Small Luxuries

With the holidays approaching, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite gifts to give and receive.  I love to buy small luxury items for my daughters that have classic styling and I think they love receiving them (if not, I'm not opposed to re-gifting or hand-me-backs from them!!).  I allow the girls to choose their larger gifts, but the FUN part of gift giving is the surprises!  I would much rather receive a gift that my family member chose on their own than a "list" of gifts I want.  

The other idea is that these gifts be affordable...while I'm not opposed to the "O" list, I refuse to spend $500 on a sweater.  I don't care how great/soft/flattering it is.  "Affordable" means different things to different people.  I will define it this way "I'm not going to be furious if it gets lost, damaged, found in daughter's car trunk next year or covered in cat hair!"   

Here is a list of my favorite affordable, luxury items that I love everyday. 

CASHMERE THROW
I apprciate this throw every time I touch it, take a cat nap or throw it over my shoulders to run to the mailbox.  It was a gift to "myself" for traveling and it's lovely.  $125  (The Hotel Collection, which looks like its no longer available, but I found tons with google)



LEATHER NOTEBOOK FROM ITALY
I carry this in my bag for writing inspirational things, menus, quotes, websites etc.  It has lovely thick, ivory paper inside and a fun little leather tie that wraps around to keep it closed.  $15
(Valentina, I couldn't find my exact copy online, but here's a site I love for beautiful Italian goods; www.eyeitalia.com/) 

TINY PERFUME SAMPLER FROM FRANCE
I can tailor my fragrance to my mood of the day!  Dabbing on pulse points versus a spray makes this collection feel very feminine and old world.  They all smell fabulous!  $20ish
(www.fragonard.com/parfums_grasse/index.cfm?languesite=GB)

ESTATE AND VINTAGE JEWELRY
Lovely filigreed rings, charms, pendants, funky pins and more!  I have a local jeweler that has a revolving selection of estate and vintage pieces that can be had for reasonable prices.  I purchased one daughter a signet ring with beautiful scroll work and engraved with her initials.  Rose gold pieces have a great patina that I love.  With the price of gold so high these pieces have become a bit pricier, but still affordable.  $50 and up 
(Hacker Jewelers  www.hackerjewelers.com)

ART
A few years back, we made a choice to start purchasing artwork that we love and eventually replace all reproduction pieces in our house.  It has been really fun!  I didn't spend a lot of money, yet each piece represents a distinct place, time and person (artist) that brings great memories to the surface.  Gregg Perez is my friend and a local artist that produces beautiful pieces for sale at The Boulevard Market and other galleries in Michigan.  Gregg's artwork can be very reasonably priced and custom framed to fit your decor.
 I have a print from a Parisian artist in my kitchen that (I brought back from our trip that I LOVE) I framed simply.  It brings me joy everyday.  $70 euro+$15 to frame
gregorioperez.wordpress.com 

 By the way, my friend Barb S. had the BEST idea for getting exactly the gift you love!  Apparently, her dog always gives the best gifts!  Happy gift giving!