The Pampered Princess

One of my favorite every-day treats is bleached laundry. This little detail makes the beginning and ending of every day a little more pleasant.

The start of my day is special because I start with a nice warm shower after which, I step into a fluffy white towel that smells oh so clean and fresh. My day ends with the same simple, clean sent, as I crawl into my fresh-smelling bed.

Simple? Yes! I enjoy it so much and it requires ZERO extra effort on my part, which makes it an easy self-indulgence.

To set myself up for this little indulgence, I buy quality white sheets and towels. When I wash them, I use fabric softener and plenty of bleach.

I love the smell of my soft bleached sheets as I drift into sleep and I love that same smell when I’m stepping out of the shower. (It is a pleasant surprise to get a whiff of this when I pull on a white t-shirt for a lazy Sunday afternoon, too.)

GIFT IT! 

Turn this every day indulgence into a “something other than ordinary” gift.  

Start with a small laundry basket. You can find these at your local discount store, grocer store, or even dollar store. Add one to four fluffy white towels. Select one container each of detergent, bleach, and fabric softener to include in the “gift basket.” If you are out of these supplies at home, go ahead and use this opportunity to re-stock your supply – you’ll need it for gift preparation.

Once you get home with the purchased items, start your washing machine and pre-wash the towels for your “giftee”. Be sure to use the bleach and fabric softener. After the towels have been washed and dried, fold them promptly and place them in the basket along with the detergent, softener, and bleach. You’ll want to include a note with the gift to say something to let your “giftee” know that you washed new towels for them. “I’ve done your first load of laundry for you with my favorite clean smells. Here’s to a fresh new start in your fresh new home. Enjoy!”

This one would make an ideal house warming or wedding shower gift. The gift can be changed as you deem appropriate. Add washcloths, hand towels and bathmats, or give sheets instead of towels. Use flowery stationary with a matching envelope to write the note, or add a shopping list pad and write the note on it. Don’t wash the towels or include the related note. Add a gift card for the store at which you purchased the towels.

Whether you were 4 years old and your mom poured delightful bubbles out of Avon’s pearly pink bottle or you poured very grown up bubbles for a quiet evening at home, there aren’t many of us who haven’t enjoyed at least one bubble bath in our lives. And if we haven’t… well, then it’s time to start.

There’s really nothing quite like it. It is the perfect little indulgence.

Peace and quiet makes this indulgence most enjoyable, so steal some time for yourself in order to get the most out of it. Whether you take a day off to find quiet time while the kids are in school or drop the kiddos off at Grandma’s house, you’ll be more relaxed if you are able to focus on just YOU! Once you have the house to yourself, light a few candles, fill that tub with extra-warm bubbly water, and turn the rest of the lights off. To add to the mood, you can always turn on some soft music and invite your mate. I personally like to enjoy a glass of wine with the love of my life and my subtly scented bubbles. It’s such a relaxing quiet time for us to enjoy.

I stock up on coconut lime verbena scented bubble bath from Bath and Body Works, which also offers an amazing variety of other scents. This scent doesn’t smell too flowery and when I slip into it, I feel like I’ve stepped into a spa for pampering. I love it! If Avon is calling to you, you may prefer to take a stroll down memory lane with some of their fun bubbles. There are also several other places you can pick some up, including fun scents that may be available at your local discount store.

GIFT IT!

As you can see, this indulgence is one you can enjoy almost any day, at minimal cost. To turn this self-pamper into a unique gift for a friend or loved-one, just use your imagination to mix it up. Partially fill a basket or gift bag with tissue paper or interesting gift bag filling. Select a bottle or two of bubble bath. If you’re not sure what kind to get, stick with an unscented or subtly scented selection. You can use a gift card as a last resort, but they’re more likely to use it if they have it in hand.

Other things that could be included in the gift package: chocolates, wine (only if you know what the person likes), candles, slippers, fluffy robe, fluffy towels, loofah, cd of soft music, bath salts, a hand-made coupon for free baby sitting, after bath lotions, soft wash clothes, or even a rubber ducky.

Top it off with a bow and a written note wishing the recipient a relaxing time.