Value

When I was a junior in high school, my family spent spring break in NYC. One of my mom and I's outings was to Trish McEvoy's original office (in her hubby's derm office) to get our make-up done. I remember being wonderfully amazed. Unlike the typical woman behind the Clinque office, this woman doing my makeup was as artist. She actually knew what she was doing and as a client, I learned much from her.


Besides the make-up, my mom bought me a set of TM's make-up brushes. I remember thinking, "wow- that's kind of expensive for an eye shadow brush... I just use the little q-tip like thing in my old make-up". The woman explained to me that the brushes were an investment... they are wonderful, high-end tools that if maintained properly would last more than 10 years.


As I was cleaning the house the past few days, I came across my make-up brushes. Sure enough, they've lasted for over 10 years. Purchased at 17, they are still in wonderful condition. I clean them religiously and store them properly... who knows how long I'll have them!!

I just love products like this... wonderfully made and that stands the test of time. Sure, I have to give my brushes a bath every few months. But for me, that's a small cost.

Dish Towels

Kitchen linens hold a special place in my heart. I can (and frequently do) visit home stores for hours just looking at the different options for table cloths, napkins, and towels. I invision when I would use each one, what I'd wear to match (seriously), and the meal that would go perfectly. Without doing much, linens can change the look and feel of your kitchen. And, high-end linens make me giddy... there is just something wonderful about these beautiful pieces. The colors, designs, textures, and shape somehow endure. I know- I sound crazy.


Anyway, the nice linens come at a price... the beautiful Le Jacquard Francais towles below run $20 a piece. Sure, $20 isn't bad. But, when you think about stocking your kitchen with 10 of them and then consider replacing them as stains require, it's a few hundred a year- on dish towels!! This doesn't include napkins, table clothes, or dish cloths (yes, there is a difference). So, I skip this little luxury because sadly, I live in reality.








One of my favorite "cheaper" towels are Willaim Sonoma dish towels. I've had mine about 5 years now and while some are looking rough, most have held up extraordinarily well. And, they're (only) $18/4.

While I was in Dallas a few weeks back, I popped into William Sonoma while waiting for a sweet friend at the mall. And, to my delight- they were on sale for $4.29/4!!! They had 2 colors of towels: green/pink, which I will save to use next summer, and a white/sage which is already at use in our kitchen. I am super delighted with my purchase :)