Thursday, April 17, 2008 - "NOT???" shopping.

OK.  So I said I wasn't going to shop this year.  And I have.  Quite a bit, really.  I thought I should address this for anyone with an enquiring mind... 

I wondered some time ago if I could "not shop" and decorate a new house all at the same time.  I guess it should have been "shop less, and on the cheap" instead.  Having downsized by half, I can't believe the furniture we've found room for.  But it feels very HOME and very US already, after only four months, and I don't believe I'll be doing this again anytime soon, so to me, the shopping has been worth it.  And we've gotten some great deals, so we're getting the look for WAY less than we might have.  And I'm having fun!!  Junking is so FUN for me, or coming up with zany ideas like turning a lamp into a coat rack.  Or bulletin boards into headboards.  All very fun.  and inexpensive.  So I guess I'm not trying to not shop anymore.  Just trying to shop smarter, and not buy junk.  So there you go.  For now my experiment hasn't worked, and I'm OK with that, and done feeling guilty about it.  Life's too short.  Peace~ Shari

Saturday, January 12, 2008 - I didn't buy it...

I went "shopping" with mom today... sort of.  We went to the bookstore, where I got 1 book for each of the girls, and 2 decorating mags for me (not really a NEED but close, as all other reading material not packed is TIRED and we're a family of readers. ) But I didn't buy the book I knew I could get at the library next week, the 2 dresses I wasn't sure would work w/ my other clothes at Goodwill, along w/ the lilac moleskin shirt I found.  Nor did I buy the 2 silver candlesticks that caught my eye.  All this despite the 1/2 off sale Goodwill was having.  After my not shopping mantra, I was more aware while browsing of the need vs. want thing.  Or was it that if I bought anything I'd have to pack it to move it in 2 days???  Hmmm whichever, it's working.  Gotta run, basketball is calling.  Peace~  and happy NOT shopping to you.

Shari

Friday, January 11, 2008 - Have I Hit a Nerve?

WOW!!

I cannot believe the response I've gotten to my last post!  So many who just want to say, "no!"  I don't need "bigger, better, faster, more" anymore!  I have to admit I'm wondering if I can put my money where my mouth is on this one, as we're MOVING... can you do that w/o buying all kinds of new stuff for the new house??  Before you all think I'm a nut... I'm just kidding!  There are some things that I think will fall in the NEED category (window coverings of some sort, or at least something to hang them on...)  but for the most part I'm going to try to make do.  Resurrect the slipcovers for the hole-y couches, maybe stick with the full size bed we already have, things like that.  Lots of PAINT I think. 

In the new Art & Artifact catalog I got the other day, there was this great little chest & mirror combo  that made me say, hey, I could do that...Take the free chest of drawers I have waiting in Mom's garage, add the old green window sash that used to hang between my kitchen & family room (put the mirrors back in it..) add the jewelery box my Grandpa made, a small framed photo of Al & I from when we met, and a potted plant (think avocado science if no ivy topiary is available) and VOILA!!!  For a little decorative painting, I've gotten the same look for next to nothing!!!  I think "making do" like this is a fun adventure, so maybe I am up to the challenge.  I can always fall back on the board and cinder block bookcase look if I have to...    I can't wait to begin UN-packing.  I was browsing e-bay last night for French Chic decorating ideas to go with this Waverly Fabric I bought last month for the Girls' new room.  Ooh La La! Some of the cute little signs and things I liked could easily be reproduced with a bit of craft paint on wood (now that I think of it, some of the old pallets in the woods at the new house might be PERFECT for this!  gotta love free "weathered" boards!)  Now if I can just think of a TV stand... hmmmm...

Peace- and happy attic/ basement shopping!

Shari

Thursday, January 10, 2008 - I'm NOT going shopping, how about you???

I was reading over HERE about how Chris' family is going to STOP SHOPPING for a year.  Wow!  What a revolutionary idea!   To only buy things you NEED and not things you only WANT as a way to seriously work on reducing clutter.  (not to mention the budget benes here...)  Now, on a personal level I'm thinking this might be a good project to adopt.  After all, we are downsizing from 2400 to 1150 sq feet here in just a mere 5 days! What if we downsized and didn't buy more?  What if.... I found something I already owned to hold the TV in the new place, instead of running out to buy something else?  Just while packing I've begun to practice "more is less".  Here's a few examples...  We got rid of a king size BR set, complete w/ 2 dressers, 2 nightstands, headboard, mirror, all oversized of course.  I tell you, it gives new meaning to "Rooms To Go."   We also sold the HUGE computer desk that was holding a lot of junk, and threw in a daybed for free!  There are 2 HUGE dishpack boxes of who knows what in the garage w/ 3 kitchen bags full of clothes, toys etc, all of which is on it's way to Goodwill.  And a fridge on the way to the church kitchen...  We have 3 extra carseats that need a home.  Goodwill can't take them, so I'll probably be freecycling them or something. (only have 2 kids in boosters now even...)  WOW!    Honestly, the more I get rid of the more embarassed and ashamed I feel that we had it all in the first place... (and that we FILLED this HUGE house!!) ~sigh~

I'm quite happily cooking anything we want w/ just a Revereware Dutch Oven, a 3 qt saucepan, and one big skillet.  Throw in a 9 X13 and a 2 qt casserole for baking, and I've not run up against anything I can't fix yet.  (OK except mashed potatoes, since I packed my smasher, but I could have used a fork...)  Keep in mind this is "all" I'm using due to the two GIANT boxes of bakeware, cookware, etc that I've already packed.  Perhaps they don't need unpacking at the new digs, eh?  I wondered how I'd really like moving to a house w/ no DW, but now that I have just enough dishes unpacked (instead of a double service for 12 w/ all the extras) It seems easier to wash up after each meal, so to have enough clean for the next, and just not really worry about the DW anyway.   Hmmmm.  Go figure.

 So.  Where exactly am I going w/ all this??  I think I'd like to see if we can come close to this no extra shopping goal for the new year.  I think it will be an extra challenge, as the temptation to fill a new home with "accessories" is hard to resist.  Can I decorate a new house this way?  How much more could we give away/ sell/ donate?  Living with the very "basics" for the last two weeks has actually been really nice.  Easier to clean, relaxing.  Hubby is looking at me like I might finally have slipped over the edge of reason!  (but he also said it wasn't a bad idea)

Hmmm... first step... do I really need 2 blogs when 1 would do?  Nope, see, I began this post on my other (never used) blog, then just moved it here to SIMPLIFY!!!  WOOHOO!  Why have 2, especially when I'm about to lose my screamin' fast internet.

So, as far as the new place goes, I think I'll see what I can do with what I have... after all, I did go "attic shopping" quite successfully in Nov. so imagine what I could do had a TON of our stuff not already been packed!  I'm up for the challenge, to at least shop LESS if I can't get down to NONE.  Care to join in?  Leave me a note if so so we can cheer each other on!  Good Luck!

~Shari~