We All Have Our Thing

***Nothing that follows is intended to be angry or snarky, but rather as simply matter of fact.  So, please read it as such.

Do you find that trouble comes in waves?  It's not just one thing at a time; it's several all at once.  I've had a few run-ins this week with rude people and nasty comments and most recently I had a bit of a squabble with a relative about my wardrobe, specifically about the cost of my wardrobe.  My relative, let's call him Jake, nearly egressed a brick when he heard the cost of a dress by a certain Matoshi sister.   I don't have to justify myself, but I easily can.

It's true that I have spent large sums of money on my clothes.  I know I'm not alone in that regard.  In a recent conversation with a fellow fashionista on Insta, she related to me that if she added up how much money she'd spent on Matoshi dresses, she would probably throw up.  We both laughed because I know the feeling.

Jake couldn't relate, or so he thought.  He felt that the dress was absurd and that spending that much money on clothing was ridiculous and utterly foolish.  Perhaps.  But, at this point I must note that Jake rolled up in a $45,000 truck and has every game system released in the last decade complete with a bevy of games to accompany them.  He also has a huge home, richly furnished, complete with a digital assistant in every room.  Jake is deeply in debt.  I am debt-free.  In most areas of my life I live very simply.  This is the one area where I splurge.  It's my thing.

You see, we all have that area that we feel it's worth it to be extravagant.  Some of us like nice cars, nice homes, fancy vacations, and entertainment in all its forms.  Some of us like getting our hair and nails done at the most exclusive salons.  Ever read stories about the pioneers living in shacks with dirt floors, who still came up with a little tobacco money now and then?  Spending money on comforts and luxuries is something we all do.  It gives us something to look forward to, to enjoy in our free time, to make all the toil easier to bear.  We shouldn't deny ourselves that, and we shouldn't pretend we're immune to it.

Fashion is just something I love, always have.  I don't spend excessively on cars (they're all used) or a home (also used and extremely cheap), or electronic gadgets (before Mr. Bleu I had a 13" tube t.v. from the 90s and I only watched movies because paying for cable seemed like a waste.  While living in England, I didn't watch television for a year because it wasn't worth it to me to rent a t.v. and pay for the license).  I don't enjoy those things and they're not necessities.  A car is; a luxury car is not.  But, Jake spent the extra money because he wanted the luxury, because it brought him enjoyment.  Clothes are a necessity, extravagant gowns and vintage styles are not, but they bring me enjoyment, so I am willing to spend more.

True, there are times when I spend too much.  Chances are if you have something you enjoy, the time will come when you go overboard.  I have been working diligently to keeping my spending in check and am doing rather well, and as a result, I can now afford a few nicer things with my clothing budget and focus more on the photography element of my blog rather than the shopping.  My point is just this, whatever it is you enjoy, be balanced about it, enjoy it just for you and don't worry about what others think, even when they make rude comments.  They've got their things too, we all do.

Shopping Info: Top from Shein, Skirt from ChicWish, Heels from ModCloth