5 Ideas For Your Next "Treat Yo Self" Day

We all need a "Treat Yo Self" day every now and then, am I right? Or even just a "Treat Yo Self" moment! We all lead busy lives, and as winter approaches and thoughts of Christmas begin to enter our heads, life seems to be more hectic than ever. I don't know about you, but the shorter days and darker evenings seem to zap my energy, so it's around this time of year that I really feel the need of a few extra little treats to perk me up. (I know, any excuse, right?!) So, without further ado, here are 5 of my favourite ways to spoil myself rotten. Feel free to pinch any of these ideas for your next "Treat Yo Self" day!

1. Spritz On Your Favorite Perfume

Fun fact - I wear perfume every single day. There's just something about covering myself with an exquisite fragrance, even handling the beautiful glass bottle, that makes me feel luxurious. I also love that there's always time for a quick spritz of scent, even on the busiest of days. Recently, I was sent a couple of samples from Clive Christian's new Addictive Arts Perfume* range. Described as "an enthralling expression of our tendency to excess", everything about these perfumes is opulent and gloriously self-indulgent - perfect for a "Treat Yo Self" day! My favourite is Ecstatic, a white rose floral perfume with hints of mandarin and jasmine and a gorgeous amber base. It's absolutely stunning, and I'm going to be quite sad when I've used up my little sample. Beautiful perfume really is one of my all time favourite indulgences! 

2. Go On A Shopping Spree 

Is there any better way to perk yourself up than by treating yourself to a couple of shiny new things? Whether I've had a full on spree to replace half my wardrobe, or I've just picked up a new lipstick, shopping never fails to put a smile on my face. Yes, I'm a little bit materialistic, I admit! That said, I often find that a trip to the shops makes me feel good even if I'm not buying anything. Being around the hustle and bustle of the city centre, stopping for a coffee and a chat with a friend and of course having a good old browse at all the new clothes in my favourite stores is a great way to indulge in a little "me time", even if I come home empty handed.

3. Get Dressed Up And Have A Date Night

My husband and I aren't big party animals, but we do love a nice meal in a restaurant with a good bottle of wine. One of our favourite things to do on a Friday or Saturday night is to have a date night. We'll book a table - either a place we already love or maybe somewhere new - get a little dressed up and spend the evening with a delicious meal and each other's company. And if we can't go out, we'll often cook something nice at home. While I'm not really someone who loves to cook all the time, I do enjoy it when we're having a kind of "non date night date night" and making an occasion of it, and it's particularly nice during the cold, dark nights of winter, when you don't always feel like going out.  My favourite meals to cook are the kind where everything gets thrown together in one big dish, like this lemon and oregano chicken tray bake. Minimal effort and maximum flavour! Basically, whether it's a nice night out or a nice night in, with your husband, friends, family or whoever, it's another lovely way to spoil yourself a little bit - and the people you're with!

4. Binge Watch Your Favourite Box Set

Sometimes, you want to treat yourself without any effort whatsoever. When I feel like that, there's only one thing that will do - a few episodes of a really good box set, watched on my laptop while tucked up in bed with a bar of chocolate. Over the last few months I've been addicted to quite a few shows: Game Of Thrones (obviously), Westworld, I Know Who You Are (A Spanish crime drama shown on BBC 4 - so gripping!) and The Tunnel (A British/French detective series Based on Swedish show The Bridge).

5. Have A Pamper Night

I think we all know by now that I love a good pamper night. In fact, I wrote a whole post recently about my pamper night essentials, which you might want to check out if you are on the lookout for some new products to try. There are few things I find more relaxing than a hot bath, and there's definitely something about the act of applying my favourite lotions and potions that makes me feel indulgent and just generally great about myself. Sometimes, I'll make a real night of it, applying face masks, doing my nails, etc, but even if I only have time for a ten minute soak in a beautifully scented bubble bath, it still does the trick.

So there you have it - my 5 ideas for a fabulous "Treat Yo Self" day! What are some of yours?

Kate x

*This post was in collaboration with Clive Christian. All opinions, as always, are my own.