Thank you to those of you who weighed in with an answer last week when I solicited opinions on how to spend my $40 gift card.
I took one suggestion to heart, and followed it to the letter. While many of you opined that a pedi(mani) was the way to go – and I do think that’s a grand idea, it will be a New Experience at some point – necessity spoke and I decided that
Nicole
had the winning – not to mention practical – comment. She wrote:
“Hmmm…. I think you need a new backpack. I think you should find a cheaper one and then treat yourself to a coffee at Starbucks– or to some of those instant coffee packets that you like so much.”
Nicole, I wish I had a prize to give you! Hopefully a sincere THANK YOU will suffice?!?!
The other deciding factor: on Monday, I paid for groceries and couldn’t locate my keys. After poking through all the knapsack pockets, they were nowhere. What a PITA, thought I (surprisingly, I didn’t feel panicky, just ticked off). As a last-ditch idea, I looked into the very back slim pocket – there they were.
No more messing around. Within the hour, I was standing in front of:
fondly nicknamed "crappy tire"
See, I remembered that my last knapsack was a “Roots” brand that I picked up here for a very good price. It also proved to be extremely durable.
straight to the knapsack aisle
I methodically began my search. Anything over $29.99 was ruled out (I wanted $ left for Starbucks!!).
found some "roots" brand, but they didn't grab me...
...ESPECIALLY not this one - i dislike red
sorry, but the brand "obusforme" just makes me think of old people. out.
the sale price (and colour!) were great on this one (40% off), but i wasn't fond of those bungee laces, and i needed a second big interior pocket
So, it came down to two:
"red rock" (never heard of it) for $14.99...
or
"broadstone" (new name to me) for $24.99
I’ll tell you in a minute which one came home with me. 
Part two of Nicole’s idea took me directly across the parking lot:
i kid not when i say "across the parking lot!"
this is just about the cutest s'bux i've ever seen!
a fine selection...but no "tribute" here, either. bummer. i did snap up a pack of decaf (i am fully stashed with regular colombian and italian roasts)
So, to wrap up our adventure/spending spree, here’s what we have:
this backpack!
I went with the “Red Rock” because while it was only $14.99, the quality is actually that of a $29.99 product – 50% sale, thank you! And if it breaks within 90 days, I can return it to CT for a replacement. That’s good value!
the final haul, L to R: new backpack; my fave decaf (plus free samples!); $10.11 still left on the gift card!
Are you thinking what I’m thinking?!!…
(source)
I still had one final trip to make:
bye-bye, plaid knapsack! you did a fine job.
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In more money news, I trimmed up my bangs:
oh! and i had a coffee outing with lisa (on monday). see lisa! see the shorter bangs!
They were starting to drift into my eyeballs, and I hate that feeling. I also dislike trying to peer through distracting spikes of hair in my eyes.
I can’t justify spending $20 (Magicuts price) for a 1/2 inch trim to three inches of hair across my forehead, so grabbed scissors and completed the job myself.
I was trying to decide if I should keep the bangs or grow them out again – I guess they’re sticking around, now. (I think I’ll keep them at least for the summer; the feather-i-ness goes with the hot temps).
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What type of purse do you carry? I have one bohemian-influenced shoulder bag that I can use if I must; otherwise the backpack is my constant companion.
How much are you willing to spend on your hair? I have to admit: it’s next to nil for me. I’ve gone over a year without a haircut, in the past. Don’t be surprised should “no haircut” show up as a 1970 Kiki Project item for 2012!
Comments
Love your post and good choice on the backpack/coffee combo — practical yet indulgent
.
I’m ashamed to admit I spend way, way too much on my hair every three months; Joel is another story. He’s become too cheap (er, budget-conscious) to get his hair cut professionally, so I’ve been given the role of his hairdresser. Surprisingly, he’s crazy picky and will nitpick weeks after the initial cut is done for touch-ups (I admit, I am no professional!)
As for bags, I’m a big leather bag kinda girl. The bigger and softer the better!
Andrea
Andrea, your hair cutting story is too funny!! Well, as I see it, you and joel balance out in money spent on hair! Am totally having YOU trim my hair when you get back to canada, now that you’re an *experienced* stylist!
I like my bags to have a center zip (afraid of spilling with snaps) a little zippered pocket inside the main area, and a pocket of some sort outside (again with a closure) so I have access to stuff. My bags have definitely gotten bigger over the years. Currently I using a silver one with two small handles.
I learned with my curly hair that i get what I pay for when it comes to cuts. So, I pay about 75 every 3 months!
oh, i am with you on the need for separate pockets and compartments. and i love when a pocket THEN has inner zippered sections. as someone with stick-straight hair, i am envious of your curls!
I carry my big purple bag from lululemon – it’s perfect for me! Holds a change of clothes, lunch/snacks, even a pair of shoes or my laptop, if necessary.
ah, now THAT sounds like an awesome bag, dorry! i love ones where you can “carry your life” around with you. and purple! – - > perfect for you!!
Purses – I’m carrying a ratty turquoise monstrosity that my daughter bought me from Old Navy last year. You know how mothers are – if your child gives it to you it becomes beautiful. It’s just gotten old and is kinda banged up from getting caught so often in the wheelchair wheels last year. Maybe she’ll buy me a new one for my birthday next month.
Hair – I spend $10 plus tip for a haircut maybe 3 times a year. I use Suave hair products. Does that tell you something?
i bet you can get a lot of stuff into that bag, though! can you drop a few big hints for birthday gift ideas? or give her a link to this blog post, haha! i’d say you and i put about equal time and effort into haircare?!
Yay! Hooray!!!! I feel like I’ve won something! Man, you took my suggestions right down to the tee. No prize needed- I’m flattered that you took my suggestions. I like your choice of backpack- the price was right, too. And, how convenient that there should be a Starbucks right across the street from Canadian Tire.
I actually carry a Coach bag- it sort of has bohemian-ish look. It’s a little extravagant, I know, but I love it and I’ve always wanted one. I did get it for a super-duper price- and it was a mother’s day, birthday, Christmas gift all in one.
Haircut? I actually pay $48 + tip for a wash, cut and style— I only go twice a year, so that’s how I justify the price.
yes – i actually almost laughed out loud when i remembered that CT location had a s’bux right there – talk about “meant to be!” oooh, i would love to see your coach bag. we all need something that was a splurge – and how wonderful that it was gifted to you!
Glad you got a new backpack – and coffee! I truly wish you could come with me to Costco! I got the most fabulous b.p. there about a month ago – $20 for a Roots one and it is so awesome! So many pockets, etc. and so sturdy. LOVE the colour too. I’ll have to show it on my blog sometime! As for hair? I go to a student-salon ($17 a cut) where the teachers won’t let the students go wrong. The down side is the time it takes them to do the job! I’m always rethinking where to go, but since I only get my hair cut 3 or 4 times a year at most, it’s not too big a deal.
oh man, i am envious of your backpack score from costco!! the roots one i had was indestructible. a longer time at the salon? just some more “alone time” for you!
Great idea for the backpack/coffee combo
I carry a shoulder bag that I carry everywhere (but I usually just leave it in my car and carry the important stuff with me. A backpack is essential!
I have lots of gray hair, so I have to color it
So I spent about $65 every 6 weeks. If there was something I could do to avoid it, I would! I’ve tried coloring it at home, but it is not effective (and I’m bad at it) …I think partly because I have long hair.
good call on just going to the salon for your hair, lisa. at-home colouring is complex and with your long hair, i can see how it would be quite the process to colour it at home!