Does It Ever End?

Due to some last minute signatures needed from the VA State government, I had to stay home today from work. So, yes even more money I won't get paid this week.

So I am taking the time to get rid of some clutter and stuff around the house. There are so many surfaces, boxes, and closets that need to be dug through and pared down. For the longest time, just the thought of doing this could paralyze me. I've decided to work slow, moving from one area to another, and taking small breaks (like this one!) as I go. Wish me luck.

NYT Home & Garden Section to the Rescue?

Surprising, huh?

Last week, the New York Times decided to task five NY interior designers/decorators with sprucing up the homes of five New Yorkers who had just lost their jobs. They were tasked with using a budget of only $300. Sounds good right? The article says that many got miffed about using that tiny an amount of money and only one was able to come in under budget. Bravo for Christopher Coleman, who was the winner in my book with a final balance of $296! While it was not my style, I have a feeling it fit well for his single-bachelor-tech-geek-client.

Styled by Christopher Coleman

You would think the others would realize that future clients; people who will be looking at their work in this assignment, might find it a plus that a designer CAN actually come in on or under budget.

Rearranged by Hilary Unger of Perianth

Well, at least for me that would be considered an important quality to have in a designer. Not that they did that bad, they still all came in under $500 and the results were all lovely. I just felt bad for the designers that could have easily come in at or under budget if they had just invoked some DIY and repainted furniture or items that the client already owned. Of if they had installed hardware and stitched the simple cushions and pillows themselves instead of hiring outside workers. What a great message that would have sent too.

Rearranged by Bradley Thiergartner

Links to the makeovers:

One-bedroom - $296 by Christopher Coleman

One-bedroom - $304 by Bradley Thiergartner

Studio - $326 by Hilary Unger

2-story house - $452 by Fawn Galli

Shared apartment - $490 by Elaine Griffin


This story was published in the NYT on March 12, 2009.

Monopoly, anyone?

I've decided in these dark financial days that the only treats I will buy myself are going to come from my advertising revenue from these two sites. I need every other penny to go toward credit cards or savings.

Currently, I make only around $7-$15 per month between An Examined Life and SHELTER and am about two and a half months away from my next $100 check from Google. I'm considering changing up and trying the BlogHer advertising program. Since you are the ones who do the clicking, does anyone have suggestions as to which one is better? What kind of ads would you like to see here? I'd really appreciate your feedback.

To clarify, my goal isn't big bucks (Though I wouldn't send it back!) since treats for me are simple: jewelry (currently have no earrings or a working watch), makeup (I want a new lipstick but I have several in the "can scrape it out of the tube" stage), a professional haircut (been cutting my own since 2002), and new sheets and towels (mine are six years old or older).

Yes, those are the kind of things I deprive myself of when times are lean. As you can see, I'm not even talking trips, shoes, or clothing. That kind of money has to be secured ahead of time before I even think about those things.

In the future, the things you will see me make or sew on these blogs will be from materials I already have in-house.* Almost my entire fabric stash send me pangs of guilt each time I see it because the many unfinished projects represent money I could still have. So I won't buy new things until I finish the old* or secure the money elsewhere (via Lowe's gift certificates, selling something on eBay, trade, etc.)

By the way, I was raised that you don't look complete if you don't have earrings on, so the purchase of earrings was first. (I just ordered two very affordable pairs from this Etsy seller.)

*With a few exceptions: a cardigan or winter jacket and a warm knit or corduroy dress/jumper for my climate-controlled office.