Luxury and timeless items that bring you joy

[Traveltart]

What luxury or good quality items have you received or bought for yourself that you think stand the test of time and bring you joy?

Big birthday coming up so I plan to drop heavy hints to DH and also treat myself over the course of the year.

These can be wearable items or home goods and gadgets. They can be expensive (up to low thousands) or much less.

They can be items that finally made you feel like a grown up but that bring you a rush of wonder when you use them.

I’m after quality or beauty or practicality rather than anything super fashionable.

Sadly budget won’t stretch to car or holiday home! And I don’t have the capacity for more pets. I’m good at coming up with experiences gifts so it’s just cold, hard, material goods I’m after!

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · Today 10:16
There’s a waiting list for Kellys isn’t there? I don’t have the patience so I’d never wait

I think they come up at auction sometimes. Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Bonhams have sales of luxury handbags.

My Simple Human magnifying light up mirror, the lighting is natural and the glass is just perfection, my Mum gave it to me when it first came out and I use it multiple times everyday.

A John Lewis heavyweight fur blanket, so cosy and comforting, feels like a hug, was given it over 12 years ago.

A solid silver cuff bracelet in a simple but different design which hasn't been off my wrist in about 15 years.

English Soap Company Kew Gardens hand cream, I have the Apricot Vetiver one, smells amazing.

My gold day date Rolex which was a special anniversary from dh. I wear it every day and it makes me happy to see it even if people think it's fake 🤣

I have a big birthday coming up later this year and have started looking for some kind of vintage ring that "touches " me. So far only tried one on.
I would love a really powerfully scented rose too, nothing like the scent of it on a balmy summer day.
I wonder if you can get diamond studs that sort of screw on to the back of your eyes?

I would love them but I am clumsy and short sighted so would worry about losing them.

Hello OP.
I'm a clothes investor.
I have numerous Max Mara coats but the one everyone loves is the camel wrap with fur collar ( they only use faux these days). I'm very chesty too so any boyfriend cuts don't suit me .
I also buy Mulberry bags. I have neutrals but am now collecting the one off colours. I bought a sapphire one at Christmas. It's a joy to behold. My 60th to me.

You could have a perfume made. Sarah McCarthy owns 410 Tuesdays.
There was also a Tom Ford lipstick box £250? Not sure if they still make it.

I am having a KitchenAid mixer this year in lipstick pink.

My previous post - should be diamond studs that screw on to the back of your ears - I only want them on the back of my eyes if they will cure my myopia, ha!

Hi @Mrsredlipstick . Do you invest in clothes for pleasure or is that your revenue stream? Sounds fascinating! Do you know the name of the MaxMara model? I quite like the Manuela but worry that it may not have enough structure to hold me in!

@Karistyleaftea I am also struggling to find the ring - I guess it is a lot of pressure if like me, you don’t have the means or motivation to splurge very often! What was the ring like that you tried on?

Mulberry bags are rubbish quality these day compared to eg 00s ones. I have some from then and when I saw some from eg 10 years ago in an outlet store they weren’t the same quality (and hiked up prices) as the earlier ones.

It might be good to buy a classic watch, second hand. If the watch is 30+ years old and you still like it, it is not fashion influencing you. So you will probably always like it.

Also watches (like cars) half in price when you buy them new.

https://www.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk

or if you don’t like auctions

https://www.watchfinder.co.uk

Are the two places I would start for a watch

Edit Doh - just seen not a watch - Gardiner Houlgate do jewellery too. Slinks off back to my cup of tea

I don’t have a tennis bracelet but an ex colleague of mine who loved designer items, turned her nose up at both a diamond tennis bracelet and Mulberry messenger bag that her DH got her separately for Christmas. Spoiled madam!

Good gadgets and tools which work well and are good to look at give me joy, especially my kitchenaid stand mixer.
Good and comfortable to hold pen.
If you like art do you also like pottery? If so look for a Potfest venue near you.
Have a holiday in Copenhagen and am sure you will be able to find lots to tempt you.

This will sound strange, but it’s my Barnsby dressage saddle which replaced a possibly swankier Stuben (which came with my horse but was a bad fit). Even though my horse is retired and my riding days are over, I can’t part with the beautiful quality and simplicity of the thing. So periodically I clean it and grease it, along with my bridle and fixed ring Pelham bit (took years to find the right one!!) to remember those amazing and often thrilling rides we had.

My Tudor home with exposed beams!

My Saarinen womb chair and ottoman bring me a lot of joy and comfort. My engagement ring, I still love it even though fashions have changed.

Gabriel oak is pretty great. It’s a deep pink and has a lovely fruity fragrance. It is David Austin though. I have quite a lot of roses and there are others that are very reliable but none that flower as much and smell as good.

Oh what a glorious thread to happen upon while I'm procrastinating from the next thing on the MUST DO TODAY list. I'd much rather think about fancy purchases (none of which are a priority anytime soon) but also show gratitude for the lovely things I already have.

My favourite things that I prize and admire daily:
Cartier Santos watch
Aspinal leather-bound notebook which I use every day with my Montblanc pen with amethyst ink
Chanel sunglasses
Chanel Les Exclusifs Comete perfume

On my wishlist are:
Kunzite and diamond ring https://www.instagram.com/gemshed_designs/
Sauna cube for the garden https://heracleswellness.co.uk/products/leil-dice-comfy-4-to-5-person-outdoor-sauna
Bramwell Brown weather clock https://www.bramwellbrown.com/
Artworks by Julia Chatting https://www.seaglassgallery.co.uk/julia-chatting
Artwork by Lucy Storrs https://lucystorrs.com
House overlooking the sea
More time to enjoy all of the above.

I don't buy new. Bar one and my first one twenty odd years ago.

My sapphire one dates from 2016. Used once.

Ooh, Cartier tank , very nice. A true classic.
For me, I’m a fan of some niche perfumes, especially Annick Goutal even though my favourite has been discontinued. (But I have some in stock. It may have lost its top notes but it’s still lovely. )

I would re purchase: Chanel tweed boucle jacket, Chanel bag, birkin- nb, all pre-loved!; I might not re purchase : earrings - emerald cut diamonds (I like to mix others now, more fun gold hoops etc so dont wear too much), perfume (Celine); I would def not repurchase: Cartier tank. I Wear a smart watch instead, everywhere. Nothing for the house or kitchen, no way! 😂

I have similar bust issues so went with a Maxmara wrap coat as it is more forgiving on the waist and the belt then gives definiton

Revlon lipsticks. There's a reason they're a classic! They're not that expensive, but the quality is excellent.

Cherries in the snow!

I’m enjoying this thread for 50th birthday ideas. I’ve always admired B&B clocks so may well put one on my list. No.1 spot has been a Cartier tank for the past decade but I very rarely wear my Raymond Weil (that I got at 21) so really no point at all getting another watch. I really love the MaxMara Pasticcino bags but I’m biding my time for the perfect size and colour combo.

On my imaginary wish list

Georg Jensen Fusion ring
Diamond tennis bracelet
Diamond stud earrings
Omega watch (I like quite a few different styles)
Another vote for classic Burbery trench
Margo Selby rug thanks to this thread! They are beautiful, ditto the cushions

Things I already have or had and love/d

Missoni scarves (winter ones rather than wafty silk ones)
MiuMiu pewter leather bowling bag handbag from the 00s
Fendi shopper bag from the 00s
LV graffiti bag from the 00s
Orla Kiely huge leather tote from the 00s
Dior eyeshadow palettes - have tried a lot of other quality brands but always go back to Dior (Chanel I found particularly a bit rubbish!)
Decleor skincare (smells beautiful but not 'perfumy')
Birkenstock Madrids - been wearing them for about 30 years and think the quality has gone down but they are still my go to and I have about 25 pairs on rotation for about 8 months of the year

A packet of scampi fries.