Too Many Options

For a while now, Michael and I have discussed a home renovation. We even enlisted the help of an architect to draw out some of our ideas. Which was exciting - until we got the bill from the architect. Needless to say, that’s been put on hold for a little while.  

 

In the meantime, we started to concentrate on some smaller projects around the house. For one, we finally got our one fireplace working and inserted gas logs (just in time for spring). Secondly, we called a contractor to come over and talk about a bunch of other little stuff – like putting in recessed lighting in the ceiling of our sunroom upstairs, adding cabinets above the washer and dryer and changing our existing pantry space into a butler’s pantry. Of course, who knew there were so many options when it came to a butler’s pantry? The general gist is cabinets above (for barware), cabinets below and a wine fridge. We’ve spent the better part of two weeks looking at drafts, making changes and then making more changes. Here’s the evolution of those drawings:

 

Option #1 – in addition the cabinets above, wine storage on either side of the middle cabinets. Sink below. And just imagine a tile backsplash where the yellow part is…

But we didn’t like the wine storage up top, so we drafted Option #2 – all glass in the above six cabinets.   

But our cabinet guy wanted to give us options so he also provided Option #3 – all glass in the above four cabinets. 

But we definitely liked six cabinets better.  And, then we thought but do we really want the sink right there?  I mean, eventually, if we did our renovation, we would want a kitchen island and probably better to put a sink there, so we could actually use it.  So we asked for Option #4 – no sink.

Yep, I think we’re on to something.  But the above picture only had the four cabinets, so we asked for one more draft.  And, while he was at it, could he throw in a beverage cooler in addition to the wine fridge?  Here’s what we got – Option #5.

Disregard the last top cabinet – we definitely want grids on our glass cabinetry.  But otherwise, this is the finished product.  Now, we’re just waiting on pricing (hopefully, it’s feasible) and then we should be ready to go.  Hopefully, I’ll have before and after pics soon. :) 

No More Shopping (at least until April 25th)

I've given up shopping for Lent.  Whilst I believe it is a good idea, I'm not very happy about it - and I'm only a week in. 

Let me lay the ground rules:

1. Grocery shopping is not included - although I wouldn't mind giving up shopping for groceris - it is one of my least favorite things to do.

2. While I've given up shopping, I have not given up spending money; therefore, if I identify something I absolutely "need" versus absolutely "want," that item is not included, i.e. see my example below.

3. No shopping = no shoes, no clothes, no Target runs unless I need garbage bags, no buying anything related to spring until April 25th...  which right now with the way the weather is finally picking up is tough to do.

4. Window shopping is permitted.  In lamens terms, I can look but not touch.

As it relates to number 2 above, I ran out of foundation yesterday.  I use Bare Essentials so I was tapping away at the little container to stretch it as far as it would go.  And by yesterday, there wasn't anything left.  So, I had to make a run to the mall.  Not a good idea for someone who gave up shopping for six weeks.  Boots were on sale, sandals were in store windows, spring dresses were calling my name, but I resisted. 

Along that same line, Kate Spade posted a 20% off and free shipping coupon code on Facebook yesterday.  Good until last night at midnight.  Of course, there was a red shirt dress that I have been eyeing for some time - but alas, no dice!

Then Neiman Marcus sends me their spring catalog yesterday...  and cannot even express how many things I loved in it.  And InStyle sent finally sent April issue too. 

I've established that this is what torture feels like.