What’s Something You Splurged On?

Something I haven’t seen mentioned—eyebrow nanoblading!! It was $650 (including tip) and worth it to restore my over-plucked-in-2002-brows to their natural state. I wear so much less makeup now that I don’t need to fill in my brows.

Other splurges—gold jewelry, blundstones, and custom framing for art.

My fave splurges are a Canon R5, a Nespresso machine and a new iPhone and I am planning on having my mom’s and nanny’s engagement rings made into diamond studs. Also, a necessary splurge/investment was all new windows for my house, which they are installing today!

Late to this but I can’t resist adding…I love a good balsamic vinegar and when we discovered Il Fustino’s barrel-aged balsamic vinegar, we were ruined for all others and have splurged on it ever since. It is so thick it slowly oozes out of the bottle! It’s $28 for a bottle and the shipping is almost as much, but it is so worth it…especially since I regularly eat salads. I also treat my dad to two new bottles every year on his birthday…he is also a huge vinegar fan and has fallen in love with it, but would never treat himself to it. I love that I found something he will enjoy and looks forward to getting! (So hard to find gifts for your parents after a certain age!)

I splurge on flights that are direct, vs have a stop (or two!). I’ll slap down that credit card fast for a better travel day. Haven’t pulled the trigger on business class or first class, but maybe one day…

This article and thread encouraged me to book a trip for myself and my two daughters to hawaii. After a divorce from their dad, a huge move and covid we are all deserving of this and I cannot wait to suprise them. Thanks for the read as always!

Living in Canada, I splurge on warm, stylish winter boots (the UGG lace-ups) and winter coats (I had a mink coat restyled into something shorter and reversible and wear it so much, and have a cashmere wool overcoat). Don’t underestimate how much time you spend in your winter coat and boots! Be warm and look good.
Other splurges are travel – I don’t travel much but when we do, I take a private taxi instead of a shuttle, pay for the extra leg room or go business, stay at a nicer resort, etc. Just want to make that experience as nice and smooth as possible.
Also: high-quality dog food. I have two dogs and I think it helps their overall health to eat something primo (Acana Adult Dog Food).

I recently moved abroad (from NYC) and 1 month later celebrated a birthday. Due to high shipping costs and some int’l credit card challenges for a mailed gift, a group of girlfriends sent me cash for my gift. I went and bought a pair of beautiful statement earrings I would have never otherwise purchased. I have worn them every day since and I think of them when I wear them.

When I got hired for my first lawyer job (after having my own practice extremely briefly) I bought myself diamond studs. i remember having to take a deep breath to click ‘purchase’ even as my husband laughed and rolled his eyes (not at the purchase, but my squeamishness!) i LOVE them and have worn them, with the exception of a handful of nights out which called for danglies, every single day for 6 years. i never take them off, and don’t intend to any time soon. they are a reminder that hard work pays off, and i am worth the splurge!

Joining the train of everyone splurging on their hair : during the pandemic, on a whim, I decided to go icy-blonde (from never-coloured brunette). I *love* it! It is a splurge in both money and time, as it requires bimonthly toning and bleaching of the roots. (advice to get a hairdresser whose company you enjoy, as you will spend so much time with them!). People still frequently comment on my hair. And if on a particular day I’m not quite pulled togheter, the short bleached bob makes me feel like a rock star ;)

Other than that, like others, I try to splurge on handmade jewelry. Instagram is such a great source to support independant artists, and it is the best feeling to liven up my office wear with unique ear bling!!

Finally, experiences and travel. I have a family and a demanding job, and I feel we’ve been wired to “splurge” on tchotchkes to make up for the time we spend working… So I catch myself, and instead of buying yet another eyeshadow or cream, I keep the money to spend on our next trip.

Capri candle from anthro. https://www.anthropologie.com/anthroliving/shop/capri-blue-volcano-mercury-glass-jar-candle?color=007&type=STANDARD&size=One%20Size&quantity=1

I love these and after my marriage fell apart i put these bad boys on a credit card. Dumb, yes. I saged his cheating ass away and lit my fabulous candle. I also worked at anthro in grad school and I was always so poorly dressed and couldn’t afford their clothes so they made me work in the sale room. I was taught how to fold and failed every time. We had to wear these tiny ear pieces and they would be like “LADIES LET’S SHOOT FOR the STARS THIS HOUR AND SELL SELL SELL.” I told them my ear was too small to wear. I worked 4 hours a week . HOT TIP you only need to work 4 hours a month to get their discount if you work I spent my entire paycheck on these candles. You get 40% as an employee, even part time.

That job was terrible, but the candle smell over rides from my PTSD of using my finger to measure between clothes.

This is the BEST comment string I’ve read in ages! I learned about so many things! My first splurge in ages was to get a shampoo and blowout every week. I’ve always had unruly hair. 2 years ago during pandemic I tore my rotator cuff and couldn’t shampoo my own hair. But with physical therapy I got better enough to do it myself, but decided I loved it so much I would just continue. Super splurgy for me, but I have very dry hair that only needs a once a week shampoo. I have a good hair day now EVERY day. Next splurge was getting a personal trainer so I can get stronger and not worry about stuff like torn rotator cuffs. I got a small inheritance recently and I’m trying to figure out what I want to do with it to honor my mom, and my care taking of her for 5 years. Reading this string has given me lots of ideas! Thanks! And Jo that lipstick is stunning on you!

Just about to splurge on getting an old family photo from 1890s restored and colourised. It is of my great great grandparents and their four children dressed in their best outfits. The crazy thing is someone the spit of my great grandpa pops up every generation. My son is the latest incarnation. Cannot wait to give to relatives as a Christmas present.

Haven’t seen anyone else mention it, but Heath Ceramics dinnerware. May be specific to the California Bay Area. Their simple, sturdy plates and bowls make the most understated statement. I feel so fancy using them! Perhaps someday I will have Heath tiling in my kitchen and bathroom . . .

A stone Japanese lantern for our garden. Walking into the house is like a passage to a heaven of our own.

My big splurge is my $100/hr weekly piano lesson – I used to take lessons as a kid and played as a hobby for the last few years, but these lessons have been a game-changer for me! I look forward to every lesson as a chance to sharpen my mind, but also to just breathe in the beauty of the music that I am creating with my own hands! Related, live music/concerts are always a splurge for me – money is no object if I get to see my favorite performers and bands do their thing. Oh, and for a material splurge I can’t resist Diptyque candles – they are truly the best.

In the summer, I splurge on flowers, strawberries, and peaches from the farmers’ market and in the winter I splurge on fancy candles to burn during my bath or when hosting friends for dinner or for solo reading nights.

I love how these comments are like, “$35 hair gel” and then the next one is “a Tesla.” What a range! Lol

How do keep red lipstick off your teeth? I’m always self conscious of that.

First of all, these comments give me life; I love hearing how others find pleasure in elevating aspects of their lives to find comfort and joy.

Secondly, the best advice I ever received was from my mother-in-law, prior to marrying her son. She was an educator for 30 years. She said, “you’ll never regret money spent on experiences and education”. I traveled extensively (alone) throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East while in college and my early 20s, bartending to pay for trips, and it was worth the $1,000s I spent.

I also left a promising career in marketing to become a therapist. 3 years, $40k (paid in cash, I had 5 jobs), and 2 years of internships later, I can say it was the best splurge of my life. I also whole-heartedly support paying cash for the wedding of your dreams and having a longer engagement. We had generous friends and family gift us back (most) of what we spent ($28k in New York) and it was magical.

Finally, there are some material things worth the splurge, even if the “splurge” is from a thrift store/bought second hand, like many of these were! For me, it’s my Le Creuset dutch oven, Dyson vaccuum, Brooklinen sheets, Heidi Gibson emerald engagement ring, Chanel black classic ballet flats (bought on Poshmark for $150, worth every penny), a good chef’s knife (Wusthof), excellent skin care (ZO skincare, 3 microdermabrasion sessions a year, and Weleda products), my KitchenAid Mixer, and Nespresso machine and milk frother which I use everyday. I think it was on here, years ago, some wise reader had the advice to “update your everyday essentials to the most luxurious you can afford”, and I have been taking that advice to heart for years.

After going to a studio to take pilates reformer classes for sever years, I bought a balanced body studio reformer to use at home and am streaming classes. The flexibility has been fantastic!

Luxe add ons to family holidays. We’ll stay in airbnbs and then swank it up the last two nights at a hotel where we can feel fancy and totally refreshed and treated before returning (long haul) home.

Fancy gym memberships, because the promise of a setting that is nicer than my apartment is the only thing that will get me to the gym.
Aeron desk chairs for home and work because I am too young for back pain.
Paying for movers for my last three moves because again, I am too young for back pain.
Blue bottle coffee, lightest roast possible, ground for a Chemex. They got bought by nestle — ugh — but they are the best option near my work.

Anything handmade. My mom is an artist and I remember her taking us to craft shows and poking around stalls of artisan jewelry, handbound and painted journals, freshly stitched silk shirts and modern clay mugs. Each corner felt like a treasure chest opened from the artists’ hearts. Art is so personal! I still can’t help myself from buying from small artists any time I come across them. Most recently I splurged on some jewelry from this shop:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbiNNe5OcBq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I love the thrifted gucci belt (!!!) that she repurposed into necklace beads.

I splurged on new furniture for my first home. I’ve always had second hand or just really cheap furniture – which is fine, it served its purpose for the time. But, now I have a beautiful custom couch that I will have for years to come :)

Since ever I wanted a Tagheuer watch. Sporty, feminin and robust (and expensive…). So, when I got separated and my ex boyfriend paid me back a loan I’ve done for his business, I decided to finally buy my watch. I did it and I wear it every day, and it’s gorgeous!
Also, in 2019 when Enio Morricone came to Lisbon I got 2 very expensive tickets for his concert and it was magical. Morricone died one year later, so this concert and this extravagance will always be very special.