Little Luxuries: My Summer Edit
Sometimes it’s the little things that make the everyday feel special — and judging by your response to my last post on this topic, I’m not alone in that. So many of you reached out to share your own little luxuries, which made me think: let’s make this a quarterly thing. Here’s my summer edition.
This article was originally published in February 2026, and has been updated to add seasonal recommendations.
Fresh Flowers
My climbing roses have just begun another bloom cycle. I find that having even just a few fresh flowers in the house is such a mood lifter. I’ve also been picking up a weekly bunch of peonies at Trader Joe’s. The bud vase is from an earlier My French Country Home box. Here are some with a similar look.
What I’m Enjoying This Summer (So Far…)
French Market Basket – $48
I’ve been making a point to visit our local weekly farmers’ market and love to channel a little French flair with a woven market basket like this one.
Moisturizing Sun Protection – $49
I’m very diligent about applying sunscreen to my face and neck, less so to the rest of me. So I took it as a message from the universe when this gift from the Colorscience team showed up on my doorstep.
It’s a rich-feeling lotion that dries to a clear finish, and leaves my skin feeling moisturized all day. It’s cruelty-free, with no discernible fragrance.
Mulberry Silk Pillowcase – $44.90
I don’t remember if I’ve shared these before, but earlier this year I updated some of my bedding, and was looking for silk pillowcases in a coordinating color. (Olive green, in my case.)
I found a fantastic selection of colors at Quince, and have been very happy with these. They’re washable, and available in Standard, Queen, and King sizes.
Scented Candle – $49
Lately, as I’ve been restocking both beauty and household items, I’ve been making a point to seek out cruelty-free options.
I love Salt & Stone for their deodorant and skincare — and just discovered their scented candles are equally wonderful. This one’s a new favorite! (Use code SUSAN10 for 10% off.)
Luxe Matches – $25
And here’s another of my favorite little luxuries: quality wooden matches in a pretty box!
(These also make a charming hostess gift, BTW.)
What are some of the little luxuries you’ve been enjoying lately?
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Hi Susan,
I appreciate you! Love that you don’t list Amazon or Target fashion, that you include both higher end and more affordable options., and note best colors for your readers.
I thought you might want to check out Smaak bags during your next trip to Europe. I recently bought their Cliff bag in Amsterdam, and it is quite nice and reasonably priced.
Best, Ann
Hi Ann, thanks so much, and thanks for the tip! I’ll keep my eyes open for those.
I recently purchased a towel warmer for our main bathroom for $89, just large enough for two towels. It turned out to be a surprisingly wonderful and pampering luxury for the cold weather we’ve been experiencing in the south. I had no idea how decadent it would feel to pull out a warm towel to dry off with post-shower!
Susan I love your posts the best (I get two other authors on fashion choices). But I want to revisit the whole ‘seasons’ labels for my color choices. I always thought my hazel eyes gave me the autumn label but really my skin tone (porcelain in the Bobbi Brown world) made me more winter (pinkish). ? Where’s a good site to revisit this?
Hi Linda, thanks so much! I think it’s very difficult for most people to self-analyze. Really, the best way to understand your color season is with a color analysis from a trained professional. They can help you find the colors that best harmonize with your skin tone. (and if indeed you have a lot of pink in your skin, your palette may be on the warmer side.)
Susan My luxury is a very good cup of tea without phones or work; this is a moment for pausing and appreciation. I recently had a necklace of pink pearls restrung and an easier clasp put on it for older hands. I also had a larger bale put on two pendants. to increase their use. I hadn’t been to the jewelry store in my neighborhood for ages. This was truly not a necessity but a luxury. I noted a few weeks ago you had a strand of pearls on with a gold chain and a pendant and I really liked that look! That you for all the work you do to give us such nice options.
My luxury is the White Company London, silk/cotton pillowcase. When it comes to clothing, once a year I order some outfits from a local designer (Sally Phillips) who is based in my home town. Very reluctant, no matter how tempting, to order clothes on line, due to shipping and return policies. But, those Liberty scarves are very beautiful
A cashmere watch cap in ocean blue for visits to the East Coast and early morning ocean walks:).
I completely agree about disliking huge scarves! I look for small neckerchief sized scarfs or triangular scarves which suit my 5’3” frame much better. And I’ve completely tossed my old infinity scarves! Love the Liberty pattern but not the excessive length.
Fun! I love the little bud vase that you got from My French Country Home! I got a little box of matches too but it has the Eiffel Tower on it! I also got one of Quince’s mulberry silk pillow cases for my new set of sheets (in Sky Blue) and love it. My new sunscreen (for my face) is from Ilia: Sun Serum Mineral SPF 50 tinted (I get light/medium). It’s got 10.5% zinc (could be higher) and has a nice finish that feels moisturizing. Prequel’s peach tinted mineral sunscreen has an even higher SPF and also leaves a dewy finish (some prefer a matte finish). Colorscience is a great brand too. I managed to gently ‘rough’ up the surface of my Jane Iredale pressed mineral powder and it’s good to go again. I’m trying her brow powder and pencil and I’ve ordered another lip color and an eyeshadow. Thanks for all the tips!
For me, it’s fresh cherries and corn on the cob. That puts a smile on my face.
I have many vases collected over the years. So, I decided to buy flowers (generally Trader Joes) and take bouguets to friends. No reason; just have a good day. They just add water and I also am downsizing my number of vases.
It’s the little things that matter, we say the Netherlands.
Greetje