Yah yah yah… so its been a while.  A few things to note.

• Went to Napa and Sonoma Valleys for the first time.  Had an amazing time.
• Became a bridesmaid and found a lifelong friend i adore!
• Threw a successful BBQ – My BBQ’s are always delicious food fests
• Installed drapes for both my windows and my doorless closet (it looks like a purple theater!)
• Proud Owner of a 42″ Panasonic HDTV Plasma TV (it was a christmas gift from Joel)
• Saw Cirque De Soleil: Ka in Las Vegas and it is officially my favorite Cirque show.
• I’m still employed at CBA… Erik ditched me, we’re even now!

Holy shit I have done virtually nothing so far in 2006.

Balls.

Last nite i went to plummers furniture store. they have an extremely large selection of furniture and most of it is incredibly nice. The website itself doesn’t do the actual store any justice IMO. I was glad i took the trip and it definitely helped to put the whole furniture search in perspective.

Their bedroom pieces are classic. They were extremely cost effective and very well done, unfortunately the office furniture, while also in great taste, was outrageously priced. There is something specific about office furniture that just seems to go above and beyond the call of my credit card. Comparable bookcases, which didn’t even have the exact style preference i wanted, were about $200.00 more than the west elm bookcases. The entertainment consoles were either far to vast or far too crappy and Ikea-like.

In the end i discovered, that even after the surcharge price gouging, I would end up spending far less and get exactly what i wanted via west elm. go figure.

Here is the bookcase that i ordered. I do have to assemble it, which I’m not looking forward to. I’m getting old and lazy and “do it yourself” crap is highly overrated.

This is the entertainment console i ordered. Its extremely simple which i really liked. It will go with my new “room look” very well.

Ever since we moved from our cooshie pad in Marina Del Rey, I have yet to completely move into our new place. Its been a year and after I threw out a lot of my furniture, it still hasn’t been replaced. Ive had boxes and boxes of “stuff” that I’m finally forcing myself to finally go through.

Ive shredded about 2 trash bags worth of documents. I have so many things that require some type of shelving or storage. I also want to get rid of the armoire on which my TV sits. It was never intended to hold my TV or my entertainment system but its worked out that way so far. However, this resulted in my TV sitting in the upper stratosphere of our atmosphere.

I found exactly what I wanted via west elm, but after i was about to place my order, the total sum after shipping, delivery and taxes versus the cost of the items, completely destroyed my initial excitement or inclination to make the purchase. Albeit shipping and tax is to be expected, the actual total of the surcharge and delivery services rendered me speechless.

2 items = 698.99

Taxes =~ 57.00
Shipping and Delivery = 170.00
Grand Total =~ 925.00

I mean I realize the furniture is heavy, but that just seems outrageous. However, I’m finding that anywhere online is roughly the same cost.

I’m debating between simply biting the bullet or trying to find comparable furniture I might like. I really like the items i picked out at west elm, but if i can find something i like equally and with a domestic shipping charge instead, ill gladly compromise. I’m heading to plummers as we speak. Their online catalog had some items i really liked but we will see what their showroom has.

I know there is a bunch of more local stores around that probably have great items, but to be completely honest, i don’t have the time or patience to find hidden treasures. My room is a tragic mess and I really need the new furniture to get it into working order.

Wish me luck!