Winter has hit Melbourne like it’s never hit it before…ok, what I’m trying to say is that it’s never been colder than it has ever been. Or maybe it’s just that I can’t remember how cold Winter in Melbourne can be that this year seems to be so much more unbearable that it was previously. So much so that I think I might actually need to get some thermals for myself – or that the office I work in just might need to crank up the level on their heating! Anyway, it is usually during this time of the year that I tend to hibernate. Instead of going out during the weekends, I tend to favour staying in and indulging in my need to just chill out and relax.
What do I do to make myself feel extra special and help me chill out? You would be surprised to know that these things are really so simple and inexpensive that even YOU can indulge in them.
- Chocolates – I have a terrible sweet tooth that if you gave me a choice between a main and dessert, I would most definitely rather have dessert than lunch or dinner, just to satisfy my insatiable need for something sweet and satisfying. I often find it weird when people say they don’t like chocolates. Really? Why? It is a mystery to me but I respect any differences anyone might have, even though it is towards something I would gladly herald as better than a roll in the haystack – yes I would go there. But, I don’t just stuff my face with any old chocolate, it would definitely have to be DARK chocolates. Ahhh…I could just imagine some in my mouth right this moment, while I’m typing this out! So imagine my excitement when I found out that Lindt has concocted a few new flavours to go with their dark chocolate. Sea Salt with Dark Chocolate anyone? Oh the joy…so bad that I think Master 6 STOLE the rest of the bar…or maybe I actually finished it but couldn’t remember. To be perfectly honest, I still have no idea which was the case?! Then there’s the one with passionfruit infused, which I thought was a little bit weird but when I tried it…OH MY GOODNESS….have you ever had bliss in your mouth? If you don’t, then yes, that was what it was like for me. The slightly aromatic passionfruit flavour binded beautifully with the tartness of the dark chocolate and the tiny crunchy chunks of…I think it was nut, to complete the experience. I even used half of that to make myself some brownies, which I had to share with the kids, unfortunately.
- Mocktails – I know that it sounds just out of character to have something COLD in Winter, but, if it could transport me to somewhere warm, I thought, why not? Why mocktail instead of a cocktail? Well, you wouldn’t want to be half drunk when it’s only midday do you? So I turn to something that would evoke some sense of tropicana. Soul‘s non-alcoholic range of mocktails are just that. With a “mojito” in one hand and my other indulgence in the other, I can’t imagine a better way to enjoy my weekend. Yes, I’ll get to my “other” indulgence in a little while. With 3 different flavours – Virgin Cosmopolitan, Virgin Mojito and Virgin Black Russian, I chose to go for the mojito for its combination of lemon, lime and mint – three flavours that to me reminds so much of Summer.
- Rejuvenating facials – You would think that being a blogger that writes about beauty and preaches about beauty that I would be having facials be it professionally or at home every week or month. Umm…sorry to burst your bubble, but if you saw my nails, eyebrows and sometimes even lashes, you would know like any human being, I sometimes do forget about myself. So really, for me, having A facial at all is a HUGE indulgence – when I remember it of course! Giving myself a facial is what I can afford right now with the limited time I have on my hands, so with the first two indulgences by my side, and after cleansing and scrubbing my face from all the dead skin, my favourite thing to do is rejuvenate my skin with a cloth mask. I only came across this earlier this year and have been using it each time I found some time to sit down and relax. I shared this on my VLog in February where I chanced upon the SkinVitals Cloth Facial Treatment Masks. I haven’t had a chance to update on my last VLog, so what is my verdict on this product? I LOVE it! Yes, the mask might make me look like Jason from Friday the 13th – ha! great way to get the kids to leave you alone! – but, this thing really gives my skin the boost it needs. It might be very sticky and wet when you first handle it, but once it sits on your face, you can literally feel the cool and calming effect of the mask. It’s as if you’ve been infused with goodness! And, didn’t hurt that it only cost me $8.90 for a pack of 3, making that only $2.96 per indulgence!
- My “boyfriend” – so we come to my final Winter weekend indulgence – my “other” indulgence – something Mr. C “lovingly” calls…my boyfriend. No…it’s not a living, breathing male (unfortunately). It is younger than Mr. C, can get a bit hot when held too long, but has been keeping me happy and company ever since I got “my boyfriend”. It is my iPad silly! The thing that keeps me intrigued is not necessarily THE iPad it’s what I’ve been reading ON my iPad. It is so good to be able to just sit back, with chocolate on one side, “mojito” on the other, cloth mask on my face and iPad in hand while I indulge in some intriguing…fanfiction. Yes, laugh, go ahead. At least I have come out of the closet to admit that I DO read fanfiction. And it does help that my iPad is kept “warm” – can you imagine holding it WITHOUT a case! – with this cover I snagged for myself for only $5 at Typo. It was originally selling for $49.95 but luckily for me it was on sale when I went in there to get some presents for my girls’ friend’s birthday. Bargain or what?! It comes with a notepad too!
Today being a weekend, yes, I AM going to immerse myself in these little indulgences again. And on Sunday…which means that I actually have to get a move on and replenish my stock of Lindt dark chocolates! Have a great weekend everyone!
*I was given the Lindt Excellence & Soul Virgin drinks for consideration in accordance with the site’s Disclosure Policy. All others were bought by me.
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Amalia
July 7, 2012 at 6:46 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
So tell me why you can’t have a giveaway for all these glorious items…..
Happy weekend!
baublesb
July 10, 2012 at 10:32 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
You know what Amalia? You’ve just given me an idea for my next giveaway!
Julie-Ann
July 9, 2012 at 10:01 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
No chocolate or other luxuries here – just a throw rug, cuddly cushions and of course an Ipad:)
baublesb
July 10, 2012 at 10:34 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Oh yes, the iPad, can’t believe I waited so long to get one!! But, a throw rug & cuddly cushions are just as essential.
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July 31, 2012 at 4:44 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
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September 5, 2012 at 7:00 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
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