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« A la mode | Main | Word clouds »
Friday
Jan182013

Increase your improvisation

The budget crunch is upon us. 

Last week my dear pup decided my laptop (and only computer) was a catchment for the excited-waterbowl-slurping when it resurfaced minutes later. Yes, my dog puked on my computer. Time to retire my trusty MacBook (or, rather, send it to the Mac repair shop to fix the now defunct keypad, so my MIL will have a computer again). An Air is on its way, along with 6 monthly payments.

We’re dealing with this period of money crunching how we always do. Improvise.

I’ve been meaning to elevate my computer to a proper ergonomic situation like my fellow freelance writer/author pal Kate showed me. She even gave me her spare keyboard, thank goodness seeing as that’s the only way I can use my computer in the interim! (I’m totally lucky to even get the chance to back it up and still work from it.) A canning jar flat and a shipping box turned my improvised desk into a more workable environment. I love any opportunity to extend the time in which I have to find the right piece(s) for the job instead of purchasing some cheap-y or plastic-y stand in.

On the upshot—and definitely and improvement from the upchuck incident last week—Adrienne from Apartment Therapy came over and shot my house for a full house tour. She photographed our kitchen for The Kitchn site last year. I of course went into a cleaning frenzy and was inspired by a deadline to finally hem the remaining two curtains so that the photos you’ll see in February won’t reflect the frayed fabric scraps that were on display for longer than I’d care to admit. (Maybe I should rebrand with something like ProcrastiKate or DomestiKate? Just kidding.)

Our bed pillow arrangement has been on the project list for some time. I’d hoped to find or make a suitable non-square addition to this frilly/non-functional portion of our home, but alas, it just hasn’t happened. I took one of the shams that came with our duvet and fashioned a stand-in throw pillow until I have the time/funds to address it more long-term.

These (decidedly not-Adrienne) shots will suffice to give you sneak preview until her tour goes up on the Apartment Therapy site!

Have large pins, will roll (literally).

In what ways are you improvising these days?

Reader Comments (5)

We live in a rustic, open concept cottage with a visible loft space. The bed in the loft has been driving me nuts, as it's a tall, hand carved wood piece that exposes the bottom mattress. Instead of buying a bedskirt to hide the unsightly mattress edge, I've been using an old floral Anthropologie quilt to hide the edges. I actually love the pop of color!

January 21, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterAnne

Looking forward to the AT post!

January 21, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterPatricia

Making do with what's on hand is a lost art. Sometimes it's nice when necessity brings it out of retirement, but her methods can be awfully mean. Sorry about your laptop! Glad you were able to back it up and salvage the good parts. :)

January 21, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterMary Helen

I love the sham idea!! I usually just use a cat. :)

January 21, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterRachel

Anne, what a great idea. I bet that looks great!

Thanks Patricia and Mary Helen :)

Ha, Rachel, a cat would work excellently!

January 21, 2013 | Registered CommenterKate

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