This is mostly for women, I think.
Tell me simple things to do to boost the spirit. Brainstorm. If it’s not for me, someone else might like it.
- Rose-scented lip gloss
- A taste or orange blossom honey in early morning
Er…I don’t do either of those things. To boost my spirit, I
- Go out and take care of my plants, talk to them.
- Paint my fingernails/toenails
But you mean on a regular basis? Yoga is probably the one thing I do that boosts my spirits every day.
[ul]
[li]a hot bath with really a luscious bubble bath or bath bomb[/li][li]a good haircut[/li][li]a cup of tea, shortbread cookies and a good mystery novel in front of the fireplace on a dreary day[/li][/ul]
For best results, do all of this on the same day.
Zoe, I like the lip gloss idea. Buying new, fun make-up and girly things like that is always a lift-me-up.
Ooo a girly thread…how fun.
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I definitely second the Yoga. Not only does it change my mood, but I swear it makes me feel lighter on my feet.
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Buying new moisturizer, makeup, or shampoo always gives me a charge. If the label says it’s going to make me younger and more fabulous, well then dang it, it must be true!
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Shopping for something new to wear.
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Earl Grey tea with cream and honey.
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A good pedicure always does the trick!
Oops, I must have come through the wrong door! when I saw the title Pretty Little Things To Do, I thought it must be a thread mostly about women! :smack:
A face mask and hair treatment applied at home. One then sits on the sofa watching a weepy movie or favourite soap opera and eating popcorn until it’s time to remove them.
Alternatively, a facial or a massage at a nice beauty salon.
Doing your hair in a way you don’t normally (break out the Carmen Rollers, curling tongs, straightening irons or braiding skills).
Pilates are good too, if Yoga doesn’t appeal.
Dressing up in something nice, going into town and indow shoping at the expensive shops you don’t normally feel classy eough to go into, then treating yourself to a nice lunch (or tea and a fancy scone) by yourself. treating yourself to something small (a keyring or lipstick say) from said expensive store is allowed too.
My favourite…a long hot shower, the full hair-removal thing and slipping into something silky and “more comfortable” just in time for irishfella to get home from work (after asking him to pick up dinner and a bottle of wine). If the bath and nice underwear don’t cheer me up, irishfella and the food and drink will!
A fireplace? Australia?
They have snow in winter in some parts you know…
Yeah, we just got back from a short holiday at Mt. Tamborine (Queensland) and we had a fantastic fireplace in our lodge. Stunning views of the Gold Coast, huge four poster bed, gigantic spa bath. Mmmmmmm. Now that was a relaxing weekend. Fortunately (unfortunately?), the weather was fantastic, so we didn’t spend all day lolling in front of the blazing fire.
But, besides all that, I’m an expat, so my brain is wired for white Christmases and a fireplace in every house.
A few hours alone in the house without kids or husband.
Don’t get me wrong, I love them dearly, but having some alone time is nice once in a while.
While this is definitely a “girlie thread,” I just want it noted for the record that there are women out there (me) who can’t begin to make sense of the pink-ruffled unicorn-infested world you all inhabit. But carry on. 
Putting on a pair of cute underwear. Even if no one is going to see them, you know that you have them on.
A new make-up item.
New item of cute clothing.
Nail painting.
I don’t normally live in this world either…but it is damn nice to step into occasionally and treat oneself. No matter what, it feels good.
Anything made by Perlier… especially the honey-scented stuff. Their bubble bath and hand cream are absolutely to die for, and make me feel so pretty.
Burt’s Bees cuticle balm. It really does make your cuticles look much better, and your fingernails too.
I don’t wear lipstick, but every now and then I buy one of the expensive Elizabeth Arden lip balms. It has an elegant little tube. I carry them in my purse rather than use them at home, so they last quite a while.
1928 Jewelry used to make, and still sells on their website, jewelry with tiny, tiny ceramic roses in it. I have a pair of earrings bought in 1990 that I still love, with pink roses and tiny little pearls.
I also love to have a pretty vanity space–mine is the top of my dresser rather than a real vanity table, but it’s beautiful and I feel rested whenever I look at it. Everything on top is neatly organized into limoges boxes and depression glass bowls. And I have a set of silver brushes from eBay, gotten cheap because they have someone else’s monogram. But they look beautiful.
And floral perfume. I like to dab on a little wisteria perfume in the morning. It fades quickly, but it makes me feel like I’m “finished” as I walk out the door–it gives me a boost in confidence.
And right now, I am into shabby chic florals. I am making a patchwork quilt with them, and have lots of those little floral nightgowns from Target… I think they’re adorable. I wish the Simply Shabby Chic sheets were better quality, because I really really like those darling patterns!
Oh–and setting up a proper tea tray. Usually just for myself. Also at Target I found tiny glass cream jugs and sugar bowls and individual butter servers. So now I am into making flavored butters and scones and things like that, and drinking my tea with milk and sugar.
I second uglybeech but still. It is nice to play girly once in a while.
As for the things that cheer me up every day - good smells. Go smell an orange, or a rose, or something. Happy smells just make your spirits go “ahhhhhh.”
I have jewelry and perfume that I never wear. My lifestyle just doesn’t call for it. So that’s what I do when I need to feel all girlie.
Haha uglybeech …I’ve never cared much for pink ruffles and unicorns. Actually, I’ve never considered myself a girly girl per say…but every once in a while it’s nice to feel like a woman. Put on some high heels, parfum, mascara and lipstick. Granted, I’m 5 ft 9 and everytime I attempt heels over 2 1/2 inches I feel as though I’m going to fall flat on my face 
…Still, I’m all about the pampering and allure…
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved to wear pretty barrettes and hair ribbons. Some of the ones I like are probably unsuitable for a woman of my age, but that’s not something that concerns me much. My standards of suitability are mighty flexible, and if people laugh at me, well, laughter is OK.
Eek! You can’t do that to Earl Grey! English Breakfast, maybe, but not to a good Earl Grey!
That aside, to boost my spirit I usually:
[ul]
[li]Put on some Led Zeppelin, really loud[/li][li]Eat chocolate[/li][li]Play with my cat[/li][li]Go shopping[/li][/ul]
Why, I’ve never…Pink ruffles and unicorns do not inhabit my domain! Sheesh.
They would clash with all the embroidery, ribbons, and stuffed bunnies. 