Until Further Notice, Celebrate Everything!
I don’t know where I first heard this quote but it definitely resonates with me, perhaps now more than ever. After spending over a year mostly at home, socially distanced, and missing family and friends, every step back towards normalcy feels like a celebration. Now that Scott and I are fully vaccinated our world is opening up again and it is exciting!
My Mother ‘s Floral Arrangement
“Until further notice, celebrate everything!”
I don’t know where I first heard this quote but it definitely resonates with me, perhaps now more than ever. After spending over a year mostly at home, socially distanced, and missing family and friends, every step back towards normalcy feels like a celebration. Now that Scott and I are fully vaccinated our world is opening up again and it is exciting!
A few of my favorite recent celebrations:
Hugging my mom, who turned 90 during the pandemic, for the first time in over a year.
Hugging, kissing, and cuddling Charlie and Lily, our grandchildren.
Sitting on the couch and ‘chilling’ at Briana and Shawn’s home, my bonus daughter and family, for the first time since they moved in a year ago.
Lunch with dear friends, a milestone birthday dinner, a baby shower, alfresco dinner date with my hubby.
A spontaneous visit from cousins and a ‘sleep over’.
Mother’s Day lunch “inside” gathered with my family around our table decorated by my mother’s beautiful floral arrangement (all from her garden)
Hugging my bestie since 4th grade at lunch this week.
Even the ‘normal’ things like getting a haircut, pedicure, in-person shopping, and medical appointments feel much more comfortable. Yes, I definitely celebrated that long-awaited pedicure! Feeling truly grateful for this new chapter.
Up next on our itinerary? Our first flights in over a year take off next week! Yes, travel is back and we are slightly anxious yet VERY excited for a beach vacation. I’m so out of practice with packing that it will be an adventure in and of itself. Hope you will follow along on Instagram.
How about you? Are you feeling the celebration vibes too this season?
So I’m sticking with it, “Until further notice, celebrate everything” - large and small- that you have on your horizon.
By the way, our Virtual Luxury + Adventure Travel Show 2021 is Saturday, May 22. Find out more details and register for this fabulous travel event here. I promise it will fuel your wanderlust!
Inspiration for Celebrating Date Night at Home for Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine’s weekend, friends! With days passing slowly, it’s hard to believe it’s already mid-February, isn’t it?
This time last year my husband booked a romantic getaway to the Kenwood Inn & Spa in the Sonoma Valley. We had been keeping an eye on the news and understood it might be our last getaway for awhile with the pandemic on the horizon. In some ways that made the trip all the more special and we savored the little details even more than usual. Little did we know how much ‘home time’ we would all have in the coming year.
Happy Valentine’s weekend, friends! With days passing slowly, it’s hard to believe it’s already mid-February, isn’t it?
This time last year my husband booked a romantic getaway to the Kenwood Inn & Spa in the Sonoma Valley. We had been keeping an eye on the news and understood it might be our last getaway for awhile with the pandemic on the horizon. In some ways that made the trip all the more special and we savored the little details even more than usual. Little did we know how much ‘home time’ we would all have in the coming year. Read about one of our favorite stays in wine country: A Mediterranean Style Getaway to Kenwood Inn & Spa in the Sonoma Valley.
This year, we will be staying home and celebrating with our tradition of ordering a catered dinner from our local favorite in Chico, Bacio Catering. If the weather cooperates we will dine alfresco as we have on previous Valentine’s Days where we lucked out on the weather. A brilliant sunset would be an extra special bonus, especially this year.
A few ideas for Valentine’s Day inspiration:
10 Ideas to Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Home This Year from Town & Country Magazine.
20 of the Best Valentine’s Day Movies Ever Made
Tour Some of the World’s Greatest Landmarks Without Leaving Home
We are looking forward to Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy on CNN (debuting Valentine’s Evening)
Follow Stanley Tucci for mixology inspiration
In whatever way you plan to celebrate this weekend wishing you love, joy, and fun!
Ciao!
Heather
Previous posts on romance travel and date night:
![The Fine Art of a Romantic Date Night at Home [Thanks to Bacio Catering]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a66444d017db2e6975e076e/1525654624707-WLNWLS4ULRCCXZSYDEYV/16585443_1848234005389062_5041528621743734784_n.jpg)
Self-Care Tips for Stressful Times
It’s day 53 of our sheltering in place chapter and I finally polished my toenails. Is this a positive sign? I hope so! At least my toes are looking more cheerful. Overall, we are feeling more positive with May on the horizon. For now, we continue to stay home and stay safe.
It’s day 53 of our sheltering in place chapter and I finally polished my toenails. Is this a positive sign? I hope so! At least my toes are looking more vibrant. Overall, a bit of the mental fog is lifting and we are feeling more optimistic with May on the horizon. For now, we will continue to stay home and stay safe.
How are you doing during this stressful time? Now that you have likely had much more time at home are you changing up your self-care routines? As we already know, deep-breathing, exercise, healthy eating and proper rest are essential for self-care and stress reduction. I've also found that spa time at home is important for wellbeing.
Though there is less need to dress up on days like these, it doesn’t mean self-care should take a back seat. I’ll admit, I have had a few days where a shower felt like too much trouble, but I find I definitely feel better (physically and emotionally) when I take the time to care for my skin, hair, and nails.
I’m digging in my drawers for facial scrubs, masks, and serums that are half-used or forgotten. By the way, doesn’t it feel good to go through the items that have not been frontline and either use or dump them? It’s cost-effective, green and, honestly, my drawers have never looked better. Now that we have the luxury of time, I want to share a few of my must-haves for a spa day at home.
My necessities for a self-care home spa experience:
*Plush bamboo towels (2 matching sets in white for easy care laundering)
*A comfy, absorbent spa robe
*A fragrant candle like Jo Malone’s Basil and Neroli
*Facial Masque-Caudalie is a favorite that I picked up in Paris
*Body wash - Le Labo - Bergamote 22
*Skin serums and moisturizers from Peter Thomas Roth
*My Clarisonic Mia (a lifechanger for my skin)
*My DIY beauty elixir (see below)
*Cucumber and lemon water in a carafe
*Soothing, calming music (Spa channel on Satellite or anything 'Chill or downtemp' on spotify)
I’m planning to purchase this BeautyFIX box on sale that does not require a subscription right now. $24.99 for products worth over $100.00 and should come in handy since I’m no longer shopping in stores.
It’s nice to let our skin breathe (sans makeup except for business zooms) but moisture is key. I’ve recently renewed my appreciation for a household product that is a miracle in a jar. Read this post on My DIY Beauty Elixir for Thirsty Skin that I wrote a couple of years back.
I found these great tips for Self-Care from Virtuoso:
How to have the ultimate Self-Care Day
In need of some wanderlust?
Favorite Travel Spa Experiences from the Curated Travel Blog
Tips for Creating a Home Spa Experience
There are some weeks when there is nothing like a little time to yourself to help rejuvenate and restore. Taking an hour or so of quiet time, paired with a soothing at-home spa experience, is one of my favorite ways to refresh.
My home spa
There are some weeks when there is nothing like a little time to yourself to help rejuvenate and restore. Taking an hour or so of quiet time, paired with a soothing at-home spa experience, is one of my favorite ways to refresh.
I have a few 'home spa' musts~
*Luxurious, plush white cotton towels
*A comfy, absorbent robe like this from Barefoot Dreams
*A cozy wrap for staying cozy between treatments
*A fragrant candle (like my Dayna Decker here)
*Soothing, calming music (Spa channel on Satellite or anything 'Chill' on spotify)
*Facial Masque-Caudalie is a favorite that I picked up in Paris
*Clean scented soap that lathers like this from Peter Thomas Roth
*Body sugar scrub and body wash (MOR is my current favorite)
*Richly moisturizing body cream from Peter Thomas Roth
*Dry oil for body from Nuxe
*Mia by Clairsonic for face-it's changed my skin!
Kai Glow body oil spray-like a mini vacation on a tropical island
A favorite scent such as Kai.
To find the perfect Day Spa, yoga or pilates spa I use Spa Finder:
It's the perfect way to send the most luxurious and nurturing gift card to someone you love.
Another must have for spa time is a splash of spa water. I slice lemons and cucumbers and place in a pitcher with cool water. It's refreshing and has detoxifying and diuretic properties.
I've had these for 10 years and I am still enchanted by these vintage perfume bottle prints.
Now if you'll excuse me, there is somewhere I need to be.........
creating-home-spa-experience
Are you like me? A little soak and a little spa therapy makes a new woman out of me.
Ambient, candlelit and luxurious............
