At 20, there was the beige and white striped outfit that I had to have (coincidentally-not identical to one a friend owned.) It looked great on the friend, but on me? Not so much. Plus, I never could wear it around her or anyone who might bump into her. Copy cat style is not a good idea.

Then, there was the ugly old car that I felt pressured to buy but hated from the start. It was big and ugly and didn’t have air conditioning [gasp]. My parents knew it was a bad idea, but I ended up with it anyway. (That was the year I apparently had no backbone and wasn’t smart enough to listen to my parents…Uhg. My early twenties were not my finest 1/2 decade.)

Of course, there were lots of uncomfortable shoes that I desperately needed, projects that would relax me or make me extra money that were never completed, the high-style-low-quality couch that is very uncomfortable and always rumpled-looking, and a whole host of other stuff that prove I have wasted some money in my day. Sheesh. I would hate to see the total on that!

Now, I am trying to be a little smarter with money. Note:  I said trying, so I still make mistakes. (Don’t get me started on the dryer that I wish would just die, already.)

Wanting to focus on the positive side of buying, I came up with a little list of things that are well-worth the money. Some might seem trivial; none are necessities. But these are some things I think was money well spent:  (It occurs to me that our dog is expensive.)

• Sealants on kids’ teeth. Not sure of the up front cost, but both kids have healthy, beautiful teeth!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
  
• Dog grooming. Around $50 every 3 months. This might seem frivolous, but the hair was driving me crazy! I lasted for 8 years…I am thinking of learning to do this on my own. Just thinking. Now, if I could just shave the people who live with me, my hair problems would be solved!
  

  Lily after grooming...Ok. The bows might be a bit much...

• Anal gland expression by the vet. $24 every 6-8 weeks. The vet offered to teach me how to do this. I declined. This is perhaps the best $24 ever spent.
  

  You'd look like this, too, if you needed your anal glands expressed.

• Generic clip-on sunglasses. $13. I just bought these today upon the suggestion of a friend. I can’t believe the difference–or that I hadn’t thought of buying these before! Thanks to my friend Cathy, I no longer keep vampire hours.
  
• Hubby’s Jeep. My hubby works hard and has always had practical, “family” cars. This purchase was pretty big ticket (though he got an awesome deal.) The reason it was money well-spent is the feeling it gives him when he is in in with the top down! Total relaxation and decompression. Definitely worth the cash.
• Quicken. Yeah, I’m talking software. This check-keeping, account-balancing, downloading program has made my life so much easier. I always know how much money we have (well, almost) and can download transactions with the push of a button. Balanced finances make me smile.
  

  Quicken

I am sure to think of other personal best buys, but these were some that came to me instantly. Any money well-spent in your life?

Happy Friday! Enjoy your coffee.

Grey cabinet BEFORE the facelift

And here is the AFTER:

Finished project--cabinet painted Heirloom White

The only “antique” parts of this cabinet are the hardware (which I didn’t touch) and the doors (which the cabinet builder had already painted, thus relieving me of any guilt I might feel about painting old paint). My daughter wisely picked Rustoleum’s Heirloom White paint. It is beautiful and oh-so-smooth to the touch (quite unlike the flat grey housepaint which had been on the cabinet.)

Antique spring latch

Antique hinge

One if-I-had-to-do-it-again: I should have primed the cabinet. It took three coats of a good quality paint to cover the dark gray and a lot of time. (I slacked on the inside. Only one coat to make the shelves smooth and a little brighter.) I think a good primer would have made a third coat unnecessary. Also, there are a lot of nooks and crannies and hard-to-reach spots in this type of furniture. It is NOT a quick job. But well worth the time, I think!

ALL of her clothes fit–even the hooded sweatshirts! How many almost-15-year-old girls can actually put away all of their laundry?

The best part? She loves it!

Cabinet--Loaded

The girl LOVES her socks!

photo by Paul Keleher

Good morning, Company Girl Coffee Drinkers! Long time, no see..It’s been a pretty busy 6 weeks around my house, but my parents have moved safely to their wonderful new home, and now life around here is somewhat back to normal (whatever that is!) So, enjoy your coffee, and I’ll see you on your blog. Happy Friday!

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What I know about antiques could probably fill a small thimble: Rules such as “look for dove-tailed drawers” and “don’t strip old paint unless you are SURE it doesn’t give value to the piece.” Most of all, I just know what I like. I like old stuff–smooth, worn wood, aged metal, wavy glass, softly faded fabrics. Things from a different time. Things that tell stories. And I never go into antique shops that have thousand dollar price tags. I would hate to have to worry about whether something is really “that valuable” or not. I am a regular person.

Going into antique shops can be intimidating if you can’t get past the feelings of inadequacy. It is fun and liberating to admit knowing little and only buying what I like because I just like it–not because it is worth money. It is with that mind-set that I trot merrily (and blissfully unaware) into treasure shops. Most owners do not seem to be snooty about shoppers. Most owners seem genuinely happy to answer questions. In fact, if you are open to learning, most will gladly spend time sharing their knowledge with you, even–get this–if you don’t buy anything!

I used to be a reluctant antique shopper, not sure if I needed to pretend to know more than I did. And not sure how to go about that anyway. Through practice and observation, I have learned a few tips and questions that have never gotten a bad response. If your intent is honest and your demeanor is pleasant, it will all be fine. Next time you see an antique shop for regular people (not the hoity toity), just walk right in and do these things:

• Greet the owner or clerk with a smile.
• Be careful not to hit things with your pocketbook. (Many shops are packed with treasures that are displayed in precarious positions.) Try a messenger-style bag.
• If the owner isn’t too busy, ask about things you are truly interested in. For example, I saw a bunch of canes with bright hand grips in a barrel. When asked, the owner told me about carnival canes–the prizes given out at carnivals in the ’40s and ’50s. I had no idea! I did not want to buy them, but I was genuinely interested in learning what they were. Sometimes you can discover the origin of a piece in asking. Again, let the owner share his or her knowledge.
• If you really want to buy something, do not insult the owner by offering nothing. If you do not have an idea, just ask what their best price is. Usually, there is some cushion built in to the price. If not, they will let you know.
• Unless you are really educated about antiques, just look for what you like. (Even if you do know about antiques, this is a good rule to follow.)
  When you leave, say thank you to the owner. This is a small courtesy that many people do not extend today. Most shop owners really appreciate good manners–even if you did not buy anything.

Most of all, just be nice. That almost always puts others at ease. Then, you can get down to the fun stuff–finding the perfect old thing for your regular house!

Here are some wonderful things we saw–and one that we purchased! More on that later…

LOVE this color

Ever play Jenga?...I was tempted...

Wish I had...Might go back for this mini-bowling set. Again, the colors!!!

Not old, but still fun

Part-antique: Old doors, cabinet built with old wood around the doors.

The grey cabinet is in my daughter’s room now. It provides much-needed clothing storage. We decided grey was not us (it was not old paint), so it is now different, and we love it! I’ll show the transformation another day…Did I mention I got a GREAT deal?