The things I wish I didn’t deprive myself of: Lux upgrades

Hello, Gorgeous!

I love elevating my everyday life in every single way, however I have been holding back a lot due to my past living conditions. Now that I have moved to my dream apartment, my dream life feels like it has started (all over again).

This is a true testament that whenever you have a fresh page, you can take on the world as long as you have a rejuvenated perspective.

Here are things I regret not doing earlier but am glad I do them now:

Going to the salon to get my nails done

Since my first visit after 4 years of doing my own nails, my day to day has become more glamorous. My toes were professionally done. The shiniest burgundy with a clean cut you can imagine. They look immaculate. It’s perfectly elegant.

I also got my nails done twice recently. The first being neutral pink and the next being an aqua Tiffany blue. Not only do I feel beautiful, but it has changed the way I see my life by the hour. 

Before, I was worried about cooking and getting my hands dirty on the farm. Now that I am back in the city, I still cook, but not having to do my nails is less stressful for some reason. 

Even though it takes longer to get it done by an expert and I was great at doing them, I feel like I can relax. 

There are so many YouTubers who talk about doing your nails being a waste of money and time, but I feel like this is a maintenance I do not mind keeping up at all.

In Los Angeles, there is a lot of competition for nail experiences. Though I do not ask for anything crazy with wild designs, I exude a renewed sense of self every time I do. 

5/5 highly recommend

Upgrading to the new iPhone 17

I have always been one to upgrade my MacBook, because I am constantly running high capacity software somehow. This is where I would lean all my efforts into gear. 

For some reason, I thought I was not giving into overconsumption and saving money, but it has actually made my life strides easier by finally upgrading my phone. You can see all the benefits on my life has been less cluttered along with less stress in this full deep dive.

Touch grass, as the new generations say on the internet. I am really loving the Y2K aesthetic, because I actually grew up during this period and it makes a lot of sense for me. Instead of charging everything and having to plan ahead for a simple outing, I stick to wires, analog, and having a separate camera versus relying on a phone to do it all.

The specifications on my new phone are ideal for creators, so I can prepare better quality content for you. This inspires me to no end.

5/5 highly recommend 

Shopping for new clothes

In my old apartment, we hardly had any space. Meaning less storage for clothes and having to be strategic about what I wear and purchase. 

Now that I have a 2 bedroom, I feel like I can finally breathe in lieu of fighting for my life every morning to use all my strength prying my closet open. It was that stuffed.

With a new routine in action, I am steadily healthier because I go to the gym almost everyday, have expansive space for 

• workout clothes
• loungewear
• going out specialty items
• hardware for technical items (fencing gear, ice skates, etc). 
• Not to mention–most importantly– shoes and bags. 

My clothes have been through the ringer getting battered. Pieces I had for 10 years are falling apart, because I am using them so much. I am getting bored and tired of seeing myself in the same clothes that it actually makes me feel down at times to not switch up my mood. 

It debilitates something in you when you see yourself stuck in the past reliving a difficult time where you had to cut back in extreme measure. Not by choice. 

4/5 decently recommend

Saying no to people

In my post about my new phone, I did not let everyone know my new number. It was too much work to keep people in my life that did not add to it positively. 

I am getting better at setting boundaries and keeping my peace and structure at my standard. A pretty high one. Yes, they are in love with you–but so is everyone else. It is time to filter and control what you can, because you know who you are, your value, and who is worth your time. 

5/5 cannot recommend this more

Beauty treatments

It used to take me a bit to save for such upscale treatments as laser facials, ultrasonic cavitation, and sclerotherapy. However, I never regret them. Especially since I take time to budget and have been earning more than ever. It’s how it should be. 

That is what your 30s are for: knowing your worth when negotiating your value at work to make sure you are getting paid properly and taking care of what you have. 

I am a firm believer that beauty treatments positively impact your mental health, because this is what you see and use everyday. This is not a treat yourself moment as if at the spa. But a necessary essential every lady should have in her pocket. Even gentlemen.

Preserve what you have. Appreciate it even better.

5/5 Be beautiful and never look back.

New makeup

Usually, I am quite mindful about purchasing makeup, because of my colour season and colour blindness. It looks beautiful on the website, or I overestimate how fabulous something will look on me.

Asking to try makeup on is your friend whether you are at Sephora, Harrod’s, or [insert department retailer here]. Never be afraid to ask in-store, because you are spending money on something you will see on your face frequently.

Does it make you feel outstanding?

Does this add more value to your appearance?

Do you radiate in true splendor feeling this alluring?

Yes to all of the above. 

I have been opting for a much more natural glamorous look everyday and have never felt more beautiful. It truly change my mentality about myself when I did a pigmented Sephora haul. It is also a rhythm for me to try everything on at Sephora in person for a couple hours when engaging with new launches.

You can reinvent yourself with the simplest and smallest of tweaks every time you put on makeup. So get new makeup and feel gorgeous every time you get ready.

5/5 highly recommend  

Do not deprive where you do not need to. 

It is an absolute sigh of relief. Less worry, anxiety, and stress that was not necessary in the first place. As long as you can afford the things you used to hold back on, it will elevate your life when it makes sense to have the upgrade. 

Sometimes we think cutting back on certain aspects of our budget or life will help us, but it actually hinders us from getting the most out of life. Try it out, see if it fits, and wisely learn where you need the help. 

Add privileges to your life, because you can. These luxurious comforts will open your eyes to show you how much you are worth it.

If you’re ready to stop depriving yourself and start living in full alignment with the elevated version of you, join The It Girl School and learn how to build a life that feels like a constant upgrade.