When the going gets tough
I know, I know . . . I’m a total cliche. My career pretty much ends and how do I cope? Shopping. Lots and lots of shopping.
I wish I could tell you that I faced the fact of my derailed career with a maturity befitting my years, but instead, I first hit the chocolate and followed up with retail therapy that would make your head spin. Because of my over-indulgence with my new best friend Miss Carb O’Hydrate, I wasn’t inclined to shop for summer fashions for myself. Instead, I outfitted my kids at the G@p and Mini B0den sales and then turned my sites to the main course. P0ttery Barn Kids.
I’m not sure what I was really thinking, but armed with a 10% off coupon (seriously, 10% – the same amount as our state sales tax), I deluded myself into believing that the kids would be utilizing a “shared space” (those of you who get the PBK catalog know what I’m talking about) and sort of lost my mind for a little bit. First, I decided that Oscar was going to actually sleep in his own bed before he hits puberty. Whatever. At least the bed and nightstand were on sale:
So, then, of course, I needed bedding. All of a sudden, I decided we needed a theme. This, by the way, is where the whole thing breaks down. A bed and table? Fine. The kid is going to need these, but . . .
Do Etta and Oscar need coordinating quilts, shams and sheets?
Does Oscar really need this wall hanging?
Does Etta really need a Hawaiian hibiscus mobile?
or a bath mat shaped like a surf board?
or an octopus?
See? I told you it was bad, and you know there was more, including custom surfboard growth charts personalized with their names:
Seriously, I bought these. I think they’re four feet long. Each.
I think that’s the worst of it – oh, if you ignore the custom artwork I had done for the kids by a woman on etsy and the frames, of course, for the art. Looking back, I tell myself it could have been worse. There were a few hours there when I seriously contemplated buying the bunk beds Oscar kept pulling me towards in the store. Thankfully the vision of the E.R. visits that would have been inevitable resulted in clearer heads prevailing. At least for the time being.
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Etta’s Hats
Where I’ve Been
I think you showed remarkable restraint in refraining from buying bunk beds. Everything else you bought is quite adorable! mmmm, once the rooms are setup I feel the only way you could truly justify the costs would be to take pictures of your beautiful children, each in their own habitat, I mean room. ;0) Honestly, charming choices!
I’m really second-guessing the bunk bed decision, sadly. Oscar REALLY likes them . . . I guess I can wait until he’s older and give Etta his bed, right?
adorable stuff for the kids rooms. Hey, at least your shopping frenzy got you solid furniture and stuff. I tend to buy junk novels and CDs…
love the mobile!!!
you need the whale from pbk, oh wait thats me who needs it
The whale piggy bank? Cuz, I might have bought that…
Girl, you do the shopping class proud! Lovely things for lovely children : )
Hope all is going smoothly on the homefront. Bah to work…there are more important things in life. Enjoy them while you can…they will never be this age again…it’s the BEST!
Chocolate and retail therapy! Is there another kind?
Looks like the kids are going to have a spectacular room and will be stylin’.
WOW. You go girl!!!!
Bunk beds = emergency room visits, really trust your gut.;0)
Just my humble opinion.
LOVE the mobile…that is a MUST have. All of it is cute…especially the bedding. We have bunk beds. Andrew is safe because he is agile and can climb anything. Daniel…not so much…so I put up a bed rail in front of the ladder part and he can’t get up there unless I’m up there with him. It gives Andrew a place to get away if he needs to.
I think the things you bought would look especially cute in bedrooms here in Chicago. Tell your bosses good bye…there are plenty of firms in the windy city.
You have really been through it, haven’t you? Tough times deserve shopping! And, I totally get it… it’s so much more fun to buy clothes for the little people who look cute in everything rather than scrutinize yourself in front of the dressing room mirror. I haven’t bought one item of clothing for myself since A came home!