So before I get too deep into the world of all things Mid-Century, I want to share what I found at TJ Maxx Home Goods - limited release works by Sarah Brooke, the Australian artist!!
A friend of mine recently checked out photos of my loft here and asked me which style of interior design is my own. Believe it or not I had never been asked or truly considered this before. I’ve always known more of what I do not like for myself than what I do. After some much needed research I’ve determined my style is mid-century modern. I’ll be damned. SO. I’m dedicating the next few posts to pieces which belong in my dream mid-century modern home.
For instance, check out this space. I can dig it.
Quirky living room.
The Hard Way
I can say that since I experienced this day, I am successfully doing at least three of these things the way I told myself to.
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Today was quite the day. Very VERY busy. Let’s go over the lessons I’ve learned.
1. Put each and every single solitary date-related obligation in your calendar. Otherwise, you will have a Thursday with four, count them 4, appointments across DFW.
2. DO NOT use Fed Ex Freight. Just don’t. Because in the course of four hours you will hear five different stories, neither of which will prove to be true. You may have to call in your mom to stand in for a pick up appointment which will feel unprofessional, but necessary.
3. Request fabric samples for ANYTHING purchased online. Especially when it’s a vendor you have never used before. And review the return policy with your client, repeatedly. Then try and talk them out of the purchase.
4. Always make sure your coffee pot and mug are clean. Because the moment you really need caffeine on the go, you will have a dirty pot and no time to clean it.
5. Get good help. Interview your crew thoroughly. Have trusted people on call. Review previous work. Call multiple times to confirm appointments. Be obnoxious.
6. Remember that you could have been in a cubicle eating potato surprise for lunch in a room with no windows. Thank yourself.
Cutting Back (For Good?)
When I decided to quit my job and change my career path I immediately cut back my expenses. I went from having a $140/month cable package with all the movie channels and On Demand options I salivate over to a $12/month basic cable package. I allowed myself to get a $10/month Netflix plan to feed my film needs. From the first of October last year until just last week I stopped using heat and air conditioning completely. Instead I adjusted my clothing to the climate and added another blanket to my bed when it got really cold. My electricity bill is never over $37.
I purchased a used Toyota Prius which lowered my monthly car payment by $100, got me out of that terrible 72 month plan I was on and increased my gas mileage. I can get almost 500 miles (!!!!) out of a tank of gas if I drive the thoughtful way necessary to maximize the benefits of owning a hybrid vehicle.
I tried, emphasis on tried, to eat out less and cook more. Some weeks I ate only home cooked meals with ingredients purchased from a Save-A-Lot grocery store or with coupons from WalMart. Some weeks let’s just say the drive-thrus and I got pretty cozy. Win some - lose some.
I chilled on the Amazon book purchases and got a library card. Purchased clothing only from thrift stores and bargain stores like Ross/TJ Maxx. Truthfully this is not far off for how I shop normally. I haven’t paid full price for a piece of clothing or pair of shoes in at least two years. I love looking incredible in bargain clothing. I just shopped a lot less and sold old designer clothing and shoes to The Buffalo Exchange to add a little cash to my pockets.
I still hung out with friends but would buy one drink instead of three or four (or more) and went almost nowhere with a cover charge. My lovely boyfriend paid for almost every date we went on, God bless him. I even drove more carefully, which I think was more of a subconscious move, because without insurance a trip to the hospital was the last thing I needed.
It is safe to say that today I am back into a stable financial situation now that business is booming and I’m a full time design consultant/sales rep. I still make less than I did at my very first job out of college but somehow I’m in a better place. This I find amazing because back then it seemed like I was always broke and I lived at home. I repeat - I had NO rent. The ability of the young and dumb to waste money is impressive. I’m doing now what I should have done then.
Funny thing is, the things I once considered very necessary luxuries are no longer a big deal. I find more satisfaction in sending in my student loan payments on time and with the knowledge that I am working toward paying down debt than I do in drilling through 1 trillion channels just to resort to Golden Girls reruns. My theory is that finding joy in what I spend most of my time doing (working) negates the need to fill my time with empty entertainment and other “luxuries.” Hell I still don’t have a microwave. Whatevs.
My point is - I’ve become a bit of a minimalist. I’m enjoying it.
