Last week was busy. My life is not usually that busy right now. Plus, a couple of winges. First, I had to cancel my credit card. New one will show up soonish. Fraud is now the fastest growing crime, with most other ones seeing declines. The person I spoke with at the bank basically said use Apple or Google pay whenever you can. Thanks a lot.
And second, Vogue UK is so diminished since Edward Enninful left. It’s quite disheartening how tame it’s become.
Anyway, this popped into my head. There have been articles recently about the need for small treats, which I’m all in for. But they also set me off thinking about some things that particularly as we move into colder weather I value enormously.
A heavy bathrobe (dressing gown). Decades ago, my father gifted me a mint green fleece bathrobe (I realise the pic doesn’t do the colour justice). I hate mint green and I have no idea why he chose that colour. It’s turned out to be the cosiest robe I’ve ever owned. It’s too much for warmer weather but right now it’s just perfection to come down to a colder house in the morning, before the heat goes on, wearing this. And each time I pick it up to put it on I think of my father.
Bed socks. I have meh circulation. I gift from my mother. Watching her get ready to go out in the cold was a hoot. Ankle length down coat, hat, thermal gloves, LL Bean boots. So, far in the 30 years I’ve lived here it’s only gotten that cold a handful of times. But, Victorian houses are drafty and I learned about bed socks to get you cosily to sleep. Love them.
Time in the morning. I’ve written about this before. When I retired a few years ago I discovered one of the true joys of life was taking ages to get through sorting the dog, eating my own breakfast (and taking ages to drink my tea), and reading the news before starting the getting ready part of the day. Some days I have appointments early etc and have to give myself a kick. On those days I miss the gentle beginning to things.
Good lattes. I don’t drink coffee at home any more and when I do have coffee it’s decaf. I have caffeinated in the house for those who prefer it. But, one of those small joys for me is going to one of the local cafes for a very decent decaf latte – whether drunk in our taken away. I love milky coffee. It feels so luxurious.
Good quality candles (which aren’t necessarily expensive). Less so in the warmer months, but as the days draw in a lit candle in the kitchen is such a pleasure. And you can change them with your mood. I have sweet ones, green ones, incensy and woody ones. Some were pricey; some not so much. By the time we hit the winter solstice the sun won’t come up till 9-ish and it will get dark around 4 pm and that’s the perfect time to light something morning and evening and stare into the dark garden.
Do any of these things speak to you or are there others you’d add? Do you read Vogue?
Pics: Pexels, Wiki, mine
I am, in fact, enjoying a slow morning as I write this. Retirement rocks!
I am so with you about retirement.
I rarely light candles ( prefer diffusers) but the ones I have are fabulous and range from $$$ Amouages to cheap and cheerful!
I love Vogue because it reminds me there’s a whole world out there that is NOT HERE! And I really (still) enjoy the actual journalism
I used to love incense but now it makes my nose itch. Minor allergic reaction I think. I haven’t bought a Vogue paper issue in a long while. It’s just that I’ve noticed the change in the online content with the new editor and am not impressed. I might indulge in the huge January issue just for kicks and giggles.
I actually get the paper version!!! I love sitting on the PORCH ( or in my rocker) and leafing through it. My two new Max Mara looks ( which are pretty much like my general Autumn/Winter look) I found in the paper version
Max Mara. I bought the BEST black crepe, wide leg trousers in Harvey Nics in Manchester in the mid 90’s. Purchased at lunch time, they fitted them to me & I picked them up at 5.30pm. They fitted perfectly & were my fallback option for formal occasions with a fine knit peekaboo shoulder top.
Then came the tragedy. On my way downstairs in outfit prior to a formal dinner prematch at the local football club. I was wearing classic high heel pumps, the heel caught in the trousers on the stairs, I heard the tear, stopped to check the damage & fell down the stairs as the heel was stuck. The tear was about 8” long & unrepairable.
I was fine but I miss those glorious trousers
I haven’t read Vogue in a while. It’s just not my sort of thing anymore.
I never have coffee anymore but might have to indulge at some point. I actually prefer a good French Roast and have it with whipping cream if I can get it. Just a tablespoon or two. Super rich and satisfying.
I’ve been looking at the videos and the books of B Dylan Hollis, the very perky (and fun) guy who does old recipes on YouTube, for good or ill.
I have a wonderful memory of a cafe in Amesbury, MA, that offered the most sensational coffee back in the day. First sip black, before the milk, with mind bogglingly good. YouTube has some wonderful presenters buried in the muck.
Yes, I love a slow morning, too. I generally work out before breakfast (as otherwise it may never happen) while looking forward to my reward: a homemade decaf Nespresso latte. Other treats: flowers on the table, just washed linen sheets, a good book, a spritz of perfume before bed, and especially perfume samples in the mail!
I love polished cotton sheets, which I iron once I get them on the bed. One of my little luxuries, freshly ironed cotton sheets
I think it took me six months post retirement to realise what I was now doing in the morning and to really appreciate it. Def with you on flowers and a great book to perk up the spirits.
Time in the morning with a pot of tea, snuggly socks, slippers and sweats, and an electric heated mattress pad are my winter comforts. And the dog cuddles more when it gets cold, which I love. Plus I can wear my heavy incense perfumes.
I discovered green tea a couple of years ago — hojicha which has less caffeine — and it’s then that I started to enjoy a small pot of tea with breakfast. Much more of a ritual vs a tea bag in a mug. Never heard of a heated mattress pad — only blankets. Sounds very toasty.
Heated mattress pads are the best! You can turn them on before bedtime and get into a lovely warm bed. I strongly recommend them, especially for creaky people like me!
Seconding (thirding? fourthing?) a gentle start to the day. After years/centuries of feet hitting the floor and rushing to get kids out the door before off to work, dawdling over my coffee and plants (plus garden in the summer) and a slow meander with the dog is a delight. Also sleep socks. Also good coffee. And I’ve treated myself to nice sheets and bedding — flannel in winter, good cotton in summer.
Yes, that. My son’s last year of secondary school was awful for morning organisation as he had to be at the bus at 7:30, which meant very early rising. And while when the sun is up early I’m good, in the dead of winter 6:15 rising just felt soo wrong.
Dawdling is an art.
It’s an art we are still mastering but my dog HAS mastered! In high school, the kids’ first class was at 7:20. It was absolutely awful. Fortunately we lived within walking distance because they never, ever would have made a bus.
What a great post, Cinnamon! I completely agree that the little things in life make it richer, more vibrant, more abundant. Here’s mine:
I agree with a gentle start to the morning. That’s when the world is quiet and fresh, and I can drink my tea and read Posse.
Nice quality green tea. I think good quality makes all the difference in flavor.
I have occasionally picked up an issue of Vogue but have never been a subscriber.
Thank you.
I am with you on the quality of the tea. I have a couple of providers I use that take their tea very seriously.
I think I prefer Harper’s Bazaar to Vogue, but under Enninful’s direction the British version was quite worthwhile.
I have a huge candle addiction and for a few months, I got out of the habit of burning them but getting back in the habit of using them. Some of the candles I have a pretty strong and I am trying to use the lighter smelling ones.
Just had to buy myself some new socks along with undies to get rid of the ones full of holes and just in time too, we just had out first snow of the season.
Snow. Wow. I have to say I miss proper soft fluffy snow. Magical.
A good candle on a dark evening is so perfect.
Hey Cinnamon,
Luckily most days are slow starters for me but recently things have gotten a little out of hand. I’m currently doing some things that require EARLY mornings. Not as early as Jin who is up and walking the dogs quickly at 4am before heading into work, but pre 9am. It’s a rude shock.
Love candles and have just come out of bedsocks weather. As we leave our doors and windows open all year round and rarely put the AC on, summer or winter, we do need some extra snuggle in the cold.
Portia xx
4 AM — I can see that being attractive when you are doing one of your jet lag wanders in Paris — not so much in normal life.
The only time I felt AC was absolutely necessary was the holiday in the Maldives, where the little hut had the AC going constantly. It was so hot (so close to the equator) and humid.
I do enjoy a slow morning.
My little treat is breakfast. I like choice. Be it a simple boiled egg with a golden yolk & soldiers of homemade sourdough with Lurpak or extra nutty, sugar free muesli
There isn’t a lot I can eat right now given the braces (no bread with crust like sourdough) so my breakfasts are pretty same-y. Which is a bit sad. Every once in a while I come back to my breakfasts when I was in Paris last year: croissants, fruit, yoghurts, cheese dripping off the plate. baguettes … sigh — boy, did I eat a lot at breakfast. But, then, I was good until mid-afternoon.