If You Have the Chance to Splurge. . .

. . . then do it with purpose.

In the past few years I have pro-actively stopped wasting money on multiple ordinary purchases. I don't buy clothes because I pass them in the store and say "Oh, that's a nice top". For me to buy something now, I have to be floored by it when I see it. I have to be able to envision it in my life. I have to find it extraordinary and practical. . . and I must say, this new way of living has saved me pennies and made me happier.

I love shoes and hand bags (I am female after all), but I don't have to have every pair of shoes I like and every bag that would match that one top. It has to be something I love on its own. I suppose in a way, that nowadays I have to look at each purchase I make as an item that must be able to stand independently and be fantastic while also working well together with at least 61% of anything else I own that it could be paired with. With the money I don't waste spending frivolously on something I would only end up donating to a charity shop, I am able save up and buy something nicer that can last a lifetime.

Let's talk handbags. I've spent the past almost one third of my life in the United Kingdom. I've found that recently if I buy something over here I want to look at is as "a life souvenir". This means that it has to be something very British, Welsh, or English. It has to be something that will remind me of the UK. It can't be something I could get anywhere. I've purchased a few Cath Kidston hankies as souvenirs in the past year. I love them to bits and I decided recently that to really ice the cake I should save up and treat myself to a Cath Kidston handbag.

Cath Kidston "Candy Flowers" Day Bag

Handbags to some people (and a lot of men) may seem ordinary. What's the point of spending a chunk of money on something that you just carry your junk around in? Well, if one thinks about it, a lady's handbag goes around with her all day long. It's almost like another arm. So what's so wrong to have one that really brightens up your day by it's colorful design? Not so much in my opinion. I'm certainly not one of those gals that has to have a hundred to pretend she's happy, so I consider my interest to be healthy. Either way, bags by designers such as Cath Kidston or Amy Butler don't run supermarket cheap. They most certainly don't cost in the range of Dior or Gucci, but they do cost more than Target or Tesco. However, the price is there for a reason. They are thoughtfully designed and well made. Take care of it, and it will last you a long long time. That's what I like about things. It's actually better economy.

Amy Butler "Josephine" Bag

So, I popped down to London recently and I most certainly treated myself to my first ever Cath Kidston bag. It is so beautiful! Although 100% practical in every way, I could totally put it in a box frame and hang it on my wall. . . it's that lovely. The stitching is gorgeous and even the zipper on the inside pocket has a leather pull. I told A that you could tell the quality of a handbag by the fabric they chose for the lining. The fabric in my new bag is the same gorgeous print inside as it is outside. It's a Day Bag to hold at your side or on your elbow, but it's so thoughtfully designed that there's just enough room to put it over my shoulder should I want to wear it that way. I love it. I love it just as much as my gorgeous Amy Butler bag that my mom got me for Christmas a couple of years ago. They are now both running neck and neck as my favorite bags. I'm really glad I worked hard and saved my pennies so I was able to have a little splurge. It means so much more when you have to wait patiently for something you want. Most good things in life happen that way.