Worthy Investments
Outfit Details:
Coach houndstooth coat
Zara scarf and shorts
Banana Republic sweater (extra 50% off with code BRSALE)
old Alberto Fermani over the knee boots
Miu Miu sunglasses (also available in glitter)
For those of you who missed my last posts (read those posts here), I'm currently receiving complimentary Invisalign® treatment in exchange for sharing my experience.
The older I get, the more I find my priorities and spending habits evolving. Ten years ago, throwaway trends filled my closet, my skincare regimen consisted of whatever cleanser was currently on sale (and no moisturizer, because I relied on Florida’s humidity), and my apartment’s decor was all but nonexistent. I know it sounds a little silly, but you know what made me feel like such an adult? My thirtieth birthday present to myself was a refrigerator. If you told twenty-year-old me that thirty-year-old me would be treating herself to a refrigerator, of all things, she would’ve rolled her eyes in disbelief. And the fact that the freezer isn’t filled with 99 cent TV dinners? Yeah, right. Why would anyone even need a refrigerator, if not to house the cheapest of frozen pizzas and macaroni and cheese? Don’t get me wrong: I’m still a very thrifty person, but I’ve selected areas in my life that are worthy of a little investment - whether it’s money or time:
- Winter coats: If there’s one thing I’ve learned while living in NYC, it’s that a good winter coat can be your saving grace. It doesn’t have to be super expensive, but it should be warm and well made (which is why a lot of mine are vintage). I used to buy a lot of cheap coats, which would inevitably fall apart or not be warm enough to wear without several layers beneath, when I really should’ve gotten one great coat, instead. This year, I invested in a thick, hooded one that I spotted at Coach’s Fall preview. I sold some of my old clothes to Beacon’s Closet and put that money toward it, and it was easily my best purchase all year.
- My teeth: To be fair, when I was twenty, my teeth were still pretty straight. It was only five or so years after my braces came off, and maybe two since I stopped wearing my retainers. Over the next decade, they continued to shift and close in, overlapping one another and narrowing my smile. I hemmed and hawed over the decision to try Invisalign clear aligners, because it seemed like such a huge commitment. I didn’t want to be an adult with braces, and the older I got, the scarier the idea became. Of course, I didn’t fully realize just how subtle the clear aligners are (and the bonus of being able to remove them is wonderful). I can now say that it was 100% worth it, and my only regret is that I didn’t start it sooner. My bite is so much more comfortable, and I am already seeing such a huge difference. It’s been such an easy process and I can’t believe I waited this long to do it.
- My skin: Remember how I said my skin care regimen used to be one product? Well, now I have a small arsenal of serums, exfoliants, moisturizers, and masks - and I regularly get facials. The combination of getting older and moving to a new climate changed my skin, and I had to start taking better care of it. I’d rather spend my money on preventative measures and keep the wrinkles at bay, for a little while.
- My health: Much like my teeth, this one is a work in progress. Even with a pretty major surgery as a mere teen, I still felt invincible - like I could just will myself to be well. Now, I find myself saying, “I should go get this checked out,” and, “I can’t that day, I have a doctor’s appointment.” I also have a gym membership (which can be severely neglected, depending on the month - I did say it was a work in progress) and even got myself one of those Vivofit bands to make sure I’m always moving.
- Making my house a home: The refrigerator was just the icing on the cake, or maybe even the decorative sprinkles. Long gone are the taped up posters (admittedly, a very sad day) and free futon from Craigslist. Other than my sofa and my refrigerator, I actually didn’t have to spend much. Almost all of my furnishings are thrifted, flea market finds, or hand-me-downs, and most of my wall art is from Etsy sellers and friends. What it really took to make my house a home (and less of a college dorm) was the desire to make it so. I’ve actually found that I enjoy decorating my home and studio even more than I enjoy filling my closet. I would really love to post a home and studio tour, soon!
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