Five little luxuries which make a big difference

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