Weekend Musings #1

rejuvenate

/rɪˈdʒuːvəneɪt/

verb

make (someone or something) look or feel better.

Saturday morning, it’s raining, it’s cold and I am cycling to the post office with Daisy in her seat. I’m hoping this time the package I have to pay to pick up isn’t my latest mortgage statement. Cheltenham & Gloucester I still begrudge that £1.50. Dr Husband is working yet another weekend. Gone are the days of GTL (for those of you who aren’t Jersey Shore fans that’s Gym, Tan and Laundry.) Weekend days minus another half are just wearisome. Those foot loose and fancy free are doing something my body can no longer do, lying in or sipping coffee over brunch and families are being families which means there is no one around. Yet before I drown in my own self-pity, I know there are plenty of parents out there in the same situation, or worse. As I cycled I witnessed a mum with exactly the same set up, except she was also directing another child cycling his own bike and moaning about it loudly. Thankfully Daisy can’t speak yet.

My little escapade to the post office started me thinking about some of the things I’ve been doing recently to rejuvenate myself. The concept of a restful weekend, as I once thought of it, is clearly not possible, but what are the little things I can do to restore my sense of equilibrium?

Eating Oranges

In an attempt to fight off colds and other dreaded lurgies, I have indulged with daily fresh oranges. An indulgence purely because they take time to peel. Whilst I’ll painstaking make Daisy another Annabel Karmel cordon bleu meal, I grab the last piece of slightly moulding bread, and hope toasting and covering it with honey will make it taste slightly less stale. Also, vitamin supplements are banned in this household, as a result of severe case of scepticism from Dr Husband. In my humble, non-medical, opinion oranges are the next best thing.

Painting My Nails

Peeling old varnish and white shrivelled up toes are sure signs that it is winter and my feet are in hibernation. In a bid not to scare away the spiders, I have given them a little TLC with Little Ondine’s black nail polish. All 100% natural ingredients, so no nasty smell and it’s quick drying. So quick, that I can do it with Daisy around. It doesn’t last as long as True Brit’s nail polish, but I love the fact you can just peel it off, which prevents that “I’m just too rushed off my feet to sort out my nails’ look.

Wearing Luxury Socks

I’ve indulged in a little bit of luxury for my feet and bought these cashmere bed socks from The White Company. Made in Scotland, they are just so warm and cosy for cuddling up on the sofa with a cup of tea on a cold autumnal day.

Using Kleem Organics’ Intensive Rejuvenating Vitamin C Serum*

Described as, “the perfect elixir for aging,” it is a serum that has 20% vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is important for repairing free radicals that damage skin cells. The serum is 98% natural and 72% organic, and I have used it morning and night after cleansing and before applying moisturiser. Now, I have a healthy scepticism about anything that claims to be anti aging. But, since using this serum I have noticed that my pores have reduced in size, and my overall complexion looks more healthy and radiant. Also I haven’t had a spot since using it, which is remarkable as I live in pollution ridden London. Plus when I put my foundation on top, the serum stops it from sinking into my wrinkles, which is definitely a plus point. Sadly it is not available for sale in the UK yet, but will be in a few months. I’ll keep you updated on this.

Lighting a Candle

Gone are the days of re-gifting scented candles, luxurious fragrances have changed all that and this candle by Maison Ves is no exception. Once Daisy is in bed and the toys are all put away, I love to light this Vanilla and Coconut* candle and enjoy the peace. An alternative to a bouquet of flowers or a written card, founder, Dee Vesali, has created a luxury gift with a modern twist- the hashtag message. The Black Fig and Vanilla candle comes with the message #Thank you #WORDSCANTEXPRESS #YOUAREONEINAMILLION #IOWEYOU #SIMPLYTHEBEST #FOREVERGRATEFUL #XOXO. With 9 different fragrances there is one for every occasion be it a #Happy Birthday, #Wedding, #Mother’s Day. Handmade in the UK each candle weighs 420gsm and burns for 100 hours. They sound expensive at £78 a candle, but if you consider that a Jo Malone candle of the same size would be £88.20, they suddenly sound a much better price.

BTW the parcel I collected was a new pair of slippers for me, so definitely worth the trip.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Shop the Edit

• Nail Varnish*: Little Ondine
• Cashmere Bed Socks: The White Company
• Vitamin C Serum*: Kleem Organics – Not available in the UK yet
• Candle*: Maison Ves

*Denotes item gifted to me by the brand.