You guys are totally going to roll your eyes at me…

When Jer and I got married I had no idea about decorating a home. I foolishly registered for navy blue towels for my wedding because I didn’t know what else to pick. I didn’t know what my future home would look like. So why Navy blue? I don’t know– but I decided the other day that I had lived with those blue faded, non matching towels long enough.

I didn’t know how Jer would feel about buying new towels because, obviously, the navy blue towels dry off our bodies just fine. I thought that I would present the idea of getting rid of our ugly towels by using the fact that we needed to fancy up our downstairs/guest bathroom for our many guests. This would make it so much more comfortable, yes?

So he amazingly agreed. What then followed was not so lovely…

(I do have pictures of our towels but have yet to find my USB cord. Sorry! You’ll have to imagine what they look like hanging on the towel racks.)

Trip 1- I head to Target with the kiddos in tow. After spending a great deal of time in the towel isle I came home with tan towels (not pictured but the color of the light tan stripe,) a stripped hand towel and a toilet seat cover for the basement bathroom, as well as lovely dark green towels for the master bathroom and a green matching rug. (Yes, I know the master bathroom was not discussed but don’t you think it should look nice too?)

Result from trip 1- The tan towels were not received well. They were too similar in color to the wall. All involved agreed that they needed to be returned for a different, maybe, darker color. The green towels were received moderately well; the matching green run was not liked by the male spouse.

Trip 2- I return the tan towels and seat cover to Target, keeping the disliked green rug in the master. I purchase a darker shade of tan, kind of like a taupe color for our very neutral basement bathroom.

Result from trip 2- The taupe towels are okay but still kinda of blah. The striped hand towel purchased in trip one appears too casual. We decided that a colored towel might be better and add some interest to the room. I involved the husband by looking at towels on line. I have my sister come over to share her opinion. It is decided that the furry green rug in the master must go back as well as the taupe towels.

Trip 3- I return the taupe towels, the striped hand towel, and green rug to Target. I purchase a soft but modern sea green color of towel for the basement along with a fluffy seat cover, different striped hand towel and a candle to match and draw attention to the counter. I also bring home a grey rug for the master bath. I feel quite happy and resolved that my work is done.

Result from trip 3- The grey rug is still wrong- too fluffy and not the right color. Husband strongly disapproves of the lovely, soft but modern sea green color because it reminds him too much of his grandmothers house, especially the seat cover.

Trip 4- I insist that my spouse accompany me to Target. We return the previously purchased items and then spend an hour in Linens and Things as well as an additional hour in Target. Jer picks out chocolate brown towels and rug for the basement bathroom and I pick out a spa-like mat for the master bathroom.

Result from trip 4- The green rug in the master looks decent enough. I don’t like the way it can slide around and seems kind of small. The chocolate towels and rug look OK. I didn’t get a seat cover like I wanted because Jer thinks they are too old fashioned and I guess I agree (although I don’t like the way Emma slams the lid up and down.) I didn’t buy a brown candle but will be returning soon for one.

What I have learned from this way too long experience-

a- my spouse has a strong opinion about how I decorate the bathrooms.

b- the shower curtain should be the main source/inspiration for picking coordinating colors. If it is only white and tan… pick white!

c-Target will never know how many towels you have returned to them in a 4 day span, although you may feel guilty, standing in the towel isle yet again, when you see the workers putting your towels back for the 4th time.

d- any towel is an improvement over navy blue.

e- while spending an hour in the towel isle, buy your anxious children a slurpee to keep them happy.