The Pampered Princess

How can an every-day-girl feel like a pampered princess once or twice a month?  She can start by setting aside the time.  Pick a day that is all yours, whether you schedule a vacation day or set aside a Saturday.  Make it happen, folks.  You will be glad that you did! 

Don’t plan any to-do items – no bills, housework, or anything that remotely sounds like a chore.  This day is for you.  If your special day is going to take place at home, then make sure you have the house to yourself.  Make sure the kids are at school or at “Parent’s Day Out” – after all, that’s what PDO is all about, right? 

Prepare ahead of time as much as possible, so that you won’t have to interrupt your day making coffee or lunch.  You can start the night before by sleeping in your silkiest softest pajamas.  Spend at least part of the day just hanging out in those.  Watch your favorite DVDs, read a book, listen to your favorite music, draw, paint, play solitaire, do crossword puzzles, play Xbox games, make your favorite recipes, or any combination of these things.  Take a bubble bath and a long nap.  Whatever makes you feel rested and happy is exactly how you should spend your day.

If you don’t want to stay home you could always take a quiet reflective drive, take a trip to the mall, catch a movie, go to the bookstore or music store, get a pedicure, or get your hair done.  You could always treat yourself to a sweet coffee treat from your friendly neighborhood Starbuck’s.  While you’re at it, treat yourself to some flowers, too!  Grocery stores usually have a reasonably priced collection near the produce department.

Gift It!

Turning “princess day” into a gift could prove to be a challenge, but it is do-able.  The biggest help you can provide for someone who needs this type of day is to help him or her to find the quiet time to enjoy doing whatever his or her heart desires.  Brace yourself because this may involve offering to keep the kids.  If you can do this, the other stuff might fall into place without much trouble at all, though you can always give gift certificates for some of the activities that you know they will enjoy.  This gift can be as simple as a card with a note and/or gift cards, or it can be as fancy as a gift basket filled with gift cards and ideas for filing the day.  Depending on the combination that you offer, the cost of this gift can range from $0-$60. 

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.