This kitty is here to tell you that living luxe is not just for the very rich. She’s a believer in small indulgences that make her feel like a queen, and she’d like to offer a few suggestions if you, too, want to live like a rich bitch. She’s talked extensively with me about her ideas, so I’ll present them on her behalf: How to live rich on a budget.
A pretty cup.
I love a pretty cup and so does kitty. Everything, including milk, tastes better with a little pretty. My favorite source for pretty cups is TJMaxx or Home Goods, where they can be had for $2 or $3 each. This one’s from Anthropologie, bought a long time ago, but I just bought a couple you’ll see in other posts from TJMaxx. And, why not serve tea on a tray? The tray was a gift from my sister-in-love.
A special tea.
Splurging on a nice tea is something new for me. It’s a pretty inexpensive way to feel like I’m doing something special for myself. This is my latest.
Artisan coffee.
Maybe you don’t drink tea. So once in a while, splurge on a hand-crafted coffee in a cute little cafe. Sip it and talk with a friend or read a book. Ahhh! Living luxe!
Luxury bath products.
Luxury soap and fragrant body wash are indulgences for me and they’re long-lasting ones, too. I buy them on sale or at TJ Maxx or Home Goods for less than they cost in a retail store.
A fluffy robe.
I’m a fan of the fluffy robe, especially in winter, when I want to feel cozy right out of the bath. Look for sales, especially toward the end of a season. This is my winter robe. I have a lighter-weight spa robe for spring. If you’ve got a Macy’s credit card, you are inundated with discount coupons every month. Don’t under-estimate them! I play mine like a winning canasta hand.
Hmm. Does anyone play canasta any more?
An elegant caftan.
When I lounge around the house, I love to wear a pretty caftan. I bought this linen caftan on sale years ago at Soft Surroundings. It’s washable, light-weight and super comfortable for summer. Of course, it doesn’t hold a candle to the caftans by Oscar de la Renta I posted about recently. But wearing it instead of jeans around the house makes me feel good. I’ve also got two heavier weight caftans for winter that I also bought on sale.
My husband has a saying that I’ve adopted for its wisdom: Any fool can spend money. And he’s right. We choose carefully what we’ll pay full price for, but on these little luxuries, there’s no need to. Rich Kitty is our guru.
Luxurious towels.
I love a big, fluffy towel and I buy them on sale. Check Home Goods and stores like that. My old towels were getting a bit ratty, so I stocked up recently on these.
Scented candles.
There’s a scented candle lit each and every day in my house. Don’t pay full price–even at Bed Bath and Beyond, with coupons, they are ridiculously expensive. But–great sales at Bath and Body Works. Work the sales and buy a few at once on sale. I like fruity candles the best; florals make me a little ill. So when I find a scent I love, I wait for a nice sale.
Cheese and fruit tray.
Some nights we simply eat cheese and fruit for dinner. Why not? Present it prettily and it’s the epitome of living rich.
A sweet confection.
I saw these in Southern California and thought they were so pretty. And what romantic ingredients! But I probably wouldn’t pay that much for one and chances are you can find something as good for less money. Still, if you splurge once in a while on a pretty confection like this, it won’t break the bank. You can even share one with your lover.
A bouquet of flowers.
A pretty bouquet of flowers can last more than a week. If you have a Trader Joe’s, you can find flowers cheaply. Believe it or not, sometimes Whole Foods has the best price. And we have a street vendor that also offers good prices. And by the way, if I buy a dud at TJ or anywhere? A bouquet that doesn’t bloom or only lasts a couple days? i return it for a refund. Just saying.
Grow your own.
Maybe you have a green thumb? Grow your own! This is from our back yard. Also we have some beautiful lilies that have sprung up all over the place. I’ll cut those and put them in a tall vase.
Nature.
Nature is free. Live near the water? a mountain? a park? Go out and enjoy! Now that’s really living luxe!
Now how about you? What little luxuries do YOU enjoy?
It’s sooo the little things for me. I love this post because it’s proof that small luxuries can make a huge difference. Add to this list lavender scented toilet paper– your ass deserves it. 🙂
I do indulge in the little things. It makes all the difference. And living at the beach helps keep the feeling of living large daily.What did we do before Home Goods??
b
This is so true. Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. I totally agree with the robe and the sweets! Those little things can change my whole direction of the day!
I want that lavender TP! I just bought lavender scented garbage bags. Like you Carol, scented candles are lit every night in this house. I would add at least 500 thread count sateen sheets, if you get them on sale they are SO worth the investments and so luxurious!
My house is about to go under serious construction so the little things are going to be so important.
After reading this I feel like pampering myself like a rich bitch. Now if I could only find away to keep the toddler’s out of the bathroom! Great post I never new TJMaxx had such great deals. Tell Rich Kitty I said thank you!
I’ll try again at leaving a comment…you have many of my favorites here. Tea, scented candles and sweet treats – all make me feel rich! Of course, my first comment was funny but it was done early this morning so do you think I could remember it – not!
So true! For me it’s a good coffee, a fancy magazine, good sheets and my fancy hotel lotions!! My husband and I also like to go to a particular hotel cafe patio-it’s the fanciest in town, super old with thus awesome pool off the patio. For a few dollars we can have a fun evening and feel super luxe!
Ahhh you listed all the goodies that’s for sure! I love TJ’s. That store really allows you to indulge without spending a fortune, especially on their perfumes and body products.I think I’m going to treat myself to something special this weekend for sure. Off to TJ’s I go!
I can’t even stand it. This is an awesome post. I need pretty cups and lovely towels too and I am all about splurging on a few good things that make you fill like a rich mama!
Love this post but my pretty tea cup is still hidden in a box somewhere since our move. Must find it! My luxury is bath gels & lotions purloined in quantity from vacation hotels. I use them and I’m instantly transported. eg Neutrogena Buttercream lotion is Fire Island. Hermes shower gel is Paris!
Wait- another small luxury: good sheets.
I think this is the very essence of what midlife is all about. Indulging in luxuries and using our smarts and well-lived lives to choose wisely and on the cheap! Love ’em all!!
These are some wonderful ideas to make you feel so rich about your life. I would love those Luxury Bath products, those scented candles & that sweet confection among these.
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This kitty is here to tell you that living luxe is not just for the very rich. She’s a believer in small indulgences that make her feel like a queen, and she’d like to offer a few suggestions if you, too, want to live like a rich bitch. She’s talked extensively with me about her ideas, so I’ll present them on her behalf: How to live rich on a budget.
A pretty cup.
A special tea.
Artisan coffee.
Luxury bath products.
A fluffy robe.
Luxurious towels.
Scented candles.
Cheese and fruit tray.
A sweet confection.
A bouquet of flowers.
It’s sooo the little things for me. I love this post because it’s proof that small luxuries can make a huge difference. Add to this list lavender scented toilet paper– your ass deserves it. 🙂
Oh, I’m dyin’. Is there such thing as lavender scented TP???
This is a test.
I have to have my fluffy robe and good towels. I can handle just about anything as long as I have those two items!
Everything about this is wonderful. But now I need new towels!
Stick with me, sugar. Home Goods or TJ Maxx!
I do indulge in the little things. It makes all the difference. And living at the beach helps keep the feeling of living large daily.What did we do before Home Goods??
b
Your post made me feel like I spent the weekend at a luxurious spa retreat. Love this!
This is so true. Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. I totally agree with the robe and the sweets! Those little things can change my whole direction of the day!
Those are some pretty great ways to live rich. I would love that robe and tea right about now. It is snowing here today>
Love all these ideas and that cheese and fruit tray…yum!
A really soft blanket. Love all your indulgences. And of course, some high quality dark chocolate!
I want that lavender TP! I just bought lavender scented garbage bags. Like you Carol, scented candles are lit every night in this house. I would add at least 500 thread count sateen sheets, if you get them on sale they are SO worth the investments and so luxurious!
My house is about to go under serious construction so the little things are going to be so important.
I like the cup – and I also like anything luxurious – I find that anything soft and cottony is rich to me 🙂
After reading this I feel like pampering myself like a rich bitch. Now if I could only find away to keep the toddler’s out of the bathroom! Great post I never new TJMaxx had such great deals. Tell Rich Kitty I said thank you!
I am so with you. It’s amazing how these little things can make you feel like a million bucks – without spending that much!
I’ll try again at leaving a comment…you have many of my favorites here. Tea, scented candles and sweet treats – all make me feel rich! Of course, my first comment was funny but it was done early this morning so do you think I could remember it – not!
So true! For me it’s a good coffee, a fancy magazine, good sheets and my fancy hotel lotions!! My husband and I also like to go to a particular hotel cafe patio-it’s the fanciest in town, super old with thus awesome pool off the patio. For a few dollars we can have a fun evening and feel super luxe!
Ahhh you listed all the goodies that’s for sure! I love TJ’s. That store really allows you to indulge without spending a fortune, especially on their perfumes and body products.I think I’m going to treat myself to something special this weekend for sure. Off to TJ’s I go!
It’s def luxuries in life that make it worth living. by only indulging a little, those luxuries are enjoyed so much more.
I can’t even stand it. This is an awesome post. I need pretty cups and lovely towels too and I am all about splurging on a few good things that make you fill like a rich mama!
Love this post but my pretty tea cup is still hidden in a box somewhere since our move. Must find it! My luxury is bath gels & lotions purloined in quantity from vacation hotels. I use them and I’m instantly transported. eg Neutrogena Buttercream lotion is Fire Island. Hermes shower gel is Paris!
Wait- another small luxury: good sheets.
I think this is the very essence of what midlife is all about. Indulging in luxuries and using our smarts and well-lived lives to choose wisely and on the cheap! Love ’em all!!
Great post!! All these luxurious items can make you feel rich! Those candles are so awesome!!
These are some wonderful ideas to make you feel so rich about your life. I would love those Luxury Bath products, those scented candles & that sweet confection among these.