Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Viva la Difference!

A few years ago, in a fit of DIY Craft-astrophy Syndrome, I had the bright idea to paint our kitchen cabinets a vibrant, glossy, apple green. We have had to live with the results for five years - Marty even pretended not to hate them (why I married him, people!). So, the hubby and I have been thinking about getting new cabinets (actually, it's more me going, "I WANT NEW CABINETS OR I'LL DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!!!!!"). Of course, it's never as simple as waltzing into Lowe's, choosing the goods, and slappin' 'em up there. Oooooh no. First, we have to get permission from the co-op board. Then we have to order samples. Then we have to decide on a look. Then we have to do the order. Then we have to hire a contractor. Then we have to demo & and figure out where Sebastian and I will hole up until the project is finished. Then (and here's where it gets REALLY good) we have to have two walls ripped out to replace the wiring, have the kitchen counters and plumbing moved up by one inch, rebuild the walls, put in the cabinets, and clean up. THEN I will have my new cabinets. So, I just opted for this:


Bilious Apple Green Cabinets.....


To this!


Simple AND thrifty (under $18!). And fancy. This will tide me over until The Great Kitchen Renovation, and was such a great reminder that a simple coat of paint can completely change the look of a room for a ridiculously small sum. AND, if you hate it, you can just start again. And again.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Turning Thrifty

I haven't ever been what I would call a "spender", but I won't lie to you and tell you that I'm super thrifty either (hey - wasn't thrifty the new forty? wait.... that's something else.). Well, Dear Reader, I aim to do better! I call it "The Economy Sucks Motivational Project", and Part 1 is (cue dramatic music) a SPENDING HIATUS!

Have any of you ever done this? I got the idea quite a while ago from some article in a magazine. A family of 4 went on a four month spending hiatus, purchasing only absolute necessities (food, insurance, strappy sandals deodorant, etc). It was so neat to hear how creative they got, using what they had on hand which normally might be wasted (the cotton from the Tylenol bottle, for example) or going without. Being as my life is decidedly more challenging with the hubby gone, I'm aiming to stay on the "fun challenge" side of this as opposed to "self-imposed hell". We'll see how it goes! I'm going for one month, wish me luck. And send presents.