During those ten days when Mr. Magpie was self-isolating and I was caring for the children in quarantine, I tried to treat myself to small slivers of self-care in the evenings, once the children were down. One night, this meant opening a nice bottle of wine, putting on a Christmas movie, and eating delivery Shake Shack, re-plated on our good china. Another night, this meant applying my favorite combination of face masks (Origins Rose Clay Mask on forehead/t-zone and Clarins V-Facial from cheeks down to neck), drawing a bubble bath, and doing absolutely nothing. I’d actually brought my Kindle and my devotional to the tub with me, but ended up permitting myself to just lay there and soak, doing nothing but enjoying the quiet and warmth. And still another, this meant re-watching Bridgerton while scrolling through Instagram and shopping on my phone. I usually follow the “One Screen at a Time Rule,” which is a helpful prophylactic measure to prevent myself from distractedly frittering away an evening while not actually consuming anything (how can you absorb anything with so much input?!), so it felt delicious and even slightly wrong to let myself tune in and out and aimlessly fall down Instagram rabbit holes. The point: permitting myself to be a little over-indulgent, relaxing my self-imposed rules, and letting myself sit and do absolutely nothing at all. Why do I feel the constant urge to be doing something, even while bathing? Like, can’t I just let my wind wander?
Nothing novel here, but I will say these tiny stretches of pampering helped me through that time, mainly by slowing the clock and giving me the rare luxury of time not designated for anything at all. I think there are even tinier ways to express self-love, like taking the time to set up your work station or meal prep station or even gift wrap station this holiday season so that it is calm and visually pleasing. This might mean clearing the area of clutter, lighting a candle, pouring a full carafe of water with lemon and cucumber in it, brewing some favorite tea, putting on holiday music, slipping into favorite slippers, dimming or brightening the lights, etc. The same goes for breakfast — why not plate your English muffin on your wedding china, or pour your morning coffee into a treasured mug? Why not launder your sheets in fancy detergent every now and then? Etc.
A few little finds to abet your next slice of pampering…
HILL HOUSE NAP DRESS — I HAVE SO MANY OF THESE ITS EMBARRASSING
WEIGHTED EYE MASK — WANT ONE OF THESE TO UPGRADE MY NEXT BATH
PORTABLE WATERPROOF SPEAKER — SO YOU CAN PLAY RELAXING MUSIC OR A PODCAST IN THE SHOWER/BATH
BEARABY WEIGHTED BLANKET — MY SISTER + BROTHER-IN-LAW ADORE THIS THING…MUCH CHICER THAN OTHER WEIGHTED BLANKETS I’VE SEEN
HAIR CLAWS I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT — PERFECT WHILE WASHING FACE, APPLYING MAKEUP, OR JUST PULLING HAIR OUT OF EYES!
5-MINUTE JOURNAL — CARVE OUT SOME QUIET TIME FOR GUIDED JOURNALING
T3 SHOWERHEAD — MULTIPLE SETTINGS AND A FILTER TO YIELD THE BEST HAIR WASH AND SHOWER YOU’VE EVER HAD
BILLIE RAZOR — I DON’T THINK THIS IS ANY DIFFERENT THAN GILLETTE, BUT A) IT’S CHEAPER, B) IT’S PRETTIER, AND C) IT’S EASIER BECAUSE THEY SHIP REPLACEMENT BLADES DIRECTLY TO YOUR DOOR
$23 HOUSE SLIPPERS — LIKE MINE, BUT LESS THAN 1/3 THE PRICE
PRETTY WATER CARAFE — A LOVELY REMINDER TO HYDRATE
GLASS MATCH CLOCHE — JUST MAKES LIGHTING A CANDLE (<<LOVE THIS NEW-TO-ME BRAND AND V IMPRESSED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE SCENT) THAT MUCH MORE SPECIAL
HORROR VACUI LIBERTY PRINT NIGHTGOWN — SPECTACULAR SPLURGE
BODY SCRUB WITH A CULT FOLLOWING — JUST ORDERED FOR MYSELF
MY LATEST LINGERIE ACQUISITION
AMOPE FOOT FILE — LEGIT THE BEST IF YOU HAVE VERY DRY FEET…PERFECT FOR AT-HOME PEDI! FOLLOW WITH ORIGINS FOOT CREAM
CASHMERE LOUNGE SET — *MOUTH WATERS*
GORGEOUSLY SCENTED DETERGENT — USE THIS FOR SHEETS AND TOWELS ONLY
MY FAVORITE SHAMPOO TO SPORADICALLY SPLURGE ON — OTHERWISE, I JUST STICK WITH PANTENE
These and even more ideas below…many of which I own and love. Many of these would also make great last-minute gifts!
P.S. Five face masks I love.
P.P.S. Beauty products I just can’t quit.
P.P.P.S. On self-care as a mother.