I have been working on this post for you for a very long time. As you know, I am all about achieving beauty on a budget. However, I do understand that sometimes it’s necessary to buy items that are better quality because in the long run it actually saves you money. I put a lot of thought and research in this one for you so that I could get my top 5 “worth the investment” items that I can’t live without…but where you can find them for cheaper. Because lets face it, I am still ALWAYS looking for a good deal. This post is a little lengthy, I apologize. I promise it will be worth your while :).
Before you read: I talk a lot about Ebates throughout this whole post. Ebates is an incredible company that give you cash back (for real) for whatever you buy on a ton of websites (I mention some of my favorite in this post). Click here to get set up. Be sure to use Ebates when shopping online, and coupons . If you don’t have a coupon, google one! I rarely ever buy online without a coupon, they are so easy to find.
5. Nude or Black Pumps– lets face it, every girl needs a nice nude or black pump. 
WHY their worth the investment: Both of those colors go with everything and for those long days at work or weddings, its nice to know that you have a good comfy pair that won’t break your toes off….we’ve all been there. Being uncomfortable and grumpy because you feel like your feet are about the explode is not the way to go.
WHERE to find them cheaper: Lauren Conrad has a fantastic line sold at Kohl’s (3% cash back through Ebates), I bought two pairs- one black (pictured), one tan- of her peep toe booties about a year ago and I never want to take them off. They give me an excuse to wear heels because they are literally just as comfy as flip flops. They were originally $59 but I bought them with a 30% off coupon so they were about $40. Kohls is always… and I mean ALWAYS having sales. So keep an eye on them and snag up a pair of Lauren Conrad shoes, they are comfy and will last you forever; worth the investment for sure….and these nude pumps are just fun to stare at.
4. Purse– Having at least one nice purse that will last you a years is definitely the way to go.
WHY its worth the investment: I found that I would get these cheap little $10 purses and two months later the silky inside would have a hole in it and I would have to buy a new one, not worth it! If I buy a purse that is a little bit nicer and a neutral color that goes with everything, I treat it better and it stays cleaner (maybe thats just me?)
WHERE to find it cheaper: purses can be so expensive. I am not one to fork out over $50 on any one item… ever so my experience on this one has been trial and error. My favorite high end quality purses, for not high end prices are from H&M. I have two purses (one of them is pictured) from there and the quality amazes me. I have had one of them for over two years now. The purses I have bought from there you can find here and they are $39. However, H&M is constantly having sales, online and in store so sign up for their email list and keep an eye on their sales, I guarantee you can get it for cheaper.
3. Perfume- I love delicious smells! I am such a sucker for a good smell on me and my hubs. But for most of my life I have always bought the cheap “perfume” or opted for the body sprays.
WHY its worth the investment: I hate to say it but the real stuff really does work ten times better. It lasts way longer and smells way better. When I was hooked on the cheap stuff (about $10-$20 bucks a bottle) I would go through an entire bottle in a couple of months, using it day after day, hour after hour because it just wore off. Now, I buy the real stuff and replace it once a year, maybe even once every 18 months, depending. My favorite smell ever is Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture.
WHERE to find it cheaper: For Christmas this past year my hubs got me my favorite Viva La Juicy from retailer Fragrancenet.com (4% cash back through Ebates), a 3.4 oz. for around $40, over half off. Shop around, there are tons of stores that carry perfume and cologne at discounted prices, Sephora (8% cash back through Ebates!), and Perfume.com to name a few.
2. Sterling Silver Ring Or Any Special Jewelry: I am a sucker for personalized jewelry. I love looking at it and having it remind me of something or someone that I care about. 
WHY its worth the investment: If I am buying special jewelry or any ring that I will be wearing more than once, (for fear of green fingers) I always buy sterling silver, not silver plated, the real stuff. If I opt for the $5 ring from Claire’s, in about a week I will be sad because my jewelry is ruined and my finger is green.
WHERE to find it cheaper: Believe it or not, there are so many Etsy (2% cash back through Ebates) shops that sell Sterling Silver jewelry for absolute steals! I have had this exact sterling silver heart ring for almost three years with AJ and I’s initials engraved not he front. I wear it every single day and it still hasn’t worn out or turned my finger green. Its only $18. Amazon is also another fantastic place to get sterling silver jewelry for cheap.
1. Leggings– I don’t know about you but I wear my black leggings way too many times each week than I am willing to admit to you at this moment. I lounge in them, go out in them, play in them, clean in them, etc. 
WHY its worth their worth the investment: If I skimp on my leggings and get the $5 pair of Walmart, there will be, without a doubt, a whole in the crotch within a month. Then I’ll have to buy some more and it turns into this vicious cycle of buying leggings and before I know it I have spent $40 dollars on numerous pairs that I don’t even like.
WHERE to find them cheaper: I got my favorite pair of black leggings over a year and a half ago and they are still in perfect shape. I got them from Victoria’s Secret for about $34, originally $64, I waited until I saw them on sale and used my $10 off any purchase birthday coupon (sign up for this if you haven’t already!). However, I just looked online and found them on clearance for $29.99 here! Buying these leggings and having them last you years is so worth $30, so worth it!
So tell me your thoughts, what are your favorite fashion items that you think are worth the investment?
[…] look. This look features my ALL TIME favorite black leggings that I talked about on my recent post 5 Fashion Items Worth The Investment + Wear To Find Them Cheaper. In that post I talk about the quality of these leggings, where to find them for cheap and why they […]