{"id":34041,"date":"2025-10-03T10:51:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T10:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/usa\/the-micro-luxury-items-one-woman-has-splurged-on-to-make-her-daily-life-better-from-a-100-hairbrush-to-950-ballet-flats\/"},"modified":"2025-10-03T10:51:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T10:51:33","slug":"the-micro-luxury-items-one-woman-has-splurged-on-to-make-her-daily-life-better-from-a-100-hairbrush-to-950-ballet-flats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/usa\/the-micro-luxury-items-one-woman-has-splurged-on-to-make-her-daily-life-better-from-a-100-hairbrush-to-950-ballet-flats\/","title":{"rendered":"The ‘micro-luxury’ items one woman has splurged on to make her daily life better — from a $100 hairbrush to $950 ballet flats"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Claudia
Claudia Gough, a 29-year-old PR manager with an eye for luxury items.<\/p>\n

Chloe Paul for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It's been nearly a decade since Claudia Gough shopped fast fashion.<\/p>\n

Instead, the 29-year-old public relations manager for Benefit Cosmetics has focused on investing in mindful, high-quality pieces that will last her a lifetime \u2014 or at least, longer than average.<\/p>\n

Speaking with Business Insider, Gough, who lives in Australia, said she loves "the concept of micro-luxuries," which she described as "small indulgences that don't have to cost a fortune, but really enhance your day-to-day life."<\/p>\n

For Gough, that includes leather ballet flats, a personalized hairbrush, and even a fancy car air freshener.<\/p>\n

"It's taken years to build a wardrobe and home like this, and I definitely don't take it for granted," she said. "I'm very aware that these things aren't necessities. But for me, they're small moments of joy and self-care that genuinely fill my cup."<\/p>\n

Here's what she recommends if you're looking for the same daily feeling of delight.<\/p>\n

A $630 cropped jacket and a $220 pair of Agolde jeans are staples of Gough's wardrobe.<\/h2>\n
\"Claudia
Claudia Gough wears her Sandro Paris jacket and Agolde jeans.<\/p>\n

Chloe Paul for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The tan, rhinestoned piece from Sandro Paris is one of Gough's most frequently worn outerwear pieces.<\/p>\n

"It's structured, but versatile, and somehow works with everything, from denim to dresses," she said.<\/p>\n

Gough often pairs the piece with Agolde's mid-rise, wide-leg Harper jeans in the shade dark denim.<\/p>\n

"The cut is just unmatched," she said. "They're flattering, incredible quality, and the perfect<\/em> shade of blue."<\/p>\n

Each pair features five pockets and is crafted from a blend of new and recycled cotton.<\/p>\n

"When I shop, I look for timeless cuts, quality fabrics, and versatility," Gough added. "If something works across seasons and outfits, it's worth the investment."<\/p>\n

She splurges on "chic" cashmere socks.<\/h2>\n
\"Cashmere
Claudia Gough's cashmere socks from Maggie Marilyn.<\/p>\n

Chloe Paul for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gough said Maggie Marilyn's cashmere socks \u2014 which cost 95 Australian dollars, or about $63 \u2014 are "a tiny luxury that makes such a big difference in winter."<\/p>\n

"They're warm and cozy, but still look chic," she said.<\/p>\n

The socks feature the logo of the sustainability-forward brand at each ankle, and they're sold in brown and tan colorways.<\/p>\n

"I love supporting Australian and New Zealand designers," Gough said. "We're so lucky here to have access to some of the best fashion in the world."<\/p>\n

To elevate her outfits, Gough wears $600 sunglasses.<\/h2>\n
\"Celine
Celine makes Claudia Gough's favorite sunglasses.<\/p>\n

Chloe Paul for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Celine's Triomphe Metal 01 sunglasses are the epitome of high quality, according to Gough. She's had a pair for years and said they "instantly elevate any outfit."<\/p>\n

The oval-framed shades feature green-tinted lenses and gold metal frames. They're expensive, yes, but they're occasionally available secondhand.<\/p>\n

"Not everything needs to be brand-new," Gough said. "I love thrifting, and I regularly check Facebook Marketplace for home finds. Shopping mindfully doesn't always mean shopping expensively."<\/p>\n

Most days, you can find Gough wearing designer ballet flats.<\/h2>\n
\"ballet
Most days, you can find Claudia Gough wearing these Loro Piana ballet flats.<\/p>\n

Chloe Paul for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loro Piana designs her favorite pair: the $950 Rebecca Ballet Flat.<\/p>\n

"I wear them at least four times a week," she said. "They go with everything."<\/p>\n

The calfskin shoes have rounded-point toes, suede interiors, and leather soles. They're sold in four colors.<\/p>\n

In her home, Gough uses checkered towels from Baina.<\/h2>\n
\"towels\"\/
Baina makes these green towels that Claudia Gough loves.<\/p>\n

Chloe Paul for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Baina says on its website that it aims to elevate bathing routines with texture and color using 100% organic cotton. According to Gough, that's exactly what her favorite towels do.<\/p>\n

She uses the $420 set in the sage and chalk colorway to add "subtle luxury" to her everyday routines.<\/p>\n

Rather than using any old hairbrush, Gough likes a $100 option from Florietta.<\/h2>\n
\"A
Her Florietta hairbrush is engraved with her first name in gold.<\/p>\n

Chloe Paul for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Australian brand specializes in elevated hair tools that are said to be long-lasting and sustainable. Gough is especially fond of the brand's Signature Brush, which retails for $101.<\/p>\n

"It has boar bristles, which have been amazing for scalp health and hair growth," she said. "It also looks stunning on a vanity."<\/p>\n

Gough's brush is personalized with her first name engraved in gold.<\/p>\n

Gough said her car smells great thanks to a $120 air freshener.<\/h2>\n
\"Car
The Diptyque air freshener in Claudia Gough's car.<\/p>\n

Chloe Paul for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many people love Diptyque's candles \u2014 but what about its car air fresheners? Gough is a fan.<\/p>\n

She said she spends a lot of time driving and uses the brand's $120 diffuser, which attaches to her car's vents. It has an adjustable grill that changes the intensity of its scent and is said to last up to 40 hours.<\/p>\n

Each additional insert retails for $70.<\/p>\n

Read the original article on Business Insider<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Claudia Gough, a 29-year-old PR manager with an eye for luxury items. Chloe Paul for BI It's been nearly a decade since Claudia Gough shopped fast fashion. Instead, the 29-year-old public relations manager for Benefit Cosmetics has focused on investing in mindful, high-quality pieces that will last her a lifetime \u2014 or at least, longer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34042,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-34041","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-usa"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34041","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34041"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34041\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34041"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34041"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34041"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}