passed on the matching taupe cushions. I can DIY colorful ones for much less than $30 each.
And at only $20 a seat, these folding wood chairs are awesome and uber-useful. They’ll provide classy seating for a bbq – but can be folded and stowed in the closet when not in use. Heck, they’d even look ok if I had to pull ‘em out for guests at an indoor party.
And now for the pièce de résistance. I wanted a table with extra seating options, and boy did I get it. The Applaro Drop-Leaf Table can seat anywhere from 4-10 people. In its smaller form, the leaves can hang at each side – or they can be removed altogether in about 5 seconds. Here she is in her smaller form, with the leaves attached:
And here she is in all her extended-leaf, 10-seater glory. Isn’t she fabulous?
Now for the part more impressive than my ability to assemble the furniture alone. She’s only $99 at Ikea. Isn’t that fantastic?
Sure, I could have gotten a table and chairs for less, maybe on Craigslist. But this set was worth every penny. As I write this, I sit at the table with the dogs at my side, and the cat rolling happily on the table top.
Bonus: The furniture wasn’t made in China, and was made of sustainably harvested wood. Plus, with no need for stains or paints, it’s pretty environmentally friendly to maintain!
But what do you think? Are there better bargains elsewhere? Or are you as impressed as I am?
