Monday, December 5, 2022

Life's Little Luxuries

"Palm Beach Idyll" by Slim Aarons

 
I suspect many of us have little luxuries we indulge in that we love. I have decided to do a top ten list of mine. These would make great self-care Christmas gifts for yourself or a gift for someone special on your gift list. And I would love it if you would leave a comment with one or more of yours.

1. At the top of my list would have to be La Mer Moisturizing Cream. I have been using it for years and it is worth every penny. A jar lasts a long time as you only use a dime size dollop. And I don't use any other products on my skin or have facials or anything else done and my skin is IMHO gorgeous. (Don't accidently get the Soft Cream version - it is not the same).


La Mer Moisturizing Cream


2. Fracas Eau de Parfum. The original 1948 masterpiece that forever changed the world of perfumery, Fracas is sultry, seductive, and unsettling. Difficult to resist, impossible to forget. With fragrance notes of bergamot, tuberose, jasmine, and musk. It was the perfume worn by Marilyn Monroe (when she wasn't wearing Chanel No. 5), Rita Hayworth, and Brigitte Bardot. And its modern die-hard fans range from such polar opposites as: Madonna to Martha Stewart, Ivana Trump to Courtney Love, Princess Caroline of Monaco to Bianca Jagger.

Receive 1 free Fracas Mini Body Lotion 75ml when you purchase 1 or more items offered by Robert Piguet Parfums. Enter code JGK273R2 at checkout. Select "Add both to Cart" under Special offers and product promotions to automatically apply promo code JGK273R2.


Fracas Eau de Parfum for Women

3. Maldon Smoked Sea Salt will change your culinary life. It is something you really should have in your pantry. Smoked sea salt is a finishing salt. You do not use it during cooking but AFTER. It is mild and delicate, adding a subtle hint of smoke and a textural crunch. Don't waste it cooking with it. It is not kosher salt.

 Here are just some of the ways you can use smoked sea salt:

1. When you have put your grill away for the season, use it for that smoky flame grilled flavor on anything you would grill - meat, chicken, seafood, vegetables.

2. On a grilled cheese sandwich.

3. On any breakfast or brunch eggs - especially scrambled eggs.

4. On an avocado or avocado toast.

5. On soups.

6. On chili.

7. On the rim of a Bloody Mary or margarita.

8. On vanilla or chocolate ice cream.

9. On brownies or chocolate chip cookies just out of the oven.

10. On corn on the cob.

11. On sliced heirloom tomatoes.

12. On roasted vegetables. Try my favorite - on broiled shishito peppers.

13. On salads.


Maldon Smoked Sea Salt


4. I definitely swear by Chanel makeup. Every time I try something else, it never compares. Whether it is lipstick, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, etc., the colors are gorgeous, they stay on, and are worth their cult status. My signature lipstick for years has been Chanel's Rouge Coco Mademoiselle #434. It is a muted rosy pink with brown undertones that is very flattering and goes from day to evening.


Chanel Rouge Coco Mademoiselle


5. I am such a huge fan of ChappyWrap blankets. They are soft, luxurious, the perfect weight, machine washable, wear like iron, come in gorgeous prints - truly the perfect blanket. I have a collection - this one happens to be on my bed right now.


ChappyWrap Brant Point Blues Original Blanket


6. SiriusXM. I love that I can listen to news, music, sports, comedy, podcasts, anything I like in the car. The plan I have has over 400 channels. How did I ever live without this? 


SiriusXM



7. Scented Candes. I burn candles every day - I love the way they make my home smell. I look forward to adding new ones to my list of favorites. The candle I have been using the longest is definitely Trapp's Orange Vanilla and it is still a favorite.


Trapp Orange Vanilla Candle


8. My cordless Dyson vacuum is one of the best purchases I have ever made in my life. Light as a feather and powerful, I use it on floors, furniture, baseboards, crown molding, my car, everywhere. I could not live without it. It took vacuuming from a chore to a pleasure. 


Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Vacuum


9. I sleep every night on a silk pillowcase. It helps prevent wrinkles and preserves your blow dry and feels wonderful! There are lots of choices out there. Blissy makes an excellent one available in lots of color choices. Click here for $20 off your first order of $30 or more.


Blissy 100% Mulberry Pillowcase


10. If you like having cocktails and/or entertain, the Bartesian is wonderful. It is about the size of a coffee maker and has pods for dozens of cocktails. 

INTELLIGENT COCKTAIL CREATION: Create endless craft cocktails in the comfort of home — no need to measure or pour. Just insert a cocktail capsule into your Bartesian drink mixer machine, select your preferred strength and press mix. The system draws the spirit from the appropriate reservoir and mixes your cocktail in seconds.
MIXOLOGIST-APPROVED DRINKS: Bartesian cocktail machine capsules were created by master mixologists and include the ingredients for favorites like margaritas, whiskey sours, old fashioneds and more.
VARIETY WITHOUT COMPLEXITY: Bartesian offers all the benefits of a fully-equipped bar, without the time and expense of stocking various juices, bitters, simple syrups and other ingredients. All you need to worry about is having your preferred whiskey, vodka, rum, gin or tequila on hand.
EASY-CLEAN DESIGN: An automatic cleaning cycle that runs after each cocktail is created, a manual cleaning cycle and dishwasher safe parts makes caring for the cocktail maker easy and ensures every drink tastes its best.
FRESHNESS-DATED CAPSULES: Recyclable capsules contain real juice concentrates, bitters and extracts and are dated for freshness. Cocktail capsules and alcohol sold separately.


Bartesian Cocktail Machine





9 comments:

  1. The Hermes scarf. Yes, they are expensive, but they last forever. And one can dress up the most basic outfit. Great for travel, as they take little room and add no weight. Each one is a little work of art.

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    1. Hermes scarves are a great pick - I would like to frame one.

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  2. One of my favorite treats: the sweet, spicy pecans from Jeffreys, Carmel Valley, CA. They are totally addictive!

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  3. Great suggestions, Beth. Have been meaning to ask you if I can buy the Bartesian capsules and make cocktails without using the machine (no counter space). Also, I smile whenever you mention Fracas, as it was recommended over 30 years ago by a very dear, departed friend who, after college, spent his life creating beautiful interiors for the famous and wealthy in France and the world.

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    1. One would have to experiment with the capsules as the machine reads the barcode to add the perfect amount of water and alcohol. I love Fracas and have been wearing it for at least 30 years.

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  4. For fans of La Mer, it is available at a discount from Costco, if you are a member.

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  5. Life's little luxury for me would be fresh flowers . I always have fresh flowers in my house . Maybe more difficult in tropic Florida , but they give me so much joy .

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