Simple Abundance is bringing out the girly me.

[bloodsong1]

It's...a little strange.

Today, after errands, I announced I wanted to go play at Raymore and Flanigan, the pricer of the two major furniture stores in the area. I prefer R&F because they have the same kind and quality of furniture I currently have. Olums is great for appliances and kids beds and occasional pieces like the dining room bookcase.

SNB does not like to "shop". He only goes out to "buy" and there's no money for furniture right now, so why bother?

Because it's playtime! Simple Abundance is adamant about this. Take yourself out and window shop. It will give you ideas for your wardrobe and your home. Take only $5-10 with you for a snack. Wander around, keep your eyes open and don't dismiss anything out of hand. Be willing to accept Inspiration, cause you just never know. If you find something you WANT, make detailed notes, go home, shake out your budget. Make sure it's something you can really use. If there's just no way to afford it, start saving and/or check out the thrift stores, because you never know!

So, I went by myself. I found a nice microfiber couch in a "coffee-with-cream" color, currently on sale for under $900. The saleswoman poked her nose in a couple of times and eventually admitted that she was not allowed, according to company policy, to leave a customer alone until said customer leaves the store. Not even a kind dismissal is allowed. Given that I had told her FIVE TIMES this was info-gathering only and I have a 12 month window and I KNOW stuff is going to change, once I heard that, I finished my sweep and left, not bothering with the computer desks upstairs.

Feeling a little annoyed, I headed for the mall. I browsed Bon Ton, a store that people have raved about to me that I haven't looked at. It took me a while to find the petite section, but they had a nice variety and some really pretty tops. I also wandered into Yankee Candle and was a very good girl. (It helped that the one candle I wanted WASN'T on sale) I stayed out of Vicky's, treated myself to a sundae at Friendly's, poked my nose into Ambercrombie and Finch and had to flee for the store-wide cologne. I also strolled through NY&C. Everyone was having massive sales and I was very proud of myself for resisting. I had help.

I came home feeling much better from the mall trawl, did some crocheting, some gaming and finished watching my current disc of "Holmes on Homes". I have learned a lot about bad and good contractors from this show. I find it very educational. SNB does not agree with me.

I have my bloodwork scheduled for tomorrow, so I'm going to stay out of the Teddy Grahams and either get Aurora's baby thrown or listen to "Treasure Quest" while crocheting.

Comments

[madplanet.livejournal.com]

Holmes on Homes is excellent. I found it educational, too. :)

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

I told SNB he was honest about costs, which SNB flatly refuted because "He's on television!"

Granted, he doesn't give an itemized account of how much it actually costs to do whatever job he's doing, but his estimates on what was spent versus what actually SHOULD have been done sound about right. I haven't done any independent investigating, but I will once we get closer to having part of the kitchen redone. I did tell SNB that "I know a guy" is not a good enough recommendation and ALWAYS budget more then you think you need, because you WILL.

[sheherazahde.livejournal.com]

What would it cost to get a railing on the front steps?

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

I still haven't heard back from BIL Handyman.

[page-of-swords.livejournal.com]

Also most of those shows are donated the materials and sometimes the labor for the product placement or to have their guys on TV.

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm well aware of that.

[page-of-swords.livejournal.com]

Yeah my former housemate knew "A lot of guys." The issue is sometimes the work you get is not par for the course.

As someone who just redid his kitchen. If you have questions about remodels you can ask me in Feb when I see you two. I learned way too much about NEC and Plumbing codes.

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

You'll see me, SNB has to work weekends.

[chezelliott.livejournal.com]

I don't like to "shop" either. Since I actively dislike crowds and most people, I only shop when I know what I want. I go in, I buy it, I leave. Craig loves to hang out at malls and do the window-shopping/people watching thing. The only sorts of places I do enjoy going to are typically places like Woodstock or New Paltz, because they have a lot of funky, cool stuff. Very artsy-craftsy stuff, so it's almost like going to a museum.