Booties – Nordstrom Off The Rack, Jeans – Ehtanol, Peplum Top – Anthropologie, Bib Necklace – Handmade by me, Danier Leather Jacket – Consignment
I went to the hardware store again today. I have a feeling I may start to get to know some of them well over the course of my home renovation trials and tribulations.
Once when I was dressed up for one of my jewelry shows I went into our Home Depot to pick up some zip ties for my booth. The old dude working there walked me to the zip ties and then as I was in the self check-out creepily asked me if they were to "tie someone up."
I have tried to avoid that store ever since.
Creep.
Still gives me the heebie jeebies.
For the record this time I went to the harware store I was dressed in jeans, runners, t-shirt and leather jacket with a baseball cap.
Yep…a baseball cap.
You will not be seeing a photo of me like that here…for now at least.
I was doing my best to blend into the crowd. It didn't quite work as well as I'd hoped.
I was pretty much ignored by everyone. Especially the people that worked there.
When I asked a male employee if he knew if that tool particular tool worked well he said,
"Just a minute,"
…walked off and never came back!
Really?
Excuse me!
I can't complain about everyone though because this kind old man took some extra time with me explaining tools. He even told me not to buy a wet saw because as he put it, " I don't mean to be disrespectful, but it is too dangerous for you."
That's okay.
I was kind of scared of the wet saw anyhow.
I will try to cut the tiles his way with a grinder and see if that works. If not, back to the store it goes and I will get that scary wet saw.
I am woman hear me roar!
I do have a guy coming by on Saturday to give me a quote on installation but honestly I feel like I am being a big baby if I can't do this on my own.
It's just putting silly tiles on a wall for heaven's sake.
Obviously I'm still trying to convince myself.
I'm much more accustomed to making stuff like the necklace I'm wearing here in these photos than worrying about what kind of grout I'm going to use and how many times I will need to seal the travertine. Look at me and all my online research.
Have you ever had the same issues in hardware stores? Or did I just get lucky?
Oh and because I haven't written about the outfit at all in this post it is one of my "transitioning into fall" ensembles.
Yeah, yeah…everyone is doing it on their blogs so really no explanation needed, but I'll write it for you anyhow…
Put on an leather jacket and some booties.
There.
Wow.
Mind blowing revelation.
You're welcome.
Linking up with The Pleated Poppy ,Wardrobe Wednesday, Rae Gun Ramblings , Random Wednesday The Style Sessions My Girlish Whims I Feel Pretty , Favourite Things Keeping It Casual Mix and Match Fashion Favourite Fashion Friday
A tile saw’s not that hard to use, but I ruined a bunch of tiles before I got the hang of it, so maybe practice on some junk ones first. 🙂
P.S.: I rented mine at a rental place, rather than buying it–it was cheaper and I wasn’t going to use it again in the foreseeable future. If you rent, just make sure they give you a new blade. Makes a big difference.
you made your necklace?? I LOVE it!!
I hate going to the big Box hardware stores, too. I wander around “thinking” out projects. I hate when some pimply faced kid comes up and patronizes me. Really–even tho i don’t have a penis I can handle checking out the hardware without help sonny.
Makes me cranky because usually I know more than they do…LOL
Love your jacket xx
You made that necklace? You are a talented and gorgeous woman!
How dare someone in a hardware store treat you so rudely, I bet if you’d gone in dressed like you are today they’d have been all over you like a rash.
If it ain’t your thing get those experts in and get the fireplace fixed, you deserve a pretty house! xxx
A friend of mine worked in a hardware store. She says it’s routine for people to come in three times for one project. The first time. The second time for the things they forgot. And the third time because they screwed up. Take your time, and remind yourself that you are creative and talented. Wear one of your awesome necklaces! I’ve always had good service at our big box stores, and they usually have lots of female employees as well, but the independent Home Hardware stores really provide good service.
Loving the ombre hair!!!!
Nice to meet you, and sorry for my late comment! You look so cute wearing that top and jeans. I like very much your necklace! ( me too make my own necklaces. . . )
So rude the man in the hardware store. . .
hahaha….I’m giggling about the mind blowing revelation of adding a leather jacket. Seriously, I wonder sometimes how I’m expected to take “transition to fall posts” seriously. And man, you have weird encounters in home supply stores. We have a family-owned home improvement store just down the road, and I love it. Seriously, all the guys there are really helpful–neither Angel nor I know nearly as much as we should about how to fix a house but they always have good explanations there and they’ll even do stuff like pick out the kind of screws and nails we need!
Thanks for the mind-blowing secrets : > and I am still jealous that you are having temps below 90 degrees. I avoid big hardware stores under pain of hurricanes. I salute your courage. And I love your outfit, too.
Ahhh…hardware stores. They are either rude and run the other way if you look like you need help or they are all up in your business. Brilliant observation on the transition into fall look…yep, pretty much put on a warmer layer and some closed toe shoes. Done. You look stunning by the way…you nailed the transition!
Debbie 🙂
http://www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com
Okay…thanks for the heads up. I had thought about renting it but then there was the pressure about getting it done in a small amount of time and the price of the wet saw was quite cheap. Less than $100.
Plus… heck after this when I do such an amazing job I will then want to retile all of our bathrooms. ha ha…dream on Suzanne…dream on.
ha ha! you crack me up!
Thanks Gail…it was a lucky find at the Danier Outlet Store years ago.
Okay Vix…it is settled…I will have you talk directly to my husband and between the two of you I’m sure an agreement can be reached that I do indeed deserve a pretty house! LOL
Okay…now I won’t feel so bad going in there often. : )
I think you just got “lucky” at the hardware store, as I’ve never run across any of that myself – granted I don’t quite frequent them much! ;o)
That’s a beautiful necklace, btw!
Thanks for popping by Dan : )
I don’t know if you knew but I featured you in last week’s Top Five… here
http://suzannecarillo.com/2013/09/fridays-top-five-fashion-favourites-sept-6-sept-12-2013/
I think it would be nice to have a family owned store. I miss those.
: )
I love your ending! Too funny, Miss Snarky. But it’s a great outfit – transitioning into fall with cleavage. Glad to see you getting back to your old self!
You go Suzanne for being Mrs. Home Improvement! If you can work with delicate jewels – you can work with tiles! I envy your spirit – I would be way too chicken to work on a project that sounds so permanent to the house.
And speaking of fall outfit – so pretty! Love those booties. It’s not cool enough for me to transition to fall but I did buy some new booties in anticipation of the cooler weather 🙂
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
I avoid the hardware store at all costs. I try to run in and grab one light bulb and get asked by 15 people if I need help finding something. NO! I just need a light bulb and I know where it is. Sheesh. 🙂
On another note, I love your transition outfit, the booties are to die for. Such a pretty color.
first the necklace!!! sublime!! secondly your hair…gorgeous!! next, who would you tie up with zip ties…an elf? oh boy, fab post x
1) YOUR HAIR?! Love it!
2) I didn’t realize you did jewelry shows. So impressed you made that.
3) I like this outfit. Classy yet not too formal.
4) Hardware stores often seem like this, and so do auto repair and sometimes cars salesmen- acting like women don’t know anything. And maybe we don’t always, but that doesn’t give you license to take us for a drive (pun not intended!) Glad there was a good employee who was taking the time to help you!
And they say misogyny doesn’t exist anymore. ‘They’ haven’t been to a hardware store or a car garage. But expectations of other people don’t influence what you can or can’t do – I don’t doubt you will do a fabulous job!! Or hardware’s store is more often stupidity. I was making slats for my bed, I asked the guy what sort of a gap he thought should be between the ten centimeter wide pieces of wood for the best support for the mattress. He suggested a one hundred centimeter gap! Mmm, saves me on wood, but not sure how effective that would be. Thanks for the fashion advice. So theoretically, if I am on this end of the world, all I have to do is take off the jacket and boots, yes?
100 cm gap? LOLI guess in the end what you’re sleeping on is a hammock.
And yes…you got it on the boots and jacket ; P
I guess it is either feast or famine with the help in these stores.
What is any season if there isn’t cleavage involved?
Above 90 all the time might get on my nerves a bit too. Must make clothes shopping cheaper though.
Leather jacket AND booties!?!? Woman, this is beyond possible….you are truly skilled in the dark arts. Clearly you’re a witch!!
And there is nothing worse than bad customer service. And at this time, I would like my fellow Americans to take a moment (Suzanne’s moment notwithstanding) to appreciate the general level of service that exists in the US, particularly in restaurants and hotels. Sure, it’s slipped in frequent years, like everything has, but move to the UK or continental Europe if you want to give new meaning to the concept of contemptuous, sullen, abrupt service. Seriously…I had a gal at the gym hold her finger up at me to stop me from talking (trying to book a tennis court) so that she could finish her personal conversation on her mobile. Really?!?! (yep. really)
I didn’t know untill yesterday evening! And then. . .Wow. . . What can I say? Just that I was very happy to see my outfit on your blog. . .THANKS Suzanne!!