Bargain Biatch

Bathroom Rennovation, I'll Take Tile For $200 Alex

ACK!!! Here’s what’s left of a bathroom after a two day demo and now a 10 day hiatus as we wait for the fixtures and tile that I ordered! More on that in a later post but for now, I’ll try to stick with the positive and how to save money on a bathroom renovation.  Today’s bargain is about tile and the first piece of advice is “You Better Shop Around”, then shop around some more, then compare prices and then do some more shopping.  Prices vary greatly.  A good place to start is at the tile stores.  Put in some face time before you go virtual and look for decorating ideas and for color samples and then compare online. Either way you have to order the tile since stores don’t keep things in stock and you’ll probably get a better deal with and online retailer. I paid a visit to my local tile store and priced different styles, sizes and quantities.  I needed a lot of tile since I was getting rid of the tub and replacing it with an open shower area.  The look I wanted was wall-to-wall coverage, sort of like the surround sound of tile. 
Unfortunately the beautiful lime green glass rectangle bricks tile that I fell in love with ain’t cheap.  So I tried to find a compromise and considered tiling the entire shower area and half of the other walls.  Then pulling it together with a border and painting the rest of the room with a coordinating color. 

Martini Week Such A Deal???

Just back from LA after not winning the NAACP Award we were nominated for die congrats to Steve Harvey. But at least I can drown my sorrows during Martini week, actually 2 week’s worth of  “discounted” martinis at higher end bars and restaurants.  They plain and fancy versions of one of my favorite cocktails are going for 10 bucks a pop….ye-hah/yawn! I guess if you’re already bellied up to the bar at one of the participating establishments it’s an OK deal but doesn’t seem worth a special trip.  But you can always skip tipping the bartender and twist, shake or stir your own version for a fraction of the cost.  I like a dirty gin martini (but after 2, they don’t like me) and I prefer the budget friendly Beefeaters gin.  It’s clean, without the overbearing infusions of some other popular and more expensive choices.  If I do stray from the basic drink I like a Lillet Martini, which is a shot each of Lillet and New Amsterdam gin, a dash of sweet vermouth and a lemon twist.  The gin is a great bargain at around $20 for a 1.75 liter bottle and it has a slight citrus flavor that pairs well with the Lillet.  So treat yourself for a couple of $10 deals but for that same 10 bucks, enjoy four more at home.