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What little luxuries do you enjoy?

136 replies

GenericDietCola · 25/05/2024 08:56

I get my nails done occasionally and would like to have more frequent massages. I’ve also bought a couple of decent work dresses for the summer this year. What do you do enjoy as a ‘luxury’?

OP posts:
Friendofdennis · 14/06/2024 01:56

Also I enjoy using my gorgeous Wedgwood butterfly bloom cups and plates for a lovely cup of tea and slice of cake. I spent a long time chasing down an entire set in charity shops and on eBay. This makes the luxury more satisfying

Lamelie · 14/06/2024 02:22

Beatrixslobber · 25/05/2024 09:27

I don’t really see them as luxuries but I have a manicure every 3 weeks, I get the Liberty beauty drop and I buy nice things.

Are you a beauty editor or hand model? Very strange to not see those as luxuries.
I very recently have started getting my nails done and have always loved good make up. The anticipation, the sense of looking after myself and sheer joy I get is most of the reason I do so.

DarlingCoffee · 14/06/2024 03:22

I love to treat myself to a beauty advent calendar each Christmas. I also enjoyed the summer beauty box from M&S.

Also:
Occasional shop from Waitrose
Deliveroo takeaways
Fresh flowers from the garden
Candles

JMAngel1 · 14/06/2024 05:54

As many others have said - L’Occitane almond shower oil - it can’t be beaten. I use it every single morning and I don’t care 😂

My other luxuries tend to be fairly budget but the luxury is that I buy whatever I need for myself, children, house whenever we need them. So for example I just bought 10 faux hydrangeas (very realistic) and multiple new cushion covers for the living area. I have bought 4 new fragrances but from Perfume Parlour so cost isn’t too bad (smell soooo similar to the real thing), new hoodie/short sets for my DDs, 3 new satin slinky nightdresses for myself. So whilst everything is inexpensive, the luxury is that I can get them if we need/want them. I increased my hours at work last year and the pay difference allows this luxury for me and my family instead of just putting up with dated/shabby things.

EatTheGnome · 14/06/2024 07:10

Ginkypig · 25/05/2024 11:59

I’m not sure if all of these qualify as luxury but when I was properly poor these things wouldn’t even be on my radar as possible but

100% cotton bedding. Not necessarily the most expensive sets because as on gas I like it and it meets my requirements I’m happy but over the last 20 years iv bought several sets which just get better with age.

talking of which does anyone rate linen bedding? iv seen it but never tried it.

real butter Tesco or Lidl own brand is cheap at around 2.20 but that’s still twice the price of margarine so it feels like pushing the boat out it I’d never go back now.

There are very few branded products our household care about as we have done lots of testing to find alternatives over the years but currently can’t find anything to replace.
my coffee (although everyone drinks it but I choose what we’re drinking)
his tea bags (nobody else drinks tea)
branston beans (only he eats beans so his choice)

everything else we’re happy to compromise or be flexible in choice.

a takeaway on Saturday night while sharing a bottle of wine.

now I’m thinking about it though we don’t spend in lots of other areas just because of our lifestyle so money that would in other families might be going on a car or expensive mobile phones or foreign holidays or I don’t do my nails or go to the hairdresser or have beauty treatments etc so maybe that’s why I suppose.
although maybe if I did. Wouldn’t be a hot sweaty menopausal mess haha!

Linen is the best. I've committed to phasing out and replacing my other sets. People rabe about Piglest in Bed and Sleep and Soak but I couldn't afford the so I went with M&S.

I have recently felt up the Dunelm Gauze set and I'm tempted.

EatTheGnome · 14/06/2024 07:10

Seanbeansontoast · 10/06/2024 21:46

can anyone recommend good places to get good quality bedding?

M&S linen x

EatTheGnome · 14/06/2024 07:21

Neom candles, reeds, pod diffuser, bath products.

Linen bedding with bamboo 'silk' pillowcase (stays super cool)

Cooking delicious but faffy meals at the weekend.

Only wearing nice underwear (not sexy but all comfortable and not holey)

Good skin and hair care products.

Nice matching dinner set.

Teapigs and nice coffee from a machine.

A meal out at our favorite local cafe or restaurant (sually for breakfast)

Cleaning my house and decluttering to become minimalist. This has created such a fresh and airy feel and every time I come home from holiday I feel like I'm walking into a luxury hotel and feel myself relax.

I also paint the house and gloss as often as is needed to have that fresh house 😳

Basically I'm committed to not buying much but when I do I only buy the fancy shit! 😆

Meadowwild · 14/06/2024 07:31

Good shower gel and bath stuff - l'Occitane, Neal's Yard, Ren and Origins.

MummyShortLeggs · 14/06/2024 07:49

missb10 · 14/06/2024 00:29

I can't afford any of these "little luxuries". However, I do have Sky television!😆

You need a mortgage nowadays for sky and there are lots of cheaper streaming alternatives so I think it counts.
Mine are mostly food related. Things like homemade cakes using proper butter and posh jam. Also taking the time to cook main meals from scratch with better than basic ingredients. We have a local farm shop that sells rare breed pork which is an occasional but fantastic treat.

LindaDawn · 14/06/2024 08:19

Netcam · 10/06/2024 21:50

Good quality food. We get an organic box from Abel and Cole each week with really good quality fruit and veg, fish, a little meat sometimes, goats cheese, sauerkraut, sourdough bread, unhomogenised jersey milk, kefir, nuts and seeds. We don't eat out or get takeaways but I love having a fridge full of fantastic food at home.

I am the same. Buy the best quality food I can. Love food shopping.

coodawoodashooda · 14/06/2024 08:19

Going to bed early.

FindingMeno · 14/06/2024 08:41

I tried silk pillowcases and they feel horrible to me. Now I love cotton.
I tried acrylic nails and I feel a million dollars when they're on, but hate how my nails are wrecked afterwards.

I enjoy a bath with Badedas, nesti dante soap, perfume, and having found my vibe when it comes to clothes.

marciaa · 14/06/2024 08:52

Arraminta · 13/06/2024 12:11

We have a Winter weight goose down duvet, but now using the Summer weight one which is only 2 tog and it's perfect.

Where did you get a 2 tog down duvet please? We jump from 4.5 tog (down) in Spring to 1 tog (all cotton) in summer. Really not loving the 1 tog though.

juless77 · 14/06/2024 09:03

StarlightLady · 25/05/2024 11:32

2 pairs of matching knickers when l buy a new bra.

OMG 😧 what a great idea so simple but never thought to do that 🤦‍♀️thanks x that’s why I love these posts. X

weareallqueens · 14/06/2024 09:25

@beonmycalls I go with Sweaty Betty Power leggings.

StarlightLady · 14/06/2024 09:41

juless77 · 14/06/2024 09:03

OMG 😧 what a great idea so simple but never thought to do that 🤦‍♀️thanks x that’s why I love these posts. X

It makes you feel good when you get dressed first thing.

Roundeartheratchriatmas · 14/06/2024 09:46

Regular manicure - didn’t used to be able to afford something that extravagant - was only for special occasions.

Also have eyebrows done regularly now too although less often than the manicure.

Arraminta · 14/06/2024 10:09

Basically I'm committed to not buying much but when I do I only buy the fancy shit! 😆

That's my mantra too. When our children went to university I did feel bereft so I coped by getting busy in the house. Did a huge declutter and had several rooms redecorated. I slowly began upgrading all our every day stuff to really excellent quality. Swapped out all our mismatched mugs for Denby, changed all our hand wash to The White Company and 1000 thread count bed linen from The Secret Linen Co. Our house feels like a 5* Air BnB now.

Arraminta · 14/06/2024 10:10

marciaa · 14/06/2024 08:52

Where did you get a 2 tog down duvet please? We jump from 4.5 tog (down) in Spring to 1 tog (all cotton) in summer. Really not loving the 1 tog though.

It's from John Lewis.

Citrusandginger · 14/06/2024 10:37

Someone upthread said minimalism and I totally agree. A calm, tidy house is a real luxury.

Which got me thinking about the luxury of time and how nice it is to have time to read a book, bake, sort out my eyebrows or my toenails, or go out for coffee. Now that we're out of the crazy days of young children I really appreciate the time I sometimes have now to do this stuff.

Wintersgirl · 14/06/2024 10:40

Getting my hair highlighted in a salon, it's my time just to sit and relax...

Lifeomars · 14/06/2024 10:44

So much of this thread resonates with me. I love quality bath stuff, Molton Brown and Neal's Yard, silk pillow cases and 100% cotton bedding, fresh flowers, and good quality tea drunk from a large fine bone china mug.

KreedKafer · 14/06/2024 11:00

Dip-powder nails once a month. I actually find the process of getting them done quite annoying and a bit of a chore, but I love the results and feel cheered up every time I look at my hands.

Skincare - I don't actually use many super expensive brands, but just looking after my skin morning and evening feels like a little treat somehow.

A posh facial spritz - always have a bottle in my bag and one on my desk and I always feel instantly happier and perked up when I use one.

Flowers. Not really anything fancy, but we buy a bunch every week from the supermarket or a cheap flower stall and they feel like they make such a difference to the house.

Eating out. We eat out a lot, often on the spur of the moment - doesn't have to be for a reason or a special occasion.

Perfume. I wear it every day whether I'm going anywhere or not.

Le Creuset mugs. I don't give a shit about any other crockery - we eat off cheap plain white plates from Ikea. But I love love love having my tea from a Le Creuset mug; they're the perfect size, weight and shape and the colours are gorgeous.

Cocktails, either while out or at home. I have a proper cocktail set to make them with, and various different glasses.

Sheepskin slippers with a proper sole. Game-changer. So much nicer than shuffling around the house in flimsy faux-fur ones, and somehow they magically seem to feel warming in winter and yet also cooling in summer.

Silverfoxette · 14/06/2024 11:26

Hair products. Especially now I’ve ditched the dye, I get regular cuts and spend on really good silicone free products to keep a nice shape on it and keep it groomed and healthy looking. I’m quite fussy about my hair.

good quality skincare and shower products

electrolysis (not really a luxury but necessity now due to pcos hair growth)

nice quality sheets and towels

good coffee beans

therealcookiemonster · 14/06/2024 11:51

having a long hot shower, using a nice face mask, popping on fresh pj's, my lambswool socks and slipping into a freshly made bed with freshly ironed sheets feels like a real luxury.

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