goldenpig

39 Comments

• Lyn D. replied 10 years ago

  I haven't celebrated any milestone birthdays in this way, but have gifted to myself diamond stud earrings and had my Mother's ring remodelled to my taste.
  I feel that jewellery can always be updated, but not so much designer bags etc.
  An exciting purchase to plan!

• harmonica replied 10 years ago

  Squeee - so exciting!! My milestone birthday is in May next year, but my best gift would be to see the end of my PhD thesis ;-)

  Anyway - I think all your suggestions are interesting. You love purses and jewellery, so that would be a great place to invest. If you are ok with designer items that get a really high CPW (because you like to mix it up, not wearing only one piece), I think 2.55 would be great. But I do like the idea of some really nice pearls. They are classic items that never will get outdated and you will have the memory of this birthday forever. You could mix them up with other jewellery too.

• rute replied 10 years ago

  I love nice bags but I could never spend $5000 on a bag.

  If I were to choose a bag I would go for a $500 LV.
  I love the ideia of a watch or a trench coat, pratical and a life investment.

  My hubby gave me a Burberry camel coat, love it, so warm, but light weighted, perfect fit.

• goldenpig replied 10 years ago

  Yes Lyn, that is true that jewelry is longer lasting and is more of an "heirloom". Although, a 2.55 could be an heirloom to pass down to DD too, right? ;)

  Harmonica, I agree, I feel like people say every woman should own a strand of pearls. But then, who really wears them? I haven't seen any WIWs here of anyone wearing a single strand of pearls (as opposed to the fashion blogger-y pile of faux pearls). It just seems so...classic and staid. And if I wear it with my fit and flare skirts and dresses would the effect be too mature? I hope your thesis goes well and that you finish soon!

  Rute, if I had to pick something that I would wear the most it would probably be a watch, since I wear the same watch every day. I'm pretty happy with my silver Tissot though, so I'm not sure if I need anything fancier (maybe it would be nice to have a dressier watch for more formal events, though).

• CocoLion replied 10 years ago

  If it were me, I'd get a Rolex.  A classic item and you can pass it down to your daughter.  You could wear it every day and think of your DH.   My Dad always bought fine jewelry for my Mother because she never bought herself nice clothes (weight problem for many years) or went shopping.  So he rewarded her with fine jewels, something for every birthday.  He gave her a gold Omega watch one year which I borrow from her.  But I prefer a Rolex as it is sportier.

  My second vote would be for a Burberry trench.  As I have said several times before on YLF (so apologies if you are getting sick of reading me "say" this again!) -- my dearly departed Dad wore a Burberry trench it seems for most of his life.  It just never gave out and I forever associate it with him.  But I understand that not every one would have this connection.

  So -- on that line of thinking, is there something you can get that you would associate with loved one or a loving memory?  Or someone you admire?  Even if it's someone you haven't met IRL like Angie!!!

• replied 10 years ago

  I would go for a Burberry or the Chanel. Do you wanna know what I had for my 40th? A new stove/cooker for the kitchen as we were doing it up at the time and it was what I wanted lol! Mind you I can still cook up a storm in it 9 years later!

• Krista replied 10 years ago

  I'm with Denise - I would go for a watch. Pardon the pun, but its a pretty timeless gift and I like her suggestion of being able to pass it on to your daughter.

  I have coveted certain purses for years (like a Birkin - ahhhhhhh!) but I've come to realize this is truly a fantasy life purchase and I would enjoy a watch so much more. I'm turning 40 this year too - I have enjoyed reading your thought process about this! :)

• VernieJane replied 10 years ago

  Agreed--a Watch is a perfect way to mark a milestone birthday...diamond studs are also an amazing timeless gift, but you have to be careful nowadays to be sure of th origin of your diamonds, not to support the horrible wars and torture of the people who live in the areas where they are mined in Africa :( I'm nearing the 40 mark, and I must say, a luxury item would certainly make the transition a lot easier to swallow. Saw a cute T shirt online earlier: "Adults suck and then you become one" So true!

• Thistle replied 10 years ago

  I have fluctuated in weight so much in my life I would never think an article of clothing a long term investment piece. So, to me, a coat wouldn't do it.

  You have a lot of beautiful bags. I am not a bag coniseaur, so I had to google the 2.55. It is a nice and iconic bag you could have forever. If you love it, go for it. CPW won't count on this as it will never go out of style and you will have it forever. And you will think of DH when you see it. It matches your texture rich feminine style.

  I love jewelry, so I am biased. But, I can't spend it on myself. I still have my bonus from last October to spend on myself and haven't. In the case of fine jewelry, for me, it is easier of DH buys it as he has no trouble spending like that on me. :)

  Go for pretty dangling earrings if you love them. Rubies, or sapphires, whatever you lve. You can always have it reworked for your 60th if you choose. :)

• replied 10 years ago

  I had a 2.55 on my sight for my trip to Paris but ended up not getting it. I saw a family of 5 woman getting on a tour bus, sporting them in each and every color and thet just felt... Cliche...

  With that said, I vote the Chanel but see if you are longing for it for a while. My most expensive bag is probably 1/3 of the price of a Chanel but it was one that I petted and researched for a while. 3 years later, I still believe it is the perfect black satchel. I was so afraid of going into buyer's remorse.

  If not, I vote for the Tiffany heart necklace.

  LV is heavily counterfeited here so I have opted out of the classic monogram, for now. As such, I vote for the burgundy LV third.

• Rambling Ann replied 10 years ago

  DH buys jewelry :-)  
  For the lower end of the price range, I also consider a Hermes or Gucci scarf. Probably vintage. 

• Eliza replied 10 years ago

  When it comes to splurges like this, I find myself gravitating to something more unique that becomes iconic to me, but not something others would necessarily view as such.  I have had jewelry custom made for a few occasions, usually choosing a ring or earrings as I always have worn those and I frequently "go off" necklaces.  I wear an anniversary gift ring every day, on my right hand. I like that my husband and I "created" it together.

  That said, I think finding one's path with these types of gifts is part of the fun. It truly is all about you.  Trust your gut and enjoy. 

• Sarah A replied 10 years ago

  I like Denise's ideas. A great watch! Rolex for $$$. Omega or Tag could have something nice if you have less to spend.

• Joy replied 10 years ago

  We usually celebrate milestones with a great trip. Why don't you and Mr. GP go somewhere special this year? You get fabulous memories and will be thankful you went when you are young when you are older.

• Sara L. replied 10 years ago

  I haven't really thougtht too much about this (my 40th is this year too) because we usually go on trips for big milestones, but I would go for some sort of jewelry.  I also prefer to change up my accessories and like bigger necklaces.  But I wear smaller pendants on the weekends - I don't want a big necklace getting in the way while doing stuff with the kids, cleaning or cooking, so you might still get a lot of use out of a smaller necklace.

• Sona replied 10 years ago

  French Cartier tank or classic Rolex.

  As a proceduralist I know the only piece of jewelry you guys usually wear is a watch I think? It is that way for surgeons for sure: they can only wear a watch in to the OR so a watch is always a great idea for those in such a field.

  My personal vote would be for the Cartier tank. ( slightly below $5K. Most Rolexes are more than that).

• Angie replied 10 years ago

  Hot off the press 2.55's start at about $5000 with tax, unless you purchase them secondhand. If that's in the budget, that's my top vote. See Kelly sport hers on today blog posts with the utmost panache! ICONIC. And I just know you would wear it Natalie, and it matches your style beautifully.

  I am all over the watch idea next. Cartier tank - the larger size - would be my choice for your style. Or a baby Rolex - not the larger size.

  Burberry trench - if it's a playful style - it would work beautifully with your dresses.

  And last, get thee to Mikimoto for the best pearls on the planet.

  (Chuckling @ Denise)

  I haven't officially got my big 40th b-day present because we were going to go to HK and buy something very meaningful from my favourite city in the world. But Jasmine was very sick at the time so we couldn't travel. The trip is still pending and so is my prezzie :)

• replied 10 years ago

  I'm with Sona. Since you change your jewelry and bags to go with each outfit (and you have lots of different coats). But a really nice watch you would wear every single day. I love the Cartier tank watches and I have a two-toned Rolex that DH gave me 21 years ago and I've worn it pretty much 24/7 for all those years. He bought it pre-owned so it wasn't that expensive. I'd say I've gotten the CPW down pretty far by now, lol!

• Angie replied 10 years ago

  HAHAHAHA!!!! Claire, we posted at the same time :)

• Carole replied 10 years ago

  What fun.....it's hard when you have such a big window to choose from....I can see how each of these would make the perfect milestone birthday gift...but I vote watch or studs because they are classic and can be worn everyday. I prefer dangle earrings also, but studs are the perfect everyday type of earring that won't interfere with other accessories.

• T-Rex replied 10 years ago

  If you decide to go with a 2.55, you may want to contact the woman who runs this shop. Her name is Airee Hong, and I trust her when it comes to vintage clothing, accessories, etc.
  
  https://www.facebook.com/agoravintage‎
  

  
  As for justifying a splurge by using it every day for the rest of your life...isn't a splurge, by definition, something you don't need to justify? I wouldn't worry about that part.

  If you decide not to go the 2.55 route, then try to think of things that you consistently admire when you see them. You may not even have them on your radar as things to own yet. If you have some time to think about it, why don't you put a little notebook in your pocket (or use your smartphone) and just make a note when you see something you like, whether it's something in real life, in an advertisement, or in a movie or TV show. Be careful of choosing something because it's iconic and you think you *should* own it. Then give your brain some time to marinate on the subject.

  Or...since you are turning 40, maybe that can be the starting point for choosing your gift. What iconic fashion items originated 40 years ago, more or less? That would have been 1973. Is there anything from around that year that you really love? 

• Susie replied 10 years ago

  I too think a nice watch is a wonderful gift for a milestone birthday. A Rolex or Cartier tank would both be iconic items. And Tag as several great styles that are less than those.   

  For my 50th, I got diamond earrings from my husband. While I occasionally wear them as studs, I usually- almost daily wear them with silver "jackets." The jackets are special to me too because I got them in St. John which is where we went for our honeymoon. Plus they are designed to resemble a type of coral that we saw lots of while snorkeling there. 

  I plan to add a pair of gold jackets too. 

  Have fun planning!

• MsMary replied 10 years ago

  I'd go for the Rolex, I think.  Although if it were me it would be an Omega. 

  What a fun dilemma!!

• Nebraskim replied 10 years ago

  When I turned 30, I bought myself an expensive for me at the time gold Seiko watch that I still wear 28 years later. We had a milestone anniversary this year, and my husband surprised me with the most beautiful diamond and sapphire ring ever. I LOVE it. I had no idea how much I would admire it. I am not a big jewelry person. I wear my diamond engagement ring and wedding band, my watch (both are gold) and white gold diamond hoop earrings every day. And now my sapphire ring, which is set in platinum. I sort of like the mixing of the metals. I'm 1/2 Asian, so my skin tone looks great with the platinum and blue. When I was choosing my engagement and wedding rings long ago, someone said to me, "choose pieces that are classic and not trendy. You want to be able to look at them in 15 or 20 years and still love them." It was good advice.

• goldenpig replied 10 years ago

  I'll definitely have to look into the watch and jewelry options. I'll ask DH, he seems to know a lot about watches. Maybe a high end reconaissance trip to SF is in order! Just imagine, browsing in Chanel and Cartier and Rolex and Burberry....I'll take one of those, and one of those, dahling.... ;)

  I'll come back later after work to respond to all of your great suggestions in more detail. But Angie, OMG...Kelly's pic with the red Chanel bag...I DIE!

  I know black is the more sensible choice for a Chanel, but the red makes my heart pound! I would wear black and white every day just to get that pop of red. In fact I'm going to wear a black and white outfit and wear my red WHBM purse today (and pretend it's a Chanel flap, LOL).

• harmonica replied 10 years ago

  Some Mikimoto pearls ;-)

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• Diana replied 10 years ago

  I would get the Burberry or a watch.  They seem like the ones you would use the most and that would last the longest.  (At least for me, I find that I abuse bags so a designer bag would not be a good investment for me if I wanted to ever use it.)  Watches are more durable and Burberrys last forever. 

  I don't have a super high end watch, but I do have a Movado museum watch (they run around $500-1000, generally) that I wear all the time.  It's not as flashy as some more expensive watches, so I don't feel conspicuous at all in it.

  And if and when I get a real faculty job I have promised myself a black Burberry!

• ElleH replied 10 years ago

  There are so many great suggestions here so i will only add that the value of diamonds & precious metals usually increases. I'm not sure if that matters to you but I would think of those as a true investment.

• cinnamon fern replied 10 years ago

  It doesn't sound like there's any one thing you've been longing for, and $5000 seems like a lot of money to spend on something you don't love.  (Or need, though that's irrelevant here.)  So I second Joy's suggestion of a trip.  Just the two of you, some place neither of you have ever been.

  And if later you find yourself wishing you'd gone for the Rolex, you can get it for your anniversary :)

• replied 10 years ago

  @Angie, nice. Great minds think alike, lol!

  FWIW, I have pearls and I still struggle with styling them. It's true, you usually only see them in piles these days. My strand feels lonely and so "dated dressy" in a casual outfit, and needy and not blingy enough with a cocktail dress. 

• rae replied 10 years ago

  I have been thinking about this, too, since my own milestone birthday is coming up. I will be watching to see what you get! It is a tough call because you love variety so much that it is hard to think of something you'll wear every day. I would pick whichever one you would use often, forever. 

• DonnaF replied 10 years ago

  Hmmm.  I like the idea of the watch for you since you know you wear watches.  Perhaps you need to figure out whether you would wear fine jewelry very often and if that would be in keeping with your style, esp. as you venture into a tougher style now and then.  And a Chanel 2.55 bag seems very Natalie. . . .

  As to a trip?  Seems like a great plan for an anniversary.  And a Burberry?  I would save it for next year after you have stopped breastfeeding and your size has stabilized.  (I don't know about you, but it took me a couple of years for my size to settle down even in the shoulders and other weird places.)

  Fun to dream and imagine, isn't it?

• Echo replied 10 years ago

  The issue here is that different things matter to each person, so our opinions about what we would get might not excite you as much. I'd always go for jewelry for myself (solid gold bangles or diamond studs), and if you go with pearls, I would go with South Seas or Tahitians. Tahitians are larger and their colour makes them more of a statement piece that you might find easier to wear than smaller white pearls.

  It sounds like you are most excited about the bag, to be honest, and if that is the case, I think you should get it. And I would definitely get the Chanel in red. It would go well with your style and be more neutral than you might think. I'd go Chanel or Bottega Veneta over LV.

  I don't wear a watch, but a watch is a very long-lasting piece if you wear one. My preference would be a mid-size Cartier Ballon Bleu over a Rolex, but brand and style is personal preference.

  Congratulations on your upcoming 40th!

• goldenpig replied 10 years ago

  Zap, did you see the 2.55 in person? What did you think of the sizes and colors?

  I have been secretly mooning over the 2.55 for at least a year, but thought it was too extravagant so I didn't mention it. But maybe as a special occasion gift. And I have a raise coming at work soon. And I have always loved red purses. When I only had one bag it was red (Fossil tote).

  Dh is going on a diving trip himself to Australia this month as a reward for wt loss. He wants me to go to Fiji with him next yr on a dive boat for our 15th anniversary but I'm not sure about leaving the baby. We did it 2 yr ago when Ds was 17 mo, my mom came to watch them for a week, but 3 is a lot to handle. That was our first trip away from the kids and I missed them a lot, so last year dh went by himself.

• rachylou replied 10 years ago

  I'm a traditionalist and vote for real jewelry, which will last forever. I really like the luxury watch idea.

• goldenpig replied 10 years ago

  Dh asked me again what I wanted and I told him I'd love a red Chanel purse. He actually said he wants to take me out to dinner in the city this weekend and that we could go take a look. I don't know if he knows how much they are though. I just said they were super expensive. I am excited just to go looky-look! Maybe we'll stop by a watch or jewelry shop to look too.

• bj1111 replied 10 years ago

  i'm with rachy...old school jewelry.  i call it my "fleeing the country" fund.  always liquid.

  in the perfect world, i would get the cartier ballon in 28mm, or santos.  the tank--solo or francaise--is a classic, but a really really common watch so i would get this one used.

  if you are looking for pearls, go to mikimoto for education, then buy from http://www.pearlparadise.com/  .  i have no stake in this company.  i am a very very satisfied buyer.  i lust for these golden tahitians.

  wait...we were talking about you...ummm, yes, jewelry!

• retailgirl replied 10 years ago

  Oh my goodness! What a dilemma! I would choose the watch, first, a Cartier or rolex. Second, the Chanel bag, although it would be hard to pick the color...probably black, but then what color hardware? I think diamond studs are a must have but if you don't wear studs, then, no.

  Question for Angie: why do you suggest the larger Cartier tank? I recently bought one for myself, (to mark a personal milestone), and I got the smaller, women's model. And I tried them all on. I am not petite but I do have slender wrists and it just looked better, to my eye.

• T-Rex replied 10 years ago

  So I did my usual "down the rabbit hole" thing and went off to research vintage chanel bags. I found this article which seems to have a lot of good information.

  http://www.iamstyle-ish.com/20.....o-buy.html