Dining Room: Part 2

Note to readers: the past couple of days have been pretty horrendous with the news from CT.  I won't tell you how or what to feel, especially since I can barely express my own feelings about it.  Thoughts, prayers, good wishes to everyone.

Way back around the time I started this blog, when I had about two loyal readers (rather than the dozen I have and appreciate now), I shared some dark, dank photos of our dining room.  Even painted a light color, it was sadly shadowed and drained any positive energy a person might have.

This year, after reading about how bold colors are often a better choice for rooms that lack natural lighting, we went for a bright yellow.  And now you, lucky reader, get a full view of the room in its current state.

The room has been through a drastic metamorphosis, and that's not to say it's become an ugly bug.  Instead, it's cheery..and no longer suited for dining.

It's hard to visualize properly, but the room is a glorified hallway from the living room to the family room.  The footprint of the basement indicates that the family room was an addition (gloriously wired and half-assed constructed by cousin Larry), and that's why there's a room in the middle of the house without any good natural light.  Because we have a glorious table in the kitchen well-suited for daily and formal dining, we decided to transform the space into an office/rec room and moved the awesome pub table to the family room for puzzles and other fun stuff.

You'll see our motley collection of furniture and wall-hangings, most of which were gifts or craigslist (free) rescues (note: the map was hung months ago and that's why the placement is awkward. We don't know where to put it and the plaster is kind of delicate there, so we'll leave it for now).  The desk looks great up against the bold yellow.

And the wardrobe, which we just painted "New Grass Green" (Glidden), adds to the fun of the room.

The kids' desk now fits right in.

We left the trim both white and wood toned to complete the eclectic look.

The fan is a place holder for something more attractive--the price was right (free) so that's why it is there now since the old fixture hung down way too low and was not adjustable enough.  (I always think of my friend Jeffrey from college when it comes to free stuff.  He was a vegetarian unless the food was a gift.  Free steak? No problem. Free fan? Up it goes!)

The art, however, stays.  I love the pieces.  The baby on the left was a gift from my artist friend because she said the baby in it reminded her of Winslow. The burnt orange and lime green stripes go well with our furniture, and I have a feeling that anything more mainstream would look kind of goofy here.  And then, of course, there's the funky portrait my mom found on the side of the road...I can't stop looking at it, so she'll keep on guarding the hat collection atop the wardrobe for now.

And one day we'll have more decorative items and accessories...not now, though.  Anything of value is almost immediately touched by sticky fingers and sometimes completely destroyed within a matter of seconds, so we'll go minimalist.  It felt dishonest to post photos of fussy decor when we all know I don't live like that at all.

So a last look at BEFORE:

Great table, great art. Sucky everything else.

AFTER:

 Even if it's not to your taste of gray and white and beige all over, anything is better than the dull and dreary "before".  I find myself sincerely whistling a happy tune every morning as I descend the stairs into this cheerful room.

Sources/Details:
Wardrobe {free from friend}: Glidden's New Grass Green
Desk {free off Craigslist}: Clark-Kensington Paint plus Primer's Incandescent Red
Kids' desk {$50 from vintage market}: Came painted that way
Walls: Glidden's Warm Gold
Rug {heirloom}: Turkish wool

Sharing over at Savvy Southern Style, The Shabby Nest, and No Minimalist Here.

Man, I'm Broke Monday: Holiday Libations on A Budget

The residents of The Kiefer Cottage enjoy a good party.  But because we're a one-income family, a well-lubricated holiday extravaganza can seem too frivolous and absolutely too expensive.  During the year, we don't keep loads of alcohol in the house, in part because of the cost but also because our pants are already too tight (thankfully, I did hear that muffin tops are the new black, though, so at least I'm stylish in my plumpness.  Don't correct me if I'm wrong).  However, for Thanksgiving and Christmas (and the occasional shindig), we like to kick back and enjoy a few adult beverages.

How do we do it without breaking the bank?

First off, all alcohol purchased must fall within the weekly grocery budget, so there is no extra spending.  The exception is Thanksgiving, when I go all out with food (just spent $30 on shrimp for instance), but otherwise, all extras have to still keep us under our $150 per week grocery budget.  Sometimes, that means we'll choose a cheaper dinner to make up the difference, but we're not eating beans and rice for a week so we can get wasted.  Instead, we do this for special occasions.

Found at Trader Joe's for far less than $10.

Secondly, we look for deals. While I've never seen a coupon for alcohol (perhaps they exist, but not in my state), I do see the circulars advertising specials.  For us, it's cheapest to purchase the booze at our local grocery store--we cross into Missouri to head to the Sun Fresh (in Westport).  Not only does Missouri enjoy a low tax rate for alcohol, but the state also allows for all types of adult drinks to be sold alongside groceries, so we can get it all in one trip. In Kansas, to get the hard stuff or regular beer for that matter (it's 3.2 beer at the food sto'), we'd have to go to a separate store.

Side note: don't be afraid to look in unexpected places for good prices.  My friends just told me that there's a CVS on the Missouri side of the state line that offers fantastic deals.  I plan on visiting there soon.

Cava, which is Spanish sparkling wine, for $7.99 a bottle.

Third, we're not snobs nor are we loyal to one type of drink.  We buy what's on sale unless we're talking about a few domestic varieties that shall never pass these lips again (let me make a case for Miller High Life, though. It is indeed the champagne of beers. Good stuff).  I have tried expensive champagne (excuse me, sparkling wine), and the difference in taste isn't great enough to justify spending a lot more, so never do I spend more than $10 on a bottle.  We still enjoy Cook's which can be found for about $5 at some stores.

Finally, we keep our eyes peeled for unadvertised clearance items.  For this week, we got two varieties for 60% off retail because they are about to go beyond their "fresh" dates.  I've yet to have a skunky beer when partaking in such deals.

The Apple Ale was priced at over $9, and we got it for less than $4 on clearance.

Other strategies for saving money on holiday cheer in a bottle: 

1) Consider serving a cocktail like mimosas or sangria (as opposed to something like a martini).  That'll stretch the expensive stuff.  Also, if you're mixing, you often can get by with a cheaper variety rather than the top shelf.  Anyway, this'll tone down the strength of the drinks, which can be a good thing if Uncle Darryl tends to go too far at holiday dinners, insisting that everyone join in a rousing naked rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas (for the 8th time in one evening).

2) Buy by the case if you can because many stores offer a discount.  A liquor store near my Alma Mater would offer women an even higher discount on Wednesdays.  

3) Don't be afraid to try something new. 

4) Save the expense for a special occasion rather than partaking every night this season.

Even cheapskates can enjoy a few drinks, so hopefully you can find a place in your budget to make it happen if you so desire. 

Please don't drink and drive, though.  Have fun, but stay safe this year!

Man, I'm Broke Monday: Buying a table that'll last

There have been times in my life when I've felt that buying an "assemble yourself" piece of furniture was a good idea.  Or when it's been better to buy a new, cheap piece because I needed it ASAP and knew there weren't many alternatives for me (like a futon).

But when it came to filling this space in the kitchen, I knew that I needed to take my time and search for a good value, which meant purchasing something that would withstand some roughhousing by the kids or even a cross-country move if necessary, without breaking the bank (no, we're not planning on moving anytime soon, but it could happen. You just never know!).

See that huge space?  Couldn't have some teeny tiny table there.

So where did I go? To the vintage furniture markets held every month on the west side of town.  You never know what you're going to get, so it can take months to find the right piece. I searched up and down and all around while the kitchen space sat empty.  We ate in our cramped dining room in the meantime (you can see our other lovely table on that post).

Last year, though, I found just the right table.  When I laid eyes on it, I knew it was right.

Country, pocked, but solid.

And the perfect size for our enormous kitchen.

Reminded me of this table (and many others I've seen in catalogs lately):

Pottery Barn Reclaimed Wood Table

The one I bought is also made of reclaimed wood, although it was the painstakingly faux'd with layer upon layer of paint and distress.

And rather than $1700 on sale, my table cost less than $250.

I've had friends ask to buy it from me, others say it's their favorite piece in the house. My mother sent me an article on Ellen DeGeneres's home (which I think has been put on the market since then) and highlighted their barnwood table, declaring that mine was obviously better looking.  So I think I did good.

Sure, the table isn't perfectly level in all spots, but that's a result of the inconsistencies in the wood. And the finish on it has withstood plenty of abuse from the family.  Couldn't ask for much more. A lovely table I love looking at every day that doesn't require special treatment or a payment plan from the local furniture mart.

It's usually worth it to take your time looking for quality used pieces of furniture--you'll probably save money in the short run and most definitely will in the long run.

Shared at Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday.

Man, I'm Broke Monday: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

At our favorite stores, we're reminded that Christmas is already nigh.  And I know many of you probably have been shopping all year for the occasion.  Others shall decide to go out into the Black Friday frenzy, while some will wait until the very last minute (Do you think everyone will enjoy these Halloween leggings I found in the almost-free pile?  Everything else is sold out).  

I've never been a huge Christmas shopper, mainly because I've never had the means to be and have never felt inclined to charge thousands of dollars worth of gifts that require twelve months of payments.  But this year, I came to a realization after watching the film "What Would Jesus Buy?"

(Some of you might be surprised. I'm not a devout follower of any religion. I do, however, think there's plenty to be learned from what Christ had to say. I mean, love one another?  That's good stuff!)

Anyway, the film follows a touring choir that travels all over the country spreading the gospel of anti-consumerism, suggesting that perhaps it's not a great idea to spend a fortune on stuff and that real gifts don't need to cost a thing.  I'll admit that some of the folks featured in the film, including the Rev. Billy, are pretty fanatical about their message, and it's far from a great movie, but I see a lot of value in getting people to be more deliberate and thoughtful when it comes to the holiday shopping bonanza we endure every year.

Ryan and I have talked a lot about what makes a good Christmas. Does it require tons of gifts and doodads?  For one thing, buying dozens of presents would put us into loads of debt, which hardly gives me a warm feeling.  And most of us have witnessed a child ripping open gifts, tossing the stuff aside, and then asking if there are any more to open.  Then of course everything gets ignored while the kids play with the tissue paper, boxes, and hangers rather than the plastic beeping thingies you actually paid for.

The best part of the holidays. The Food.

For me, what I really enjoy is the eating. And relaxing with family. And then family naptime followed by more eating.

So perhaps the purchasing frenzy just ain't worth it.  

This isn't to say I haven't been grateful for some of the gifts I've received. Both Ryan and I come from very generous families, and we as well as the children have benefited from their presents, which are usually quite mindful and often very interesting (that awesome playset in the backyard? Yup, thanks to the grandparents.  The large tinker-toys that are going to be presented to the children this Christmas? Thanks to YiaYia).  But I've also received gifts from others who obviously scrambled for "the right thing", and once I was even re-gifted an item. No big deal (who hasn't regifted something?  I have without shame) except that the gift was something I had given to that person a few years back. Must've been really meaningful, huh?

So why not lift that burden a bit by not worrying about "the right thing" and not giving cheap tchotchkes as a token because you feel obligated to send something to your neighbor's friend's therapist you met once three years ago?  And why not reconsider the ingrained need to show gratitude and love with a thing you bought and instead offer your time, your kitchen, your expertise, or something you made?

Mom, I don't need 100 gifts that beep (and then break soon after)!

Giving to charity is a great alternative as well.  We gave to Heifer International last year in honor of our parents (all five of them), and this year, we'll aim for charity, too, although we might give to another organization if the urge strikes us.  And for the kids in the extended family (all of whom live far away from us), we're digging deep to find toys that aren't too junky and might have staying power, although this one is the toughest challenge of the season, especially since we rarely see the children.

For our own brood, we've been throwing around ideas, and while the kids will have a few things to open--socks and underwear of course!--we're looking for experiential gifts. One thing we've thrown around is setting aside a portion of the budget each month to go to a new restaurant. The children love eating out, and so do we, but it can be expensive for a family of five.  By bypassing a large gift in December, we can divert that Christmas money into something we'll all enjoy for an entire year.  Plus, it fits in well with the obligation I feel to teach my children to behave in restaurants (Katie, which utensil is appropriate for oysters?).

We're also thinking of ways to give to our community that can involve the children (while writing a check is a great idea, it's not that much fun for the kids who still don't really understand money that well). The local elementary school recently communicated that the school nurse needs granola bars and children's underwear for kids in need.  And picking up a few extra jars of peanut butter for a donation to the food pantry is a simple way to engage that "I just gave" good feeling.

Ideas for friends:
* Babysitting coupons
* Vouchers for a home-cooked meal
* Access to your home library (if you have lots of books, for instance)
* Alcohol (it's expensive, so for us, it's a treat. Sure, it's a "thing" but boy it's fun!)
* Scarves you've knitted or something else you've made

Notice I haven't thrown down the gauntlet and told you that only bad people spend money on stuff at Christmas.  I just hope you can give out of the goodness of your heart and not because everyone else expects a particular way of doing things. And please avoid debt.  A great gift you can give to your family is financial stability.  But really, there are no rules.  Celebrate as you see fit in the way you find the most meaningful.

Man, I'm Broke Monday: Keep it, Repair it

Because we find ourselves tight on cash these days and I'm sure we're not alone, I thought I'd start a series called "Man, I'm Broke Monday".  I might post it weekly, or maybe I'll forget all about this plan after a month, but I thought I'd share what we do to save money or stretch our dollar.

Today I'm going to show you a frightening photograph.  Seems fitting with Halloween coming up to scare the pants off of you (thankfully, since you're safely behind the computer screen or phone, I won't have to witness you pant-less, although now I have an image burned into my brain of your Tweety bird undies).

Washer is the near the stairs, dryer 20 feet away, because that's totally logical.

I know.  Gasp-worthy.  Heart-attack-inducing. Those appliances are so old. And so ugly! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

But let me tell you why I chose to shock you: it has saved us a lot of money to keep these older appliances.  My father gave me this washer a few years ago--it is nigh unto twenty years old and has a huge capacity.  The dryer was "Free with Purchase". That is, when we bought the house, we found the dryer down here. We  needed it, too, since this house is rigged for a gas dryer, and our old one was electric.

The fact the appliances were free to us is not really my point.  What's great about them is that we can repair them. By "we", I mean Ryan.  In fact, you should know that the Great Washer Repair of 2008 sealed the deal between me and my (then soon-to-be) husband.  He took a day off from work a few weeks after we met and replaced the thingamajig that makes the washer spin.  Part cost was less than $20.  The devotion and respect he earned was priceless.

Since that time four years ago, Ryan has also rigged the lid sensor (see photo below of the bread bag tie he used) and replaced the belt on the dryer when it stopped tumbling (about six months ago).  

Ryan will answer to MacGyver.

Ryan insists this work is not overly complicated and that anyone could do it, even a lazy redhead.  There are internet forums and websites where you can find information on DIY repairs.

So...

The next time you're looking at your old appliances thinking, "Why can't I get one of those nifty frontloaders that cost $1000/each? Oh yeah, because my wallet is empty and I'd rather not go on the five year payment plan at Nebraska Furniture Mart," just remember that you might have something you can repair yourself at a fraction of the cost of a new model.  Keep what you have until it just won't go anymore rather than trashing a perfectly good appliance.

Another option is that when your 25 year old Kenmore kicks the bucket, you could try to get a used or refurbished older replacement (on Craigslist, perhaps?), which can tide you over until your financial picture improves or you just can't drown out the call of a royal blue front-loader that promises you'll lose weight and save time if you buy it (It also will chaperone your daughter's dates and make an awesome lemon souffle, which you can't eat since you're on a diet).  Newer models are much harder to repair, especially those with complex electronic systems.  I have a friend who has a swankier washer, and within two years of purchase, she had to replace the motherboard.  She and her husband are handier than most people and quite technologically inclined...I'm not sure if most people on the street could replicate their work as easily.

Above all else, don't get caught in the trap of believing you need to spend a fortune on a new thing that claims to save money and the environment (in this case, water usage).  I know this is hard for some.  I've battled my desire to have things that don't waste water and other precious resources.  But the energy savings are not substantial enough to justify our going into debt or spending beyond our means.** If you love Sarah Richardson but have the budget of the typical working Joe, spray paint your existing model and make believe you have your own Tommy sidekick making witty comments while pointing out this awesome 9.99/yard fabric.  Of course, I've *never* spray painted appliances...

Anyway, I hope our set lasts forever. I know it won't, but I think we'll have gotten our money's worth.

**The claim is that the HE washers can save you about $60/year in energy costs.  I'm all for savings, but if you're struggling, should you buy a new $$ appliance for 60 bucks a year in savings?  For me, the answer is obviously NO.  It can wait for now.