Investing in Your Lux Side

Can money buy happiness? The answer is personal, but for the purpose of this blog post the answer is a resounding “YES!” Women’s Health Magazine offered their top five ways to buy yourself a good mood, and the concept got me thinking – what are some of the best luxury items you can indulge in to add a little happiness to the close of a long week?

While we don’t need to spend money we don’t have, it’s OK to splurge on ourselves once in a while. Take a moment to invest in your luxurious self with these simple luxuries:

70 Park Avenue Hotel room

Stay overnight at a lux hotel: Who said you have to leave town to get a vacation? Sometimes getting away just isn’t that easy, so consider staying one night in your hometown, outside of your own bedroom. Hotels are hosting major sales these days. Check out the rates at your local Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Kimpton or W Hotels. Chances are, the room rate is equal to dinner and drinks with friends on a Saturday night.

Treat yourself to the spa: Spa Week is coming up, which means 50% off spa treatments. Enjoy a lavender-infused massage or champagne facial from one your favorite spas. Get there early and enjoy a steam, sauna or just lounging around in one of the spa robes. If you miss Spa Week, contact your favorite place in your city and ask what promotions they’re offering – it’s likely you’ll get a steal on a mid-day appointment.

Red lipstick: Few things ooze sexy like a good red lipstick. Allow yourself a walk around the make-up counter at your favorite department store and find a red lipstick for your skin-tone. Wearing red on a Saturday night out will give you a little sense of lux that your typical shade of pink might be lacking.

New sheets: Nothing says luxury like Egyptian cotton. The best hotels are famous for their luxurious sheets, so why shouldn’t your bed be just as silky? Get rid of the ratty cotton threads and invest in a sexy sheet set. You’ll feel luxurious when you slip under the sheets for bed that night.

Book a vacation: If you haven’t been on vacation this summer, why not book something for later in the year? With all the airfare and hotel deals being offered today, you can easily afford a long weekend in some of the best cities. Think Park Avenue, Beverly Hills or the Magnificent Mile. Want something a little bit country? Try a weekend in Sedona or Napa.

Buy yourself flowers: A fresh bouquet of flowers can brighten up any mood and make anyone a little more luxurious. Put together an arrangement with your florist featuring your favorite flowers and colors, and then allow your florist to throw in a little something extra that they like. The purpose? Putting together your own arrangement is lovely, but everyone loves a little surprise.

So, can money buy happiness? I say so, as long as you spend your dollars wisely.