I know it’s all about the “experiential” and minimalism these days. But i love my things…well some of them. Several are “very expensive for what they are” sorts of things. But I’ve found that those were worth every penny because they really do perform so much better than their cheaper counterparts and haven’t resulted in me buying more year and year only to trash the old ones.
I don’t have a ton of “stuff” but I’ve found that when I get really good things I don’t need them.
What are the things (if any) that you absolutely love or do you not feel that way about any of your things?
Ipad. When I got it my husband thought it was an expensive toy I would hardly use. He's admitted that he was wrong about the "hardly use" part. I use it hours and hours every day. For reading (multiple newspapers, books, magazines and of course CC), for work (answering e-mails, performing legal research when I work at home on an app for that) watching tv and movies (on Amazon prime, Netflix and on my TV provider's app. Not to mention shopping and general web searching. I really can no longer imagine life without it.
Davek umbrella. This is one of the "very expensive for what it is things". Davek's are the "word's best" (and most expensive) umbrella. But after having umbrella and after umbrella blow inside out and break during storms I put this on my wish list and got it for my birthday. I got the version where if you leave it, you get an alert on your phone so its much harder to lose. The last season of horrible rain storms have proved its worth.
Thermapen meat/cooking thermometer. Another one of those "crazy expensive" things. I used to use multiple cheap thermometers when cooking. They were pretty unreliable. My thermapen has been a life changer. No more wondering if my Turkey was really done, the brownies were cooked through etc... I got it during a post-Thanksiving sale. No regrets. I've given it several times as a gift to friends who cook. I always got the same reaction "I've always wanted this but would never buy it for myself!" (it cost me no more than what I'd spend on their "normal" gift but was much more appreciated than a sweater.)
Dove foaming bathwash. I don't know what I did before this came into my life. It's not even expensive!
A Polder curling iron holder. I don't use it to hold a curling iron. I use it in my shower to hold my razor. I found my razor would get gross when lying face down and face up was dangerous. I tried standing it upright in a plastic cup which helped somewhat but water would accumulate in the cup. This was "cup like" but had holes (which I think was really designed to release heat) which keeps water from accumulating and also keeps my razor from accidentally falling into the shower). This has been a true "life hack" kind of thing for me. https://www.amazon.com/Polder-BTH-7030-94-Sleeve-Styling-Storage/dp/B00UGC0F6G/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1537620861&sr=8-9&keywords=polder+curling+iron+holder
My Wescott scissors. Sharp enough and blunt at the top. I can't stand those super pointy scissors. I'm always afraid I'll hurt myself. Blunt edge ADULT scissors were a revelation.
I think of myself as a minimalist and animals are not exactly “things,” but I have found that it is hard for me to live without a dog. Even the least expensive ones take up space and time and complicate my existence and are what I would grab if the house were on fire.
As Rosered and ML stated, my animals would have to be #1 (I agree they are not “things”). I can’t remember when I didn’t have any. Right now we have 2 dogs (love having 2), 2 cats and a friend’s miniature horse boarded with us. The only downside is that I feel very guilty when we go away and have to have someone else care for the dogs and cats. The mini doesn’t care as long as he is fed twice a day.
I am not really attached to many other things, but I do really, really enjoy our large screen TV. My vision isn’t great, so it is much easier on my aging eyes.
I really, really like my microwave - doesn’t have to be the one I have - any microwave will do.
I really, really like my 2008 Honda Pilot. Love driving it, love the room in it. Don’t know what I will do when I have to replace it. They don’t make it like the SUV any more. It’s now a crossover.
I do like my smartphone (as everyone else likes theirs). Love being able to look up things quickly and contact anyone instantly.
This is fun. Having just come home from a trip these are the things I enjoy around me
My pets - I absolutely get so much pleasure from my pup and my cats. Last night both cats slept on my legs.
My bed - I love everything to do with my bed, a fabulous comfy mattress, sheets, perfect weighted blanket, pillows. People almost always comment when they visit that our beds are fabulous.
Vionics slippers. My feet hurt walking barefoot on the hardwood. These are so comfy and supportive.
Sonos. We wired the inside and outside of the house so we can play music everywhere.
Wolf double oven. We just replaced our ovens and this thing is amazing. You can hit custom, stick in a probe and the food comes out perfectly.
Shoe closet. One of my admitted indulgences is my shoe collection. My husband built me an amazing closet in a guest room. I can just open the door and it’s lighted, cedar and all my shoes are there and organized.
Coffee maker. Hubby roasts beans himself and got us a machine like you see in hotels that make cappuccino and lattes.
Pool side lounge chairs. We bought 2 from Tommy Bahama and these things are the most comfortable pool loungers I ever sat in.
Umbrellas. I love to spend time outside but I’m so fair with sensitive eyes. We got these huge cantilevered umbrellas all over the back patio and pool.
iPhone. I just converted from Samsung and am really happy to have FaceTime and picture sharing.
Fun thread. I’ve found that having things I absolutely love is what keeps down the volume of almost-good-enough clutter. My things:
Black Coach hobo bag. Huge enough to hold files, but soft enough to slouch down and not take up all that real estate when it isn't needed.
@maya54 I just got a Davek umbrella this past week -- the littlest one that fits in the palm of my hand. It's well made and adorable!
My planner. I have a small aluminum binder with hardware that means serious business. It's got my calendar in it and also sections for groceries and menu planning, expiration dates for medications and IDs, financial and retirement notes (we bank online and keep electronic records, but I'm a hard-copy scribbler with some of it), holiday gift planning, animal info like medical / menu / measurements, to-do lists. I've downloaded my brain into it and constantly check it.
Smartphone. Messaging apps that make it easy to reach my family and friends.
Dutch oven. 7.25 quarts of easy and wonderful food.
Potted tree rose. I ordered a small one just this year and was thrilled to see a couple of blooms over the summer.
My eyeglasses. I have to wear them all the time and get something as attractive as possible. Optometrist has a great shop with very helpful techs. I don't change them out if they're structurally sound, so I get something I really really want to see on my face every single time.
And definitely our dogs. We have two and it’s like @MaineLonghorn says, they keep each other entertained. Which is great because I certainly couldn’t keep up with their intelligence and energy! There are some dog-related things that I love, too:
Their harnesses. We're rural so I let them off-leash most of the time but always put the harnesses on. Then I can snap on a long line and still let them run around but have some control. Even without a line, their harnesses have a strap that's a perfect "suitcase handle" to grab hold of without hurting them.
Their puzzle feeders and kongs. Slows down their eating and busies their brains.
Their crates. We have an open concept main level, so the crates are their happy places for meals and quiet time. Cozy quilts, food, and fluffy toys. I wish I had one myself.
I literally am unable to think of any “things” that I simply can’t do without. I actually had never even heard of most of the things on people’s list and couldn’t imagine having a need for most of them. I did check out the shoes, but the one review about office carpeting concerned me because my office has similar carpeting although I might get them for court. H likes to cook, so I may look into the thermapen for him.
As for me, I really don’t get attached to things. I raised my kids the same way. I rotated their toys and discouraged “lovies.”
If there was a fire, I would grab my work computer and the file of personal documents. H can deal with the dog.
I would be bereft if I never had access to real books again, but there are no particular books or authors I am attached to. I have never gotten into e-readers, Kindles or audiobooks or reading on the computer.
Other than that, I have nothing, not jewelry or anything else that I would be upset about if gone. Please note that I am NOT referring to my family, just to inanimate objects.
I like the Kindle because I can take as many books as I want when I go on a long trip. It’s also back lit, so I can read in bed (DH is very sensitive to light so I can’t read at night, otherwise).
I can’t say that I have any things that I can’t live without. Perhaps my favorite thing is a print drawing of a naked and chubby woman smiling in a bathtub. Words don’t do it justice. But it teaches me to be who I am and live in the moment.
Hmm, I’ll give you four. The foundational four of my day:
The cats. (Not things but not people)
The programmable coffeemaker. Coffee ready when I wake up!
The radio. It is a boom box I have had since age 18 and I turn it on to get the news after I feed the cats and grab that first cup of coffee.
My laptop. Because it connects me with the world. After feeding the cats and grabbing the coffee and turning on the radio, I open the laptop to see what happened while I was asleep.
1-3. H and my 2 kids are top of my list.
4. I use my iPhone 6s the most—most of the day most days. I guess that would be next on the list.
5. My mouthguard that I use every night—keeps my teeth from being damaged.
6. My portable and liquid oxygen, keeps me properly saturated with oxygen.
7. Our house—it fits us and our lifestyle and is filled with happy memories
8. I guess the Briggs and Riley suitcase — makes packing fairly easy and helps my clothes stay relatively wrinkle-free.
9. Comfortable footwear—assorted.
10. Thorlo socks—a game changer
Nespresso maker...I've honestly saved a ton of money over the years using this product vs. spending $4 on coffee/day, and frankly blows Starbucks out of the water. The downside is that the capsules are highly non-biodegradable and must be sent to Nespresso to be properly re-used. But they make it relatively easy to do this. Maker was $199, pods $0.70/ea for "lungo" size.
TWG Tea--in particular their signature 1837 Black Tea is just superb. Strong red fruit, lightly floral, and caramel on the finish. Unless you're lucky to live somewhere this Singaporean brand is carried in the US, shipping unfortunately makes this tea pricey but it's still cheaper and a great alternative to luxury tea like Mariage Freres.
Bed. It's nothing super impressive, but it's certainly a place of sanctuary and retreat. Simmons beauty rest mattress + calming Restoration Hardware grey linens.
Soaking tub---so relaxing and a great way to save on spa treatments and stay refreshed in between vacations.
Zyllion massage pillow---great for loosening up tense areas in the shoulders/neck. Perfect for relieving tension headaches. I think it's about $40.
X1 Lenovo laptops--I invested in one 6 years ago and it's so rugged it's going strong still. Expensive laptop, but I've managed to really get my money's worth.
UNIQLO slippers--they're so comfy to wear inside, and rather inexpensive.
Not really a thing but I'd find my life much harder without Amazon!
Korean skin care items--very inexpensive for their quality and efficacy (Missha Time Revolution Essence).
A handful of outstanding businesses with sustainable competitive advantages run by very strong/well incented management teams that I own shares in: Alphabet, Zayo, Brookfield Asset Management, Berkshire Hathaway, Autodesk. This should not be taken as investment advice, just food for thought. Everyone is encouraged to do their own research and come to their own conclusions ; )
1-3. My avatars and my other cat who is not shown! I think pets are considered “things” in my state for purposes of ownership, but they are definitely members of my family.
4. Chanel wallet on a chain. It is a back saver because I can’t stuff it to the gills.
5. My phone.
6. My Surface.
7. My 'S coat. I could ditch all other coats before I get rid of this coat.
8. The large wok-like Scanpan. I make a lot of foods in it.
9. The grill!!! Self-explanatory.
10. The ORCA pass for public transit.
I have a ring my husband gave me for having our son, and recently our son gave me a very special necklace. We also have some family silver that we value. I can’t think of anything else I have or use that isn’t so easily replaceable that I have fond feelings for it or think that it improves the quality of my life to the extent that I “love” it. If our house burned down, I guess I would quickly replace the food processor, small dutch oven, and instant pot, but I’m having a hard time coming up with any thing that is truly special in my life. I do like to read, crochet, and sip DH’s marvelous ice cold martinis, so maybe those are things I “love.”
an old espresso machine–supercharge the brain cells in the morning
my excellent running shoes
nearby parks and river to run in
my old wok – cook everything in it
my computer
cell phone
a crazy antique down-filled chaise lounge with down-filled pillows, fringe, silk covers – can you say comfort?
thick flannel pj bottoms from LLBean
a new cookbook that I’m finding surprisingly excellent called RUN FAST, EAT SLOW–every recipe is delicious. Otherwise NYTimes recipe app and cooking section.
NYTimes, Washington Post, other major newspapers, and real paper books.
@Dustyfeathers, your item 3) reminded me of a thing that many people around here love: the nature conservancy, which was severely damaged by flooding about one month ago. It still exists but hundreds of trees came down, the banks of the creek were eroded, and the path and some bridges were destroyed. I didn’t expect something like this to happen to a much-loved physical feature.
I do love my new car. Never thought I would, never planned to buy it, never thought I’d go back to a small car from an SUV, never thought I’d get or be comfortable with an electric car with no dashboard. but I love this little red Tesla 3!
