Sometimes days are just rough. Try as you might, things don't go as planned. And not in a good, exciting, spontaneous type of way-- I'm talking about in a horrible, disastrous, aggravating, type of way. You wake up late and have to grab a stale piece of toast as breakfast, instead of savoring the omelette and crepe feast you were planning the night before. The hot water runs out while you're showering, because someone upstairs starts the dishwasher, washing machine, and runs a bath. The only thing on the radio is generically electronic remixes of already atrocious songs by Pitbull. Does this sound familiar? Do you have days like this? If the answer is yes, then I have a solution for you! I have compiled a list of products and practices to employ on those sticky types of days. Everything on this list is a relatively quick fix-- this isn't a list of extravagant, expensive, or exhausting things. (Although, be prepared for that list to someday be posted on this blog, and know that "Buy new Kate Spade pumps" will be top of the list.) But really--too often I stumble upon these lists of things to do to cheer yourself up, but all of the things take too much planning, too much money, or too much energy to achieve. And I'm lazy, broke, and tired! This is a different type of list. A list for us common people! A list for the Third Estate! Down with the aristocrats! (Sorry, once an AP Euro student, always an AP Euro student.) All French Revolution references aside, I made this list to be REALISTIC. These are things you can implement in your life easily, but that still have great effect. (Or at least they have for me.) Like, enough rambling, let's get to the list already.
1. Take a bath using Bloke's Coffee and Sweet Orange Body Scrub. I was generously gifted some of this miracle substance by a friend, and my bathing experience has forever been changed. Omg you guys this is a game changer. Not only does it smell divine, but the caffeine and other all-natural ingredients render your skin looking rejuvenated and awake. I use it on my body as well as on my face. Also sometimes a little bit slips into my mouth while I'm rinsing it off, and while I'm not condoning consumption of a body scrub, it tastes outrageously good too. (blokebody.com, $14.95 for 8 oz.)
2. Enhance your showering experience with an AbcoTech Shower Speaker. I have a strange love for warm water. I find it to be one of the most soothing things and can often be found in the shower or bath. (As you can likely deduce from the fact that the first two things on this list pertain to warm water.) I thought that showers couldn't get any better, and then I found the shower speaker. It rocked my world and only heightened my love for showering. (Clarification: loving showering is very different than loving washing your hair.) The speaker syncs via Bluetooth with the device of your choice, and comes in an array of cheery colors. (amazon.com, $24.97)
3. Lather some Udderly Smooth Hand Cream on those scaly hands of yours! I first heard about this product on my sister's blog, and despite her glowing recommendation, was definitely still a little skeptical about it due to the product name. But unsavory name aside, this hand cream is unbeatable. I've tried countless creams, butters, and salves, but this is my favorite of them all. Take it from someone with chronically arid skin, this stuff is gold. And the price of it doesn't suck either. (walgreens.com, $2.99 for 4 oz.)
4. Go to Sephora and peruse the perfume section. I find that I'm abnormally influenced by scent, and thus, I find this to be therapeutic. Find one of the Sephora associates and ask to get some samples of your favorite fragrances. In my experience, they're gracious about offering samples, so don't be too intimidated by their flawless eyeliner to speak up. I recommend Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf, Chanel Chance Eau Tendre, Eau so Fresh by Marc Jacobs, and Prada Candy. Spritz on your new fragrances, toss a few of the samples in your drawers to freshen up your clothes, and if you want to get really crazy, after a few times of sampling it, purchase a full sized version of the scent. I even keep my samples on in a dish on my armoir and give them a smell on a particularly dreary day. It's like a free oxygen bar. I'm officially the cheapskate of the year.
5. Enjoy a heaped spoonful of Trader Joes' Speculoos Cookie Butter. The Greek Gods have their Ambrosia, and I have my Cookie Butter. That's right-- I'm putting this stuff on an equal level with an elusive mythological elixir. I eat it straight from the jar, smothered on waffles, dolloped over ice cream, or melted over popcorn. In the words of Guy Fieri, "You could put this stuff on a flip-flop and I'd eat it." (Trader Joes stores, $3.69 for 14 oz.)
7. Watch an episode of Gilmore Girls or The Office. Both are tip-top favorites of mine. They offer enough drama to keep you interested, but not too much to make you distressed. (Ahem, Gossip Girl, I'm talking to you. Tone down the twists and turns, my heart can only handle so much!) They both feature fast-talking, witty, relatable characters, in lovable East Coast locations. Although, let's be real, I'd live in Stars Hollow over Scranton any day. Lovable for their own reasons-- let's put it that way. Really any episode of either one is worth watching, and with natural story-lines, there's no need to watch chronologically. Both series are available on Netflix.
8. Be outside. I find that I feel leaps and bounds better if I get outside. It's something that I initially am reluctant to do, as I am seriously a fan of curling up in bed with my laptop, but something that I am ultimately grateful to have done. Don't quote me on this, but I believe that beautiful scenery, an abundance of oxygen-giving flora, and physical activity are all proven to enhance your mood. There's probably research and studies to back me up on this. Right? K thanks. If you're athletically-gifted or whatever, take the sport you're talented at, and do it outside. If you're like me and Mia Thermopolis, and you have zero coordination, go hiking. ("I am a synchronized swimming, yoga-doing... horseback-riding, wall-climbing- type girl. My hand-eye coordination is zero" - Mia Thermopolis, PrinCESS of Genovia, "The Princess Diaries") If you won't even go hiking, simply walk through a garden. If there's no gardens in bloom, walk through a plant store. I recommend Cactus and Tropicals. Good playlist, nice temperature, and if you go on Saturdays, there's a really cute dog who looks like a storm cloud. No really, I die of the cuteness every time I see him. Ha, no excuses now!
9. Eat a bowl of piping hot Mac and Cheese. Anyone who has spent five minutes around me knows my fanaticism for this food. According to my mother, the love-affair started when I turned one and would only eat pasta. Fast forward a few years, and I can still be found at any given time with a cheese sauce mustache. Nothing compares to homemade mac, but if you must go commercial, there are two options. 1. Annie's Organic Mac and Cheese-- honestly anything that has a bunny rabbit as its logo is a give-in favorite product for me... but the tender noodles enrobed in zippy cheese sauce will convert you as well. 2. Noodles and Company Mac and Cheese-- if you lack even the energy to make boxed mac, Noodles and Company is your option. Soft elbow pasta swimming in a perfectly creamy bath of cheddar and heavy cream make this another go-to of mine.
10. Use Neutrogena cleansing wipes. One of the things I hate most is taking off my makeup and washing my face. The other thing I hate the most is going to be with crusty mascara and flaky foundation still on my face. You do the math. It's a major conundrum. The solution? Neutrogena wipes. While I don't endorse them as a daily substitution to washing your face, they're a perfect solution for those days, or rather nights, when you KNOW you don't have energy to lather and rinse. They successfully remove most of my eye makeup, as well as wipe away foundation. It's like getting a makeup remover and face wash all in one. Plus they smell good. I keep a pack in my gym bag to clean my face from sweat after a work out. That package doesn't get much use, but one of these days I WILL make it to the gym and I WILL use those wipes and I WILL be grateful that I packed them. (neutrogena.com, $7.49 for 20 wipes)
11. Visit Whole Foods. I have a dear friend named Ariana, whom I regrettably don't see as much as I used to. (Not seeing your friends everyday is maybe my only beef with high school ending.) As such, we often carve out time to catch up on what cute long-haired boys we've met, what poetry we're writing and reading, and let's face it: what gossip we've discovered. The venue for these pow-wows is always Sugarhouse, and always in a specific order. First, beverage and pastry consumption at Sugarhouse Coffee. Second, thrift shopping at Home Again. Third, lotion-testing at SLC Hemp. Fourth, perusing at Whole Foods. Fifth, a victory lap of plant-gazing at Cactus and Tropicals. But back to Whole Foods: you guys it's the best! It's here that I purchase some of my most favorite things. 1. Hand-Crafted Soaps: I love the Lime & Green Tea and the Jasmine. 2. Lounge Clothes: especially their sherpa-lined leggings aka A CLOUD TURNED INTO PANTS. 3. Love and Toast chapstick: my all-time favorite brand of lip balm, I recommend the Ginger Fizz and the Coconut Lime.
Well there you have it! 11 things to make those frustrating days a little bit more bearable. Why 11 items on this list? Why not 10? Why not 15? 1. I'm borderline carpel tunnel here with all this typing. 2. My class starts in 2 minutes and I don't want to be THAT girl who blogs during lectures. 3. I was born on June 11th. Satisfied?
