Did You Say Shabby Chic?

My Inspiration (today)

I am a frugal girl, or at least I try to be. I like to save money, but I also like pretty things. I am slowly but surely coming up with cheap ways to decorate my condo (980 square feet). Since I have been following Dave Ramsey’s plan more fully in the last several months it has been really important to me that I find REALLY cheap, yet cute ways to fix up my place. Inspiration hit me anew this past week when I was looking at these blogs, which are some of my favorites for creative ideas.

Maybe Victoria is by far my favorite. I just love her enthusiasm and obvious gifts for creating beautiful things. I was SO inspired by all that she and her husband did with second hand items and on a budget of nearly nothing!

From Maybe Victoria I found Sanctuary, which I love! I SO wish my dog wasn’t black sometimes merely because it prohibits me from indulging in the all white loveliness I am drawn to. Shabby Chic anyone?

So, I have decided to change what I can and make the rest work for me. I am going to do my best to post pictures along the way. First up is my new dining room light that my awesome brother installed. I wish I had gotten a picture of the fan/lamp before it was taken out, but you can get an idea of how ugly it was from this photo. Uggg! I can’t figure out why I left it up for 6 years!

Also, in an effort to be a better keeper of my own home I made the bold purchase (in cash – no credit allowed!) of a Dyson Animal vacuum. Why? you ask. Meet Baby, my lovely companion, please note the black hair. Did I mention I opted for the cream carpet before I got her? Well, after six years of trying my best to get her hair off of the floor, the sofa and all guests who come to my house I decided to invest in a “real” vacuum. Thanks to Stacey, who told me about them being on sale on Overstock.com. (refurbished, of course) And no, I will not be vacuuming my guests as they leave, but you get the idea.

To further help with the cleanliness issue of a dog and carpet I have decided to get my carpet professionally cleaned. I got an estimate from a big chain cleaner, but I really wanted to go with a more green process. Unfortunately, the green process is much more expensive. $195 vs. $95. As my budget was only $115, the $195 was a no-go. When I told the green company I had a budget (thank you Dave Ramsey), they offered to give me an $80 discount, if I would agree to appear in a 30 second commercial on the website, but only if I was happy with their work. Say what? Those that really know me know that appearing on a camera (still or moving) of any kind is enough to break me out in hives, but I couldn’t pass up such a great deal. I will let you know how that goes! And boy does my carpet need it!

Here is a list of my plans so far:

Get carpet cleaned
Paint dinner table and chairs and possibly distress them.
Paint the entertainment center and make curtains for glass doors (also possibly distressing)
Spray point wicker box.
Have bathroom light installed
Have outside light installed
Paint the dining room a different shade of green (it’s too limey – is that a word?)
Paint bedroom furniture white.

Did I mention I don’t really like to paint? hmmm. It will be worth it though. I will definitely take pictures. =)