Weekend Mode: Level Up (Bits of) Your Life

Let's all commit to being the slightest bit extra this weekend!

Hello, Gorgeous!

I forgot to mention that I was taking off yesterday for Yom Kippur. I apologize if your inbox was lonely without me. It really only happens a few times a year!

Moving right along.

A reader named C.J., sent me an empassioned plea. Here’s part of it:

Please stop telling us about products we can save on. I went through my second divorce 7 months ago and realize I’ve been scrimping and saving for the past 26 years. Tell me what to splurge on. Please!

Oh, C.J., I tell you what to splurge on all the time! But I also try to recommend products at a variety of price points. But in your honor, here are some splurgey things you really need and deserve.

A schmancy coffee maker

Everyone and their office husband have a Keurig; maybe it’s time for something a bit more indulgent? Lotus Professional is a range of premium kitchen appliances that are beautifully designed and have an incredible amount of unexpected extras. I know that last part sounds like a contradiction in terms, but how else would you describe something that’s easy to use yet produces superior results every single time. If you loved Wolf small appliances, you already know just how incredible this new line is. But back to the coffee maker.

Lotus Professional Series The Top Drip Coffee Maker

I’m not a hardcore coffee drinker pounding back cup after cup all day long. I am, however a coffee snob. I love savoring a perfect cup of coffee from time to time (and more often, as the days get shorter).

Here’s what I love about my Lotus:

There are three modes including Accubrew (where you can set your preferred strength), Manual (a more traditional drip brewing experience) and Clean (which removes mineral build-up). That’s it. I don’t need anything complicated, and I love the fact that this beauty literally cleans up after itself.

Want to feel even fancier? It brews Gold Cup Standard coffee, certified by Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). And yes, that’s a real thing with rigorous tests on everything from water temp to brewing time.

Love to indulge in a cup throughout the day? The thermal stainless-steel carafe keeps up to 10 cups fresh and hot all day long. And yes, I did actually taste test once hourly to see if there was a change in taste. Nope. Coffee perfection. This one also makes an incredible holiday gift for your coffee-loving relative ($600, williams-sonoma.com).

An upgraded makeup case

I’m already a big fan of Kusshi’s collection of nylon and scuba fabric mini pouches and cases. They’ve upgraded their offerings with cool new metallic leather oversized cases. I’m firmly convinced that a disco-era Bianca Jagger would have proudly carried this as her night out clutch for a night of revelry at Studio 54 ($94-$164, kusshi.com).

A very bold gold ear cuff

I have many piercings in my ears. Many. And my look right now is intentionally sparkly minimalism, but as sweater season looms, I feel like I want to balance the cowls with a more noticeable approach. Since bold gold puffy ear cuffs are showing up everywhere and I’m sorely tempted to shift my ear stack and have a go at one. Ettika makes some fabulous gold plated cuffs in white or yellow gold. The look is Dynasty-era maximalism with an extremely modern edge ($30, Nordstrom).

A luxe lip

Oh, MAC. Just when I swore you off for featuring Kris Jenner as one of your new faces you just had to go and launch something covetable. Dazzlelips Crayon is incredibly shiny and pigmented proving the two are not mutually exclusive. You’ll also never have to sharpen them and can either layer color or create color gradients by using a darker shade near your lip edges and a softer color to create an extra pout. Yes. I am suggesting that you splurge and treat yourself to two colors at once. Life is short. Your lips should always look amazing ($28, maccosmetics.com).

Do you have any decadent treats in plan for the weekend? Permission granted to be extra! Let’s meet in the comment sections to discuss!

Rachel, Your beauty concierge 💋