Immediate Gratification, this is something I struggle with in several aspects of my life. I like immediate results, I don't like waiting. For example when I am decorating my house and lets say I want new pillows, I immediately go out and start looking for a pair. I usually buy the first pair that I kind of like, take them home knowing they are just so-so but keep them because I want an immediate change and then 3 months later I am sick of them. When what I should have done is taken the time to search for just the right fabric and had them made. Yes it would have cost me more money but in the long run I would still have those pillows and love them. I finally did this recently had pillows and ottomans custom made and I could not be happier with them.
Same with clothes, when I find a good deal or something on sale I am tempted to buy it. Not because I love the item or need it but because it was a bargain (and I love the thrill of a good deal) and several months later I am over it. I get quick fixes at places like TJMaxx and Forever 21 when I am just in the mood to shop and buy something. Most of the time within a year I am sick of those items. I need to shop with a purpose with a specific item in mind instead of aimlessly shopping. I spend way more money on all these little so called bargains than if I had just saved up and bought one thing I truly loved and needed.
People are the same way in life too. For instance when I wanted baby number two I immediately wanted to get pregnant right away on our first month of trying and that is so unrealistic. I had to learn to slow down, have patience and trust in God. We all need to learn that sometimes good things take time and are worth the wait. We need to have a little faith in God. Wheter you are trying to get pregnant yourself, or searching for a new job, or even searching for a significant other these things take time.
This year my goal is to try and save and buy more investment long term pieces. The items in my house and closet that I spend a little more money and thought on are always my favorites. Yes they cost more but year to year I never tire of them so in the end they are the better investment. For example my Rag and Bone Booties, Vince Leather Jacket, and my Gucci Tote ; all examples of things I paid quite a bit for but truly love them and get my money's worth out of them.
I decided to compile a list (I love making lists) of a few investment pieces I want to add to my closet, I have a home list as well. I would love to know what you deem a good investment and if there is anything I should add to my list. New motto is quality over quantity.
Although its gonna be hard for me to kick my TJMaxx habit, there is just something about the thrill of a good bargain!
This is my dream purse. If I saved (for a very long time) I could eventually buy this beauty and I bet I would carry it for years like my Louis Vuitton I got in college and have carried for 10+ years.
I owned a pair of these once and either lost them or they were stolen from my car and they were my favorites. I have bought several cheapie pairs of sunglasses at TJMaxx but I never love them like I did these.
I have one pair of these but would really love another pair in a different wash. They are worth every penny.
I really want to invest in a pair of good black ballet flats. My last pair were Cole Haan and I paid close to $200 for them but they have lasted me forever. Love the scalloped detail that makes these stand out a bit.
Once this baby weight is gone I am treating myself to an awesome bikini. In the past I have just bought cheap bikinis that I don't love and that don't fit well. I never feel confident or good in them. I want a bathing suit that I feel amazing in even if I wear the same one all summer long. I have been in love with this Marysia Bikini for several years. Classic perfection.
I borrow my mom's bracelets like these every time I am home. It is time to start my own collection that I can hopefully pass on to Frances one day. These bracelets are awesome alone or stacked together.
What is on your investment list?
41 comments:
I am in LOVE with that bikini. Now let's hope baby weight from baby #2 comes off so I can do the same and treat myself to that amazing piece:) I am the same I always end up buying on impulse and then have bags to donate a the end of the year. What a great idea to make a list of what you want/need so you can shop/make smarter purchases!
I want those Rag and Bone jeans you always talk about :) That bikini is adorable.
That scalloped bikini is the shit. You will look fab in it!
Great list! Love them all! Have you heard of DL 1961 jeans? I love my R&B skinnies, but the DLs are even better! I have stacked bracelets similar to those and wear them almost every day. I want a few more colors to complete the collection. Those were my fave items on your list!!! Jewelry is the best investment in my opinion. I've vowed to stop buying crap jewelry.
I made a similar plan after the holidays. I organized my closet and I discovered a lot of pieces that were hidden by other things...it was like shopping in my own closet :-) Great staple pieces I love the Chloe bag!
Sometimes when I read your posts I really think we're the same person. I am the exact same way in life. If I want something I want it Now and I go out of my way to make sure I get it when really i probably didn't need it in the first place. I can't even tell you how many impulse buys I've done because I've seen it on someone's blog or I just decided that moment I wanted it. As you know because you've seen me there I'm a big TJ Maxx girl too and I get sick think of how much wasted money I've spent there when if I would have just saved that money and bought something I truly wanted I would be so much happier. But just like you know I also need instant gratification. This one of my big goals for the upcoming year. It's in a work in progress but something I know I need to do.
love all these quotes and they are so true!! My new years resolution a few years back was the same thing, stop buying cheap crap that I have for a month then throw out, if I would just had made the investment the first time it probably would of been cheaper!!
great resolution! i am the same way sometimes. i buy stuff thats on sale and i dont save for the things i reallly want! great investment list too! xo jillian - cornflake dreams
I was literally just writing a post exactly like this. I spent so much time getting rid of things that were inexpensive and I only kind of liked and am over it! I think quality of quantity is the best new motto!
I'm the same way! I settle for things then get tired of them very quickly. I'm trying to train myself to be better and invest in things that I love - what's the hurry to get something when in essence, I'm wasting my money and time.
I love those sunglasses, purse, bracelets and bathing suit btw :)
I try to mix the investment pieces with the TJmaxx finds - but I agree it's hard to get out of that "i have to have it now mentality!" I love everything on your list and agree that a great bag and a great pair of shoes are all things that should be invested in...also a good black blazer that you can pair with anything! But the bright side to all your impulse buys...you could sell them on eBay or consignment and start the savings for your dream bag!
Quality over quantity every. single. time. I learned this after I was sick and tired of wearing something once and having to throw it away because it was so cheap. Save your pennies, and buy that amazing Chloe!!!!
I am in the exact same mindset! I got a couple of really great pieces for Christmas and I felt so satisfied. I had no desire to go out and buy inexpensive stuff that I would tire of quickly. I too have created a home list of things I want to add. I'm going to take my time and cross off my list slowly with things I really love.
Totally agree! I oftentimes freak myself out over the big purchases and end up buying a bunch of cheap crap in the meanwhile. I need to stop the cheap buys and invest in the nice stuff, slowly but surely. I'd love to see your home list too!!!
Love this post! Would love to see your home investment list as well. Quality over quantity is my motto for 2014!
I really need to focus on quality over quantity, too. Great post and great picks for investment pieces!
Love this post! I used to have this problem BAD! Deleting all the sale emails from stores, or having them restricted to once a month totally helped! Love your investment purse...Swoon!
I love that last quote and totally agree. I'm going to go through my closet and really cull everything. I definitely need to be better at just buying things I love.
So agree with this goal. Moving has allowed me to get rid of so much CRAP. Lotions, scarves, cheap jewelry, etc. Trying to buy less, but buy better.
The past couple years we have been in what I not-so-lovingly refer to as, a financial famine, and I've done l 90% less impulse purchasing. Although I miss the "cheap thrill" of the hunt, I love having less clutter everywhere. Quality over quantity is definitely a great motto!
^^ Oh Lord, Bryan will be absolutely thrilled that I accidentally posted that comment under his name. Oops!
Great post! My grandma gave me great advice years ago about buying things/furniture. "Buy what you truly LOVE, what you feel you cant live without. Even if it costs a little more, save up for it. It will make it that more valuable to you." I live by this. Esp with furniture bc it is so expensive. Prob why my list of home goods is so long, but it will be worth waiting for when I find what I truly love. I adore that handbag. I have a bad handbag addiction. But you should def get that ;)
well said friend. It's so hard but the pay off is so great! And just keep in mind the cost per wear always wins with investment pieces for yourself or your home because you truly love them and look forward to seeing them season after season.
I've been eyeing some Ray Bans for about a year, but I'm so worried I'll just lose them! I keep buying a cheapy pair at walgreens and think, if I don't lose these for a year maybe I'll make the investment.
Please Please Please share your house list as well!
I think this whole country has issues with instant gratification! Ha! That bag is just...glorious. Good heavens.
i love that chloe bag. i have been eyeing it for years.
I do the same thing! I buy cheap clothes at H&M and Old Navy and never like them as much as the investment pieces I spend more on.
I love those ballet flats!! However, I think I need to wait to buy new shoes until after baby is born in April. I'm hoping my feet don't stay as large as they are now - they were big enough before!! ;)
I have to say that when I want something I have to have it right away. I wish that I could sleep on an idea or a thought but I can't sigh. Maybe one day =)
That bikini is everything.
I think our recent move has helped me get into the mindset of quality over quantity. I am focusing much more this year on saving to help put money towards our children's education, and to decorate our house. I would love to see your home investment list!!! Gathering inspiration there at the moment. : ) xox
That Chloe bag is my ultimate wish!! One day I will reward myself!
I love this post, it's all so true and I keep telling myself "buy with a purpose" and only buy "purposeful pieces you will keep for a long time". Mine are all house related since we just moved. So…all expensive items we are saving up for like master bedroom furniture, reupholstering family antiques, finding fabrics to have numerous pillows custom made, rugs throughout out the house, the list go on and on! I'm not a patient person in any aspects of my life….so my house is driving me nuts!!!!
I have that Chloe bag in black and I absolutely love it. I've had it for about a year (only carried it in the winter) and it's held up well - fingers crossed that it will for MANY years to come! :-) I would love to see your house wish list too. I am the exact same way about pillows... But I also worry that with a child and a dog that house things tend to get destroyed sometimes...
My Marysia swimsuit has your name all over it!! And I think everyone gets sucked into instant gratification...I'm trying to be better about it too!
Yes!!! expensive items we are saving up for like master bedroom furniture, reupholstering family antiques, finding fabrics to have numerous pillows custom made, rugs throughout out the house. I also worry that with a child and a dog that house things tend to get destroyed sometimes.
Regards,
Diaper Bags
So guilty of "crap-loading." I really should purge, take stock, and then make lists of investment pieces like you did!
Last year, we moved into a house that is double the size of our old house. I call it my big girl house, and we are decorating with a purpose this time. That means we still have 2 empty rooms (starting on one next month), but are investing in custom drapes and rugs and pillows for each room. It has all been worth every single penny. Everything is exactly the way I want it, and I love it. I cleaned out my closet a few months ago and am only buying quality pieces from now on. Immediate gratification is something I really need to work on!! It's definitely a downfall of mine.
I think this is a great goal. As I have gotten older I have started investing in more expensive pieces and while I have less, I have great quality. Don't give up on TJMaxx though! I recently got a few things that have been on my "forever wish list" for total steals on sale. The good news is, when you know something has been on your wish list forever, when you do spy it on sale you can swipe it up without regret! xx
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