Oooh, I did one of each recently: Our two faux-leather ottomans are cracking. I ordered vinyl paint and was able to refresh one. The other one was beyond repair, so I replaced it with a beautiful upholstered storage bench that should endure. My hubbie didn’t get why I was bothering with any of it, but it gave me great satisfaction!
But in the closet or drawer it's a great way to upcycle things you already have, nice stationery boxes, shoe boxes, jewelry boxes, tie boxes. Sometimes I can remember even decorating said boxes before putting them in the drawers. Cheaper than buying something that everyone would see since it's in a closet or drawer. There are a lot of sewing patterns to make stylish boxes that are decorative and can be made in your favorite fabrics.
I feel seen, Mary. Thanks! This very morning I looked at the powdered soap my husband had poured onto the bathroom counter, for easy access, I suppose, and I went and said to him, "No. We do not live in a fraternity house. This is a line I'm going to draw."
It sounds like your husband has his inner child alive and well! A large box has so much potential! Unfortunately appliances have the box removed before delivery as the cardboard can be resold! I need a toaster and the thought of making that purchase is daunting as it will need to be done on line without benefit of personal inspection. I miss really good retail therapy in a beautiful store with beautiful arrangements. I like shopping for others but not myself.
I travel a lot and have nice luggage. We went away for our anniversary weekend and my husband comes to the car with reusable grocery bags filled with his things. He invests in what matters to him…luggage is not one of them.
I use cardboard boxes in my pantry to organize/sort. Especially for baking it’s nice to have everything all together.
Over the years I’ve purchased so many clothes. Usually I add several new pieces each season and wear most of them for decades (because I buy clothes that I love and try to avoid fast fashion). In July I decided to resist clothes shopping for myself. I don’t need anything else right now. And in general I’ve been abstaining from non consumable shopping.
But BOOKS. Real books from independent bookstores mostly non fiction. That’s where I’ve been splurging lately. (Library books for everyday pleasure reading though)
Would your husband would be aghast at me reusing my shoe boxes as kitten litter boxes when I was not feeling well? It postponed changing the other one.Should the 'good box' not be used for "that"? The hair scrunchies & bottle tops are the most favorite cat toys along with the catnip sock I made so I adapt. I despise plastic, so I recycle it religiously and often provide heartfelt sermons. Next gen won't admit my influence, I'm sure, but my maxi-me is out there.
Buy? What’s that? I think I have a shopping phobia 🫣 I don’t even buy things I need. But I do buy books. Small indulgence for much satisfaction and if I love them I give them away to share the pleasure.
I was an English major and have a paralagal certificate. I had someone in the family that hoarded paper and I never thought I'd have an aversion to books. That, plus a concussion that left me not wanting to read much and got me out of the habit. If information can be accessed electronically, great-I love a clutter free home. But an out of print Cajun Cookbook from the middle of nowhere that perfectly explains the differences between so many things and how to make them perfectly? C'mon...I'm not a monster.
At first I thought you were promoting the Sioux chef Indigenous black power kit. 🙂 I had my hands on that Sioux chef book yesterday while helping my daughter pack for a move. Also I Laughed out loud at your dangerously close to becoming “weird ass people” quote. As we speak my daughter is on her way to pick up a free microwave from someone in our buy nothing group. Lastly, I am a devotee of the laundry love approach. I buy his pricey laundry flakes that he sells at a store in the Mall of America. Your post is balm for the soul today.
The Buy Nothing groups are awesome! My SIL gave that book to my husband, and it’s just the right height for Zoom meetings. I can say nothing about the actual recipes!
Warm water huh? Thank you for that! I find as I get older (and older) I want less and buy less. I have enough clothes...I'm not going to redecorate my house at this point, and one thing I am doing is not buying one use plastic packaged products as often. I finally found a laundry detergent that is in a steel bottle and gets my clothes actually clean (Dirty Labs)! And no more one off plastic bottles of water. But I have a long way to go to go plastic free completely.
Tommy and I saw SO MUCH PLASTIC in Okinawa, trash everywhere on the beaches, some in places it was unreachable. Hawaii was so focused on respecting the land we were mortified. We would reuse any kind of single use plastic thing until we couldn't. It made me irate to see customers stealing stacks of bags from stores and management not really care. Texas is gross.
That detergent comes with a tiny little cup to fill (almost like a thimble!) and you only fill it 1/2 way for a good load. I was so surprised when it did the job. (You can also find this on Amazon).
I have 2 big dogs that get dirty and still jump on my bed, I'm silly enough to have pink velvet comforter, etc. I use Dreft, the pellets, all the crap when it comes to laundry. The stuff is magic for filth and the scent is comforting as I fall asleep.
Oooh, I did one of each recently: Our two faux-leather ottomans are cracking. I ordered vinyl paint and was able to refresh one. The other one was beyond repair, so I replaced it with a beautiful upholstered storage bench that should endure. My hubbie didn’t get why I was bothering with any of it, but it gave me great satisfaction!
That’s a fun project! I didn’t know there was such a thing as vinyl paint.
I didn't either. It worked quite well!
But in the closet or drawer it's a great way to upcycle things you already have, nice stationery boxes, shoe boxes, jewelry boxes, tie boxes. Sometimes I can remember even decorating said boxes before putting them in the drawers. Cheaper than buying something that everyone would see since it's in a closet or drawer. There are a lot of sewing patterns to make stylish boxes that are decorative and can be made in your favorite fabrics.
Decorating! I hadn’t even thought about that!
I feel seen, Mary. Thanks! This very morning I looked at the powdered soap my husband had poured onto the bathroom counter, for easy access, I suppose, and I went and said to him, "No. We do not live in a fraternity house. This is a line I'm going to draw."
Lol! We need to get your husband together with mine and his box, and Melissa’s guy with his plastic bags!
It sounds like your husband has his inner child alive and well! A large box has so much potential! Unfortunately appliances have the box removed before delivery as the cardboard can be resold! I need a toaster and the thought of making that purchase is daunting as it will need to be done on line without benefit of personal inspection. I miss really good retail therapy in a beautiful store with beautiful arrangements. I like shopping for others but not myself.
That’s a good point. A gorgeous, well appointed store can be a work of art in itself.
I travel a lot and have nice luggage. We went away for our anniversary weekend and my husband comes to the car with reusable grocery bags filled with his things. He invests in what matters to him…luggage is not one of them.
I use cardboard boxes in my pantry to organize/sort. Especially for baking it’s nice to have everything all together.
Over the years I’ve purchased so many clothes. Usually I add several new pieces each season and wear most of them for decades (because I buy clothes that I love and try to avoid fast fashion). In July I decided to resist clothes shopping for myself. I don’t need anything else right now. And in general I’ve been abstaining from non consumable shopping.
But BOOKS. Real books from independent bookstores mostly non fiction. That’s where I’ve been splurging lately. (Library books for everyday pleasure reading though)
Lol! The plastic bags for your romantic weekend! We might be married to the same guy. I love the image of the boxes in your pantry.
Would your husband would be aghast at me reusing my shoe boxes as kitten litter boxes when I was not feeling well? It postponed changing the other one.Should the 'good box' not be used for "that"? The hair scrunchies & bottle tops are the most favorite cat toys along with the catnip sock I made so I adapt. I despise plastic, so I recycle it religiously and often provide heartfelt sermons. Next gen won't admit my influence, I'm sure, but my maxi-me is out there.
Lol! He would admire you for that!
Buy? What’s that? I think I have a shopping phobia 🫣 I don’t even buy things I need. But I do buy books. Small indulgence for much satisfaction and if I love them I give them away to share the pleasure.
I was an English major and have a paralagal certificate. I had someone in the family that hoarded paper and I never thought I'd have an aversion to books. That, plus a concussion that left me not wanting to read much and got me out of the habit. If information can be accessed electronically, great-I love a clutter free home. But an out of print Cajun Cookbook from the middle of nowhere that perfectly explains the differences between so many things and how to make them perfectly? C'mon...I'm not a monster.
Books are always a treat! I tend to get those from the library, so I don’t go broke. They are always a joy!
At first I thought you were promoting the Sioux chef Indigenous black power kit. 🙂 I had my hands on that Sioux chef book yesterday while helping my daughter pack for a move. Also I Laughed out loud at your dangerously close to becoming “weird ass people” quote. As we speak my daughter is on her way to pick up a free microwave from someone in our buy nothing group. Lastly, I am a devotee of the laundry love approach. I buy his pricey laundry flakes that he sells at a store in the Mall of America. Your post is balm for the soul today.
YES!!! @ balm for soul. Weird ass and proud, here, lol.
The Buy Nothing groups are awesome! My SIL gave that book to my husband, and it’s just the right height for Zoom meetings. I can say nothing about the actual recipes!
Warm water huh? Thank you for that! I find as I get older (and older) I want less and buy less. I have enough clothes...I'm not going to redecorate my house at this point, and one thing I am doing is not buying one use plastic packaged products as often. I finally found a laundry detergent that is in a steel bottle and gets my clothes actually clean (Dirty Labs)! And no more one off plastic bottles of water. But I have a long way to go to go plastic free completely.
Good tip on the detergent! And I’m with you on the plastic water bottles.
Tommy and I saw SO MUCH PLASTIC in Okinawa, trash everywhere on the beaches, some in places it was unreachable. Hawaii was so focused on respecting the land we were mortified. We would reuse any kind of single use plastic thing until we couldn't. It made me irate to see customers stealing stacks of bags from stores and management not really care. Texas is gross.
That detergent comes with a tiny little cup to fill (almost like a thimble!) and you only fill it 1/2 way for a good load. I was so surprised when it did the job. (You can also find this on Amazon).
Oooh, I’ll look. Although I’m trying to break up with Amazon…
I am, too, Mary!
I have 2 big dogs that get dirty and still jump on my bed, I'm silly enough to have pink velvet comforter, etc. I use Dreft, the pellets, all the crap when it comes to laundry. The stuff is magic for filth and the scent is comforting as I fall asleep.