What Every Girl Should Take Shopping

You thought you were just going shopping, why would you need a wrench set?

With so many people these days choosing to live in urban areas, like the newly rejuvenated downtown Los Angeles or San Diego or because some are choosing a townhome/condo over a large house that may have considerable upkeep, and especially if you like to travel, balconies are becoming a valuable outdoor living space. For some reason the "internet" decorating websites want you to put a tiny cafe table with two tall chairs on a small balcony, but I was on a mission to make an outdoor sanctuary.

Previously, I had two tall wrought iron chairs, and a tall square glass topped table and several plants as well as a bar

becue on my townhome balcony. Guests went out on the deck to see the ocean view but no one lingered there or sat in the chairs. One day after spending the afternoon in a backyard that fronted a golf course with a vineyard, fruit trees and beautiful deck, I returned home and realized I needed an outdoor oasis, somewhere to lounge comfortably and this balcony wasn't cutting it. I immediately searched small space decorating on the web and nothing was inspiring, so I started looking at pieces that I would want there and toured my local stores. I eventually found a sectional at Pier One that they had in stores, but you could not view or buy online! After measuring and choosing the sectional because it was two separate pieces that you could move around and made out of plicker (plastic wicker that lasts longer and looks better), I purchased the set complete with cushions and just barely got it home with the help of my sister and a secret wrench. Basically, they put the pieces outside of their back door and we had to figure out how to get it in the back of the SUV. The pieces didn't fit any which way we tried by about an inch or so. The store told us we could pay for delivery later in the week or they would hold until we came back with a bigger vehicle, which we didn't have or want to rent. Besides, I wanted this sectional home asap so I could begin lounging and sipping the cocktail my sister and I had concocted, a fresh cucumber infused sparkling wine! After turning the sectional pieces over, I realized that the 4 metal bottom feet could be removed with a crescent wrench, but alas we didn't have one of those either.




When the sales people realized we weren't leaving without this furniture, they came out with some rope (uggh!), but then luckily, a very sweet man that worked there snuck out with the wrench and said, "shh, don't tell anyone I gave you this".

We proceeded to remove all the feet and slid the pieces in perfectly. Once home, I removed my old table and chairs and made free to neighbors, and positioned the two piece sectional with a rug, pillows and accessories from shopping my own closets. Now my deck is an urban oasis and from all the guests we have had this summer, a big hit. At one point, just the guys were out lounging and barbecuing, while the girls prepared the appetizers, who would have thought 64"x130" could hold all that testosterone.










Bottom line is, don't be afraid to think outside the "box" of your balcony. Good luck shopping for your small space and remember not everything is online and always keep basic tools in your car. These are my favorite: http://www.amazon.com/Little-Pink-Wrench-Set-Pouch/dp/B004FNPH6A