Whether it be a quick walk around the neighborhood or a trip (BY MYSELF!!!!) to a book store, I try to do at least one nice thing for myself every day.
Time to read is my favorite thing. The best is if I can take a swim by myself and then sit on the steps and read. Doesn't happen much but relaxes me when I manage it.
We're on a tight budget so we don't have a lot of "luxuries," even small ones. I used to get my hair cut and colored at a fairly expensive place, but I've recently had to cut that out. I don't have kids, and hubby isn't around much, so I get a lot of alone time, which is nice, at least most of the time.
1. Bookstore browsing is always a fun "me" thing to do.
2. Good quality organic espresso beans make me feel like I'm being really good to myself.
Monthly haircut, exfoliate in the shower and lots of body lotion afterwards, wax my upper lip, free facials at the cosmetic counter (Origins has a fantastic one), free makeovers at the cosmetic counters (can you tell I like make-up), browse at the library or bookstore or read a big pile of magazines (can get these at the library too). Last week my mom & sister and I went to the Better Homes & Gardens test gardens here in Des Moines and spent a lovely day walking around and photographing the lovely flowers and had a lovely lunch. It was a wonderful way to spend a summer day.
Amen to exfoliating and body lotion! Exfoliation is great.
I like lavendar baths too, but I haven't done that in awhile since it's been hot. I can't wait for it to start cooling down so I can enjoy a lavendar bath. It's what I used to do when I was stressed out, I would just run a bath and try to read a book while relaxing (and while trying not to get the pages wet.)
I like to do homemade facials with all sorts of natural ingredients. Yogurt and avocado masks are great for exfoliating and moisturizing, and believe it or not, crushed aspirin mixed with water and turned into a paste is great for exfoliating because it's salicylic acid, which is found in face-care products, is in aspirin.
Ruth I think we were separated at birth - except I like a glass of wine not coffee Have you tried the Auracacia bath salts and foaming bath salts? They also make a patchouli sweet orange that is quite nice
A long, relaxing, bubble bath with Bath and Body Works Tropical Passionfruit, Midnight Pomegranate, or Sweet Pea, usually accompanied with some nice jazz or lounge music and a good glass of wine.
Being nice to yourself
Have you tried the Auracacia bath salts and foaming bath salts? They also make a patchouli sweet orange that is quite nice 
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