My problem area

This changing table is going to be a pain. Hence why it's been sitting in the dining room unused except as collecting area for the past two years. Before I even photograph it to sell online I have to clean it off, finding new living spaces fora bunch of random things. 

It's the resting place for Elizabeth's hair stuff. Not sure where on the main level we can keep it for the morning brushing. Hmm.  Maybe in the wine bar?  That way it's behind a closed door. There's also the Christmas cards from last year I didn't send out. Sigh. Also on top is a stack of papers from camps this summer, waiting to be sorted and a few key ones saved. 

Then there's four drawers on the left. Half are filled with stuff that we needed a place to stash - CDs, papers, random bits of this and that. The bottom drawers have some baby blankets and other random baby gear. 

And behind the door?  Our ironing equipment - where will that go? Plus more random baby stuff, plus two diaper bags. Tired to sell the diaper bags at the last co-op sale, but they didn't sell, so I can stash them with other to-be-sold stuff (overflowing in its own right) and try to sell in the spring. 

Ugh.  This is a project and a half, because after cleaning it out I need to photograph it and put online and deal with selling it. But the (I hope) $100 we'll get will make it worthwhile, right?

We bought a piano

And all anyone wants to know is where is it going to go?  Frankly, I want to know where it's going to go, too.  But I bought it. And scheduled lessons. So it's here to stay.  Just not in the middle of the dining room.  I hope.

Although it's a nice sized digital, It's still too big to go where I first thought it might, where the changing table is in the dining room. The changing table that we last used well over two years ago.  The changing table has to go.  Because possibly if I can move the secretary out of the hallway it will fit where the changing table was, and the piano can fit (with luck - the measurement is tight) in the hallway. 

Essentially we're at max capacity right now. There is no space to spare in the house. Time to seriously declutter, before Christmas.  And just in time for NaBloPoMo.  

So first, the stuff ON and IN the changing table has to go. And then the table. Then some rearranging, then the piano will be in place. Can this happen before the first lesson on Thursday?  Doubtful, but stay tuned!  (Har har)

bronze flip flops, take 2

What:  size 8 bronze flip flops with rope detail
From:  Talbots (clearance center)
Purchased:  September 2011
Cost:  $14

So, um, yeah.  In August at a regular Talbots I bought a pair of bronze flip flops and put them away for next summer's use.  And then in early September I was at the clearance store and snatched these off the racks and totally loved the rope-y, espadrille-y trim around the shoe and bough them without a second thought because I needed new flip flops.  And I put them away for next summer's use. 

And now I have two pairs of bronze flip flops.  And a no returns policy.  Oh well.  I love bronze.  I could wear one pair out and save the second pair for the summer of 2013?

Bottom line:  keeper

bronze flip flops

What:  Size 8 bronze flip flops with little bow
From:  Talbots
Purchased:  August 2011
Cost:  $16

All summer I wore my orange and yellow flip flops.  They were already on their last legs, but I couldn't part with them. 

So, when I went to Talbots close to my birthday, which meant I had an extra 15% off coupon, and the summer sale was still in full swing, and I saw these, I had to snatch them up.  As we all know, I love me some metallics! 

Two questions:
- how can a pair of flip flops cost the same as the shoes from yesterday? 
- uh, what is that other pair of bronze flip flops in the background?  stay tuned! 

Bottom line:  keeper

golden

What:  size 8 glitter and sequin gold peep toe pumps with 2.5 inch heel
From:  Talbots (clearance store)
Purchased:  April 2011
Cost:  $16

They made it to 80% off!  So I could not pass them up.  These are totally impractical.  Seriously, how many times in your life will you wear gold glitter pumps?  I know a lot of people that will never wear glitter shoes once in their life, and I think they're perfectly fine with that.  But these are comfy.  And, well, tasteful.  For a gold glitter pump, that is. 

Right after I got them I wore them out to dinner with rolled jeans and an olive green jacket.  Sort of the juxtaposition of hard edge and fancy.  I guess it worked, and I could probably wear something like that a couple of times a year. 

But I never have fancy things to attend where these would work.  No fancy holiday parties, no super fabulous dress up dinners out, no fancy theater or orchestras......once again, my shoe mantra - I need a more fabulous life to match my shoes!  Sigh. 

bottom line:  keeper

cheap espadrilles

what:  size 8 lilac espadrilles with flowers
From:  New York and Co
Purchased:  mid summer 2011
Cost:  $10

Bought these at the same time as these.  What can I say, they were cheap.  I don't know how much wear they will get, but at $10 I couldn't pass them up.  I was kinda looking at a dress there the same color, but never got it.  I can get a wear or two out of them next year.  I hope.

Bottom line:  keeper

fierce espadrilles

What:  size 8.5 lace up platform espadrilles
From:  Joan&David (Macy's)
Purchased:  August 2011
Cost:  $50

I saw these in some ad over the summer and cyberstalked them for two months, but never saw them cheaper than $100.  I tried them on at one point in July on a random trip to Macy's, but there was no way I was paying that much for them.  So late in the summer I decided what the heck and did another random Macy's trip and lo and behold found them on the super sale rack!

The sad thing is usually I am very prepared, and that day there had been a 20% off coupon in the paper, but I didn't grab it and the woman behind the counter wasn't going to help me out.  I bought them anyway.  They are fierce.  I get a ton of compliments on them when I wear them.  Just hope they won't appear too "last season" next summer, because I plan on getting more wear out of them!

Bottom line: Keeper