I usually loathe Valentine's Day. In fact, I used to be the Scrooge of Valentine's Day. In my opinion, it's sole purpose was to drive up the sales for greeting card companys and florists. "Cards are useless and so are flowers, you just throw them both in the trash in the end. You should show your significant other that you love them everyday, not just one day a year. Bah humbug!"
However, now that I'm in loooove, things have changed. I've got my rose colored glasses on, and I think Valentine's Day is awesome! I guess it doesn't hurt that I got lots of goodies from my main squeeze that I definitely won't be throwing in the trash. And that's my cue to show off said goodies...
He did good, huh? Too good. I told him I wanted one thing from Tree and Kimble, and he got me 5 things. Plus, there was another pair of earrings that Lisa, the owner, threw in for free to show her appreciation. I couldn't find a picture of those online, so I'll have to show them off when I wear them. Let's just say they are big, lacy, purple, and I love 'em. However, I think I'm good on Tree and Kimble jewelry for awhile. My baby went a little crazy, but I ain't complaining. He loves me! He really loves me!
I would like to say I had a nice, relaxing Valentine's Day, but nothing could be further from the truth. Things were touch and go all day with the house we are trying to buy, and the anticipation and uncertainty were killing me. At the end of the day, everything worked out. If all goes well over the next 2 months, we will be proud owners of a cute little cottage in the country! We are so excited! The kids will be getting their own rooms, so they are beyond happy about that. Of course, they don't understand why we can't move in right away. Ah, to be a kid, and not know about all the rules in the adult world.
This whole house thing has been a bit of a whirlwind, but strangely enough, I have a calm and peace about it. I know this is going to sound so cliche', but it seems meant to be. The house is everything we both wanted, the location is ideal, and the price is right. The loan we ended up getting is exactly what we needed. It's a USDA rural development loan with 100% financing and a low, fixed interest rate. The seller has agreed to pay closing cost, so we should be able to just move in and start making payments that are only slightly higher than what we pay right now in rent for a 2 bedroom apartment. It really couldn't have worked out any better, and now I can always tell the story of how, on our very first Valentine's Day, my sweetheart bought me a house.
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congratulations, hope everything works out on the new house. Those are beautiful earrings.
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy for both of y'all.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had the best Valentine's Day ever! Jerry has good taste, love the colors he chose. Congrats on the house, we live out in the country too and love it!
ReplyDeleteWow! You deserve it. Congratulations on the house.
ReplyDeleteThis might be going too far, but would you consider adding a feature at the end of each month that added up your total clothes and accessories expenditures for the month (Anthro and non Anthro)? I know you're trying to save for a house and I've found that really helps me. Since the Anthroholic scandal I've been paying closer attention to what bloggers spend on their clothes since it often affects my own spending habits ("oh she spent that so it's okay for me to do the same"). That's my own fault and it's why I had to take a hiatus from blog reading for awhile. I added up your purchases from your last three reviews (which were all within 30 days or so) and it's...a lot. I won't say the number here. I just keep thinking about all those posts about how you've had problems with shopping addiction and overspending in the past and I thought that would help. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteExciting times ahead Bonnie! Hope the fine details sort themselves out quickly, and the move goes smoothly!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anna! Me too!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the house, Bonnie! I'm so excited for y'all! I hope you post some pictures because your house sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you don't mind sharing, how do you apply for the USDA loans? My fiance and I looking for something in the country, so that sounds like a great option for us once we get to NC later this year.
Given the last couple of post, I knew this was going to come up. I made it pretty easy for anyone who wanted to add up how much I've spent lately.
ReplyDeleteI would consider doing a post like that at the end of the month if it's something people would truly be interested in knowing.
I understand your struggle. I read blogs too. In addition, having a blog can influence how much I shop. It's so much easier to buy something new than to put together new outfits with the pieces I already have. I've been trying to find that balance.
At the beginning of the year, I created a monthly budget based on my income and expenses. So far, I have managed to stay within that budget. Also, I only use cash, no credit cards.
I'm sure I spend more of my expendable income on clothes than most people, but it can also be said that I spend less of that income on other things like trips, dining out, and other forms of entertainment and hobbies. I think I still have room for improvement. I would like to cut back even more on what I spend on clothes. I have a feeling once we get into the house and start making it our own, more of my expendable income will go towards the house than clothes.
Anyway, thanks for bringing this up. You're right, I have spent quite a bit on clothing the past 2 months, and although I have stayed within budget, I think I should cut back on my spending even more. Now, if Anthro would just stop offering such beautiful things...
Thanks, Hannie! I don't know if I deserve it or not, but I sure am happy about having the extra room for the kids!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was the best Valentine's Day ever! Gawd, now I'm going to have that SpongeBob song in my head all day.
ReplyDeleteThanks! You like the earrings? Well, maybe I should have Jerry pick out my clothes from now on since I have such horrible taste. ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh happy day! This IS a Valentine's Day you'll never forget. A million congrats to you and your sweetheart!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rebecca! We didn't do anything special to get the loan. The mortgage broker told us that we qualified, so we went for it. There are certain things that qualify you, but I'm not sure what all of them are. I'm sure if you Googled USDA loan, you could find out.
ReplyDeleteThanks! We are so thrilled!
ReplyDeleteI think that's a great idea too! An alternative might be to go to Anthro (or similar) and try on a complete outfit, then go to one of your budget chain-stores, and try to put together a similar outfit for less. Or... buy a "key piece" from Anthro, then show us how you accessorise it using chain-store cheapies?? A how much you could have spent, vs how much you've saved post?? Maybe even invite readers to do the same - like the old Anthroholic reader outfits, but top to toe must be less than $100? $200?
ReplyDeleteI'd not added up what you spent - its not my business! Besides, I live on the other side of the world, so I have to add another $50 or so to any Anthro outfit to allow for postage! I tend to get ideas of what looks good, then go and see what else I can find that is of a similar style in my local stores.
Just ideas, feel free to ignore me!!
I really like the idea of putting that in the posts. It is helpful to readers if you are willing to do it though, Bonnie. Budgeting is always challenging for people that really like fashion. Posting bargains that you have found, fashion-wise would be helpful as well. I've seen some really great fashion bloggers style stuff that they have found at Target and Payless. That was really inspiring to me last summer to think outside of the higher priced box I usually found myself shopping at (Anthro and Nordstrom).
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