You’re probably better with money than I am anyway. I promise this isn’t Paris related. (well at least not directly) But guys, I have a problem. I like to shop. A lot. A really, really lot. If you know me even a little bit this is not really a surprise. But I have done really good lately. The problem is I do really good for awhile and then reward myself by spending money. What am I? 15?

In my own defense it’s not like I’m going out and buying cars or $400 shoes every day but the little things add up too. Oh and also (just in case you are thinking less of me) – I do not believe in credit card debt and I don’t spend more than I have. It’s just that sometimes I spend more than I should. You know?

So what are your tips and tricks for saving money?

Photo credit: Jen Gotch

“Never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about.”
– Unknown

I hope Pia doesn’t mind that I use her photos. They are just so wonderful. I will be taking my own Eiffel Tower photos before long.

So clever! Definitely my kind of skirt.

from Yellow Goat (via Naturally Nina)

If a man moves confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
-Henry David Thoreau

Photo borrowed from the lovely Pia Jane Bijkerk

This is not really a secret but…

I want to move. I want to move far, far away. Specifically I want to Paris.

Seriously. Right now I am looking through pages and pages of Visa and travel requirements. They sure don’t make it easy. My sweet friend Sarah has been so helpful in answering questions. She’s a super star and has been living in Paris for about 5 years.

A few days ago I posted about a friend asking me if, once all the family obligations are over and done with, I could live anywhere in the world where would I want to be. I thought and thought… for days. I made lists, I racked my brain, I prayed… where is it that I want to be? Paris kept coming to mind and I kept passing it off as just a silly whim. It seemed so impractical and out of reach. And then I read on Facebook that my friend Shaylyn is joining the Peace Corp with her husband. She posted, “Life is too short not to up and do exactly what you’ve always dreamed.” I am not, in any way equating me scooting off to France for fun with what they are going to be doing by joining the Peace Corp… but there is no real reason for me not to do what I’ve dreamed of.

I know this probably seems insane. It does to me too. What would I do for a job? Where would I live? Would Harlow like France? I don’t speak more than a few words in French. You know little things.

But as I got thinking I realized I moved to England the first time after becoming obsessed with the Real World London. And I moved to Utah after visiting for a weekend and falling in love with the mountains. So maybe it’s not so crazy…

And just the thought of it makes me happier and more excited about the future than I’ve felt in awhile. I’ve already made a list of things I will take with me and working out a budget to save lots of money before I go. I’m giving myself a year to get ready and ready I will be!

So there you have it. My non-secret secret is out.

photos

Right now I’m sitting on the stoop outside my bedroom door looking over at my neighbor Bill’s house and the air is so sweet. The weather lately has been brutally hot but right now it’s perfect. It’s not cold and it’s not hot… just cool enough to take the bite out of the hot day we’ve had. I can also smell the mint growing around my door. It’s really perfect. I may close my eyes for just a minute.

I love the LA Farmers Market… and maybe I also love The Grove shopping center next to it.

Okay so maybe I just love Los Angeles.

And maybe I need to learn to hold the camera straight. I’ll just pretend I meant to have wonky photos.

photo credit

Um, hi. This what I saw when I walked into the Anthropologie. I promise I didn’t move any of the letters at all.

It was great… really sweet and funny. There were a lot of gay men there too… so it must be good. The guy next to me laughed with his mouth closed which was in itself, pretty entertaining. Go see it!

Next on my list is Paper Heart and Adam. I have a wee crush on Hugh Dancy.