It’s no secret that I love a little luxury. I love a big luxury, too, but it’s really the everyday moments that give me the sense of a romantic life. The small touches, the moments taken to make a cup of tea or coffee-shop drink, the bouquet of flowers, the silk robe I wear just to do my skincare.
And it’s certainly no secret that I love Trader Joe’s, too. What I love about it most? The rotating seasonal finds that are heavy on today’s trends without being obnoxious. Products that are current but also just really damn good. In my mind, it might just be the most underrated stop for affordable luxuries, especially those that help you gently lean into the seasons.
Summer is in full bloom at TJ’s, and I scoured each aisle to find the best affordable luxuries to help you romanticize your season. I’m seeing you serving a little brunch-for-two at home, arranging a little bouquet of heavily-petaled flowers for your bathroom, engaging in a little pastry-and-matcha routine whenever you feel that afternoon meh coming on. Here’s what I love:
Home
Peonies. You need flowers, girl. Peonies are my favorite, and they look undeniably luxe when they bloom, full but delicate. $9.99/5 stems
Olive tree. Perfect in a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining table, or that little corner of your living room you call your gym. Get a cute little basket for her; she’s perfect. These are SUCH a good price. $10.99/PER TREE!
Reusable lavender dryer bags. Is it the South of France in here or are you just using Trader Joe’s reusable lavender dryer bags? I think it’s honestly impossible to say. $4.49, which is basically $1.10 per bag. Steal.
Daily Facial Sunscreen (Invisible Gel Formula). My all-time favorite sunscreen, this mattifying sunscreen is a dupe of a popular (and way more expensive) brand I used to use. Never going back. It’s clear, doesn’t leave that gross film other SPFs like to deposit, and it doesn’t smell like anything. I keep a tube in my car, a tube in my bathroom drawer, a tube in my purse, a tube in my travel toiletries bag, AND I packaged them as part of a summer-themed gift bag for our teachers at the end of last year. I’m lightly obsessed. $8.99
Hydrating Biocellulose Face Mask. Summer can be brutal on your skin, girl. Show it some love! Hyaluronic acid and aloe are big hitters in warmer, sunnier weather, making this mask perfect. $2.99 each
Food
Raspberry, Vanilla, and Blueberry Macarons. Macarons are always in season, if you ask me, but this box is perfectly seasonal with its berry flavors. Keep these in your freezer and pull out a couple when you need a little luxury bump. Close your eyes. You are in France now. $5.99 for 12 macarons
Mini Brie Bites. Oh this? Oh, this is just a little pop of ultra-creamy cheese, on hand for emergencies. You know the type: charcuterie board emergencies, aperitif emergencies, fancy salad emergencies. I’m nothing if not prepared. $4.49
Spanish-Inspired Charcutería. But no charcuterie emergencies here. This Spanish-inspired charcutería plate offers a nice selection for tapas night, girl dinner, or happy hour on the porch. Serve with manchego, olives, chips, and invite me. Mmm. $5.99
Simply high-quality dark chocolate with the perfect touch of sea salt. I accept the packaging’s advice to take it “on the go,” but I won’t be leaving it in my car (again). Fool me once, Dark Chocolate Thins. $2.99
Everything But the Bagel Seasoned Smoked Salmon. Brunch? Yes, brunch. I love the idea of this Everything But the Bagel smoked salmon over, well, bagels and cream cheese for an easy weekend breakfast or brunch that’s packed with flavor, fanciness, and omega-3s. Or maybe you’ll sprinkle it over a salad with some goat cheese and olives. Love what you’re thinking. It stays fresh (before it’s opened, that is) for a good amount of time, so I love having this in my fridge. $5.99
Truffle Marcona Almonds. These instantly make me want an aperitif moment, with little bowls of olives, potato chips, and these almonds astride an aperol spritz. I’d really prefer to also be overlooking Lake Como, but I’ll take what I can get. These are also a fab snack to keep on hand, in your purse or in the car, whenever you need a little something crunchy. $5.99
Crunchy Chili Onion. Spicy chili crisp with savory onion and a killer price? On-trend and affordable: one of my favorite combos (besides aperol spritzes and views of Lake Como, of course). Drizzle over eggs, noodles, veggies, savory cottage cheese bowls (Yessss), over grilled or roasted meats; or stir into dumplings, soups… literally anything. $4.49
Dark Chocolate Covered Pistachios. Pistachios are having a moment, and it’s because they’re the dang best. Toss them in dark chocolate and make me think they’re somehow even healthier? I love you, TJs. $4.49
Organic French Baguette. Nothing makes me happier deep in my soul than a bundle of fresh baguettes. These are organic and priced beautifully. Eat them with your brie bites and your charcutería, or just by the fistful on the drive home. It is simply the French way. $1.99
Sliced Brioche. Oh, I just want to eat the entire loaf. Imagine a slice, lightly toasted, smeared with really good raspberry preserves and a couple slices of brie. I’ve died inside! I’m fully gone from this earth! I can’t handle even the mere thought. And did you just suggest French toast to me?! Made with this very fairly priced brioche?! How dare you (I’m super in.). $3.99 per loaf
Focaccia Bread. With roasted tomatoes and parmesan, this little focaccia guy is just giving me all the summery feelings. Smothered in a little burrata? Dipped in some really good olive oil, salt, and pepper? Sliced down the middle and stuffed with your charcutería for a delightful lunch? I’m fully invested. $4.99
Ube Pretzels. We can’t all be rich and beautiful like ube, but these pretzels are too fun to miss. They’re limited, so pick up a bag! The salty pretzels with the nutty, vanilla-y ube? Obsessed. $3.49
Dark Chocolate Roasted Pistachio Toffee. Are we back to the pistachio-dark chocolate combo? Because I will always come back. I think TJ’s might have just upped the ante with this toffee, though. Toffee will always, always win any battle for me, and this combination is almost unfair. The nutty pistachio cuts the bitterness of the dark chocolate and the rich caramel of the toffee. Perfect luxury. $6.49
Frozen Chocolate or Almond Croissants. This might just be my all-time favorite at-home luxury hack: keep frozen croissants on hand at all times! At our resort in France last summer, we peeped them popping frozen croissants into the oven each morning, producing unfairly golden, flaky pastries we snacked on just way, way too often. If it’s good enough for them, it’s certainly good enough for me. Make sure you let them rise overnight! $5.99 for 4
Green Tea Mochi. I can really get down with just about any mochi, especially in the summer, but matcha always wins for me. With an extra touch of luxury and rich flavor, I love keeping a box of these on hand whenever I need an elevated treat. $4.99 for 6
Organic White Truffle Potato Chips. Here they are! Your ultimate aperol spritz-Lake Como aperitif-moment chips! Thick, kettle-style chips with a delicate white truffle flavor? Say absolutely nothing more. No, no, I mean, keep talking. Did I mention they’re seasoned with fleur de sel sea salt? Utter luxury that’s totally down to earth. $2.99
Beverages
Have you ever seen a bottle of wine that looked more suited to a summertime picnic? I haven’t. Well, maybe not until this one:
French Fizz Wine. All you need is a bottle opener and a vessel of some sort (or not), and you’re in full-tilt summer bubbly mode. I love a French wine, sure, but a French wine that is… I fear I must clear my throat before this, but… ahem… $7.99. SEVEN NINETY-NINE! I don’t even, I can’t, I just, how.
Cold Brew Coffee Bags. High-quality cold brew made super easily? I’ll take 20. OK, well, maybe 14, which is how many cups this makes, and for less than the price of one extra-large, extra-fancy coffee at Starbs (or a small and boring one at an airport Starbs). This cold brew would be perfect in my rhubarb espresso tonic. $8.49 for 4 bags
Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix. Instant coffee-shop moment. Whisk it up and pour over ice or jam, or drink it hot on a cooler morning. The price? I’ll never recover. $4.99
OK, what am I missing? I need all the recs!!
Wishing I was closer to a TJs. Closest one is 2.5 hrs away. Oh well, saving this post for to read again before a weekend trip...