Best Purchases

Lately I've been thinking about some of the best purchases we've made within the last few years.  These are items we have saved our money for and if we had the chance to do it again, we would. Whether for convenience, style, or simply for the amount that we have used them, these are some items that in my mind have been well worth the price. Keep in mind, while reading this list, that I am a major bargain-shopper and rarely pay full price for anything {in fact, I buy many things second-hand}.  :)  Here are my tried-and-true, top seven purchases.

1.  A king sized mattress.  The first piece of furniture my husband and I bought, just before our wedding, was a queen, double-pillowtop mattress.  We had so much fun at the furniture store trying out all of the mattresses and deciding together which one to get.  We thought we had made the perfect choice.  And then we actually slept on it.  The mattress was way too small for the two of us.  I didn't realize what a thrasher he was in his sleep (sorry, honey!), and what a light sleeper I was.  The double-pillow-top made the mattress way too soft and sag in the middle.  I ended up sleeping on the couch much of the time, if you could even call it sleeping.  And then, the best day of my (married) life... we finally got a kind sized mattress.  You could easily call it the mattress of my dreams.  :)  Of all the things on this list, a king size mattress is my number one best purchase.  Getting enough sleep is so important to me, and I appreciate it all the more now that I know what it's like to not sleep for about two years straight!

2.  A Garmin navigation system. This has truly changed my life.  You may remember this story of me driving the wrong way to Chicago.  For three hours.  I am horrible at directions, so never take my advice if I tell you how to get somewhere. Now I can just enter the address, and go.  And I only get lost if I miss a turn!

3.  Dark skinny jeans.  Because I wear jeans just about every day, a great pair of skinny jeans makes my list. A few years ago I found a pair of Seven for all Mankind jeans at the Rack, and I've been wearing them ever since.  When I bought my skinny jeans, I wasn't sure how much I would wear them.  But little did I know, they are quite versatile!  I wear them in the summer, rolled up with flats of flip-flops, or in the winter with tall boots over them.  I also like to wear them with long cardigans or loose tank-tops. I've really got a ton of mileage out of these jeans, and I am sad they are starting to get too tight to wear anymore.  Oh well, I will just have to get a pair of maternity ones, maybe these if I'm lucky?  

4.   Jeep Liberty Sport.  Are you surprised a car made my list?  So am I!  However, I have to say we bought a white Jeep Liberty Sport about five years ago, and it has stood the test of time!  It still looks great (in my opinion at least), and the best part?  It's never broken down on us.  Ever.  It's been the most low-maintenance vehicle we could have imagined.  Not only do we drive one, but both of my sisters (in blue and white), and my sister-in-law (black).  It's been a great car, and such a great purchase.    

5.  My watch.  I got this Michele watch a few years ago from my husband for my birthday/anniversary/Valentine's Day present, all in one.  I have to say it's been worth every penny because I wear it every. single. day.  I'm not an expensive jewelry person (in fact, the main jewelry I buy now is "costume jewelry" from stores like Forever 21!), but a watch is one item that I love and wear all the time.

*You may have heard, but I currently cannot find my watch.  I usually place it in the same spot, so I am a little distraught over not being able to find it. I tore the house apart trying to find it, and even checked our bathroom garbage.  What did I find there?  Callie's electric toothbrush.  She now she has me nervous that everything will end up in the trash (she can fit her wrist through our cabinet locks).  Still no watch to be found...Ugh*

6.  A DSLR Camera.  Ahhhh.  This is one item that's been a great investment for me!  I've loved learning to shoot with a DSLR camera, and somehow discovered a hidden passion along the way!  I recently started a little photography business, and have saved up enough money to upgrade my lens and now my camera!  Photography has been a perfect hobby-turned-possible career, and I couldn't be more excited (obsessed?) with it.

7.  Our stroller.  I have absolutely loved this stroller, and I wish it came in a double because I am going to have to part with it soon!  I have loved the versatility of our Bugaboo.  Not only is it cute and stylish {that was one must-have for me not feeling like a total "mom"), but there are so many ways to use it, and we have!  For the first six months, we used it as a snap-and-go with only the carseat, even taking it to Mexico on the airplane, as well as the bassinet for walks around the block with our newborn.  Then we converted to the seat (either facing mommy or now facing out), laying down, sitting up, sitting part-way up.  It's been easy to use (although it took a few times to get used to), and I could literally push it with my pinky, the wheels are just that good.  It has a giant canopy for blocking sun, rain, or wind, and plenty of storage.  I knew I wanted one nice stroller instead of three separate ones {it's like three strollers in one:  a snap-and-go, a jogger, and a regular stroller}.  This has been a great stroller (accessory?), and definitely worth the money (especially since we found it for half-price on eBay!).  Too bad I can't say the same thing about our carseat!

What are your best purchases?