Little luxuries 👛
At every price point for when you want to indulge
Hi shoppers!
Today we’re going to round up some of my favorite purchases that are one-off’s: frivolous, beautiful, indulgent things that give you that instant hit of serotonin at every price point. I’ve done roundups like this before — I just think that sometimes you get hit with a ravenous case of the shoppies and nothing quite satiates it like a special little item that is not a necessity in any way shape or form.
It’s Friday and it’s been a long week so I’m going to skip the usual chit chat and get right into it!
Chanel Lip Balm: I have tried practically every lip balm on the market and while I definitely love my go to Summer Fridays and Rhode etc., if my lips are dry or if I’m in an eczema flare, nothing brings them back to life like this balm from Chanel. It’s absolutely pricey but a little goes a long way – I’ve been using it for years and have only repurchased a handful of times. And you feel like a fucking queen wearing it.
France Luxe Hair Accessories: I’m ride or die for France Luxe, and whether you’re buying one of their chignon pins or the iconic Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy hairband, they’re beautifully crafted and timeless.
Vuitton Mini Planner: This is absolutely a splurge but I bought mine a few years ago and I use it almost everyday. It’s constantly next to me when I need to jot down a note, add to a to-do list, or book an appointment. I also love that it’s small enough to slip in my purse which I always do when I’m going to the doctor etc., and I’ll need easy access to my schedule.
Vintage Limoges Trinket Boxes: There are a million of these on Etsy and while new ones go for hundreds of dollars, you can get a really exquisite little finds like this Venus or this watering can for under $100. Just keep an eye out for the Limoges signature on the bottom.
Djerf Go Slow Slip: I am a DA loungewear evangelist and as the weather gets warmer I reach for this piece more and more. It’s so comfy, feminine, and incredibly sturdy in the wash.
Kindred Black Beauty: I had a few lotions and potions from KB gifted to me and everything from the packaging it arrived in to the handblown bottles makes for such an indulgent experience. I also think it would make an absolutely beautiful gift and I can’t wait to use the bottles as bud vases once the product is out!
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush (New colors!): Look, I know, I buy everything Gucci Westman sells but the Baby Cheeks formula is genuinely unmatched and both of the new colors are deeply perfect and so luxurious.
Lights Lacquer Nail Polish: If you’re a longtime MG reader you’ll know I swear by Hermes nail polish almost exclusively but if I’m looking for a fun color (or to not spend $60 on a bottle) I love the selection on LL — and the nail art stickers and tattoos are *so* cute and really easy to use.
Catbird Playing Cards: The Catbird home & gift section is one of my favorite places to window shop when I have the shoppies and these branded playing cards are such a cute inexpensive purchase to brighten your day.
La Fee Des Oignons Vase: I have been eyeing Juliette’s magnifacent ceramics for years now; I’m obsessed with the simplicity of the designs — the cream backgrounds with the cozy line drawings. She very generously made me a vase this month featuring my two favorite things, books and flowers, and it has become an instant prized possession. I have it stuffed with tulips right now positioned so it is always in view when I’m on Zoom calls!
The Perfect Boyfriend Shirt: My favorite wearable luxury is a relaxed button down and while I definitely have a few I’ve splurged on, I come back time and again to this baby from Old Navy. It is otherworldly soft, oversized in just the right way without being to long or tunic-y, and comes in a million colors.
Uniball One P Gel Pen: I am a stationary bitch and my sister got me into this specific little pen from Uniball which is both *so* cute and so nice to write with. And for that price? It’s actually technically free.
Consori Nail and Cuticle Oil: Another recommendation via my sister, I have been tearing through the Olive Young website and this is such a well priced and high quality cuticle oil, and the packaging is also so sleek and cute.
Sophie Lou Jacobson Ripple Cup: These are obviously so trendy and not at all a radical suggestion but I absolutely love them for storage and bud vases; on my desk I keep my pens in them, I also keep my makeup brushes in them. They’re surprisingly sturdy and easy to clean to boot — and you can usually find a good selection of them at a discount on TheRealReal or on sale at places like Nordstrom.
Material Girl Reads:
Some rapid fire books & their ratings for this month so far!
The Therapist, BA Paris: Juicy domestic thriller, excellent plot twist, easy quick read. 3.75/5 stars
Girl in the Spiders Web, David Lagercrantz: Perfection, no notes 10/5 stars
The Family Game, Catherine Steadman: SO juicy and fun, like if Succession was a locked room thriller. 4/5
You’d Look Better as a Ghost, Joanna Wallace: Started strong but what a horrible ending; the depiction of an infertile woman at the end of the book was so egregious it ruined my day. Not even going to star this one!
Ruthless, Anne Mette Hancock: I loooved this; I love Anne’s books and this was no exception. Perfect thriller, and that TWIST. 4/5 stars
Bullet Train, Kotaro Isaka: So, so fun. Not like anything I’ve read — a locked room thriller.. but on a train.. and everyone is an assassin?? 4/5 stars
The Vanishing Hour: Interesting enough, but the prose was lacking. Juicy twist but the depiction of Maine did not at all feel authentic and it took me out of the reading experience a bit.