Always have something beautiful close at hand...always...

 

Always have something that feels beautiful close at hand.

For me, things that feel beautiful and luxurious can be:

Solid, heavy, smooth, like the beautiful paperweight my husband gave me for Christmas a few years ago that sits on my desk, or the silver pen my daughter gave me for Mothers Day, that sits near the computer.

Soft and silky, like Johnsons Baby Lotion, or my faux fur rug, or the baby pink yarn I'm using to crochet a rug for a new baby in the family.

Flowing and floaty, like the op shopped $1 real silk scarf I have tied to the handles of my handbag.

Glittering and bling-ey like the red ballet slipper keyring my daughter bought me at a fundraiser. It has Swarovski crystals all over it and makes me smile every time I pick up my keys.

Thick and glossy, like my stash of Vogue magazines snaffled at a garage sale recently for 50c each.

Organic and authentic, like the bamboo bristle and wood dishwashing brush I got last week.

What speaks luxury to you?

Luxurious passwords make you smile!



Todays idea is one that will make you smile, but it really is effective.

We all have passwords for so many things these days.

Why not change them, or some of them at least, to reflect your luxurious life outlook.

I've just changed some of mine to something that I think reflects my idea of living luxuriously for free.

Some suggestions (without giving mine away of course), might be:

The name of a favourite or dreamed of holiday destination and the year you'd like to visit it again.
A favourite pastime like 'Balletandtheatreeverymonth4me'.
The name of a luxury car you admire or want to own and the year you'd like to own it.
The name of your favourite luxury designer bag, scent or makeup.
A reminder to yourself like 'Dressupforme247'. In other words, make an effort to look nice for yourself all day, every day.
A goal like 'weigh64in6'. Or weigh 64 kilos in six months time.
Even something general like 'ilovediamondsandpearls', is fun and just makes you feel a bit spesh.

Go on, laugh.

But just try it.

I bet it makes you smile every time you type it in.

Living five star at home

 

Each day when you make your bed, do the following:

 

Fold a bath towel or bath sheet in to a neat square by matching up the corners carefully.

 

Place the squared up towel on the corner of your bed or vanity.

 

Fold the two top layers down and square the point up with the opposite edge to create a pocket.

 

Into the pocket, insert everything you need for your bath or shower this evening.

 

For me, that's exfoliating gloves, facial serum and cotton ball for applying toner, a lavender scented towel sachet with ballet pink ribbon embellishment, deodorant, and body butter.

 

In the shower or tub recess, I keep my favourite supermarket shampoo, liberally scented with Sandalwood essential oil. Just because I love it. Sometimes I'll use Jasmine or Frangipani Absolute too.

 

 I use my own home made Goats Milk soap exclusively for facial and body cleansing. That is a true luxury and one recipe I will share with you very soon.

 

 

You don't need money to live Five Star. You just need imagination.

 

Keep it up.

 

Shhhh...no-one will know you're broke.

Wallow in luxury for the price of a drink..

 

I enjoyed this mocktail, spending several exquisite hours soaking up plush, for just the cost of the drink.

 

My husband and I enjoyed this sublime coffee and petit fours for less than the cost of a pizza.

 

This incredible sunset was enjoyed with just a glass of champagne and a bowl of crudités and aioli.

 

And these camellias came with tea in English Bone China and fine antiques and linen.

 

You can't live Five Star Frugal, unless you're willing to seek out luxury and abundance in other ways.

 

So go on. Put on your heels, your best five star face and hair, and an ironed dress and heels and see where it takes you.

 

Shopping Malls and suburban cafe's do not a luxury make.

 

Loitering in five star hotels costs nothing although it's gracious to at least order a coffee. Take a book or a glossy magazine and picture yourself waiting for Johnny Depp. You'll be less likely to be asked to move on.

 

Many antique stores now multi task and offer delightful teas and exotic treats within. I love that. It's like degustation on a movie set.

 

And sunsets and sunrises are always free. Drag yourself away from your usual routine and soak them up with a coffee or a sparkling wine.

 

Expect more from your life.

 

 

Ooh-La-La!

 

Home made French inspired Bralette with bandeau ties and frilled straps.

 

Pattern by: http://project-twentytwo.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/diy-bralette.html

 

Fabric: Recycled bedsheet, offcuts of continuous curtaining, thrifted lace.

 

 

Home made French Knickers, also known as Tap Pants.

 

Pattern modified from: http://www.coletterie.com/colette-patterns-news/free-pattern-to-download-the-madeleine-mini-bloomers

 

Fabric : Recycled bedsheet, recycled doona cover, recycled ballet ribbons and vintage buttons.

 

Leg openings left loose in preference to elasticised in the Coletterie instructions.

 

Time to make: 3 hours, including downloading the pattern, piecing it together and taping it, cutting it out, then cutting the fabric, sewing, and embellishing.

 

Cost: Nil.

 

More to come.

 

Live the Dream.

 

Shhhh.....they'll never know you're broke.

 



I want it all!

 

Paris. 2008. Riverboat luncheon with my beloved.

 

I want that.

 

I want the good life, but I don't want to spend all my time working to pay off a credit card, or earning a living in a high flying, and equally high blood pressure inducing job.

 

I want the nicer things in life but don't want to eat sausages and noodles for a week just so I can afford them.

 

I want a beautiful home, and I want to swan around in it, dolled up to the nines. Every. Single. Day.

 

I can do it.

 

Watch me.