When There Is No Room For a Bedside Table

I love our home.  It is small and cozy.  The rooms are small too, but at this time in our lives we don't need a big sprawling house (we have a big, sprawling yard, and that may be the death of us).  Our  bedroom is tiny and this doesn't bother us at all, usually.  The only problem is that there is absolutely no room for any kind of a bedside table.  And I love to read.  At night.  In my bed.  The bed is pushed up to a window, so I use the ledge for my cell phone, glasses, book light, chapstick, lotion, etc.  After reading I put the book on the floor beside the bed.  My dear hubby usually makes the bed (he works nights and is often still in bed when I leave for work).  He pulls the bed out to make my side, and there he picks up my book from the floor, has to get the cell phone cord out of his way, and hopefully does not knock anything off the window sill.  It's one of those little things that bugs him every morning.  I needed a solution, so I went to where I always go for inspiration - Pinterest.  I couldn't find anything I really liked or that worked for me so I went to Plan B.  An idea of my own!  

I went in search of an old ladder.  I have one in the corner of my living room, but it wasn't quite right.  I wanted something really skinny with rounded rungs.  Since it was raining all day Saturday and most of Sunday, I decided to hit Goodwill and some antique shops.  I struck out at Goodwill, but I found the pErFeCt ladder at the first (and only) antique shop I went to.  It was old and worn, and the perfect size and shape.  It was $25.  That is high for me.  I usually go for the real bargains but this was eXaCtLy what I was looking for.  So I splurged.  And I am so glad I did.  I also bought a wire basket there for $15.  Wow, major splurge for me.  It really went against my frugal sensibilities, but sometimes you just can't find what you need at a yardsale or Goodwill.

I went to Home Depot to find something to hang the ladder to the wall.  All the brackets and things I looked at were too expensive.  I settled for just banging in some LARGE nails under the rungs.  It worked fine.  Then I tied on the basket with some twine.  I took a small light from the kitchen and placed it in the basket with a book and book light.  I hung a current magazine over one rung.  I loved it, but it was incomplete.  It needed more, and it needed it cheap.  I got the idea to run to the Christmas Tree Shop, about 25 minutes away.  It was 6:30pm and the Christmas Tree Shop closed at 7.  I raced there (going the speed limit) and made it at 5 of 7.  I ran in to find a small wreath.  There were no small wreaths, so I bought a large one for $10.  I was really blowing the budget big time.  I knew the wreath was too large for the ladder but I had another plan for it.  I headed for Walmart which was the only store nearby that was open after 7pm on a Sunday.  I headed to the craft aisle and didn't like any of the flowers there, but I did find 3 small bottles I liked for $0.97 each.  I put them back though, since I didn't know what I would do with them.  I wandered the store,and then there in the CLEARANCE aisle I found JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.  Three small wreaths for $1.50 each.  Then I found a bunch of white flowers for $2.50.  The wheels were turning now, and I had ideas for other walls in the bedroom too.  I went back for the 3 glass bottles.  The total was $10.  

 Ugh, I was now up to $60.  I justified it by realizing that I had only spent $97 at the grocery store earlier that day.  I had planned menus using sales and what I had on hand, and was very careful sticking to my list and not buying anything extra.   Plus my daughter was not with me which is a HUGE factor.  I have been spending $180 to $220 on groceries the last few weeks which is way over what I budget for food.  

These things are just so darn cute though.

Here's a peek at night.

Here is a before.

 And after.

Anyway, I did spend what I think is a lot for this.  But I just love the results.  Useful and pretty.  It has that vintage cottage charm I love.  What do you think?  Did I spend too much?

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