My Brother's Place

I freely admit I am neurotic.  Yesterday I took it to a whole new level...

A few weeks ago, I found the perfect console table for my brother's condo - from HomeGoods of course.  Quickly I snapped a picture and texted him.  His response, "I don't need another table."  To my dismay I could not convince him to fork over $400, nor could I convince my mother to buy it (for him).

This past Tuesday I paid my weekly homage to the Mecca (aka HomeGoods). Low and behold a bright red tag dangled from the table with the numbers 2 4 9!  A HomeGoods markdown is a rare find.  No doubt about it - the clearance tag was a sign - or at least that was my argument which persuaded my mother to make the purchase.

Yesterday we delivered the table, and before it was in place I knew some rearranging was necessary.  I was tangled in cables, covered with dust bunnies and surrounded by an island of furniture when my phone rang. It was my brother. He was on his way home from work.  I casually mentioned that a few things were moved around and not to worry.

After hanging up the phone, my mom and I sprang into gear.  The race was on.  (By the time Michael walked through the door, all the furniture was in place and 80 percent of the cleaning was complete.)  As the door opened, I was frozen like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar.  His immediate response, "What the %$#*?"  I suppose he was a little shocked to see that I had moved every piece of furniture in his apartment (less the bedroom).  In my defense, on numerous occasions, my brother granted me carte blanche decorating privileges. 

After a few moments of taking in the new layout, my brother (a man of few words, rather adjectives) agreed it opened up the space.  Now I can sleep easy knowing I have saved another space from a bad furniture layout.   Michael, if I can do that in 2 hours, for $250, imagine what I can do with the kitchen?  I am waiting with baited breath to start that project.

Rushing to complete the extreme makeover before the "reveal,", I forgot to take any pictures.  However, I do have the picture of the table I texted Michael.

So yes, I am crazy, but have the purest intentions.  All you design lovers understand.  It truly brings me joy to reveal a home's potential.  If you or someone you know needs help on a budget please contact me.

Cheers!
Elizabeth


"Your house should rise up to meet you." ~ Oprah Winfrey 

...which will prompt her to call a stranger

Believe it or not rearranging my bedroom led to a delightful phone conversation with a complete stranger.  Here is how it happened...

While scouring Craig's List for a Chippendale style chair (for the desk pictured below), I came across a seller with two.  There was no email address, just a phone number.  Promptly, I dialed the number to inquire.  A friendly voice answered and provided me with all the details.  Finally, I asked for specifics on her location. To my dismay, she is in North Carolina.  We ended up discussing her collection of Hollywood Regency style furniture, selling it on ebay or Etsy and my blog.  Funny how things transpire!

Later in the afternoon I finally checked out my area's newest HomeGoods.  The grand opening was nearly 2 months ago, but life's been keeping me busy.  It was a successful trip if you do not account for my little one breaking a bottle of Pellegrino in the linen aisle or my older one professing his love for everyone through a voice changing machine à la Home Alone II.  However, it did result in the purchase of a silver leafed floor length mirror, a fantastic Ralph Lauren mirror (pictured below), and few other odds and ends. 

Please note that this was taken with my Blackberry and this is the work in progress bedroom - The price sticker is still on the mirror and the desk needs to be styled up.  It's not black, just a very dark finish.  The other mirror's location is TBD.  

Another Blackberry photo, so I apologize for the quality.  Just wanted to share the Friday night project  wall gallery, also a work in progress.  I should have taken the time to straighten the pillows and put away the shoes before I took the picture, but that's what you get when you put things off until 11 o'clock at night.  

Random post, but this is a pretty accurate picture of what my life is like. Oh, there was also soccer, violin, a doctor's appointment, a nap for the baby, a haircut (not for my hair which is looking dreadful) and 3 square meals to prepare.  I seriously need an assistant, but don't we all?

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"Don't be fooled by the calendar.  There are only as many days in the year as you make use of."  ~Charles Richards

Tales of a HomeGoods Habitué

*WARNING: This post is extremely wordy and slightly neurotic* 


My husband is perplexed by my devotion to HomeGoods.  For example, when I was 8 and half months pregnant with my second child, my mom, cousin, and aunt came to visit for a girl's weekend.  Once everyone arrived on Friday evening, we went out for a delectable dinner.  While dining, flurries began to swirl around in the cold January air.  The following morning we awakened to an alabaster blanket of snow hiding the landscape. The precipitation continued, therefore a modification of our plans was inevitable.  After bagels, coffee and the Today Show, we bundled up and tapped into our extensive meteorological knowledge. Determining the conditions were safe, we dusted off my SUV and set off on our HG pilgrimage.

Just as we were turning onto the highway entrance ramp, my aunt suggested that the weather looked precarious and we might consider turning around.   Casually, I replied that all was fine and our destination was less than 10 minutes away.  Before the last word could escape my month the world went blank.

Left with no choice, I merged onto the highway, which the white-out conditions made nearly impossible. Vehicles were stuck in ditches and stalled in middle of the interstate. Lane markings were invisible as were the cars surrounding me.  I shudder to think of the consequences if I had pulled onto the shoulder, rendering us a target.  I summoned all of my energy to find the courage to press on until the next exit.  That was the longest mile of my life.  

Meanwhile, my aunt and cousin gripped each others hands and closed their eyes.  The back seat was utter silence - which is a VERY bad sign in my family.  Simultaneously, my mom/co-pilot assisted with navigation by hanging out the window with a snow scrapper, as I white-knuckled it crying and screaming every 4 letter word you can imagine.  Please keep in mind that my giant 8 and a half month pregnant belly did not allow me to demonstrate the most agile of driving skills.

Once we reached the exit, I pulled the car into a parking lot and regrouped.  We thanked our lucky stars that a higher power was watching over us.  Since the forecast called for snow the remainder of the day, we made the wise decision to head home via the residential roads, not the highway.  The trip, which normally takes15 minutes took 2 and a half hours. 

What kind of crazy person risks their life, their unborn child's life and their families' lives for a HomeGoods Treasure hunt? Visions of my widowed husband and motherless child raced through my head that entire trip. Honestly, that was one of the scariest events of my life.  If you've ever been caught in a white out, you understand.

Now that we've lived through that ordeal we feel we've earned the right to tell this great tale.   Discussions of pitching this story to HG for a commercial has even been a topic of family conversation. I envision a whole commercial series based on true stories about what people will do to get to a HomeGoods location and what they do to get what they are looking for.  I'm sure a few of you have your own HG tales.  HomeGoods - if you are reading this I've got some additional tales you may be interested in...

A few of you may be thinking this girl needs to get a life - how can you go on and on and on about a discount store.  On the other hand, any of you who have experienced a "HomeGoods Happy Moment" understand. Tuesday night I had one of those moments...

Typically, I pay homage to my mecca on weekdays.  Tuesday was a long day, so after dinner I asked my husband if he would mind putting the boys to bed while I escaped for a while.  That evening, I walk into Home Goods like normal - slightly territorial and fearful that other shoppers, veterans and newbies alike, would spot a find before me.   When the automatic doors parted and I stepped over the threshold and I made the ever-so-important split-second decision, "where do I go first?"

My mother thinks it's bad luck not to follow the natural flow of the store.  I, on the other hand, typically race over to the lamps, mirrors and furniture section.  On my way  I pass a few of my other favorite aisles, so I can catch a quick glimpse just in case something stellar is on display (it's sort of sick that we have HG philosophy discussions).  As any seasoned HomeGoods shopper knows, you must follow the cardinal rule, "If thou believes there is a slight possibility that thou may want it, thou must put it in the cart immediately."

Over a month ago, my HG had 2 classic blue and white porcelain Ralph Lauren Lamps.  I must have been drugged, because I decided against purchasing one of them, even though I was looking for that type of lamp for the family room.  I have been kicking my self ever since.  Online comparable Ralph Lauren lamps range for $300 to $800.  The HG RL lamp was priced at $99.99.  Rookie mistake!!!

Fast forward to Tuesday night.  I arrived at HomeGoods and jetted over the the lighting section.  After my first lap around the store, I followed up with the 3-4 standard safeguard laps to confirm nothing was overlooked.  During my final lap I was chatting on my phone just as a vision stopped me in my tracks.  It was the very lamp I had been searching for.  I swooped it up and restrained myself from doing the happy dance.  You would have thought I just got engaged from the perma-grin on my face.

Ok

Happy Weekend!

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.”  ~Melba Colgrove