Reading · OBSE$IONS by Cassie Thorpe

There’s a trend going around in which people are sharing the expensive things they think are worth the money…this is sort of what my whole career is based on, so naturally I have to get involved.

I’ve enquired within, and been very discerning with myself on the pricey bits that I’d buy over and over again - below is a list of fifteen, from beauty, to fashion and a little inbetween.

Tracie Giles Brows

Do you understand how freeing it is to never have to buy another brow product?! I haven’t even so much as looked in the direction of a brow this-or-that for five years (I think it might be more like six tbh), because I’ve been getting hybrid brows done at Tracie Giles in London. They’re a permanent make up specialist and they do every type of brow technique you could think of from powder brows, to ombre and the result is always natural. I get touch ups every 18 months or so, whenever I visit home around that time and I wouldn’t dream of going back to drawing mine on every day.

This video is from 2024, but you get the idea.

Victoria Beckham Foundation Drops

I bought these foundation drops purely out of skepticism and they very quickly proved their worth to me. The finish is beautiful, skin-like and radiant but not shiny (buildable coverage btw, but this isn’t a full beat kind of product) and a little really does go a long way - I use a drop on each cheek and on my forehead and I’m still on my first bottle that I bought in October last year. I wear shade 4, and a cheaper comparable option (bit more sheer coverage) would be Lisa Eldridge’s skin tint.

Eight Sleep

Whilst Nii has many positives, one huge negative is the fact that he can’t sleep with the AC on (he claims it makes him ill 😒), so you can imagine the hardship I’ve endured each Summer. One leg out from the covers, both legs out, only sleeping with a top sheet, turning the pillow every 20 minutes, you get the picture. It’s been hell. I had to do many mental gymnastics to justify the price of the Eight Sleep but, oh my gosh, it has been a GODSEND! It’s a cover that goes on top of your mattress with tiny tubes (that you can’t feel) that cool and heat water through them. You can adjust the temperature for each half of the bed, so Nii can have his separate temperature climate going on, and I can have mine. The best part is it adjusts constantly throughout the night for optimal sleep. GLORIOUS!

Fellow Kettle

It’s an electric kettle, how good can it be? It does all sorts of fun gadget-y things, but I like the fact that I can control the exact temperature and it looks very chic.

Fine Jewelry

Specifically unique fine jewelry, or pieces that hold a special meaning to you. When it comes to expensive items, the cost-per-wear is a negotiation tactic, and with fine jewelry, it really gets to be negligible. Bonus points for the slightly off-piste pieces, because they always get compliments, and if you didn’t know there’s a reduction I like to refer to as compliments-per-wear that further justifies the cost of the items. If you need some inspiration, look no further:

Louis Vuitton Agenda

I am convinced that Louis Vuitton coated canvas could compete in a Tough Mudder and still come out completely unscathed. I have both the LV desk agenda cover and the ring version (that’s over 15 years old because I stole it from my Mum) and both look like I bought them yesterday. If you’re a stationery lover, then these will last at least a couple of lifetimes.

Soft Services Buffing Bar

I have never felt so strongly about a gritty bar of soap. This sloughs off all the dead skin and bumps, revealing smooth glowing skin. I will repurchase over and over again, because I’ve never experienced results like this. Paired with the Josie Maran Whipped Argan Body Butter, you become a walking goddess.

CurrentBody LED Mask (code: CASSIET)

I too, side-eyed some crimson light making any kind of difference to my skin, until I tried it. In fairness, I’ve only ever tried the CurrentBody LED mask, so I can’t compare to others but the results were shocking to me. I try to wear mine three to four times a week, and not only has it calmed down my rosacea hugely, but it has reduced the number of breakouts I get and evened out my skin tone.

Schiaparelli Accessories

We know how I feel about Schiaparelli - it’s magic in the form of clothing, it’s imagination spun into dresses. Of course the couture is captivating, but the magic of the brand lives in their smaller pieces too. Whether is a bag, shoes, a scarf, card holder, earrings or a keyring, the pieces radiate with such beauty, far beyond the equivalent of other designer brands. They’re fun, they’re unexpected and they’re always admired.

Tickets to a concert/sporting event

The one pic we have together at the Semi Finals is blurry, but that to me is a sign of a great time.

Nine times out of ten, I’ve never regretted going to see an artist live, and with so much being shared online, those in-person moments feel even more special. I am admittedly a new football fan, and I still have a lot to learn but Nii and I went to the Semi Finals on Wednesday and it was incredible. Obviously, it wasn’t the result we wanted (England 1 - Argentina 2) but it was the kind of experience you tell your Grandkids about. To be there and feel the energy in person, to scream, jump and hug a stranger when your team scores…it was something special. Gosh, who am I?!

reMarkable

As a stationary lover and the type of person who grew up with numerous notebooks, none of which where fully completed, the thought of a digital notebook sounded like a tepid attempt at a knockoff ipad. Nii bought me a reMarkable for Christmas one year and I fell head over heels - it doesn’t have any other apps so it allows you to focus on whatever it is your writing/planning/sketching without any pesky notifications. I also like the fact that the texture of the screen feels like writing on paper.

And whilst we’re here, a kindle made me into a daily reader. Worth every penny.

Sweed Cloud Mascara (code: CASSIE-20)

The perfect mascara doesn’t exi-

I used to use three mascaras: one to lengthen, one to thicken and one to curl. No matter what all the mascaras claimed, I never found one that did it all, until the cloud mascara. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve bought this and, crucially, it doesn’t flake.

An Accountant

One of the first things I did when I move to the US was to get an Accountant - I am not one to play with the IRS, and I don’t trust myself one bit to do it myself. The first Accountant I had ghosted me for months, and my second started shouting at me when we were filing my taxes and made me feel like an idiot. In a Goldilocks turn of events, I’ve been with my most recent Accountant for two years and I also have him/his team manage the bookkeeping so they see all my accounts, what goes in and out so I don’t stress myself into an early grave every tax season. Worth it.

Fara Homidi Lip Gloss/Oil

Nothing compares to this! It coats your lips and seems to fill in all the fine lines in the glossiest gloss that doesn’t feel oily, slimy or gloopy AND it has staying power. I use the colour Tawny and wear it by itself or over lip liner/lip sticks etc. Another example of a little goes a long way.

A Fendi Baguette New or Vintage

I’ve been harping on about a Fendi Baguette for years, and I’m nothing if not consistent. A lot of ‘classic’ bags can lack personality, but the Fendi Baguette can never be considered boring - she’s the girl at the party with the stories. Whether it’s the new releases, or vintage versions in a plethora of fabrics and embellishments, I think there’s a Fendi Baguette for everybody.

What are some expensive things that you think are worth the money?

Expensive things that are worth the $$$

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