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Circling back to this conversation from a few weeks ago, as many of you have been messaging me with your own “Regrettably Worth Its” (RWIs) since we first encountered the phrase via A Thing Or Two podcast. A few of the responses that I have heard the most from you all:
Psycho dedication to dental health (specifically, most of you talked about flossing with Cocofloss)
Lake Pajamas (specifically the Relax Set — many of us own in multiple colors)
Less caffeine (probably half of you said this!)
UBeauty lip plasma (20% off with JENSHOOP)
Laser hair removal (strongly agree – money well spent)
Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups
Doing the dishes and packing the lunches at night (e.g. not waiting til morning!)
Dyson AirWrap (this is my personal TOP RWI)
Weekly meal planning
Washing makeup brushes and jewelry
Wearing sunscreen
In my opinion, the number one RWI in life is being the bigger person. It is so hard to bite your tongue / go high when they go low / reach out after an argument / let things go, but nearly always worth it.
What else would you add?
Post Scripts.
+What would you tell your 20 year old self?
+On book repeating – I think this is so fascinating.
Shopping Break.
SKIMS JERSEY TOPS // DYSON AIR WRAP // JUSTIN’S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS // COCOFLOSS // LAKE PAJAMAS RELAX SET // UBEAUTY LIP PLASMA // YVES DURIF VENTED BRUSH // BOMBAS SOCKS
+I bought the Skims tees and Yves Durif brush because of your empassioned claims! I don’t know why I still haven’t bought the Bombas — obviously, I love everything you’ve recommended! I’m no special flower – I need to get on the wagon – and just noticed you can get 20% off your first order with COMFORT20.
+Re: Skims tee. I’m really impressed. They have a very tight weave that holds you in / sucks you in and creates a great silhouette. Perfect with all the barrel / wide leg jeans we’ve been buying. Initially, I boldly ordered a size down in my tees (took XXS instead of XS) since I’m the most petite up top and usually can get away with sizing down. I wish I’d taken my true size — they are TIGHT — but I am keeping them. I was so impressed I went back and ordered more in my true size (XS). I got the short sleeve in black and heather gray and the long sleeved in white and truffle. People also love this lounge dress!
+And speaking of UBeauty, I just got their new FlashPeel in the mail and am SO obsessed. I don’t know if it’s the change in seasons, feeling a little rundown, etc, but my skin has really needed some extra TLC and this delivered instant results. You can use my code JENSHOOP for 20% off. The other item I love from UBeauty is this eye cream. I love love it. Deeply hydrating.
+For those of you who insisted on cleaning jewelry – tell us your tricks/tips! What products do you use? How often? I’m guessing you do more than sporadically use this diamond dazzle stick on your engagement ring…
+This brushed cashmere sweater is under $200 and so good. I’ve been seeing a lot of brushed-effect knitwear all of the sudden — I’m here for it.
+At soccer last weekend, about 50% of the moms were wearing brown leggings. Brown is THE color. SO chic! Love these, but I feel like the airlift ones from Alo are very popular among the moms in my school community.
+The last time I featured this Ann Mashburn bag, a bunch of you bought them. I just noticed they released it in a fab navy/green tartan for the holiday season. How perfect with a simple knit or a cheerful red topcoat?!
+I think these smart table lamps are super chic / architectural.
+This pleated maxi skirt has been very popular among Magpies. So elegant with a black turtleneck.
+Drooling over this ladylike boucle coat (on sale!). While we’re talking statement outerwear, how cool is this $200 mixed plaid top coat from Avec Les Filles?!
+I’m telling you, the Gwrap bags from Joy Creative are such a godsend. I basically only use them for gifting to children. (Some of my favorite go-to gifts for little kids here — the comments are a gold mine!). No tape, no rolls of paper — just drop the item inside and seal with one of the included to/from labels. They look adorable and couldn’t be easier! They just released a holiday set that I ordered in advance!
+Fun fridge magnets.
So funny you mention brown being “THE” color. I love the Varley Freya cowl neck sweatshirt and decided to get it in a chocolate brown. When I tried it I suddenly thought of Friar Tuck and could NOT unsee it, and burst out laughing at myself! I still love the Varley Freya though — in another color, that is 🙂 🙂
LOL. I’ve definitely had moments like this! I felt that way after I wore a velvet HHH dress for Thanksgiving a few seasons ago and someone described it as Disney Rapunzel meets beer wench vibes. LOL. I couldn’t wear it again.
xx
Too funny, Jen! It’s so interesting when our brains do this, and we simply can’t undo it.
All that said, I still love wearing chocolate brown!
Jen, I’m so appreciative of you adding that last point on being the bigger person! 100%. To add to this — taking a long pause before reacting.
But co-sign on Lake Pajamas (the best) and SPF. Lately I was introduced to this mineral sunscreen by a Korean brand, Beauty of Joseon and I am very impressed — no white cast (I’m Fitzpatrick skin type IV if you want to be technical). Relatedly, UPF50 clothing.
Also: Well-made, comfortable shoes. When I’m in uncomfortable shoes the pain radiates up my legs and into my lower back and I am absolutely miserable.
And high quality loose leaf tea.
Love these – agree with all! xxx
“Psycho dedication to dental health (specifically, most of you talked about flossing with Cocofloss)“
Full co-sign! My dental health skyrocketed when I got Invisalign 5 years ago. Add other annoying things like drinking so much water, doubling down on moisturizer and being active every single day to this list. Xx
Oo Invisalign is definite RWI for me. It really changed the way I felt about myself / enabled me to smile more freely!
xx
Paying for a good blowout! Hair has never been my forte and it seems so simple, but I can never get it to look as good as when I have it done professionally (even with all the Dyson hair tools). I am DIY by nature, so it feels frivolous and indulgent to pay for something that I am capable of doing (albeit, not well), but it’s worth the investment every time.
Also in the hair category, Mason Pearson brushes. I remember my mentor out of college (first job) introducing them to me and now they’re a go-to coming of age gift to give.
Co-sign on good blowouts. Where do you go?? I find DryBar pretty inconsistent but haven’t found a great (easy to book) alternative. I know you live in TX but curious if you’ve found some good formula…
And yes to MP brushes, too!!
xx
Augustinus Bader skin care. Ridiculously expensive but incredible.
Oo, tell us more – anything you love besides the cream?
xx
LOccitane Almond Shower Oil is my RWI. Painful to spend so much on a body wash but it’s a luxurious experience and makes skin so soft. I’ve tried some alternatives and none emulate the thick oil and delicious scent. I was excited to find a La Roche Posay shower oil in CVS the other day, but it doesn’t come close!
OK several Magpies have raved about this oil over the years, specifically as a sub for shaving cream. I am going to try. Thank you!
I used to LOVE L’Occitane almond shower oil and used it for years (and yes, for shaving!) until I developed a skin sensitivity and allergies. I now use Avene’s “lipid replenishing cleansing oil” which is fragrance free.
Replacing bed pillows every two years. I know! They’re so expensive. It’s such a boring purchase. It does make a difference. Allergy liners for all the pillowcases. Changing pillowcases as often as feels reasonable (we do twice a week, allergies). Shoutout to the one old west elm pillow my husband won’t let me toss that’s going on a decade. Likewise, throwing out old skincare and makeup (lipsticks are a year or two). Bonus is it’s incentive to “use it or lose it.”
The Artipoppe carrier. This is my second baby, so I used to mock it and its purchasers, and I’ve put in many hours with many other carriers, but it really is noticeably better. Sorry new parents!!
My Jura coffee maker that grinds the beans and foams the milk at the touch of a button. We’re in the Riviera and it’s better than 95% of the cappuccinos I get out. The secret is to clean it thoroughly often, as it does affect the taste, but the removeable parts mostly go in the dishwasher.
Can not sing the praises for JURA enough, you will rarely buy coffee/espresso out again
Intrigued…!
Intrigued by all this love for the Jura!! xx
Armra Colostrum. I feel like this product is very polarizing, but for me, absolutely an RWI. Since I started taking it daily two years ago, I haven’t been sick once (knock on wood!), my hair grows faster, and my IBS symptoms have been so much better. It’s so pricy but I can’t argue with the results.
Also, the Vitamix blender. I remember when we bought it years ago thinking “who in their right mind spends $500 on a blender?!” But we use it every single day and nothing blends, pulverizes, and crushes better than that thing! It’s 12 years old at this point and works as great as the day we bought it!
Hi Melanie! +1 on the Vitamix — this is most definitely RWI! Mine is probably as old as yours is too, and still working incredibly well. I had been living in Cleveland at the time (not far from where the factory is) and was fortunate to get a “certified reconditioned” one at a discount. I was told by the sales person there that these are usually used maybe once at a demo, so practically brand new.
1000% agree with the Vitamix!!! We use ours daily, and sometimes twice a day – first to make smoothies in the morning and often to prepare something else (soup, sauce, etc). They are so incredibly powerful and well-made. I don’t know if everyone knows this, but the clean up is SO easy too — rinse quickly under the tap, then fill about 1/3 of the way with warm water and a pump of soap, then return to the stand and blend for one minute. It cleans for you!!! Then you just rinse out the suds.
xx
Amen to the Vitamix!! xx
I use these two products to clean my jewelry:
https://a.co/d/c5GCdeG
https://a.co/d/63JxzWR
I mix the solution with warm water in the tank of the machine and run for 3 minutes. Then I rinse with water, lay everything out on a clean towel, and gently blow dry with cold air. It takes max 10 mins and my jewelry looks brand new after. It makes me really happy when I catch sight of my sparkles…. I guess joy sparking is my threshold for whether something is RWI 🙂
Oo la la! Thank you!
I wish there was some sort of “test drive” option for the Dyson Air Wrap. My hair does not hold a curl but the reviews of similar folks saying this works has me intrigued but I can’t come to terms with spending the money to see for myself.
Re: jewelry cleaning, my favorite method is a small glass bowl with a little warm water with a tiny drop of blue Dawn dish soap (or any other dish soap – I favor blue Dawn for cleaning grimy things). Swirl it around and soak your ring or other jewelry for 10 minutes or 15 minutes. I use a dedicated soft bristle toothbrush to very gently get around the diamond and then dry with a dedicated cloth, the kind that come with glasses. And that’s it! So easy and I don’t worry about the cleaner being too harsh for my jewelry. The most stressful is worrying it will get dumped down the sink so I usually label with a bright post it to avoid any catastrophes.
Smart!! Love all these details — thank you!
Also, I am the same – my hair NEVER holds a curl. The Dyson works REALLY.
xx
I’m SO glad you’re on the dyson airwrap bandwagon now! my hair previously never held a curl and it’s been such a gamechanger for big bouncy waves.
100%. I just got back from a trip and I was SO sad to not have it with me!!
Stretching and foam rolling every single morning. Not just wearing sunscreen but, covering up in the sun and risking looking like a never nude.
So the thing that convinced me (I’ve always worn high SPF) is that I was very very diligent with my mask during 2 years of pandemic, beyond my usual hat and sunglasses, and my derm said my skin had rewound the clock in that time! It’s motivation to make like Nicole Kidman. I started wearing a long sleeve UPF zip in the pool and I’m on the lookout for a chic and lightweight UPF button down so I can buy big and cover the backs of my hands.
Hi Kelly! Have you looked into the brand Coolibar? This was recommended by my derm for UPF50 clothes. I get this skin condition called “polymorphic light eruption” (I still laugh at the term, because it sounds like a science experiment gone wrong) and so I am very sun sensitive. I haven’t looked into this brand’s button-downs specifically, but I like that they make non-sportswear UPF50 clothes. I personally love their striped long sleeve tees and cardigans.
Have also heard good things about this brand!
Hard to find in Europe but I could ask my folks! Locally I was looking at Ker-Sun.
Stretching is a really good one. I absolutely cannot run without stretching before or after or I really feel it / injure myself.
xx
Good morning from Cali,
My ask is this, I am in need of a new hip lap top cover, and phone case. Something edgy, cool, but classic
Thank you in advance.
I tried to look for past post on this but I could not find it anywhere.
Thank you
BTW: I enjoy reading your post every morning along with drinking my fresh press-coffee
Thank you so much! Got your question and will do some recon! xx