SmallSplurges

Small Splurge: The Unexpectedly High Class 2011 Ford Fiesta

Gas prices, global warming, and the economy are making smaller, ecologically sound vehicles more appealing, but traditionally downgrading in size has meant a downgrade in quality and features also. Is bigger always better? Ford says not necessarily. Next summer the Ford Fiesta, gone from the American market since 1980, is making a comeback and it's coming with a serious upgrade in style, performance, and high class details.

Now of course the Ford Fiesta is not a luxury car. It's not meant to be a luxury car. Its price-point is going to start somewhere under $15,000. But it seems worth sharing here anyway, especially as a 'small splurge,' since Ford has made a point of designing this car to appeal to those with more luxurious taste. The idea is that having a comfortable car full of useful features, solid workmanship, and cutting-edge technology doesn't necessarily have to be expensive, enormous, and gas-guzzling.

Now in the interest of full disclosure I am part of the Fiesta Movement, which might lead you to think I'm biased but really just means I know what I'm talking about because I've been driving one of these cars around as part of my life for the last 4 months. See the gallery below for photos and features (or see photos on Flickr) and then find out when and where you can test drive one and decide for yourself what you think at fiestamovement.com.

Gallery: The 2011 Ford Fiesta

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Tags: 2011 ford fiesta, 2011FordFiesta, fiesta movement, FiestaMovement, ford, ford fiesta, FordFiesta, small splurge, small splurges, SmallSplurge, SmallSplurges

Swarovski Crystal Embellished Flip Flops - Small Splurge

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

Swarovski Crystal Embellished Flip Flops - Small Splurge

You can buy simple, classic flip flops anywhere these days, from Target, to Kmart, to mall stores. But wouldn't you rather have Swarovski crystals on your flip flops? If you think yes, and are willing to spend a bit to make it what we like to call a small splurge, you need Deborah Evans's crystal embellished footwear.

Evans has blinged up three lines, using Havaianas from Brazil as the base: Resort, a 3/4-inch soled sandal available in 13 colors ($130); Metallic, a 3/4-inch soled sandal available in 5 colors ($98); and High Wedge, a 2-1/2-inch wedge sandal available in 4 colors ($185). These come in basic colors like black, brown and white.

For more pizzazz, you need the D-Street line, which is made from Evans's own line of rubber sandals, but still has the crystals and comes in 2 styles: the Street, a 3/4-inch soled sandal available in 15 fun colors/patterns, including animal prints ($120); and the Mini-Wedge, 1-1/2-inch soled sandal available in 15 even brighter colors, but luckily still in animal prints ($150).

Tags: crystal, Deborah Evans, DeborahEvans, flip flops, FlipFlops, sandals, shoes, smallsplurge, smallsplurges, Swarovski

Organic Clothing With a Hint of Luxury

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Green

Lux Life Apparel recently launched an organic clothing site, Lux Green Living. (I know luxe is spelled with an "e," but this is how they spell it.) The site is just getting going, and for its first line is featuring Toggery by Kate D'Arcy, a simple, casual line with reasonable prices that the site calls "a fun, contemporary line that appeals to every body shape and is offered in all organic and sustainable luxurious fabrics." I saw only one item that cost more than $100. I randomly clicked on about 10 items, and all were made with bamboo or cotton, and some had Spandex. If you're looking for some light, breezy summer basics that are eco-friendly, this could be a place to start. See the gallery for a few items that caught my eye (too bad they don't come in petite sizes).

Gallery: Organic Clothing With a Hint of Luxury

Tags: apparel, bamboo, clothes, clothing, cotton, Kate DArcy, KateDarcy, organic, smallsplurge, smallsplurges, sustainable, Toggery

Connecticut ArtPass Offers Discount Museum Deal

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

This is my idea of a small splurge, the Connecticut Art Trail offers an Art Pass that gives visitors the chance to experience 15 museums just $25. The pass has a $75 value and is available for any two-week period. You can order the Artpass online, select travel dites and print vouchers directly from the site. The pass includes the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, two galleries at Yale and a variety of other great museums scattered throughout the state.

[via Art Daily]

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Tags: art, art trail, ArtTrail, connecticut, museums, smallsplurge, smallsplurges

Custom Cufflinks For Father's Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Men's Style

Need a personalized gift for Father's Day? Shapeways offers a way to create do-it-yourself personalized metal cufflinks with a three-dimensional look. The Shapeways Cufflink Creator lets users enter text and then select from one of the nine styles to create a one-of-a-kind metal cufflink set. The links are made of stainless steel which is infused with bronze and cured and then finished. The cufflinks only cost $49 but you have to order by May 26 in order to get them in time for Father's Day.

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Tags: cufflinks, fathers day, FathersDay, gifts, smallsplurge, smallsplurges

Courvoisier Truffles, A Small Splurge

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Sometimes a small splurge is also about taking the time to enjoy it. These Courvoisier truffles invite you to sit down and savor the experience.The truffles combine Bissinger's fine 55 percent dark chocolate with a cask-strength blend of Courvoisier XO cognac. The result is a rich taste kissed with a hint of warmth. A box of 18 pieces is $36.

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Tags: chocolates, courvoisier, smallsplurge, smallsplurges, truffles

Butler Bag Classic, Handbag of the Day - Small Splurge

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Loyal Luxist readers know that every day at 5 p.m. we feature the Handbag of the Day. Today, we're doing the same, but bringing the price way down and featuring a simple bag with a small price -- a small splurge, we call it.

The Butler Bag, by Jen Groover, has a neat feature: an inside organizer with small slots to hold all the essentials without spilling over. No more digging for your phone, a pen, your keys ... The bag is leather with silver accents; dress it up or down. Its patented design also has a interesting concept -- that of no wallet needed. Credit cards and cash stand up for easy access and one-handed shopping transactions. The flat bottom means it stands on its own and won't flip over on front seat while driving. Hand-stitched with a zip closure.

Here, we're showing the Classic; $125. Also offered, a larger Hybrid, $165; a Satchel, $225; and a Tote, $275. Want to spend more and get more? Try the upscale Boutoure line. Add more with accessories, and give gift cards.

See the gallery for the inside view and some of the styles.

Gallery: Butler Bag Classic, Handbag of the Day

Tags: butler bag, butler bags, ButlerBag, ButlerBags, handbag, handbag of the day, HandbagOfTheDay, handbags, smallsplurge, smallsplurges

Spa Week At the Borgata, A Small Splurge

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

This small splurge is a one-week-only option. The Borgata in Atlantic City is offering a spa week featuring special deals at their Spa Toccare and the Immersion Spa at the Water Club. The Toccare Package includes a Borgata classic room and your choice of a bamboo lemongrass scrub, almond body buff, or the Grand Master B conditioning wrap for $210 + tax. For a bit more of a splurge you can opt for the Immersion package which includes a room in Borgata's Water Club plus a choice of an aromatherapy massage, personalized facial, or a Shirodara Ayurvedic treatment for $250. The Spa Toccare and Immersion Spa Week runs from May 17th to 22nd.

Tags: atlantic city, AtlanticCity, borgata, immersion spa, ImmersionSpa, smallsplurge, smallsplurges, spa toccare, SpaToccare

Kate Spade Jitney Coin Purse - Small Splurge

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Handbags

We feature a lot of fantastic handbags, but what about what you keep inside your handbag? Here's a small splurge, just in time for summer (which I am so ready for after a cold, cold East Coast winter!). Kate Spade's cute and colorful Jitney Coin Purse, named after NYC's Hampton Jitney bus line, comes in two patterns, both with a summer theme: SPF (this page) and G&T (see below). The coin purse is cotton canvas with smooth cowhide trim and features a zipper closure and 14-karat light gold plated hardware. Unlined; 2.4" H x 3.5" W; $50.

Gallery: Kate Spade Jitney Coin Purse

Tags: accessories, change purse, ChangePurse, coin purse, CoinPurse, Kate Spade, KateSpade, smallsplurge, smallsplurges, spade, summer

100 Years of Royal Albert Teas by Royal Doulton - Small Splurge

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Dining

Tired of drinking your tea out of some old mug you picked up at the office vendor fair? Try doing it the way the British do -- out of Royal Doulton china. The legendary company now offers "The 100 Years of Royal Albert Collection," which comprises two collections of 10 distinctive patterns that "capture the historical design statements and trends from the 10 decades of the 20th century that pay tribute to the Royal Albert brand's vitality, longevity and rich design history." Designed with classic shapes and delicate floral designs, this durable bone china will last long enough to become an heirloom. The two collections are "Best sellers from 1900 - 1940" (see below) and "Best sellers from 1950 - 1990" (this page). Each set is $130.

Gallery: 100 Years of Royal Albert Teas by Royal Doulton

Tags: beverages, china, Royal Doulton, RoyalDoulton, smallsplurge, smallsplurges, tea

Venetian Masks - Decadent Decor

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Art

Venetian masks add a mysterious glamour to any room. Fortunately, you don't have to go to Venice to get them, there are a number of beautiful masks available from Horchow in the $200 - $400 range.

These masks are elegant and rich with history. Venetian masks, traditionally worn in Italy during Carnivale, draw on Commedia dell'arte characters for their designs.

Though you may never find an occasion to wear the dramatic masks, they make for splendidly decadent wall decor. We recommend them for conversation pieces in grand, well-accoutered rooms (and not so much for a child's bedroom, as those hollow eyes can be rather creepy in the dark).

The masks you see are on sale from Horchow for $183.90 and up.

Tags: commedia dellarte, CommediaDellarte, horchow, mask, masks, smallsplurge, smallsplurges, venetian, venice