Worth Every Penny: My Top 5 Things (plus a FREE one)

As I was car-dancing to Lizzo’s latest album “Cuz I Love You Too” on repeat this week, I thought to myself this album was worth every penny.  (If you haven’t heard her yet…well….what are you waiting for! )

Side note: I feel like I am one of the last holdouts that still buys an artist’s album, though it is digital now. In my opinion, there is nothing better than the experience that you can have listening to an album from beginning to end. With some artists, I just have to own everything they make. With other artists, I’m content listening to a streaming channel inspired by them.

This thought had me pondering the many things that I have come to realize have been worth splurging on. In my 40 years on this earth, my list isn’t exhaustive and is only based on my personal exposure.

However, in my humble opinion, this list does lay out some pretty valid thoughts about each pick.

Are you on the fence about any of these things?

Here are some reasons why you should feel confident about jumping off!

Worth Every Penny | A Good Mattress

One thing I have read over and over is to buy the best mattress you can afford. It is true! While it makes sense because we are in it the majority of the time the high price tag can be hard to swallow.

And mattresses seem like the only product that doesn’t have a cap to the price! There is a mattress right now for $38,000 on Bloomingdale’s website! This article lists the top 10 most expensive mattresses!

I would wake up so stiff. I was tired all the time because I tossed and turned all night due to my hip falling asleep (I am a side sleeper)! Several I finally made the commitment to purchase a Sleep Number bed on the advice (and prescription that saves you the tax money) of my chiropractor.

Extra Benefits

I have loved it ever since! We both get the pressure we want and the incline feature makes me not quite hate being sick! I have never had a problem with mine and have moved it a couple of times already.

I have stretched my chiropractor visits to every other month. Being able to adjust the firmness from day to day depending on activity is a big plus for me!

I love my Sleep Number!

Worth Every Penny | Invest in a Great Photographer

There is nothing that makes me smile harder than some of the art that adorns the walls of my home.

It is an image of the gorgeous curls of Naomi’s 5-year-old self.

And a close-up portrait of the “angel kiss” on Brendan’s face, a mole he was born with that disappears by toddlerhood.

One of my favorites always makes me pause when I’m feeling melancholy about parenthood. It is a suspended and naked Brendan being held aloft by his mother and father’s interracial hands on either end of his body.

Priceless Moments

These are all moments captured in time by a great photographer. Their little bodies I will never be able to hold again. So I love that the photographers at Picture People once captured an image of a 10-month-old Naomi from behind sitting on the floor. We have so many pictures of her face, but the memory of her sitting on the living room floor, chubby legs splayed as she plays with a toy is fading fast.

I’m so glad I have that image to recall every day. Especially because her new go-to position always includes her phone and a blue-tinged haze lighting her face!

These portraits are the only things that all members of the Griffin family are instructed to grab on their way out in case of an emergency!

The Value of a Smile

There is one picture on my wall that still makes me cringe.

I leave it up because it is my reminder of the value of photography when I am looking at a price sheet during my ordering appointment.

This is a family photo with the sunset behind us on the beach of Marco Island, Florida. The resort photographer was just not seasoned enough to figure out lighting with this really white guy, and pretty dark woman and a beautiful sunset backlighting it. I think he opted for the sunset and Gavin because all you can see of me is my teeth in one of my dazzling white smiles.

After this, I refused to use an “okay” photographer ever again. And I got tired of Picture People.

This is a slideshow of my favorite session ever, featuring the kids during my favorite ages ever, 5-year-old Naomi and 3-year-old Brendan. This company is no longer in Orlando, but they still create magic like this in Miami and several other cities if you are willing to travel. I would!

 

Here are some images from our most recent session with Tamara Knight Photography. I would of course HIGHLY recommend getting your family in front of her camera.

 

Worth Every Penny | Professional Makeup Lesson

I had my first professional makeup application done for a headshot event many years ago. Then as an assistant in a photography studio, I was front seat to the transformation that professional makeup applications can give a person!

Now anytime I really need to feel good about my appearance, I make sure and book someone to hook me up! After a few of these experiences, I decided it was time to learn a few new tricks myself. My skills were only habitual techniques I have had since I first began using makeup anyway!

I learned that one of the makeup artists the studio uses offers this as a service so I jumped at the chance!

Tiffany is awesome! She’s so bubbly and easy to talk too! Tiffany does weddings and special occasions. Her mobile kit comes to you to with everything needed to bring out your natural beauty. She is very good at what she does- for all people!

Although there are still times when I know I have to call a professional, after this lesson I am able to amp up my personal style on a more consistent basis.

One surprise for me was that I had a full face of makeup after the lesson. I assumed we would be wiping on and off and one side of my face would be perfect. The other side, I would have done. It was fun! She let me practice a few techniques. Mostly she talked me through what she was doing as I watched in the mirror and asked her all my burning questions!

Score!  I had to make impromptu dinner plans right?!

Worth Every Penny | AAA

The amount of lockouts and gas runouts I’ve had is embarrassing. Let’s just say, this is an expense on the Griffin family budget that reads “Knight in Shining Armor”. This membership will be an annual Christmas gift for all my children and grandchildren for the rest of my life.

Not only does AAA often save me from myself, but I have also had a couple flat tire or engine issues beyond my control that required a tow and they are always fast with awesome drivers! I’ve even been able to rescue others using my membership for their benefit.

Worth Every Penny | A Spa Day at the Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes

I’m almost hesitant to tell this one. It’s last in the hopes that no one notices it this far down on the blog. (if you made it congratulations…and thank you!)

It is my ultimate favorite Orlando escape. A spa day at the Ritz Carlton is the ultimate in self-care luxury. This is a place where you do not have to dash in for your appointment and dash out right after! It is the only place in Orlando that has a dedicated spa pool for spa/health club members only (which means no kids splashing…yelling…etc…).

This blog post describes the property well!  (Some of the amenities and services have changed since this post was published.)

On the day of your service, you have access to the spa from 9 am until closing, usually around 7 pm. Most customers will come in right before their treatment and head out shortly after. Leaving you feeling like the only person in the entire 31,000 square foot facility. This is possibly an entire day of YOU time! When you factor this into the price of any treatment, this is a no-brainer!

Tips For the Perfect Ritz Carlton Spa Day

1.  Go on a weekday!

Monday – Thursday the spa is pretty empty. Unless you happen to get the huge conference that brought all their wives. (very rare, but it happens). You also get a 15% Florida resident discount during the week! (Not much but it helps out with gratuity!)

Do NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT go on a holiday, especially Mother’s Day!!

That is a rookie move that will have you searching for a pool chair and hearing lots of stupid chatter drowning out the soothing music coming from the rock speakers.

2.  Arrange for someone else to pick up the kids from school.

Just forget about it for one day! If possible, this is a complete escape! Pick up take out or even better meet the husband for dinner on the way home. Your brain will not work and you will not want to cook.

Make a late afternoon appointment. I personally think the best time is from 2-4p. If you are having a facial you won’t want to sit outside after. There are indoor relaxation areas to enjoy if you still have time after your service. Massage appointments can be done earlier if you wish.

3.  Come early enough to give yourself time to enjoy the amenities!

Sit out by the pool/hot tub. There are plenty of great places to choose from with water and sunscreen available at all times.  Not too long ago they had the nerve to start renting specialty chaise lounges. But there is always enough seating when I am there. This isn’t a necessary expense unless you want the awesome Instagram background because they are cute!

Use the steam room (my own personal heaven) or sauna (if you like it dry).

Shower and exfoliate before your session.

Chandra Says:

Amp up your massage by bringing your own sugar scrub. You can prep your skin before being lathered with their amazing oils!

4.  Do NOT ask me to go with you (or anyone for that matter).

As fun as a spa day with the girls can be, it is a great time to check in with yourself. I usually bring my journals or write letters to people (yes, with an actual pen and stationary). Sometimes I read whatever novel I’m currently on or buy a gossip magazine in the gift shop! Whatever my little introverted heart is telling me I need to recharge is what I do! If you can only afford one or a few spa days a year, reserve the time for yourself. Save the “Girls Day Out” spa date for a special occasion!

Worth Every Penny | understanding my menstrual cycle

FREE: (if you use the library as I do)

Minimal cost to purchase the book if you prefer!

I came across this book by Rebecca Booth, MD that changed my life. I’m so bummed it took me so long to understand these scientific facts. But upon further reflection, I realized that this is one of those pieces of wisdom that is an over 40 bonus! At this age, I’m done having kids, not on hormonal birth control and my body has become a pretty regular machine. For me, this time of life would be the easiest to clock the regularity of each phase of a menstrual cycle.

I learned that I am extremely sound sensitive in the week coming up to my actual cycle. Once I began to monitor the noise level in my house. I was much less apt to lose it with my family at the height of the nighttime craze. I also know what week in the month I have the most energy and can plan to do extra work. Then I can let myself take a guilt-free break during the week that my energy is waning. I used to fight these natural cycles and find myself exhausted, crying and eating potato chips out of a big bag.

Learning about the effect your cycle has on you can be helpful for so many things! With the plethora of apps to track your period and symptoms, this is easier than ever.

From diet to relationships, your sex life to wardrobe planning, getting in sync with your Venus week is vital to finding that “balance” everyone is always seeking.

Whether or not something ends up being worth every penny is something we don’t always know right away. I do know that the value of something isn’t always related to its cost, and vice versa.

I am glad that I am getting better at spotting the value in things that bring me great joy.

What is something that you would add to this list?

 

 

 

 

 

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Chandra Says: Girl, Get Going!