Everyday Extravagances
Some might call it a waste of money, but I find fancy dish soap a real pick-me-up. Let’s face it: the dishes are a daily drudgery that, from where I’m sitting, don’t look like they’re going anywhere. To me, something in a pretty bottle with a nice label that’s easy on my hands and the environment is a worthy splurge. What can I say? I’m a sucker for packaging.
And I’m not the only one: I have a friend who once spent $20 on lavender laundry detergent made in Provence. Come to think of it, I have another friend who spent $20 on a attractive glass bottle of laundry detergent just for her delicates. Is that five times as expensive as the stuff in the grocery store? Probably. Did it make the onerous task of washing clothes and undies more pleasurable? You betcha.
This, I think, is an important part of learning to spend your money wisely. It’s all about what’s important to you. It’s worth it to me, for example, to spend extra money on free-range, organic chicken. It’s worth it to me to spend a fiver ever few weeks to buy some fresh blossoms for the bedroom. It’s worth it to me to buy lemon verbena scented dish soap. It’s not worth it to me to buy tabloids, to pick up a couple new accessories at Forever 21, or to go out for a $7 beer. But those are just my choices. Celebrity mags and pricey beers and cheap accessories can be beautiful things. In fact, they might bring you so much pleasure that no matter what they cost, they’re worth it. That’s what’s so hard sometimes about understanding how other people spend their money. But it’s also what’s so lovely about deciding what’s right for you. As a friend says, “it’s just the price of happiness today.”
B.: I think I’ve seen that soap at Target. At my house, there’s a glass fish with a stopper thing that lets you pour out the soap, so we use that and ignore the bottle, but I do use the lavender and vanilla laundry detergeant, just to make my clothes and sheets smell nice. And I suppose it’s worth paying double for that than the normal blue goo, if it makes me happy.2 years ago
I tried to put dish soap in a syrup dispenser once thinking that would look cute but it got clogged up pretty fast. I think, by the way, that you probably have the best smelling laundry in the world.
2 years ago
Lisa (dinner party): Thanks for this–I am actually trying to resist the call of F21′s cheap accessories today. What is it about that place? It’s so not worth it…and yet I feel I NEED cheap necklaces. So strange.2 years ago
Dana: Well stated! I always buy those gorgeous smelling large bars of fancy soap for our shower. Yes, they are over $10 but they make the whole bathroom smell good, and they are so big that they last for several months. I also buy good dish soap.2 years ago
piper jacquelyn: I’m such a sucker for these products! I love them, and I love looking at them even more. I just bought some of the J.R Watkins prods @ Target & always get compliments on the hand soap in my bath. So worth it in my opinion!2 years ago
Shandell's: Cleaning my counters have never been the same since I found Mrs. Meyer’s. Everything from washing my clothes to my dishes.2 years ago
Karen: I buy specialty cleaning products too. I love the Caldrea counter top/all purpose cleaners. I just finished a tin of Jane Inc. laundry soap…. loved it!
I also keep handmade artisan soaps at every sink in the house. There are so many fabulous artisans making amazing natural soaps…. old fashioned goodness.
For me these little luxuries help to make everyday tasks more enjoyable.2 years ago
Alison: Dana, can you recommend a brand for those fancy shower soaps? I’m always trying to get the kind that will make the whole bathroom smell good!2 years ago
The Single Gal: Ok, I’ll ‘fess up – I have $22 liquid hand soap from Savon de Marseilles. Because it smells amazing & the glass bottle is super chic…
I also decant my dish soap into a pretty glass bottle with a dispenser-spout-thing…just ’cause.
So nice to have found kindred spirits
2 years ago
Katelynn: I too am a sucker for these products. The only problem I have is that when I spend more money on an item that does make me happy, I am less inclined to use it because I don’t want to waste it.2 years ago
Christine S.: I so agree….I’d much rather spend on these types of splurges! The Watkins line is nice, haven’t tried the other two, though. I’ve become somewhat of an addict to L’Occitane soaps….love the pretty feeling the soft lather and fragrant bubbles leaves behind! Where I feel the most decadent splurges are on kitchen items and fragrances (in the form of soap, perfume, bath gel, laundry detergent, fabric softeners, powders)….occasionally, a great red Chanel lipstick!2 years ago
The Flying Quiche: How funny to see I’m not the only one! J.R Watkins or Mrs. Meyers are always on hand for dishes in my kitchen. And Lemon Verbena is definitely my favorite scent. I found that the geranium hand soap from Mrs. Meyers didn’t actually smell like geraniums which is quite unfortunate. But yes, I completely agree that these are well worth the splurge.
(Well, that and Cucina lotion on my desk at work!)2 years ago
Ashley: Oh my word, Sarah, I love this blog entry – and for so many reasons…2 years ago
rachael: I am a massive fan of the lovely smelling dish and hand soaps.
In fact I make my cleaning products myself, not because I am pretentious, but because I have mega allergies to cleaning products.
I typically use unscented organic liquid soaps, use coconut oil as a moisturizer, vinegar and borax as cleaners…and all get a luxe kick in the pants thanks to my trusty extra large bottle of pure lavender essential oil.
It has a high-impress-to-effort ratio.2 years ago
geek+nerd: Doing dishes is my absolute least favorite chore ever. I think this comes from my scarring first job as a dish washer at a fried seafood joint. Scarring!
However, Mrs. Meyers almost makes me want to do dishes. I *love* the lavender and the geranium scent. Mmm-Mmm!2 years ago