My friends Annabel and Helen, recently blogged about stocking your pantry well, and how keeping just a few comfort foods can sustain you when times are tough. I couldn't agree more.
I like to take that one step further though, and keep one or two things that cost little, but that I consider essential for living luxuriously for less.
Pictured above is the T2 Spi Chai tea...the ingredients include cardamom pods, cinnamon quills, jasmine and rose petals...what's not to like? I brew mine in a Swedish press, and enjoy it in a fine china cup, with just the teeniest drizzle of honey. I adore the earthy flavours and enticing scent, and it just makes me feel special.
Buy it, or your own preferred blend, here.
Fresh birds eye chilli, from my sons bush, grown in his tiny courtyard. A few thin slivers of one of these elevates your Thai Chicken Salad or Pasta aglio olio to a new authenticity. Anyone can grow a chilli bush in a pot. Just keep them out of reach of children. My brothers were tempted by the pretty red, to eat several when they were young. Whilst it didn't kill them, they certainly weren't tempted again!
Edible rose petals. Available in specialty tea stores, or here. Just 50gms of these has given me gorgeous edible sprinkles for cakes, cookies, tea and desserts for nearly two years. Very special.
Other ideas might include fresh herbs, a single block of really good chocolate, a block of parmesan cheese, waffle cones and ice cream, a special flavoured oil for salads, or even sugar cubes which I thought were the height of sophistication when I was younger. We all have our little quirks ;-)
I find that having my luxury foods in my pantry or garden, makes me feel rich, and prevents me looking elsewhere for my rich fix.
...Mimi...
Mimi I am thinking little luxuries make the world of difference to our whole lives! There are some things that arent really expensive but add so much like sun dried tomatoes or caramelised onions... or for me, pink writing paper and a nice cup to drink from... to others that are really expensive but we only need such tiny amounts that they work out ok... like good quality chocolate or a little salmon to top a salad. Either way you feel rich not deprived. Also some things add "richness" to meals like a lovely serving tray, beautiful glasses, flowers on the table... Beautiful things that make things seem special! Love! Thank you for mentioning us, Helen got me thinking of things I could add that would make my supplies more enjoyable. xxx
ReplyDeleteAnnabel, I love the idea of pink writing paper. How divine! Yes all those little things make such a difference to our quality of life, and without spending a cent. I think elegant living is largely a state of mind and not really anything to do with money as such. Little pleasures in our day just make us feel that life is abundant. Mimi..xxx
DeleteLovely ideas Mimi , Im working on what are luxuries to us, and I love the rose petals, thats a new idea for me. Waffle cones sound good too , thanks, love IK xx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to have helped you find a new little luxury IK...xxx
DeleteIt's funny you should mention chillis, I just bought a plant so DP can have fresh chilli to his heart's content. Unfortunately, the next day all the leaves had been eaten by a possum, bandicoot or some other wildlife. Then I remembered that I had tried this before ;( Some other kind of indulgence might have to do! Fiona x
ReplyDeleteHmmmm....would putting the pot in a bird cage help Fiona? Naughty possum! xxx
Deleteyes I agree Mimi! My life feels so rich with little indulgences added to it no matter how little money I have.
ReplyDeleteSo true Debbie. The little touches that make us smile, are so important. We all have our off days, and I know that sometimes a cuppa in a gorgeous cup and a single bloom in a vase just reminds me that so long as I am living and breathing and have a roof over my head and some simple pleasures, then life is good. Mimi xxx
DeleteGreat tip. Certain herbs and spices, along with slivers of good quality chocolate do it for us.
ReplyDeleteGood quality choccie is a must ;-)
DeleteFor me it is things like Udon noodles and Miso, and sushi making supplies because those speak comfort to me and transport me back to my childhood. I also try to keep some mushrooms sauteed in butter, lemon and garlic in the freezer to add to dishes and frozen shrimp which speaks of luxury to me.
ReplyDeleteOh Yum, Debbie. I agree, childhood memories figure largely in 'luxury' purchases. Isn't that funny? Mimi xxx
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