Friday OT - So Bougie, Bougie

[Angie]

What is a home/car/clothing/similar item on which you splurge after discovering its superiority?

@Mr Janny is the cook of our house, and always had just bought Walmart or Hy-Vee knives. They had done the job.

When I was in Paris this fall, however, the souvenir I got him was a high-quality chef’s knife. It was night-and-day different and quickly became a favorite gift. So, for Christmas this year, I ordered him a high-quality bread knife and carving knife. We shouldn’t ever have to buy new knives - or not for a long time!

Do you have a similar story? Get fancy towels, or a car audio part? Is there one “splurge” item you discovered is worth it? (it doesn’t have to be huge amounts of money - just higher quality than other examples of the item.)

 

[Al_4_State]

Pickles.

 

[Farnsworth]

I prefer all of my items cheap, yet high quality!

 

[GMackey32]

Running shoes. I refuse to buy them off the shelf after I got fitted once. Ended up spending $180 on a pair and they were amazing. I now go get fitted each time I need a new pair just in case my stride changed a bit. Absolutely worth it.

 

[SCNCY]

Ranch Dressing. Hidden valley is really the only one I like, unless it's homemade in a restaurant. All others either have a plastic or acidic taste to it.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Alcohol. I don't drink much anymore, so when I do, I want it to be good.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Also, certain clothes (workout gear, winter jacket, winter gloves, dress shirts, shoes). I don't mind going cheap for my everyday wear, but I've gotta have clothes that are comfortable for the weather conditions and occasion.

 

[Al_4_State]

Alcohol. I don't drink much anymore, so when I do, I want it to be good.

I'm this way with liquor. I drink beer or low ABV stuff (seltzers) pretty frequently but liquor is a special occasion thing, and if I'm feeling like whiskey I'm going to get Steeple Ridge instead of BV.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Oh, and prostitutes..

 

[Cyientist]

Hotels. I'm not talking the real high end hotels, but definitely look for the Hilton's downtown instead of a Super 8 on the interstate.

 

[Mr Janny]

Pickles.

This is a correct answer. Claussen or better, or don't even bother.

 

[JP4CY]

When I was in Paris this fall, however, the souvenir I got him was a high-quality chef’s knife. It was night-and-day different and quickly became a favorite gift. So, for Christmas this year, I ordered him a high-quality bread knife and carving knife. We shouldn’t ever have to buy new knives - or not for a long time!

My wife did the same thing for me. She got me a "Shun" knife from Cooks Emporium.

 

[RLD4ISU]

Cutco knives
Good shoes/boots
Good cold gear-heat gear - sun blocking clothing
Hotels - the beds at Holiday Inn do not begin to compare to the ones at a Hilton or Marriott
Snowblower

 

[JP4CY]

This is a correct answer. Claussen or better, or don't even bother.

Have you had Grillos? I like them but the loose dill can stick to your teeth.

 

[NWICY]

Well keeping in line with cooler, cocaine.

 

[JP4CY]

Event tickets for me.
If I'm gonna see a big time act, I'm gonna pay $125 for good seats vs $75 for crap.

 

[Angie]

My wife did the same thing for me. She got me a "Shun" knife from Cooks Emporium.

I was literally in Cooks Emporium a week before Christmas and didn’t think to look at the knives!

He now has a couple Japanese Steak Knife ones, and a couple Opinel. There are definitely even nicer knives out there (even within these brands) - but even just the ones I got make a world of difference when cutting.

 

[MeanDean]

What is a home/car/clothing/similar item on which you splurge after discovering its superiority?

@Mr Janny is the cook of our house, and always had just bought Walmart or Hy-Vee knives. They had done the job.

When I was in Paris this fall, however, the souvenir I got him was a high-quality chef’s knife. It was night-and-day different and quickly became a favorite gift. So, for Christmas this year, I ordered him a high-quality bread knife and carving knife. We shouldn’t ever have to buy new knives - or not for a long time!

Do you have a similar story? Get fancy towels, or a car audio part? Is there one “splurge” item you discovered is worth it? (it doesn’t have to be huge amounts of money - just higher quality than other examples of the item.)

After a vintage one finally broke I went looking a very specific type of metal spatula for cooking with an iron skillet. It had to be sturdy but with a very thin blade to get under items being cooked. I looked around for a while and found a promising looking one at Bed Bath and Beyond. It was OXO brand and more than I wanted to pay.

I now have two, one in IA and one in Florida. And the next Christmas I bought one for all the siblings/wives for stocking stuffers. I still hear from one of my SILs about how much she loves that spatula.

 

[JP4CY]

After a vintage one finally broke I went looking a very specific type of metal spatula for cooking with an iron skillet. It had to be sturdy but with a very thin blade to get under items being cooked. I looked around for a while and found a promising looking one at Bed Bath and Beyond. It was OXO brand and more than I wanted to pay. I now have two, one in IA and one in Florida. And the next Christmas I bought one for all the siblings/wives for stocking stuffers. I still hear from one of my SILs about how much she loves that spatula.

We have a very thin blade like the one you described that my wife bought at the farmers market, made by Rada.

 

[Cyientist]

Cutco knives
Good shoes/boots
Good cold gear-heat gear - sun blocking clothing
Hotels - the beds at Holiday Inn do not begin to compare to the ones at a Hilton or Marriott
Snowblower

Agree with this entire list. Once you figure out how many years you end up utilizing most of the items, it is generally worth it.