Zannee’s Blog at BargainsLA.com

Our little darling went away for spring break and all we really did was hang out and work. Our first week of parenting freedom and we didn’t go for a romantic weekend away, our plans for a day long hike got thwarted, we didn’t go dancing or hit a hot bar or nightclub… how dull!

We did do a couple of wine tastings, a few dinners out and most importantly went antiquing. A long time favorite, we love antique shopping, discovering unusual pieces even when we don’t need our want anything. As a couple we hadn’t gone antiquing in eons. We were well overdue, so even though there was nothing we needed, we went just for fun.

We headed over to the Pasadena Antique Center on Fair Oaks knowing that the pricing there tends to be high. This was a calculated move so we wouldn’t be tempted to buy anything.

Wouldn’t ya know it! Smack dab at the front of the store was a fabulous mahogany American Empire secretary desk from the 1880’s. We ooh’d and ahh’d over the piece… investigated every knook, cubby and cranny, remarked on the superior construction and authentic American Mahogany. It was perfect for a multitude of uses and perfect for our home. The dealer, Bob Anderson ended up being the most reasonably priced dealer in the entire place.

Basically, we fell in love with it. But, being prudent we left empty handed.

The next day we took our neighbor over to look at it. Someone we knew had to have this great piece. She fell in love with it and since she was moving, she thought she could use it at her new place. I wished I hadn’t shown it to her ‘cause I fell even more in love with it after a second viewing.

Now I was pitted against my neighbor for something I really really wanted, but didn’t need and really couldn’t afford…. We pay taxes every year and this is tax week! YIKES!

We decided to wait a day or two, make a measured decision and see if our neighbor wants it.

Should we get it? Could we swing it financially without using credit? It weren’t cheap but well priced for what it was. How would we fit it into our small abode?

If we don’t get it …will we regret it?

If we do get it…will we feel guilty? How would we recoup financially?

Will my friend be ticked off at me for showing it to her and then deciding I wanted it? Wouldn’t that make me a shitty friend?

The answer will be posted next week.