The best things in life are free! But there are also some pretty awesome things that are NOT free and make me very, very happy.
I feel your judgment eyes from where I’m sitting, haha! A little light hearted opener there but I am so excited to share this post with you. Now, just hear me out. Some people like to splurge on cars. Some splurge on fancy dinners out on the town. Some people splurge on the most beautiful house in the neighborhood and others splurge on a $900 pair of Louboutin heels. We are all given the opportunity to spend our hard earned money however we see fit and there is truly no right or wrong answer as to how this is done. Here is a lighthearted, no judgy judgy list of a few things that I see more than acceptable to splurge on in life.
1. A Well Made Bathing Suit
Unless you are a Victoria’s Secret model, wearing a bathing suit is not always the most enjoyable experience. You’re so exposed and there is no facetune filter to help you when you’re at the beach! I have worn my fair share of bathing suits ranging from $14.99 from Target to $200.00 from a luxury bathing suit brand. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a good bargain and over half of my wardrobe is from Target. BUT there is something remarkable about wearing a well made swimsuit that will hug every curve on your body and lift your areas that you want to be lifted! This is in no way sponsored, but the only brand of swimwear I will put on my body is Vix Swimwear. Their suits are truly like no other. I started wearing them when I worked for Disney Cruise Line and was in a bathing suit pretty frequently. You purchase the top and bottom separately which I LOVE because I can customize the suit for my body. 
2. Free Range Eggs
I’m sure you’re giggling at this one. But let me tell you! When my husband and I moved to Florida, I started buying free range brown eggs for the first time in my life. Now, if you’re not an egg lover, then just skip this one. We love eggs in the Jaboor household and eat them almost every day. The difference in taste between a free range, brown egg is significantly better than that of a caged, white egg. The main reason we choose to purchase free range is for the ethics behind it but the taste comes in at a close second.
3. A quality handbag
I’m not saying you need to go out and buy a Louis Vuitton (I certainly haven’t) but there is something remarkable about carrying around a quality handbag. A quality handbag is an investment and will last you for years whereas you’d be lucky if you got two seasons out of a cheaply made handbag. A few of my favorite brands include Marc by Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Michael Kors and the classic Coach. Also, if you live in an area near an outlet center, you can almost always find a Coach or Michael Kors outlet. I have a handbag that I purchased from the Coach outlet in Key West 8 years ago and it still looks gorgeous. Worth the splurge!
4. Truffle Oil
I feel so bougie even typing that. My husband and I used to go to this bar/restaurant in Florida for an after work happy hour glass of champagne and they served truffle popcorn! It was ADDICTIVE. We would go through 3 bowls of it (living our best lives.) One day, I decided to ask the bartender what magic was in that popcorn and she told me that Truffle Oil
5. Hotel Lounge Access
If you’ve ever stayed at a 4-5 star hotel, you may have noticed a special button on the elevator that says “Club Lounge.” Now, this may sound like a bit of an over splurge but let me explain why this is one of my favorite little splurges in life. If you are staying at a hotel, you’re already in relaxed, vacation mode (hopefully.) Chances are, you’re going to want to have a few cocktails during your stay. Cocktails at hotels are NOT cheap. If you splurge on the ever so fancy “club access” you are almost guaranteed a complimentary happy hour with cocktails and canapés. Of course, you are paying to have this experience but when you think about the money that you’d typically spend on 2 drinks for yourself and your partner, it’s actually a great idea to splurge on the lounge access. Typically, you’ll have breakfast included, as well, which can also save you money. And the best part of all? You get to dress up and feel super VIP and fancy during your club experience. So worth it, in my opinion!
6. Quality Skincare
Need I say more? Invest in your skin and you’ll need less makeup and more humbleness to keep up with the amount of compliments you’ll be receiving!
7. Travel
This is a no brainer. Experiences make us richer than any thing ever will. There are so many incredible ways to travel on a budget these days. Travel is truly more accessible now than it has ever been! Of course, travel isn’t for everyone and I know many people that have a fear of flying. However, I highly encourage you to break out of your comfort zone and travel to a different country. Experiencing different cultures and seeing how other parts of the world go about their daily lives is such a beautiful and enriching experience. Book the ticket!
8. High Thread Count Sheets
If you are like me and have always had sleep issues, I highly encourage you to make your sleep experience the most luxurious and comfortable experience as possible. Keep a lookout at your local department store or online for great deals on homewares. I find that Macy’s (or David Jones here in Australia) are always having sales on home items and you can find some fantastic deals on quality sheets. If you’re in America, take advantage of the insane Black Friday deals around Thanksgiving!
9. Candles
Ah, one of my favorite splurges in life. You would be surprised at how quickly you can make a situation more luxurious simply by lighting a candle. One of my favorite things to do on a Sunday morning is to light a candle and then get back into bed with my coffee and journal. Some of my favorite candles come from Bath and Body Works. I love the 3-wick candles because you have about a hundred scents to choose from and they’re constantly going on sale! If you’re feeling a bit fancier, may I suggest splurging on a Diptyque
10. A Bottle of Champagne (or your favorite wine!)
Nothing makes me feel fancier than popping a bottle of bubbly and enjoying it with loved ones. I think back to some of my seasons of life where money was less than flourishing. My first night living in New York City…my roommate and I were struggling actresses yet we went down to the corner store and bought a bottle of Kendall Jackson chardonnay and enjoyed it on the floor of our new apartment (we thought we were so Sex and the City.) The days that my husband and I were each offered our jobs in Florida…yellow label Veurve Cliquot it was! Even if it’s just a Friday night here in Australia, my husband and I love to indulge in a bottle of bubbles. It’s just a fun way to celebrate life and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Some of my favorite bottles are $15 and under!
This is just a little light hearted list of things that make my life a bit more fabulous. I want you to remember that you should never feel guilty for taking care of yourself. Never feel guilty for treating yourself once in awhile. Bring out the fine china to eat lunch or pop a bottle of bubbly on a Tuesday night. We’ve only got this life. Make it the most beautiful life you’ve ever imagined!
“Some think luxury is the opposite of poverty. It is not. It is the opposite of vulgarity.” -Coco Chanel
Love, Carrie xo
