UNDER $100: Five Good Things That Feel Like a Treat
Five lovely finds that won't break the bank: from a gold-flecked lip balm, to a retro Casio watch that stands the test of time. Treat yourself, or tick off the hard-to-buy-for person.
Welcome to UNDER $100, where the point is not a bargain hunt. It is five things that happen to be lovely and happen to cost less than a decent dinner out. They won't break the bank, they make an ideal treat for yourself or a gift for someone else, and every one delivers well beyond what the price tag suggests.
A bangle for Tuesday and Friday night
Some jewellery is for special occasions and some is designed to be used everyday. But a special few can do both and the Mimco Miss Mim Bangle is just that. It's a slim gold-tone band with a little sparkle of glass crystals, and it opens on a hinge, so putting it on does not turn into a wrestling match. It is the kind of piece that will elevate a plain white shirt, or add to the whole look when things step up a notch. Wear it alone, or stack it up if you like a more eclectic look, at just $79.95 we're loving it.
The lip balm people ask about
The Tom Ford 24K Lip Blush is the one that gets a "wait, what is that?" from across the table. It looks like a clear balm with gold flecks floating inside, and the fun part is what happens next: as you apply it delivers a sheer pink that is designed to adjust to your own lips. So it works on a bare-faced Sunday just as well as a night out. The gold packaging looks exactly right sitting on a dressing table, and it is the easiest way to add a little luxury in your life. It is $90 at David Jones.
The moisturiser people keep rebuying
Not glamorous, just very useful. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane is the sort of moisturiser people quietly repurchase for years because it does its job without any fuss. It is light, it sinks in without leaving that greasy film, and it suits most skin types, which makes it a safe gift for the friend with strong skincare opinions. If your current routine is soap and hope, this is a gentle place to start. It's currently $59.20 on sale, down from $74.
A tote with weekender ambitions
The Country Road Logo Tote in Moss Green is a lot bigger than the name suggests. Think weekender rather than shopping bag: room for a change of clothes, a laptop and the book you swear you will read. It zips shut so things stay put, and there is a removable shoulder strap for the days your hands are full. The logo is quiet, and moss green is one of those colours that sits well with denim, black or camel, so it will not fight your wardrobe. It is $96.75 on sale at THE ICONIC, down from $129.
Retro Cool
The Casio A158WEA is retro cool without trying. It is a throwback to the digital watches of the 1980s, small and slim with a silver band, the kind of thing that looks right with a vintage tee, a blazer or a hoodie. It is the little wink on your wrist that says you have good taste and nothing to prove, and it has been a favourite for a long time for a reason. It is $83 on sale, down from $119.
Why these five
Treat yourself or shop for someone else, because each of these is the sort of thing that leaves a person a bit pleased every time they use it. With Christmas creeping up, they are also a good answer for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list. Good things do not have to be expensive, they just have to be chosen well.
At a glance
- Mimco Miss Mim Bangle: $79.95. Gold-tone plated brass with glass crystals, hinge closure.
- Tom Ford 24K Lip Blush: $90 at David Jones. Clear balm with gold-toned flecks that turns into a sheer pink stain, hydrating formula, all skin types.
- Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane, 50 ml: $59.20 sale price (regular $74). Lightweight daily moisturiser for all skin types.
- Country Road Logo Tote in Moss Green: $96.75 sale price at THE ICONIC (regular $129). 100% cotton, zip closure, removable adjustable shoulder strap, roughly 64 cm wide, 34 cm high and 30 cm deep.
- Casio A158WEA-1D64: $83 sale price (regular $119). Stainless steel band, 36.8 mm wide case, auto calendar, battery life listed at about 7 years.
Verdict: Five small upgrades that look and feel pricier than they are. If you only buy one, make it the Casio for pure retro cool or the Tom Ford for pure fun.
