AD – Gifted
It’s no secret that once you become a mum, you give up a lot of time that you’d normally spend on yourself. If you’re reading this and you, too are a mum, chances are you’re well overdue for a pamper.
My evenings usually consist of collapsing on the sofa when my five-year-old goes to bed, then I spend the evening cuddling a sleepy baby until it’s time for me to go to bed. Usually my husband is beside me and will get me a drink or a biscuit if I ask, but he’s around and he’s available.
It dawned on me that his arms are just as good as mine for baby-hugging, so it would probably be okay for me to sneak off and have a relax on my own for a bit.
I had a bottle of red wine in and some chocolates in my secret stash, so I decided I’d have a bath to unwind.
If it didn’t mean I’d have to cook, I would have researched which dishes go best with red wines. Since I didn’t fancy giving myself an extra job, I just paired it with salted caramel chocolate truffles, which made me feel posh, even though it’s probably not posh to eat and drink in the bath.
I took my time in the bath and enjoyed my glass of wine, read a book and nibbled on my chocolates. When it was time to get out, I made a point of not rushing like I usually do. I still had a little wine left in my glass, and continued to enjoy it while I moisturised. It had been some tome since my poor dry legs had seen some body butter, so I thought I’d better give my skin some TLC.
Wine and chocolate was a lovely accompaniment to my bath. The Shrinking violet 2016 Syrah was a beautiful choice for my glass of wine. It is rich and flavoursome with blackberry tones and a hint of spice. It’s available from Independent Wines, who have a fab range and can offer next day delivery.
While I was on a pampering roll, I decided a quick pedicure wouldn’t go amiss. Plodding the streets with a pram hasn’t done anything for making my feet look any prettier. I painted my toenails and used some special feet treats I already had in.
Finally, I blow-dried and styled my hair. Most days my hair lives in a ow ponytail or a messy bun. Gone are the days of bouncing, glam curls. It felt good to do a proper blow-dry and style my hair in a way that looks half decent down.
In then end, I came back downstairs feeling relaxed and de-stressed, ready to go back to my mum jobs. Having a bit of a pamper soothed my soul and helped me feel refreshed and a bit more like myself again. I highly recommend trying to fit in a pamper session whenever you’re feeling a bit worn out or run down. It’s important to feel like a person in your own right, not ‘just a mum’.