Before and After: a room make over

Before: For the last few years this room has been a catch-all for kid toys. A lot of emotion was kept hidden behind the closed door and the in the dresser drawers. When daughter #2 moved out we painted the black and red walls a nice neutral color and gave the room a fresh start. Then daughter #1 and our grandson stayed a while. When they left, well...let's just say "it was hard." So the room has been a place for the occasional visitor but not much more than that.

With the pressure of a pending visit from a Faith Alive team, I felt compelled to do something about the room.

After: The visitors will be here Friday. I'm reframing the circus pictures (shown leaning against the wall in the first "before" photo) but I'm holding out for Hobby Lobby's half-price sale of their frames. Somebody should tell me it's worth the $50 to finish the room by Friday. Until then, this is how it's looking:
New sheers ($62). New lamps (set of 3 = $70). New "used" bedside table ($25).

I'm going to put a bigger plant in front of the window (above).

And maybe a chair or something in front of the plug (above).

Art will definitely help. That and a mirror. And maybe a floor vase with some feather grass or some such.

Although I'm not finished, at least I don't mind have company!

Before and After: a room make over

Before, this room has been a catch-all for kid toys. A lot of emotion was kept hidden behind the closed door and the in the dresser drawers. When daughter #2 moved out we painted the black and red walls a nice neutral color and gave the room a fresh start. Then daughter #1 and our grandson stayed a while. When they left, well...let's just say "it was hard." So the room has been a place for the occasional visitor but not much more than that.

With the pressure of a pending visit from a Faith Alive team, I felt compelled to do something about the room.

The visitors will be here Friday. I'm reframing the circus pictures but I'm holding out for Hobby Lobby's half-price sale of their frames. Somebody should tell me it's worth the $50 to finish the room by Friday. Until then, this is how it's looking.


I'm going to put a bigger plant in front of the window (above).

And maybe a chair or something in front of the plug (above).

Art will definitely help. That and a mirror. And maybe a floor vase with some feather grass or some such.

Although I'm not finished, at least I don't mind have company!

Outrageously Expensive Sunglasses

Before I begin, I should mention a few things that are relevant:

1) I am cheap. I do not easily part with hard-earned money.

2) I am even more reluctant to spend money on myself. I come from generations of female martyrs.

3) An expensive luxury item???? For myself???? Are you insane???

Introducing:

Replacing:

If these are looking like Walgreen's clip-ons over a pair of specs, then the sparkle isn't masking reality.

The new shades (GUCCI for cryin' out loud!) were purchased in the morning on the day I was told of my lay-off/transition to a new job. And what I love is that my reaction (when I was told), for just a flicker, was "at least I'll be looking stylish in my new shades". Whoo-wah for me! Every now and then, we just gotta shake it and know we're worth it.

This pair of sunglasses cost more than what I'd spent on all prior shades combined. Because I'm an engineer, I'm frugal, and I'm practical: it is worth mentioning that they are great! They fit close to my face so I'm squint-free. The tint is light enough that I can wear them inside without looking like I need a white cane. They fit well-enough that I can wear them like a head-band when I'm shopping (I've lost 2 pairs of Rx shades in stores!! Stolen within minutes of realizing they were no longer tucked in my collar). Ok. Nuff about shades.