Five Things for Friday
1. Shawn and I bought a 3 bedroom townhouse back in 2012 before we got married. It’s a lot bigger than anything we need, and we can actually make money every month by renting it, so we’ve just been renting it out ever since. It’s been working out great! It pays for the mortgage, the HOA, and we still have money left over. Our tenants just gave us 30 days notice, so the past week has been spent putting an ad on Craigslist and trying to find new tenants to take over. It’s in a really nice town in California, and people are usually shocked when they walk in to view the unit and see us 2 dorks in our mid-twenties are the owners. “You guys own this place?” Yup, yup we do. We found great tenants, and they signed the contract and gave us the deposit yesterday. So glad we can mark that off the to-do list!
2. I killed THE BIGGEST SPIDER at work this week. You guys, It was the size of a Girl Scout Cookie! I was scared to step on it in case it was stronger than me and pushed my foot away. I didn’t want to post a picture on here since it will terrify you in your nightmares, but if you are brave, you can see a picture of it here. I took a pic of it next to my finger for scale reference. But I’m warning you, it is CREEPY! You will not be able to unsee this. You have been warned.
3. My sister and Ken took us to the cutest breakfast place over the weekend! It’s in the next town over, in this kind of hidden location. They have tables outside right next to the creek, so you feel like you’re on vacation. I can’t believe I’ve lived here my whole life and never been there! We loved it so much, we went back the next day.
4. Currently obsessed with moscow mules. How have I gone this long and never had one? A fun new restaurant opened in town who serves the best moscow mules. We met up with Shawn’s cousin and her husband for a fun double date, and of course her and I both got one…er…two. Love this pic she snapped of the drink while we were there.
5. Are you prepared to see my Craigslist deal of the century?! This even tops my adirondack chair set. So Shawn and I are moving to a cute little house on about an acre of land in a few weeks.
As you can see, the living room is snug. I’ve been searching on Craigslist like 8 times a day for the past 3 weeks trying to find a sectional couch, with a pull out bed, that will fit in this small space, won’t clash with the brown carpet, and is cheap cheap cheap. Lookie what I found!
Ahhh!
I bolted up and said, “THIS IS IT SHAWN! THIS IS THE COUCH!” I called the number to get the dimensions and have her send me a few more pictures. Perfect fit, and the new pictures gave me a much better idea of the color.
Told the girl we were on our way with a big truck and a crisp $100 bill! It’s even better in person.
But wait, it get’s SO much better! After my mom saw the couch she instantly knew, “Oh my gosh Natalie, this is a Crate and Barrel couch. I just know it! This is the style I wanted to get but it was insanely expensive.”
Sure enough:
Look familiar? This is the Axis Sectional at Crate and Barrel. Puh-LEASE notice that price. $4,097! And that’s just for this smaller version. My version is bigger on the left side, and mine has a pullout bed which the one online doesn’t. They don’t even offer my configuration anymore. I don’t even want how much more that would have cost! And it’s all mine for just $100. This may be the bargain of a lifetime.
Have a great 3 day weekend friends!
27 Comments on “Five Things for Friday”
WOW!! These are some great things!! So nice! That spider is soooo big!! I can’t believe that you killed it! You go girl! Also, that breakfast looks delicious and so cute :) YUM!
I’ve never had a moscow mule before, but I’ve seen it on menus -I should probably try one (or two) this weekend perhaps? I need to google a recipe immediately! Also, craigslist deals are the best -they almost give you a rush! hehe.
Hooray for finding new renters so quickly! We have a rental and I’m not looking forward to them moving out and having to find new people.
Awesome, amazing, super fantastic deal on that sectional!
Have a great weekend. Oh, I didn’t look at the spider. Thanks for not showing it to me :D Yuck!
What a steal! I can’t believe that couch was just $100! And I am glad the renting out situation has worked so well for you. We are hoping to move within the year and have kicked around the idea, but I worry being someone’s landlord will be so stressful! And we live in a college town so I can picture our sweet little house turning into a frat house! :/
You are SO brave for killing that spider Natalie – way to go girl! I am such a wimp so I’m not going to look at that picture since I get freaked out by even the tiniest spider hehe. You score the BEST deals lady, love the couch! Have an awesome weekend :)
Wow, that is definitely the best Craigslist find that I have ever seen! I’ve also never had a moscow mule and may have to try one as summer officially begins! Have a wonderful weekend!
Next time I need a bargain, I am getting YOU to find it and snag it for me. Great job! Cute little home, as well. I like the sound of that acre of land! Wow! Are you going to plant some veggies? To be honest, I think you could set up your own mini-farm on that size land! :-)
Would you please score some good craigslist deals for me? Every time I even think to look on craigslist there is never anything but over-priced garbage. Have fun decorating your new home! I definitely need to try one of those moscow mules!
Love finding good deals!! Wahoo!
I would have passed out at the sight of that spider. You are so brave to put your finger next to it. OMGosh. How do you find these deals? Amazing
Shut up on that couch! You are the queen of finding deals. I can’t believe you got that for $100 bucks! You know I have never had a moscow mule. I need to try one asap! TGIF!
cherubini’s is the cutest, right? I went there for lunch a few times, but I’ll have to try breakfast when I’m home! your craigslist finds are making me way jealous…I miss good finds like that! I just made another trip to Ikea today…the only affordable store here!
I always wait for your “five things for Friday” post. It is so much fun to read it. Thanks a lot for sharing ;-)
Thanks Olivia! Seriously. You’re so sweet, and just made my day! I have so much fun writing these. Fun reflecting back on all the fun things from the week! Thank YOU for reading : )
I’m so IMPRESSED with your deals Natalie. I thought I was deal shopper but you’ve definitely got me beat going the Craigslist thing. So awesome! What a steal.
I’ll be over to sleep on that couch sometime in the future. ;)
Have a beautiful weekend friend!
SHUT UP, you got that beautiful crate and barrel couch for 100$?? That’s like the best steal EVER! And I see there’s even a pull out couch for guests…awesomeness Natalie! Spider the size of a girl scout cookie, yikes. That’s why I don’t live in Cali ;) haha and that’s exciting you found new tenants! I hope to rent out a place like that, such a great, easy way to make money! Have a wonderful Memorial Weekend!!
THAT SPIDER! Why did I look at the picture? Yuck. That is the deal of the decade for sure on that couch! Wow!
I love your Friday posts, so fun to read! Go you for killing a spider! I can’t even kill a tiny one, I’m too much of a chicken! But that’s what husbands are for, right? And that’s awesome that you found a couch, I’m sure that’s a relief!
Thanks Gayle! I actually love writing these, and it’s so great to hear that people like reading them! You just made my day. That spider is still haunting my dreams!
Oh. My God. I am FREAKING OUT about your Craigslist bargain couch — that is absolutely amazing! WOO! I would be fist-pumping, cheering and dancing around like an absolute lunatic! Hope I can find something like that near D.C. … we are definitely going to be in need of furnishings.
And eek, I so did not look at your spider picture. You’re right about not being able to unsee things . . . and no.
Oh, gosh!!! That is a freaking ginormous spider!! I probably would’ve freaked out and called my older strong brothers to kill it for me. Yuck! And wow! What a deal on that couch! Love it when things work out like that. :) Have a great Memorial Day weekend, Natalie!
Holy cow! Talk about an insanely good deal. There’s nothing better than that. I’m off to check out your pasta recipe. Looks delicious!
Thanks Danielle! Can you believe that deal? I’m still giddy with excitement about it. I actually prefer getting used stuff, because then I don’t have a heart attack if something spills. Plus, it’s so much cheaper!