How to Upgrade Your Everyday Grind

Living life like your favorite celebrity isn’t easy. Between lavish vacations, million-dollar mansions and practically limitless bank accounts there’s no way to compete. That said, there are ways to ball on a budget that can make your life more enjoyable — and make your friends jealous.

Instead of throwing stacks into a new wardrobe and calling it self-care, you could be living your best life without breaking the bank by trying these simple ideas in your everyday life. With a little diligence and creativity, it’s easy to upgrade your daily grind. Here’s 

5. Upgrade your coffee

Dairy is basic AF. With all of the healthier alternatives available on the market today, there’s no reason to resort to cow’s milk. Change things up in your cup by switching to almond milk or coconut milk in the morning to get the day going. Not only will it create a nice, new level of flavor, but these alternatives are also thought to be at least slightly healthier for you — especially when you consider that roughly 75 percent of African Americans are lactose intolerant. So do yourself a favor and step it up a notch. But stay away from banana milk — shit’s gross. Even if you get your coffee on the go, most places offer milk alternatives so you can still be fancy when you’re on the move.

4. Have breakfast in bed

This one is probably the easiest of the list, and you don’t even have to leave home for it. Step one: make yourself breakfast. Step two: Eat it in bed. #Boom. You don’t have to make this some extra-elaborate feast or try too hard — just be mindful of liquids. If you’re relaxing on a lazy Sunday morning, make yourself a light meal with fresh fruit, some yogurt and granola or a simple veggie-filled omelet. Get yourself a serving tray for safe, easy transport back to the bedroom and you’ll be living in the lap of luxury in no time. Bonus points if you post a pic on social media to make the haters jealous.

3. Read in the bath

Broaden your horizons in the comforts of a warm bubble bath. Soak in the suds like your favorite celeb while you dive into a new book. Not only is this a great way to relax in tranquility, but you’ll come out of it a little bit wiser — depending on what you prefer to read. Take the experience up a notch by including a rich, earthy-scented candle alongside your essential oil diffuser to fill the room with a seasonal atmosphere. Remember: this is your time; if somebody needs to use the bathroom, they’re just out of luck for the next hour.

2. Get to the gallery

If you’re wanting to shake things up, find an art gallery opening in your area. It’s an easy excuse to break out some more stylish outfits, and you’ll get the chance to rub elbows with pretentious art snobs while you sip complimentary champagne. If you really want to get into your artsy bag, get a fedora from Brims. This Black-owned business creates some of the most stylish headwear you’ll find. With one of their hats — like the Posse Brim — you’re sure to stand out, even among the Warhols and Basquiats of your art community.

1. Find something to wine about

Life is better with wine, and plenty of places across Texas offer free or inexpensive wine tasting events. So this could easily be an opportunity to take a mini road trip to Fredericksburg or just checking out the local offerings and learning more about the entire process. Either option is good, and with the right company, this one’s tough to beat. Many vineyards and cellars have regular newsletters as well, so you can sign up to be notified of their events without having to do the hunting yourself.

Bonus: Hit the hotel lobby

One of the best ways to add some excitement and elegance to your life is to simply spend time in the lobby of trendy hotels in your area. They’ll almost always have free wi-fi and a bar, if not a popular restaurant on-site like Geraldine’s at Austin’s Hotel Van Zandt. So not only do you have the perfect setup for selfies, but you’ve also got access to amazing food, an inexpensive bar, plenty of unique strangers for people-watching and free wi-fi — relax and enjoy the down time.