Good stuff. We’ve talked about what the good stuff is. We’ve talked about using the good stuff. We’ve established that the good stuff is whatever we want it to be, whatever makes us feel good. We’ve agreed that using the good stuff is important, fun, is…good.
But there is one, pretty major issue we haven’t addressed. What happens if we don’t have good stuff? And lots of people don’t, not by our definition. For whatever reason, they are surrounded by things about which they are indifferent. And indifferent has no place in a Champagne Life.
There are two basic, yet vital, rules to accumulating good stuff. First, start small. We can’t forget that whole beer budget part of our Champagne Life. Second, don’t bring anything into your home that you don’t love. While you may not be able to afford the 1000 count sheets or the Waterford crystal, that’s okay. Remember, this isn’t about impressing anyone or keeping up with anybody, including the Joneses. So you don’t have to settle for anything you don’t absolutely love, at any price. Ever. If it doesn’t make you happy, it’s not your Champagne Life.
Because happy is what it really boils down to, isn’t it? A happy life is a Champagne Life.
If you have a style, or like me, have several styles, the title of this post may not make sense to you. But if you don’t have one yet, you understand it completely. Don’t worry, though; you’re not alone. It’s more common than you realize. Think about it – the entire makeover industry, from fashion to home design, is based on people not having their own sense of style. You rarely see people with stylish homes, gardens, or wardrobes being made over.
So, find your style. Or styles. Forget about what’s trendy. Don’t worry about what’s currently “in.” Focus on what makes you happy, peaceful, or confident. We talked about this in terms of clothing. Now, we’re talking about it in terms of our surroundings. In terms of what makes up your good stuff.
Pay attention to where you’re most comfortable in your house. Be aware of which mug you reach for most often in the mornings. When you walk through Target or Fred Meyers or your favorite thrift store or wherever, what catches your eye? Throw pillows? Glassware? Picture frames? Pay attention to what makes you smile. All of this is part of what can be ~ what will be ~ your style.
Finally, don’t listen to the professionals who tell you that you have to have only one look, one style, one decor. That’s just silly. So what if your sexy peacock feathers and art deco art work don’t match the calico print you love on your curtains. Or if you dream of one room being painted black and red, while another is all pastels. As always, it’s about you and your champagne life, even on a beer budget!
Have you had a chance to have a hotel night in your own home yet? Was it wonderful? Did you slip into your favorite lingerie? Did you pull out your best stemware and finest china? Did you use the good stuff?
Wait. What? The good stuff? Just for some cheese and crackers by yourself? Well… yes. After all, it’s a champagne life you’re going for, not a plastic, childproof, and rushed life. Plastic, childproof, and rushed I think we’ve got handled.
Now, before you start, I’ve heard the argument but what if it gets broken? Then I won’t have it to use! You’re right. Not even the search for a champagne life can guarantee you that china and crystal won’t get broken. However, if it’s not being used, or only barely being used, and is instead sitting, stored away in a cabinet somewhere out of fear of it being broken…does it really matter? Either way, you’re not enjoying it. Personally, I think it’s better to enjoy something, even if that means it might break, than to not use it or enjoy it out of fear.
So, instead of hiding the good stuff away, bring it out. You know the pieces, the ones you only use for special occasions. Because your life is allowed to be a special occasion. Pampering yourself counts, starting now. For me, depending on my mood, I either pull out my crystal goblet, my china plate, and my silver platter or my hand-thrown pottery and painted glassware. Yes, I have served myself cheddar cheese with saltines and seltzer water off of crystal, china and silver. Sounds decadent, doesn’t it? It really is, too. And that’s the point.
Because yes, it was just cheddar, saltines and club soda. But on the good stuff, it becomes so much more. It becomes decadent. It becomes elegant. It becomes a champagne life…on a beer budget.
My best friend, Mitchell, loves the rare nights she gets to spend in hotels by herself. She adores her husband and daughter but every now and then, a night away is a gift. She buys cheese and special crackers, wine and fruit and settles in for a night to take care of herself and only herself. Unfortunately, not many of us, including Mitchell, can afford a night at a hotel very often. So, we need to find a way to have a night out while staying in.
Last time, we talked about changing into our pretties for no one but ourselves. This time, we’re going to take it one step further. It takes some planning but it’s worth it. You’re worth it. Your champagne life is worth it.
Pick up a favorite snack. Depending on your budget, it can be a small wedge of good cheese, a few special chocolates, or even just cheddar and Hershey’s kisses. Then, once you’ve changed into your nightclothes, fed the dog, made the kids’ lunches, whatever, take your drink and your snack to your favorite place in the house. Dim the lights or light a candle or two and…relax.
Really go the extra step and turn off the television. Instead, put on some music, do a crossword, write a letter, or read a book. Take thirty minutes and wind down. Savor every bite. Engage all your senses. Don’t just sit mindlessly in front of the computer or with the remote. That can wait for other nights. Tonight is about this moment, your night away in your own home – and your Champagne Life on a Beer Budget.
According to Victoria, Frederick, Lulu and even Mr. Macy, one of the most special things a woman can do for her spouse is make a little effort and wear something slinky before bed. Quite honestly, I’m in total agreement with all four of them. I, however, am a fan of taking it a step further. If you’re going to put that kind of effort forth for someone else, why not do it for yourself, as well.
Right before you take that deep breath, go change your clothes. Now, I’m not talking about your old sweats and the extra-large t-shirt with the tear at the seam. No, I’m talking about the floor length satin gown, the silky men’s cut pajamas, the lacy baby doll. Whatever makes you feel sensual and gorgeous.
Pour yourself a glass of wine or brew a cup of tea. Now take the deep breath. Even if you still have to feed the dog and make the kids’ lunches, that’s okay. Seriously. You may even feel silly the first few evenings. That’s okay, too. Eventually though, the everyday events start feeling a little silkier, a little more elegant. Because who says every day has to equal frumpy? Certainly not anyone living a Champagne Life, even on a Beer Budget.
Congratulations to Fedora, who won an inscribed copy of FALL INTO ME, for participating in LASR’s Easter Egg Hunt. I do love running contests. It’s especially cool to run contests that bring in new readers, like all of you who wrote me for the first time.
Since there are new readers out there, and it has been a very long time since I’ve updated this blog, I thought I would use this first post to remind ~ or explain to ~ people what this blog is all about. Check it out by following the links that interest you most.
Now you understand why I write about Living A Champagne Life, why it’s important to me, why I think it’s important to all of us, and, of course what I mean when I talk about it. I’m glad to have you here and hope to see you again next Monday. Until then, enjoy your own Champagne Life.
Wow ~ three and a half months. I didn’t mean for the title of the last post to be “Curl Up With A Good Book and Hibernate the Rest of the Winter” but that’s what it became. However, it’s Spring and that seems like a good time to relaunch the blog. And what better way than to relaunch with a contest?
Not only have you found the Easter egg from Long and Short of It Reviews, but if you leave me a comment here or drop me an email through my contact page, you will be eligible to win a signed copy of FALL INTO ME. Meanwhile, check back here Mondays for more Living a Champagne Life on a Beer Budget tips. And stop by my news page for updates from my desk.
If you’re a new reader, it’s nice to meet you. If you’re an old friend, it’s good to see you again. I’ve been away for a while. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink and fill me in on everything I’ve missed…
For many of us, myself absolutely included, being able to give to our loved ones is a large part of living a Champagne Life. And giving on a Beer Budget is easier than you might think.
First, remember the bath products from the launch of this blog? These are as inexpensive to make for your friends as they are to make for yourself. And why not refresh your own supply while you’re mixing?
Another option is to go old school and bake. Cookies, fudge, candies…there are so many recipes out there and available, many of them easy enough that kids of any age can even help. One of my favorites is my mother’s spiced tea recipe, which doesn’t require any more skill than being able to mix powders. Hello? It doesn’t get any easier than that! If you’re really pushed for time, instead of stressing, give dry mixes. Layer the ingredients for cookies, brownies, even soups. Just don’t forget to attach the recipe.
Still too expensive? Find three other friends who are interested in living a Champagne Life on a Beer Budget. Each of you buy the ingredients for one or two goodies, get together and bake, mix and layer. Somebody can even splurge on a bottle of wine and make an evening of it, if you want. Once everything has cooled or set, swap out. A dozen chocolate chip cookies is only so interesting. A tray of four different sweets will make anyone happy. And your gift recipients never need know you didn’t make them all!
Now you’ve got your bath stuff and goodies for your friends (with extra for yourself, of course). The right packaging take a bunch of scented salt and makes it an elegant, Champagne Life present. While plastic tubs are perfectly acceptable, a special tin turns a treat into a gift. Dollar stores, craft stores, even drugstores, have trays and containers and tins galore, in just about every shape and size. If you’re lucky enough to live near a Christmas Tree Shop, you’re near a goldmine.
Clear or ceramic canisters are perfect for dry mixes. Add a label with baking or soaking instructions and sick a bow on it. If you’d be more comfortable, put the mix in a plastic baggie and put the baggie in the canister. Tins and trays are made for baked goods. A favorite of mine is a large, pre-decorated gift box. I’ve fit two dozen cupcakes in one of those before.
For a surprisingly beautiful look, fill a small, pretty glass bowl with spiced tea or caramelized nuts. Cover the top with plastic wrap and tie it on with a gold ribbon. Both finished recipes have a golden hue to them anyway. When enhanced by the glass and the ribbon, the whole thing nearly sparkles.
Gift giving doesn’t have to break you. It doesn’t have to stress you. It can ~ and should ~ be a part of every Champagne Life. Please accept my mother’s spiced tea recipe as my gift to you, whatever you are celebrating this season. As always, be smart about it and don’t drink it if you’re allergic. Leave a comment or drop me an email, and I’ll send you the caramelized nuts recipe, too! Because yummy treats for yourself and for giving? That’s a Champagne Life on a Beer Budget!
Enjoy ~
~ Pauline
Susan’s Spiced Tea
2 cups Tang
2 scoops instant lemonade
1 cup instant, unsweetened tea (caffeinated or decaf, optional)
1 teaspoon ground clove
1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Add three heaping teaspoons to a mug. Fill mug with boiling water and stir (with cinnamon stick for an added kick).
Last time, we looked at where to shop. The answer was consignment and anywhere with a good sale. Great. Now what? Well, now is what to shop for and how to shop. While this may seem easy enough – what to shop for is whatever we need and how to shop is by going to a store – let me explain. On the one hand, it is that easy. On the other hand, shopping like that is, for me anyway, a guaranteed way to blow both my champagne life and my beer budget. Here’s what I mean…
It’s easy to buy something simply because it fits and it’s functional. But how much was in your donation bag that fit and was functional and yet you still avoided wearing it? We’ve just gotten rid of everything we didn’t love wearing. It makes no sense to go replace it with clothing that is nothing more than well-fitting and functional. How many pairs of jeans and pull-overs (or hoodies or sweatshirts or sweater sets) do you really need anyway? Set yourself a higher standard than “fits and is functional.” After all, living a champagne life is more than about saving money; it’s a commitment to yourself and treating yourself well.
Yes, look for clothes that fit, but also for clothes you love and will feel good wearing. For clothes that match the style you have or the one you want to have. If you have a favorite summer outfit, try to find its winter equivalent. For example, when I gave this piece of advice to my mother regarding her favorite summer outfit – culottes and a flowy tank top – she found thick palazzo pants and lovely long-sleeved t-shirts to wear during winter. The same outfit? No. A seasonally appropriate choice that makes her feel as good as her summer outfit? Absolutely! Because as we have said so often, when you feel confident and beautiful, you look confident and beautiful. And that’s a Champagne Life on a Beer Budget!
Wow. We’ve been standing in front of a cleared out closet for a long time now. Too long. Sorry about that. I think it’s time to restock, don’t you? And you know what that means…Shopping! However, since we’re talking about shopping, it also means smart, champagne life on a beer budget shopping. Even better. This week, let’s discuss where to shop. After that, we can discuss what to shop for and how to shop. But for now, where!
For many of us, this may be a no-brainer. We have our favorite places; we have our budget; we have our style. For other of us, it’s not that easy, as much as we wish it was.
Perhaps the one good thing about the months (holy cow, months!) between clearing out the closet and now is the holidays are here. With the holidays come the holiday sales. BOGOs, coupons, special hours, special days – you name it, it’s out there. Take advantage. Who cares that it’s for your closet and not someone’s present? It’s still a gift – just to you in instead of someone else! And don’t be embarrassed to use a coupon, inquire about free shipping or ask about the timing on the next sale.
No need to disregard department stores and mall stores but do also pay close attention to places like Target and Kohls, places that have good quality and reasonable prices year-round. Any of their holiday sales can save you big bucks. While you’re looking around, remember places like Goodwill (http://www.goodwill.org/), Savers (http://www.savers.com/) and thrift shops. The best part of these places is you get new-to-you clothing, reuse resources and help people, all at the same time. Plus, remember all those clothes you just (months ago, good grief!) cleared out of your closet? Many of these places will give you store credit in exchange for your donations. New outfits for nothing more than your old outfits? I do love a champagne life.
My one warning to you – remember the difference between inexpensive and cheap. Inexpensive is great. We’re all about inexpensive here. Cheap, not so much. Remember, it’s better to pay $10 for a sweater and be able to wear it all winter than $5 for one and have it disintigrate after one washing. Stylish and smart. That’s a Champagne Life on a Beer Budget.
