Ever since I spied my first Harveys Seatbelt Bag in a little store in my hometown mall, I knew I had to have one. There was no doubt that these simple, stylish, clever bags were made for me. I loved everything about them, from their industrial strength to fabulous design. If I could afford it, I would have one in every color. Well, maybe not EVERY color.
However, as wonderful as they were, I was in college and couldn't justify spending that much money on a purse. So I made myself a deal. I could only buy one if it was perfect. Not only perfect in proportion and design, but the perfect color. To me that color is a deep, rich, emerald green.
So I waited.
And waited.
And seven years later it has finally arrived!
So I waited.
And waited.
And seven years later it has finally arrived!
I nearly fell backwards off my chair with excitement when I received a picture of it in a text from my good friend Chrissie(who has been my partner in this green purse hunt since the beginning).
Unfortunately even though I am no longer a college student and have a job, I recently moved to the second most expensive city for rent in the United States. Right now a $100 purse is not something I can run out and buy without suffering any consequences. And just my luck it is not Christmas, my birthday, or any other holiday where I can ask for something this nice.
I see this as an opportunity to test my thriftiness - something a lady should know how to do - especially when saving for a luxury item she really wants.
Fortunately this past month I have been working towards keeping a more organized budget. The first thing I did was go through my expenses to see where I could shave off a few dollars. It did not take long before the solution became painfully clear. At first I did not want to admit it - but there it was - a new purse worth of charges all from one place...The Coffee Shop
Blame it on growing up in Seattle - but I love coffee - and I especially love getting it from local (albeit pricey) coffee shops. I remember my first real coffee experience. I was 15 years old and my mom was going to be late picking me up from a flute lesson. I wondered into a Seattle's Best Coffee to escape the rain (classic Seattle story). Not knowing the first thing about ordering espresso, but feeling the need to buy something to stay inside, I asked the Barista to make me her favorite drink. I ended up with a caramel latte, and it changed my life. While I do admit fancy coffee drinks are overpriced, once you find the perfect combination of espresso, milk, and sugar - you will pay anything for that little sip of heaven. At least I would.
This is not going to be easy. In the past two months I have begun building my little coffee empire. Three of the six coffee shops in my area now know me by name - and if I kept going at this pace I'm sure soon it would be five. Yes I do patron the hip local shops but I am also a secret (or not so secret) Starbux-a-holic with the ever distinguished gold card. It is hard not to give in to the corporate giant when there is one on every corner, they know your name, and they have your tall iced soy latte waiting for you before you even reach the counter. (I will save the Starbucks vs. local Coffee shop discussion for another post)
But seeing the amount of coffee related charges on my credit card this past month put me in a reality check. I really should not be indulging THAT much, especially while living in this expensive city.
So I have set up a challenge:
I will not purchase any caffeinated (or decaffeinated) beverages from any coffee shop (or store that makes coffee) from September 1st - 30th.
My reward will be the ability to purchase my perfect green bag that I have wanted for so long.
Normally I would not be so extreme, but this is a special case. A month away from coffee shops will provide the opportunity to be creative in my home coffee making techniques, and give a reason behind sharing my new thrifty discoveries with you.
As always, I will do all this while remaining fashionably a lady. Wish me luck!
i am a lady | adarose
Unfortunately even though I am no longer a college student and have a job, I recently moved to the second most expensive city for rent in the United States. Right now a $100 purse is not something I can run out and buy without suffering any consequences. And just my luck it is not Christmas, my birthday, or any other holiday where I can ask for something this nice.
I see this as an opportunity to test my thriftiness - something a lady should know how to do - especially when saving for a luxury item she really wants.
Fortunately this past month I have been working towards keeping a more organized budget. The first thing I did was go through my expenses to see where I could shave off a few dollars. It did not take long before the solution became painfully clear. At first I did not want to admit it - but there it was - a new purse worth of charges all from one place...The Coffee Shop
Blame it on growing up in Seattle - but I love coffee - and I especially love getting it from local (albeit pricey) coffee shops. I remember my first real coffee experience. I was 15 years old and my mom was going to be late picking me up from a flute lesson. I wondered into a Seattle's Best Coffee to escape the rain (classic Seattle story). Not knowing the first thing about ordering espresso, but feeling the need to buy something to stay inside, I asked the Barista to make me her favorite drink. I ended up with a caramel latte, and it changed my life. While I do admit fancy coffee drinks are overpriced, once you find the perfect combination of espresso, milk, and sugar - you will pay anything for that little sip of heaven. At least I would.
This is not going to be easy. In the past two months I have begun building my little coffee empire. Three of the six coffee shops in my area now know me by name - and if I kept going at this pace I'm sure soon it would be five. Yes I do patron the hip local shops but I am also a secret (or not so secret) Starbux-a-holic with the ever distinguished gold card. It is hard not to give in to the corporate giant when there is one on every corner, they know your name, and they have your tall iced soy latte waiting for you before you even reach the counter. (I will save the Starbucks vs. local Coffee shop discussion for another post)
But seeing the amount of coffee related charges on my credit card this past month put me in a reality check. I really should not be indulging THAT much, especially while living in this expensive city.
So I have set up a challenge:
I will not purchase any caffeinated (or decaffeinated) beverages from any coffee shop (or store that makes coffee) from September 1st - 30th.
My reward will be the ability to purchase my perfect green bag that I have wanted for so long.
Normally I would not be so extreme, but this is a special case. A month away from coffee shops will provide the opportunity to be creative in my home coffee making techniques, and give a reason behind sharing my new thrifty discoveries with you.
As always, I will do all this while remaining fashionably a lady. Wish me luck!
i am a lady | adarose
RSS Feed