{Commandments}

TBS Commandment #3: Thou shall be shameless

Thou shall be shameless | www.thebudgetsocialite.com

It’s not always easy being a budget socialite. There are so many things to do, places to be, and shoes to buy that things can get a tad bit overwhelming. But have no fear, fellow socialites! To make life a little easier, we’ve come up with the Budget Socialite Commandments.  Use these guidelines to aid you on your fun, fabulous, and well-heeled journey. We wouldn’t steer you wrong. We have already covered important topics like seeking true love – when shopping and honoring quality over quantity. Now we bring you:

TBS Commandment #3: Thou shall be shameless

Long ago, in some far off land, it was decided that it was a sin to feel good about yourself, want nice things, treat yourself well, or simply buy a lot of shoes enjoy the hell out of yourself. These are things we have to earn or are proof that we are self-absorbed and not busy enough. We are supposed to be harried martyrs, rushing from one place to the other, forgetting the one person who will be there for you through thick and thin. Who is this person, you ask? You can find them in your nearest mirror (and they are looking amazing today, might I add). Now, before you say “Nah!”, and swat your hand at me. I’m going to tell you that it’s okay to be shameless (within reason). It’s even okay to be a little bit selfish (notice I said a little bit, there can be too much of good thing – unless it’s shoes or closet space). The reason I say this isn’t to quell my guilt about my shoe collection make you become a narcissist, but because if you don’t feel good about yourself and/or treat yourself well, no one else will. AND the better you treat yourself, the better you feel, the better you feel, the more you can do. The more you can do, the more you can do for others. See how what goes around comes around! Doing for you, ends up a truly altruistic affair, charitable even. How do you become more shameless? There are a few simple steps.

  1. Accept a compliment, just by saying thank you. If you’re feeling a little saucy throw in an “I know” and a wink.
  2. Own the things that you do and stop feeling guilty about them.
  3. If you are good at something, toot your own horn, lest it remain untooted.
  4. Change your mind? It’s your prerogative. Don’t be sorry but DO let those affected know within a reasonable of time.
  5. Learn the elegance of slow and enjoy the simple moments of your life.

Whatcha waiting for?

While we are being shameless, we should also stop waiting to do the things that make us happy. Too often, I hear people waiting to live their lives. When I lose weight, I’ll _____. When I get a new job, I’ll _____.  When insert clause here, I’ll begin really living my life. Don’t put your happiness on hold or wait for the perfect time. More often than not it never arrives and you’ve wasted a lot of time. Regrets don’t fill scrapbooks ladies!

I’m a firm believer that it’s the little things in life that end up really making your life, and if you wait for events or special occasions, you are missing out on the majority of it. I am not a fan of the china that only comes out for company, or the “living” room that no one can sit in. You are your best company and you deserve all the fine things everyday, especially if they are already sitting in your cupboard. Use real plates when ordering Chinese making simple meals at home. Have a glass of wine with your meal on a Tuesday. Book that vacation today! Don’t wait. Your life begins now. Enjoy it!

What do you think of our 3rd commandment: Thou shall be shameless? Are you ready to get off the shame train?

tp_contributer_pic

Co-founder | Trinidad Pena
Trinidad Pena is a blogger, foodie, and design superhero bent on helping others kick-ass online, world domination and convincing the world that wine belongs in the fruit food group since it’s made from grapes.

 

{Commandments}

Thou shall honor quality over quantity

Quality over quantity | www.thebudgetsocialite.com

It’s not easy being a budget socialite. There are so many things to do, places to be, and shoes to buy that things can get a tad bit overwhelming. But have no fear! To make life a little easier, we’ve come up with the Budget Socialite Commandments.  Use these guidelines to aid you on your fun, fabulous, and well-heeled journey. We wouldn’t steer you wrong.

TBS Commandment #2:
Thou shall honor quality over quantity.

Oh, the things people say. Less is more? Kinda makes you want to roll your eyes… until you are flipping channels and happen upon an episode of hoarders. When that happens, you realize those people may have a point. Don’t be a hoarder… Let’s talk quality over quantity, shall we?

If you are following TBS Commandment #1, then you should only be buying things you truly love. And since we can’t love everything, it stands to reason that you should be buying fewer things. Unless you love everything, which either means you have a problem or are my ex-boyfriend.

With commandment #2, we are going to take it a step further to only purchase quality items–items we are going to use all the time, that make us want to cry because they are so inspiring and beautiful, and of course make us a bit giddy. If you can hit all 3, well… wrap it in a bow and send it to me or buy it for yourself (selfish).

If your philosophy has been “More is More”, how do you amend your overzealous ways?
In one word: PURGE.

Step 1: Assess & Categorize

  • Things that are broken (and are beyond repair and hope)

  • Things that are broken (and can be fixed)

  • Things you don’t use/or don’t fit

  • Things you have too many of /things you don’t love (you don’t need 10 little black dresses)

Step 2: Fix it or forget it!

Tough love time. These broken items have to be fixed or kicked to the curb. If it’s still lying around 2 months later, throw it away. I know you meant to get it fixed, but you don’t love it enough to make it a priority. It’s okay, chuck it. I still love you. Think of it this way, we are making room for shoes things we love and use.

Step 3: Give it away now.

Lastly, donate, sell or swap the things you don’t use, don’t love, or can longer shimy yourself into. Craigslist is awesome for swapping and bartering. You can also sell items on eBay, to a consignment shop or donate them to charity like the Salvation Army. It doesn’t matter what you do, just get it out of your house. Don’t make me crack the whip on ya.

Quality doesn’t mean pricey.

Quality over quantity doesn’t mean that you are only going to buy uber-expensive items; we are budget socialites after all. But it does mean that we should start opting for better (whatever that means to you) rather than just opting for more. One pair of high quality shoes is going to beat out 2 pairs of sub-par shoes that hurt your feet and give you blisters. You should aim for a classic, quality pair that goes with everything. A pair that you love so much you’d think about getting them re-soled before you try to find a replacement. Outlets and discount stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Home Goods are a great resource for quality items that are classic and discounted.

Quality over quantity has great side effects too. Your place has less clutter, so there is less to clean. Win! Buying less also means that you spend less. So, when you want to splurge, then you have some extra moola to go for it. Awesome! Lastly,  you’ll actually be able to find things when you are looking for them. Sweet. If none of these has you convinced, then click here and come back to us. We’ll wait.

So, what do you think of our second commandment: Quality over quantity? Are you ready to get your purge on (hello spring cleaning)? Let us know in the comments.

tp_contributer_pic

Co-founder | Trinidad Pena
Trinidad Pena is a blogger, foodie, and design superhero bent on helping others kick-ass online, world domination and convincing the world that wine belongs in the fruit food group since it’s made from grapes.

{Commandments}

Thou shall seek true love – when shopping!

So much shopping, so little time...

It’s not easy being a budget socialite. There are so many things to do, places to be and shoes to buy, that things can get a tad bit overwhelming. But have no fear! To make life a little easier, we’ve come up with the budget socialite commandments.  Use these guidelines to aid you on your fun, fabulous and well heeled journey. We wouldn’t steer you wrong.

Thou shall seek true love – when shopping!

First and foremost, we believe in seeking true love…when shopping. The things you do should bring you joy and making a purchase is no exception. If you are going to spend money on an article of clothing, shoes and/or something for your home, you should LOVE IT! Not just kinda like it. Not feel okay about it. You should be in love with it.  Yes, fellow socialites, we mean giddy, silly, punch drunk school girl love! A friend of mine once picked up a purse in the store, looked at herself in the mirror and exclaimed, “I love myself!” Now that’s true love.

Often, we get caught up while shopping and feel like we spent so much time at the store that we have to buy something. Or something is on sale and seems too good of deal to pass up. Other times, we can’t tell if we truly love it or not, so we just buy it. How do you know if you’ve fallen victim to loveless shopping? Here are a few good indicators:

  • You have a closet stuffed with clothes but nothing to wear.
  • You have clothing that still has the tags on it…months later.
  • You end up wearing the same things over and over again, because those are your favorites.
  • Every time an occasion comes, you have buy something new.
  • You haven’t worn an item in a year and it’s still sitting in your closet.

Step Away From the Register

People, people, people, these are tell tale signs that you haven’t been buying things that you adore. When you find yourself trying to figure out whether or not to make a purchase, ask yourself one question: Is this going to be the next favorite thing in my closet? If the answer is no, put that item down! This is my mantra when shopping, but sometimes even this is not enough. If you need to gauge whether an item is the real deal, or just mere retail infatuation there are few warning signs.

  • If the main reason you are buying it is because it’s on sale, you don’t love it.
  • If you have to ask yourself if you love it, you probably don’t love it.
  • If you are in the dressing room, wrinkling your nose, turning side to side, telling yourself how cute it would be if you just added this, sewed that or clinched this, then you ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY DON’T LOVE IT!
  • The goal is find things that are on sale, but that you’d be willing to pay full price for.

If you truly are in doubt, there is one more tactic you can employ: Sleep on it. If you are still thinking about it the next day, CONGRATULATIONS, you’ve found love! Happy Shopping!