small splurge

Small Splurge - Badgley Mischka Couture Parfum Elixir

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting of the illustrious Mark Badgley and James Mischka at the launch of their fabulous new fragrance, Badgley Mischka Couture.

"The top notes are sexy, with pear nectar, blackberry, and dark plum. The heart of the fragrance is supremely feminine, achieved with voluptuous gardenia and hints of jasmine and violet. All this floats over a creamy wood and musk base."

One of the most exciting things about this fragrance is their chic little tube of gel -- Badgley Mischka Couture Parfum Elixir. The tube, with its lush velvet bag, is their take on the traditional portable roll-on fragrance, which they feel is too much "like deodorant." Rubbing in this gel is sensual way to apply fragrance, and as it's just slightly larger than a tube of lip gloss (a modest .5 fl. oz.), it's easy to toss into even a clutch purse -- or your carry-on plastic bag for the airport.

Badgley Mischka Couture Parfum Elixir is available from Elizabeth Arden for just $48.00. Also, watch for their new jewelry collection to be presented at Henri Bendel for Fashion's Night Out September 10!

Tags: badgley mischka, BadgleyMischka, fragrance, small splurge, SmallSplurge

Small Splurge: The Unexpectedly High Class 2011 Ford Fiesta

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

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

Lizzie Lou's Crystal Flip Flops

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

Summer is in full swing and although in some stores fall shoes are already starting to make an appearance in my opinion it's never too late to buy a great new pair of sandals. I tend to wear flip flops anywhere and everywhere that they're even remotely socially acceptable, which means I have a closet full of them and am always on the lookout for new cute designs. These handmade versions by Lizzie Lou Shoes are on the upscale side of the flip flop family tree, featuring comfy EVA soles, real leather straps, and lots of pretty Swarovski crystal and semi-precious stone embellishments. Prices range from $107-$123/pair.

And if you missed them before, we covered these other Swarovski flip flops earlier this month.

Gallery: Crystal Flip Flops by Lizzie Lou

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Tags: flip flops, FlipFlops, lizzie lou, LizzieLou, sandals, shoes, small splurge, SmallSplurge, swarovski

Bumble Bells - Celebs Splurge on their Babies

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Celebrity Shopping

Celebrities like Jessica Alba (right, with baby girl Honor Marie Warren), Courteney Cox Arquette, and even Gwen Stefani have been adorning their babies' ankles with this summer's hot accessory for kids -- Bumble Bells.

Bumble Bells are not just tiny, adorable, audible anklets. They began with a future mom who went to Thailand:

"It all started when Mommy took a trip to Thailand. She saw a little boy toddling around in beautiful silver anklets with tiny bells on them. Everywhere he went, his parents could hear him toddling. And that sweet sound of his bumbling footsteps made Mommy swear that when she had a baby, she would procure herself a pair of those adorable anklets."

And you can guess what she did -- she had a baby and started her own company to bring Bumble Bells to the world!

The tiny anklets are ASTM-certified for safety, and can be worn all day and even to bed at night. The bells run from $45 (sterling silver) to $575 for the Eden Bells, Twinkle Bells, and Sea Shell Bells in gold (see gallery). You can even get a grownup-sized anklet for $97. A portion of all profits goes to Head Start. We like that.

Click through the gallery below to see our favorite Bumble Bells designs -- and why not splurge a little on a little one?

Gallery: Bumble Bells