My view of what constitutes as a luxury has changed dramatically since becoming a mum. Like, A. Lot. (Hello previous me, you had a great aul’ life, didn’t you?!)
Pre-babies, luxury meant high-tech facials and day spa massages. Dinners out. Celine bags (OK, once. Once I bought one.) and flying off on impromptu weekends in fabulous cities. (Not that I would have done that too frequently either, but, at least, it happened from time to time).
Nowadays, two children, a busy household and mid trying-to-balance-career-and-family later, luxury has taken on a new, but not at all less valid or lovely, meaning. Which I am sure most other mamas can relate to.
These days, I totally consider the following a luxury – and would pretty much choose any one of them over a Celine bag any day. (OK, that might not be strictly true. But still.)
1. Morning snuggles with my babies
Is there anything as nice as having your little munchkins coming crawling into your bed in the morning for a little snuggle and a chat? I especially love this on the weekends, when we can properly take our time, and sometimes (sneaky, I know), we put a movie in the portable DVD player, so the kids can sit between us in bed and watch cartoons while we snooze for an extra half an hour. Pure luxury.
2. A really frothy takeaway latte
Yes, we have a Nespresso machine, but there is still something tres luxurious about having someone else make your coffee for you. Especially when you have slept only in 20 minutes intervals through the night due to a teething baby.
3. Going to sleep in a freshly made bed
Fridays are my favourite due to many things, like the fact that it signalizes the start of the weekend, and lots of time with my little loves. Also, we (and by “we” I mean my other half) tend to cook really nice dinner on a Friday, and open some wine. But most importantly, Friday means I strip all the beds in the house of their bed sheets and change them to fresh ones, meaning that going to sleep on a Friday is always pure and utter bliss.
4. A lie-in
Surely I don’t need to explain why this is a luxury to a mum…?
5. Expensive bedlinen
Doesn’t matter that I picked them up in the January sales, it is the BEFORE price that counts when it comes to lux factor. Seriously; I think this one is such a thrill (don’t judge my mundane mama life!), and totally worth the investment. Hello, bedgasm!
6. Scented candles
I LOVE a good Diptyque candle. But due to their rather hefty price-tag, I can’t burn them every night, meaning that when I do, everything does feel (and smell!) a little more luxurious around the house.
7. Fresh flowers
I often try to talk myself out of buying flowers because “they’re just going to die in a few days”…as if anything I buy at the grocery store lasts longer than a few days. But, and this is important, it makes a HUGE difference in my mood seeing those lovely fresh blooms om my table, and really; we are not talking a huge investment here. Also, if you can get your spouse to regularly bring you flowers, even better. Gift + fresh flowers? Total luxury!
(Image via Bellamumma.com)
8. Family movie night
Now that my little girl is almost six, we have recently started watching movies that are not just cartoons. So currently, a total luxury in our house in bringing mummy’s big duvet in to the sofa, and snuggling down for a proper movie night. Popcorn and all.
9. Chocolate (the really good kind)
I kind of feel this is on every women’s list of luxuries. And rightly so.
(Image via Delisiouslyyum.com)
10. An unexpected night out
Much as spending time at home with my babies is lovely and all sorts of lux when you are a working mama, going out, whether it is with my girlfriends or other half, is also the nicest thing, isn’t it? Especially when it all just happens unexpectedly or on a whim, like impromptu tapas or a movie, or a few glasses of bubbles with the girls, seriously, it can make me smile in a way that Celine bag never could. Truth.
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