I Love Shopping...In My Own Home

If you know me, you know I have a strong aversion to shopping. I get anxiety just thinking about going to a mall. Thus, I have become quite good at two other types of purchasing items: Internet Shopping...sorry Steve!...and shopping in my own home. What in the world is that? I'm glad you asked! Shopping in my own home is simply looking for things I already own to serve a new purpose in a different place. Let me give you an example.

We are beginning our fourth year of homeschooling. We homeschool in our little classroom which is set up in our former dining room. (Mind you, the following took me four years to figure out.) Anyway, I have never been a fan of the light we selected to hang above our kitchen table. It put off minimal light, and was just a bit bulky. I began to envision a black chandelier there instead. I scoured magazines and websites for the perfect one. I knew exactly what I wanted, and needed to find one I could present to Steve that would pass the financial test. ; ) I looked and looked. I just couldn't find what I was looking for. And then. You guessed it...One day I walked passed the schoolroom...and there...still hanging...was the black chandelier that had hung above our dining room table!!!!!  Needless to say I was thrilled! What business does a black chandelier have hanging in a schoolroom anyway, when there is a perfectly good kitchen table in need of its services???

In mere days, that chandelier was hung in the kitchen, and the Heavens rejoiced! Ok, maybe not, but it sure seemed like it with all the light it put off. Steve replaced it with a simple ceiling light in the schoolroom and we-meaning-I were happy again.

Doesn't it look like it just belongs?

Looks like new. Actually eleven years old.

Perfect. : )

And if you notice something that actually is new...that hutch in the background was a surprise from my hubby! We have had the buffet forever, and I found the matching hutch online one day and he promptly brought it home for me. Yay Steve!

I filled it with items from another in-home shopping spree!

I gathered items from around the kitchen area, and after a few minutes hours of rearranging, I was all set.

Tara, a spot for my teacups!

And finally, a spot for my baby plates. : )

And there you have it. My tips on making your home look completely different without spending a ton of money...use what you already have, and add a few new things to spruce it up.

Yes. I did splurge and get new placemats. Note to self: Refrain from washing light tan placemats with red dishcloths. ; )

Enjoy the rest of your week, my friends.