This week I finally made it over to the brand new HomeGoods in our area, three weeks after the grand opening. I had been dying to get there, but it's not exactly on my regular route, and I just hadn't made the special trip.  There was a HomeGoods store in Cincinnati near where I went to college (Xavier University, if you're curious), but it took almost 20 years to get one here.  For a mid-size city, Louisville seems to be the last to get decent national chain stores.  Should I start a petition for Anthropologie and West Elm?  (Side note:  I am now feeling old.)

Capiz shell round mirror - $49.99

So yesterday morning I rounded up all my returns and the corresponding receipts. There might have been several items that have been sitting around here for several months that either no longer have a receipt or would not be accepted anyway with the receipt because the 30-day or 90-day time limit is up. No worries -- these aren't large items, just small ones like 3M hanging hooks or a duo of eye shadows that I bought when I discovered my favorite color duo is not made any longer. But I digress.

Lots of classic white serving pieces

Reminds me of my sweet Aunt Rhea, in saying and style - $9.99

Lamp with coral motif - $49.99

I planned out my route to do all my returns plus get to the grocery so that I could be home in time to make a nice dinner. It was the perfect excuse to meander over to HomeGoods, seeing as though I'd be half-way there anyway. Of course, I could already predict what The Mr.'s reaction would be if I came home with purchases for the day, instead of just return receipts. I considered putting off the venture until later this week, after the credit card cuts. But I just couldn't help myself. It had already been three weeks since the grand opening and I couldn't hold out any longer.

Jute/sisal (?) framed art - $39.99

Two silver sculptures that reminded me of life at the bottom of the ocean

Tablecloth with classic, yet modern, design - $16.99

So I went. And I was in my happy place. And I might have had a cart so overflowing with framed artwork that I had to peek around said artwork as I was going down aisles and around corners, to make sure I didn't run into anyone/thing. There were so many more things I wanted to buy, but I had to restrain myself and tell myself that when I came back to return something (which I inevitably will do, per my comments above), I could buy something else. And of course I'll be back again after that!

Sailboat painting with colors that I LOVE - $59.99 (first thing in my cart)

There are 4 different versions of this, all of which I picked up for my mom - $12.99 each

Lamp with bluish stripes, that had a subtle coastal feel - $59.99 (I bought this but decided out of spending remorse to return it

I came home with 12 items from my HomeGoods expedition.  Four of them are for my mom.  Surprisingly The Mr. did not freak out about the rest.  I'm pretty sure he has not added up everything yet (either number of items or total cost).  And, as expected, I already have a HomeGoods return pile.  Guess I better take those back ASAP ... before the credit card cuts, ya know?

If you live in the Louisville metro, have you been to the new HomeGoods yet?  If you live outside the area, is there a HomeGoods near you? Oh, and would you sign my petition for an Anthropologie and West Elm in Louisville?  (haha)

Oh, and if you are a HomeGoods shopper, what has been your favorite find there?