Did You Say Shopping Fast???

Yep! It's a shopping fast for me! Six weeks off from buying anything home decor related! At first, when I got the idea to do this, I started to get a little anxious about it. I mean, 6 weeks is a long time for me! But I'm feeling good about it now, and actually, a bit excited! Pretty sure my husband heard Heavenly Angels singing "Hallelujah" when he found out what I was doing and was thinking, "Thank goodness, no more boxes showing up at the door every other day!"

A while ago, when my husband and I were driving home from vacation, we were listening to Dave Ramsy. (If you haven't heard of him, check him out here). He was giving financial advice and it got us motivated again to really crack down on our debt, specifically school loans! And let me tell you, we have a lot!!! For those of you who don't know, my husband Jonas is a physician. You wouldn't believe how expensive medical school is! We are hoping to get all of our school loans paid off early which will not be an easy task. It will require discipline, proper money management, and drive. So I thought I should probably get started and a shopping fast will help me refocus on our goal.

I love social media. I should say "some" social media. I hate Facebook, too much drama, but Instagram is awesome! The whole home decor community is just amazing! The girls I have met on there are so supportive, kind, and genuine. I love having a place to share my passion with people who understand why my books are turned backwards on the shelf! Haha! That being said, it can be difficult to not get caught up in comparing, the latest trends, and the newest decor. I mean, who doesn't want a dough bowl or a barn door? But honestly, do I really need them? Are they going to make me a better person? Will they increase my personal value? Some might disagree with me but probably most of us would say no. We live in a world of consumerism. Obviously, that can be a good thing but it can also be taken overboard. The old cliche' "Keeping up with the Jones' " is a real thing. I've seen so many people "have" to have the best of everything even though they are up to their eyeballs in debt! We get in this mode of having to have what we want and have it now! I needed to take a breather to keep my hobby just that, a hobby and not an addiction. To reevaluate what life is all about, God, family, and people, not stuff. 

So I wanted to take a while to sit back, chill, and enjoy my life just how it is. The latest throw pillow can wait. God is calling me to be content with what I have at this moment in my life! To dwell in His presence and have the peace that only He gives.

After starting this fast, I have come across a sermon that is right on. You can listen here if you're interested. 

Now who wants to join me???

Dining Room Chair

Waiting is seriously one of the hardest things to do in this age of instant gratification, but delayed gratification can be oh so sweet and strengthen our character. Chairs may seem like a silly thing to be patient for, but, for one who likes to have everything in place and finished, 18 months was a LONG time!

Some of you know that I found the perfect chair! The ZUO Modern Richmond chair. I loved the nailhead trim, the distressed legs, the color, and especially the shape! Oh so yummy (if you can describe a chair in that term)!

Zuo Richmond Chair

What I didn't love was the price! For months, I searched high and low, watched sales like a hawk, and waited for the price to go down. But sheesh, those suckers never went on a good sale! At $250 a pop, we would be spending over $2000 on dining room chairs. That wasn't going to happen in this family. My frugal husband wants to get those medical school loans paid off, and deep down, I do too!

So, even though I wanted them, I had come to the conclusion that I needed to be smart about this and find something else. I was randomly scrolling through chairs one day on google, and up popped a twin to the Zuo Modern chair that I loved so much, the Avenue Six Kingman Dining Chair in Linen. It was so much cheaper I couldn't believe it, like $100 less per chair! I continued to search and was able to find them for around $100 per chair at Office Sight! (Link here). Nearly a third of the price! So I quickly ordered 8 of them around Christmas time. A few days later I was notified that they were on back order, and every website had them on back order. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who noticed this new knock off of the Zuo Modern chair. So, my chairs were supposed to come at the end of March. That date came and went and I was notified again that they would be coming at the beginning of May instead. More character building right there!

When they finally came, I put them together in a few hours with the "help" of Anders (4) and Boden (1). They each took about 15 minutes to put together, a little more time at the beginning and with the kids. I'm extremely happy with them. What do you think?

Side by side comparison - the color differences may just be the lighting but I haven't seen the other in person so I can't tell you. It does look like mine are a bit lighter though which doesn't bother me. Mine are a light oatmeal color and the Zuo Modern ones look a bit more gray.

Pro's of Avenue 6 Kingman Dining Chair

• Inexpensive ($102)
• Easy to Assemble
• Comfortable - the cushion is firm but comfortable
• Pretty
• Seems durable, made of solid wood
• Well packaged
• Not too heavy - 15 pounds
• 1 year warranty
• Did I mention pretty already?

While I don't think these chairs are the highest quality ever, for the price, they are well worth it. I am very pleased with them and so thankful they are finally sitting around my dining room table! And yes, I do have 3 little boys, but they won't be eating at this table much. We eat most of our dinners at the kitchen table together and this will be for special occasions and dinner parties. They will also be getting a good coating of Scotch Guard!

 Have a happy Wednesday everyone!

The Finished Kitchen

This post is for those of you who do not follow me on Instagram (@weekendrenovators). If you follow me on there, then you've already been spammed with photos of my kitchen! Haha. I just wanted to post some quick pictures of our finished kitchen. It's basically done, other than a couple touch ups here and there. Once again, to see where we started, I am posting a couple before pictures.

 

 

 

 

And a few after photos:



Before the trim was finished



Before the trim was finished
 

Before the trim was finished
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there you have it! Hope you all have a fantastic day!