Tag special occasions

Use Special Occasion Items NOW

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Here’s the stunning emerald gown from New York Dress which I decided NOT to hide in my closet. I wore it to a Magic Castle event and felt fabulous in it!

We often save our best outfits, fancy dinnerware, expensive perfumes, or special accessories for some elusive “perfect occasion,” but the truth is—life itself is the special occasion. My mom was notorious for buying fancy items and keeping them in their original boxes, unpacked, unused, and unappreciated, which is the main reason why I have rebelled against that attitude. I’d rather enjoy something I love, instead of allowing it to collect dust, forgotten and hidden. Here’s why it’s a great idea to wear and use what we love instead of waiting:

1. Life is Unpredictable

We never know what tomorrow holds. Holding onto things for a day that may never come means we might never actually enjoy them. Why not make today the day? My mom had bought many “special occasion” dresses back in the early 1960’s which she never wore, even up until she sustained cerebral injury in 2004. It was incredibly painful for me to put most of those items in liquidation, because I knew my mom regretted not having worn them. There were a few items which I was able to wear, and when I told my mom that I had worn them, she was thrilled.

2. Feeling Good Elevates Your Mood

Wearing that beautiful dress or those stylish shoes isn’t just about looks—it’s about how they make you feel. When we dress well and use things that bring us joy, our confidence and happiness naturally increase. Every time I slip on a gorgeous gown or fancy shoes, I love how I feel in them, and I am always happy when I can attend an event clad in them.

3. Enjoyment is Meant for Now

We sometimes treat luxury as something to be earned or reserved for rare occasions. But why delay joy? Every day is an opportunity to feel a little special. One example of this is when I had purchased a couple of rare bottles of wine and cellared them for a future special occasion. I waited over 10 years to enjoy them, but I didn’t realize that the wines had been subjected to some unexpected weather extremes during power outages. When I finally opened these wines, they were beyond their time for drinkability.

4. Items Can Deteriorate Over Time

Clothes can go out of style, perfumes can lose their scent, and even fine china can gather dust and weaken. If we wait too long, we may never get to fully enjoy them. I have personal experience with holding onto shoes I rarely wore for decades, which literally fell apart once I decided to wear them. Because I had decided to store those shoes in the garage, the temperature extremes caused the adhesive used in construction of the shoes to break down. It has been heartbreaking to be forced to throw shoes away, simply because I hadn’t stored them properly and also had forgotten about them.

5. Memories Are Created in the Everyday

That gorgeous dress shouldn’t just be associated with one or two events—it should be part of your life story. Imagine looking back and remembering how often you felt fabulous just because you wanted to. I have gotten so much better about wearing the items I love as much as I want, instead of trying to preserve them. What’s the point of having nice things if you can’t enjoy them?

6. It Changes Your Mindset

When we stop waiting for a “special moment” and start treating everyday life as special, we develop a more grateful and joyful outlook. I have become the type of person who will light the fancy candles, wear the fancy boots, wear my mom’s vintage jewelry, and drink the finer wines without waiting for a special occasion to approach. It has been liberating and highly enjoyable to adopt such a mindset.

7. You Deserve It

You bought that dress, that perfume, that fancy watch—why deny yourself their enjoyment? You don’t need an excuse to treat yourself well. Last year, I made sure to write a message to myself which is near my desk, which says “I deserve it”, and I absolutely and completely believe that. No longer will I deprive myself of the things I enjoy, especially after what I have seen with my mother not being able to enjoy her beloved items.

So, wear the outfit, use the fancy dishes, light the expensive candle. Make today a celebration just because you’re alive. 🎉

Valentine’s Day: A Money-Maker

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valentines-day-TWOBITS

Valentine’s Day is one of the most retail-driven events in the United States, and for good reason. Savvy business owners have figured out how to capitalize on desperate men everywhere who want to please their women. The women, in turn, have been heavily influenced by clever advertising. Most women know about Jared (no, he isn’t the neighbor two doors down), and the Robbins Brothers have also exerted a powerful influence on the fantasies of ladies everywhere.

However, it seems like more and more couples have become aware of the fact that the big day of love is filled with hype and commercialism. After all, it’s supposed to be about the love, lust, or shared interest between two people, isn’t it? However, I still think a fella can’t go wrong with a beautiful bouquet of flowers (I know I love them!) for his lovely lady. If he wants to go the extra mile, he can get a nice trinket of jewelry (no, it doesn’t have to be diamonds), a stuffed teddy bear (if she’s into that kind of thing), or a sexy undergarment from Victoria’s Secret, but those are very predictable gifts on Valentine’s Day.

Then there are the chocolates and candy hearts. Heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates have become increasingly more dreaded, since more ladies than ever are concerned about the sugar rush which comes from consuming them. Don’t be surprised if you buy a box of cheap chocolates and your woman refuses to eat them because they have high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or colors. Perhaps it’s time to get more creative and pick up a few gluten-free, vegan cupcakes?

A popular outing for couples is to go out to dinner, but restaurants have become far too opportunistic in recent years. Typical Prix Fixe menus for February 14th are so outrageously expensive that you almost have to take out a second mortgage just to afford the meal. I have gotten to the point that I have no desire to pay three times the amount of money I would usually pay for a meal at the same restaurant, simply because I was foolish enough to go there on Valentine’s Day. Besides, the restaurants are always packed, always noisy, and there’s a good chance that your table might be right next to the men’s restroom or in a drafty corner of the patio. Never mind that you made reservations three months ago and specified that you wanted a booth inside the restaurant.

What I enjoy the most, and am planning to do this year, is to cook a nice meal at home, open a good bottle (or two) of wine, and enjoy the comforts of home. That holds much more value for me than surrounding myself with red heart cutouts, chocolates I can’t eat, or spending a king’s ransom for a meal. I also don’t have to yell over the din of the other patrons blabbing.