Use the Good Stuff

Manolo Blahnik Hangisi Flats (got on major sale, have since sold out)

I used a physical datebook when I was in college and right out of college. Does anyone else remember the adorable Lilly Pulitzer planners? It looks like they still make them! I have since switched to a physical monthly desk calendar, but during those years, when I used a datebook, I would decorate the days and the pages. I would write my to-do lists in pretty colors and use various highlighters to call attention to things. I would use stickers- like a party hat sticker on someone's birthday! 

Some of the stickers I used were freebies- the kind that comes in a clothing order or the kind you pick up at the register. Some were fancy stickers that my mom would have put in my Christmas stocking. I had a wide variety of them. 

I still have many stickers left over from those datebook days, and what do I do with them now? Very little. They're sitting in my stationery drawer waiting to be used. 

This is a silly little example, but I remember not using the 'fancy' stickers in my datebook because I didn't want to run out of them. I was saving them. Saving them for what? I'm not even sure.

I should have used the stickers! They no longer serve a purpose in my life like they once did. 

I think about this sticker analogy frequently as I think it's an analogy to many things in my life but especially when it comes to housewares and fashion items. 

I'm not precious with most of my things. I buy things and wear them. Many of my shoes have been resoled and repaired because they've been well-worn. Most of my gold jewelry is no longer pristinely shiny but instead has tiny scratches throughout. 

We eat break-n-bake cookies off of our Herend china and I drink my afternoon sparkling water out of our crystal. Sometimes, I eat Flaming Hot Cheetos out of our silver dip bowls. These things bring me joy. Somehow, eating the Flaming Hot Cheetos out of the silver makes things feel more elevated. (I'm truly laughing aloud at that last sentence.)

But sometimes, I keep the fancy candles tucked away in a drawer and don't burn them because they're 'too nice.' 

My husband had to remind me the other day that we have so many bottles of nice red wine and we don't drink the good stuff. He asked, what are we waiting for?  

I was going through my closet during the week between Christmas and New Year's, and I realized that I have many things, namely fancier dresses, that I seem to be 'saving' for an occasion. I don't have an occasion in mind for which I am saving these things; I'm just letting these beautiful things sit there. When will that occasion come? 

I thought back to those 10-year-old stickers in my drawer and the nagging question of what am waiting for?! 

Those candles will sit in my drawer until they go bad, and I will be frustrated that I never ended up burning them. The clothing in my wardrobe may no longer fit me, be in style, or be to my liking. Those wine bottles will sit there collecting dust instead of being enjoyed by ourselves and our family and friends. 

Today's post serves as a personal reminder to myself that the occasion is right now! There's a quote by Thomas Monson, 'Every day of your life is a special occasion.' 

I got these velvet Manolo Blahniks (pictured above) on major sale right before Christmas. I hadn't worn them because I was worried about messing them up, but last week, we had a casual Thursday evening date night. We went out to dinner and then saw Cirque Du Soleil. I knew we would be doing quite a bit of walking since we were parking in downtown Pittsburgh and walking from the restaurant to the arena. As I was getting ready, I thought I might wear older, more practical shoes. I slipped the Manolos on my feet and headed out the door without trying to overthink it. In hindsight, I was so glad I did! I had fun wearing the shoes! That evening right there was an occasion! 

I think back to 2020. So many things went unused and unworn. As the year progressed, I was reminded to use all of the good stuff to bring joy to the seemingly mundane! I would get dressed even if I had nowhere to be, and I know that that instantly perked me up. 

So I think I'll wear those Manolo Blahniks to the grocery store tomorrow and open up a bottle of Stag's Leap on Friday and maybe, just maybe, I'll burn that Jo Malone candle I've been saving since our wedding.