Everyday Entertaining

Indulge Yourself

A few years ago I was designing a home collection, going from room to room creating a fresh vocabulary that identified each room in the home and what it meant to me. When it came to the bathroom, the first thought that sprung to my mind was Indulge. It’s really stuck with me since and whenever I get a chance to indulge myself, the first place I head toward is the bathroom, not the kitchen! I’ve turned my bathroom into a mini at-home “spa”. It’s stocked with scrubs and lotions and potions that are sure to keep me looking young and feeling alive, or so I think. And even if it’s not really 100% true, at the very least I enjoy every moment of pampering that comes with trying new products.

Soft lighting? Without a doubt. Rich luxurious towels, a must. Wonderful soaps and scrubs? Definitely something I can’t live without. Shampoos, conditioners and hair gels by the dozen. Great toothbrushes and natural paste is the only way to clean. And delicious body lotions are an absolute necessity. We all have our favorites and mine have been curated from around the world, literally. Every time I check into a hotel I have the good fortune of trying new products, and those that I like somehow find their way into my luggage for the trip home. And when I get them back to my place, I add them to my collection of favorites prominently placed in my shower, medicine cabinet, or guest bathroom if there’s any space left.

My “best of” list includes:
Brown Sugar Body Scrub by Fresh
Ginger SoufflÈ Body Lotion by Origins
Bed Head hair stick
Aqua De Parma body wash
Neutrogena body wash
Molten Brown Body Milk
Molten Brown Supper Baji
Aveda Mint Shampoo
Mario Balesti Shampoo and conditioner
Face lotion Ultra Light Bai Ji Hydrator by Molton Brown
Daily shampoo KMS Daily Fixx Everyday Shampoo
Hair cream / gel (but it’s not a gel, more like hair butter) American Crew Fiber
Foot Care: L’Occitane
Shea Butter Foot Cream
Exfoliate: AVEENO Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
Inexpensive face lotion
AVEENO Baby Soothing Relief Moisture Cream
AVEENO is the best shaving cream imaginable
And I have never been anywhere without my Burts Beeswax nail cream and chap stick.

And every now and then I actually get in the mood to make my own potions. A few years ago I was in the Hamptons at a friend’s who has the most gorgeous garden, with lavender growing everywhere, and I just couldn’t resist. Basket in hand, I started gathering the lavender, not really quite sure what I would do, but I knew there was no way I could resist the fresh fragrance filling the air. How to get that onto my body was the question. I wasn’t in the mood to soak in the tub, I wanted to take a nice hot shower and thought, why not, let’s get creative. Back in the kitchen I stripped the flowers from their stalks, opened a bottle of olive oil, grabbed a pestle and mortar and began the process of making my own concoction. It wasn’t long before I had enough lavender, coarse salt and olive oil mix to fill a nice size container. I left the lavender a little coarse and also added some coarse salt, figuring it would also be a great scrub, and rather than be a passive participant in my indulgence, I was going to scrub every inch of my body, from head to toe. Off I went to the master bathroom shower (my friend had left me her house for the weekend) and in I went. What a mess, there was lavender and oil everywhere. Scrub, rinse, scrub and rinse, after a few applications I was feeling delicious and smelling divine. My skin was shining from the abrasiveness of the coarse lavender flowers yet silky smooth from the olive oil. I toweled myself off, wrapped my body in a robe, and headed downstairs for a drink. I turned on the music, sat in front of the fire (not that it was cold, it was more for affect) and luxuriated in my new skin until it was time to get dressed for dinner and meet some friends.

That was the beginning of my at home “spa” bug. Since then I’ve tried making dozens of scrubs, while minimizing the mess. Using body scrubs seems to invigorate and replenish my skin, keeping it looking youthful and fresh. There are definitely some amazing products on the market, but I still like to make my own when I’m feeling inspired. It’s fun, easy, and personal. I love particular scents and the delicious feeling of indulgence when using them. It’s easy to pick up a bottle of this or that, but when I make it myself, not only does my skin glow, but for some reason I can’t stop smiling from ear to ear, and telling everyone about it. If you have the time, try one of my favorite at-home recipes below, you won’t be disappointed.

COFFEE BODY SCRUB
This is a very invigorating scrub leaving you energized.

2 cups of coarsely ground coffee
½ cup raw sugar or sea salt
2 to 3 tablespoons massage oil

Mix all ingredients together. Take a hot shower to moisten your skin and open your pores. Turn off the water and using wide, circular motions, rub the coffee exfoliant onto your skin with strong, even pressure. Leave it on for 15 minutes, shower off, pat skin dry, and apply a thin layer of your favorite body lotion.

INVIGORATING ALMOND BODY GLOW
For the invigorating rather than relaxing route to soft skin, this is a traditional Thai recipe.

1 cup runny honey
1/2 cup ground almonds
A sprinkling of dried herbs such as lavender leaf and mint

Shower first, then mix the ingredients together and rub the thick, sticky paste over your body. Take the time to properly exfoliate your skin and make the most of the sweet aroma (I recommend 10-15 minutes). Shower off, pat skin dry, and apply a thin layer of your favorite body lotion.

CUCUMBER WRAP FOR SUNBURN
This is great in the afternoon after a day in the sun. The cucumber feels fantastically cool on your skin and you can sense the heat leaving your body. It also leaves the skin baby soft, so moisturizing afterwards is optional.

4 pounds cucumbers, including skin and seeds
4 drops lavender oil
4 drops tea tree oil
2 drops chamomile oil

Place the cucumber in a blender and blend for a few seconds until it’s still slightly chunky. Add the oils to the cucumber. Cover your body in the cucumber oil mixture. Wrap your body in gauze or a cotton sheet and leave on for 30 minutes. Shower off, pat skin dry, and apply a thin layer of your favorite body lotion if desired.

HONEY OATMEAL FACIAL SCRUB
A great every day scrub.

1/4 cup plain yogurt or buttermilk
1/2 cup oatmeal
2 tablespoons honey

Finely grind or process the oatmeal in a blender or food processor then set aside. In a small bowl, stir together the honey and yogurt, and then add the ground oatmeal. Mix thoroughly until a smooth paste consistency has been reached. Smooth over your (dry) face and neck and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Can be used daily.

As always, there's more to come!