Starbucks, Trainers and Cottages - Ohhh My!

Maryland_Cookie

Whoop whoop double yay!!!!

VeronicaMars

Yahhhhh! I feel better already! Just from being back. :money:

So – I’m Sorry – but I’ve not checked into anyones diaries. I’M SORRY. You see Ive been sneaking on in work. When my post looks all weird in format – it’s because I’m sneaking on in work. Apparently my work don’t pay us to surf the internet or go on twitter…weirdos… :rotfl:

Last night was productive! I started our wedding thank you cards… only 4 months late… hopefully you can see a snippet below? I’ll put a lot more detail on the blog about it once I am finished them. As the whole embossing thing was a learning experience.

http://www.lifeatthelodgehouse.blogspot.co.uk/

We wanted to do the thank you cards a lot cheaper than the invites (obviously) BUT I also think that this will be peoples lasting impression of the wedding and I don’t want some cheap flimsy cards chucked out the door when we spent the equivalent of a house deposit on a wedding (judge away - I don’t care). I just went to a print shop (just one in Glasgow) and just got a picture of us printed and cut to postcard size. I then ordered some bordeux envelopes from ebay. Then used the embossing stamp that got MADE for the invites (link on blog).

Because I am 4 months late with them I also wrote a handwritten “Sorry it’s late…” on the bottom corner, just to acknowledge that I know I am late and I’m sorry. I AM SORRY.

I then will print some nice clear labels (we purchased clear labels) with some fancy font and once we write the cards we are sorted! We kept a note of what everyone got us so I will write personalised notes – as I think that is nice.

A lot of people gave us cash as they knew we were moving abroad so it will be nice to say thanks for the cash as we are now ACTUALLY moving abroad.

I’m just so flipping thoughtful… or self absorbed… potato….tomato…

I’ll think I’ll put a picture of the actual thank you card (which is Mr Mars and I on our wedding day) up. Just need to run it by Mr Mars that he is happy with me publicly outing us both :eek: he should not be surprised, I’ve always been a bit of an exhibitionist

xoxo

Maryland_Cookie

Oh my goodness, these are fab and so thoughtful. It's lovely to receive a personalised thank you, you've gone to so much trouble I'm sure your guests won't mind them being late :0)

VeronicaMars

Aww thanks Maryland Cookie!!! :smileyhea

It doesn’t cost much to make them personalised but I think it makes such a difference!

Sneaking on in work –again! Ho Ho… I’m so flipping sneaky I should be a ninja. :rudolf:

So today I paid off the joint expenses on our credit cards - TICK

Mr Mars is paying off his bike expense tonight – TICK

I have the small issue that my bank cards have expired – and I can’t find the new ones – have I mentioned that I am unorganised?

Therefore I need to transfer the money to a joint account or an account that I have a valid cardfor and then pay them off. NO TICK. Stupid Veronica – get your sh*t together. :mad:

We have put £1,500 onto a credit card regarding flights and some shipping costs (0% purchases) which I am going to leave for the moment. WAIT – before you flipout at me. We have the cash and I’m not being stupid I’m just getting nervous about how much we are spending and we are going to be travelling for 4.5 weeks and then landing in a new country that is all unknown. Sooooooooo going to leave them on the credit card and then transfer as soon as we land in our final destination.

Also, something to note. When booking our flights we used one of these comparison websites, certain we had found the cheapest we were about to booked when, JUST on the off chance, I asked Mr Mars to check the website directly - £400 CHEAPER booking direct. I know that is not always the case but it was this time. £400 is A LOT A LOT of money to save!!! Our flights went from £1,400 to £1,005. KA-CHING!!! :money:

xoxo

VeronicaMars

Todays update/brain dump:

1) Cleared all credit cards this month – with exception of the £1,900 flights and shipping costs and car hire. I still use my credit cards and clear them each month – for points. Points make prizes. :money:

New Credit Card Balance - £3,800. Seems pointless having cleared the other to add to this one, but at least it is now 1 card that is 0% until Jan/Feb. Reminder that we have the savings for everything on the cc – even the recent purchases. Funds are NOT put on without the means to clear them. Scouts honour.

2) After chasing our letting agency I found out that our rent is going to be nearly £200 cheaper this month as we are moving out mid way through the month – Hooray! We should also get a deposit back that was approx. £1k. Hooray! :j

3) Should also be due a refund on our Gas/Electric AND our TV licence – I think around £100 – not much but Hooray! :j

4) Mr Mars wants us to do a spreadsheet on the total costs of our road trip and move – I agree. I’ll post results up here – prepared to be shocked to your very core ladies and gentlemen. :shocked:

5) Sometimes buying/investing in something that you will use and wear for a long time is good. I bought a Cath Kidston iphone cover A LONG time ago, so long, they no longer sell that style. The bad boy is still going strong, still protecting my phone and I still get comments on it (like last night) – ohh I like your iphone cover.

This is not it –but same one different pattern – I’ll put a picture of mine on my blog!http://www.asos.com/Cath-Kidston/Cath-Kidston-Phone-Case/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1262997

I think £12 is also what I paid for it – which seems excessive but it is still in very good condtion. I think its because of the durable material that Cath uses – what a gal.

6) I am considering in investing in a Longchamp handbag – le pilage – the ones that fold down for my travels. I say considering…I’ve already ordered it…. :rotfl:just need to decide whether to keep it. I went for the Navy Shopper in Large.

http://www.selfridges.com/en/Bags/Brand-rooms/Brands/LONGCHAMP/Le-Pliage/Le-Pliage-large-shopper-in-navy_193-2001484-1899089NAVY/?previewAttribute=Navy

It folds down so plan to pack it up and put in in my luggage and then unfold at other side and I have a lovely jubbly handbag big enough to hold towels and cameras etc. I think it is ideal. Even at a eye watering £68. I honestly think it will be a Cath Kidston purchase. Simple, classic and still be going strong in years to come. I wanted a hold all, also but I will need to wait a long LONG time before I can justify one! SEE I AM LEARNING. As my best mate bought me a Harris Tweed holdall as a wedding present! It is AMAZING!!! :T

xoxo

Maryland_Cookie

Love,love, love the bag - you must keep it!!!

If you get a cheaper one you'll regret it, and your heart will always be set on this one, and you'll end up getting it and then that will mean spending more money. Have I talked you into it yet?

Just nipping off to get my purse, I'm really, really want that bag......x

VeronicaMars

Very very wise words. Will you be my life coach?!?! I HAVE been looking at one for so long and I WILL regret it!

I do love it, Maryland Cookie!!! My only concern is if I've went a size too big, you know the large might be too large and I should went for medium?!?!

I saw it on my mate months ago and loved it! Happy with my buy! X

kjp

Just delurking to say excellent handbag choice-I bought one in April last year and definitely timely got my money's worth, it's my handbag, gym bag, beach bag, weekend bag, and is still in good nick! Large is the perfect size!

VeronicaMars

Thanks KJP! All of the things you have listed is EXACTLY why I went for the bag! It should arrive today - EXCITED!!!

I'm a total hoarder so planning to chuck a bunch of other bags in exchange for it.

I bought a new Nike hoodie as well - same reason as above, I have 4 hoodies that are "alright" but have got rid of them all in exchange for my one decent hoodie. I love it.

I know you should make do etc etc but I do not feel this rule applies to hoarders - as I could make do ANYTHING. Those trousers - I can wear them on my work day out once a year. That old jumper - I'll wear that every 7th Friday...

I'm trying to gradually just get one good item and go with that. SO far I have tackled t-shirts and now hoodies. WIll go through the handbags next. The trick is doing that without losing control of the finances - as I did this on my LMB numero 2 and I wracked up a 3k credit card bill in the space of about 2 months...not good and not very MSE. Take note all.

What I have realised upon clearing the house - is I hoard paperwork BADLY. So the new plan for this is to go through and Scan everything then shred it. Plan to work on that in the next week!

xoxo

VeronicaMars

Ohh this is grumpy post!

Well - my much anticipated bag arrived today and the handle is all marked with white stuff stuck to it! Grrrrr! :mad:

I was so annoyed as I had not even taken it out of the tissue and I could see the marks and white stuff on it - so someone has just fired that out and not even checked it or checked it and not cared!!! :mad: For £68 - I CARE!!! I paid for this out of my pocket money you know - do you know how precious my pocket money is?!?!

They got a grumpy phone call - more so about the fact that it had supposedly been checked by a cashier and I stated I had not even taken the tissue off and I could see the marks so whatever quality checks they have in place have massively FAILED. The women was lovely (I know it is not her fault but still) and is going to refund my original postage cost and the return postage cost. :money: A small consolation (as postage was £5) but very annoying as will need to wait over a week again to get another one AND pay more postage before I can claim it back!!!

Ohh well xoxo