Happy Second Night of Hanukkah!
Yup, still feels early, but always looks beautiful and, if you’re eating sufganiyot, tastes delicious, too!
Ready for today’s celebratory giveaway? Hope so!
Today’s prize is: a Kate Spade Star zipper pouch, and a gift set from OSEA!
Want some specs?
- The bag measures approximately 10″w by 7.5″ tall
- It has a zip closure across the top
- It is perfect for essentials you don’t want to lose in the bottom of your bag!
But wait, there’s more! You’ll receive a bottle of OSEA Undaria Algae body oil, and a bottle of OSEA Ocean Cleanser.
I was sent a set both earlier in the year, and I really like the body oil and the cleanser. They’re light but moisturizing and my skin didn’t freak out. So I wanted to share the loveliness with you! The body oil is perfect for this time of year when skin can be dry and itchy!
Want to enter? Yay!
Just leave a comment and tell us what you did to care for yourself this year?
Standard disclaimers apply: I am not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to international residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and ready to soothe your skin and feel lovely doing so. Not responsible for feelings of relaxation and organization.
Comments will close 30 November 2021 at or near 12pm ET, and winner will be announced shortly afterward.
Good luck, Happy Hanukkah, and thank you for being part of Smart Bitches!
Thanks for celebrating with us this year!
Winner update: Congrats to Anna N! Please check your inbox shortly.
I made a list of all the 2021 releases I was most excited for, then dropped by my local and preordered/prepaid for as many as I could afford. All throughout the year I’d get messages from the bookshop, mask up, pick up my book, and read the first few chapters in the park. The updated printing of Zen Cho’s Spirits Abroad and Freya Marske’s A Marvelous Light has been particular favs! I’ve been very careful about outside contact to protect vulnerable family, and these spontaneous book dates have been tiny, wonderful vacations.
Finally getting that checkup I put off last year and feeling better knowing tests are in the normal range.
I listened to my body, and rested when I needed to, and didn’t worry about what I wasn’t getting done.
Self-care has not been my forte these past two years, but I have started doing youtube videos of yoga routines and kpop dance workouts to help me feel like I’m not such a motionless lump. It’s not pretty but I’m having fun with it.
I committed to not working after 8 pm!
Cut off a lot of social media and finally acknowledged that some things are completely out of my control.
I keep my phone on silent about 90 percent of the time and just check it when I want. At first I did it so my son could listen to his audiobooks on it and not get distracted. Now I’m never going back. Bliss!
Took long walks and read a lot of books 🙂
I accepted the fact that I’m not indispensable at work: I was off for three months (thank God for accumulated sick time!) with back trouble and, after the first couple of weeks, I made myself stop texting my coworkers to find out how every little thing was going. I realized I couldn’t do a thing about any problems they were encountering and it was just stressing me out to hear about issues I couldn’t help resolve. When I returned to work, I discovered that things were still moving along and had gotten done in my absence.
When something catches my eye, e.g., the light of sunrise through the trees, an owl swooping down to catch its meal, or the pattern of snow building up on my fallow garden, I take the time, usually just a moment or two, to let the wonder seep into my bones. Those moments remind me of what a joy it is to just be in the world.
It didn’t start out as a plan, but earlier in the year I stopped spending much time & energy (& emotion) on social media, and I also silenced my phone from all unknown numbers.
These 2 things have removed a lot of stressors, and I have more time & energy for things I do enjoy (reading, cooking, catching up on ALL THE SHOWS on the various streaming services I have.)
2 good (pretty obvious) choices for the better.
I went to therapy and took my meds. I spent time with friends.
I finally downloaded a meditation app, and actually am using it which is very helpful for my anxiety.
I consistently exercised a few times a week – even with virtual classes when my gym was closed. It was so helpful to my mindset.
By the end of this year, I will have taken care of all the ‘delayed maintenance’ health & wee we ll bring appointments I put off in 2020 because of COVID.
I’ve been trying to take more afternoons, evenings, and parts of weekends off instead of just working all the time. Just trying to have more of a work/life balance in general. It’s still a work in progress, though (ha!).
Yoga. So much wonderful yoga.
I was on my bikes as much as possible, and as often as possible with trails. Fat tiring in the snow, gravel biking on the rough stuff, road biking for speed, and even set up my trainer indoors during the cold months. Bike, bike, bike.
I (finally!) took my puppy to training classes! They gave her time to work out some energy, gave me time around other people, and gave me and the pup a chance to bond.
I decided to finally see a dermatologist about my skin issues, which has given me a lot of confidence and happiness. I also blocked my toxic ex (better late than never).
I took care of myself by trying to sleep 7-8 hours a night.
I caught up on all the postponed medical, dental and eye care appointments, plus several vaccines!
Deleted Facebook and Instagram. What a huge relief.
I quit an extremely toxic job and accepted a position at a new place where the folks actually treat me right.
Got an apple watch, started tracking and increasing my activity levels
This year I got really into Epsom salt baths, which were both good for my muscles as well as my mental health.
I set firm boundaries around working from home—I no longer check emails or answer at all hours, I put it out of my mind when not actively focused on work, and it makes me a better parent and partner!
Moved my body with swimming and walking on a regular basis!
My self-care was to engage with people like my sister and mt neighbors and not be a complete hermit who could go for a week without talking to anyone.
I learned and practiced mindful breathing techniques. It’s done wonders to strengthen my ability to prevent anxiety spirals.
I now only work regular work hours. Now, Evenings, weekends and taking some real time off — I am actually unavailable for work.
I am reading self-Compassion and using the workbook of the same name.
I started running this year.. Which is weird since the last time I said something about running it was in the same vein of “somebody is chasing me, send help” and now I run all the time. It’s great therapy for the mind. Probably because you are worried about breathing.
Love your site! Thank you!.
I got both shots of the vaccine – yay!!! Looking forward to the booster now.
I guarded my sleep schedule and tooka time to do yoga several times a week.
This year I let myself start drawing again for the first time in decades and I’ve been taking time to knit because it’s just so soothing.
I’ve been going for lots of long, quiet walks, listening to podcasts, and feeling revitalized when I return home. I never knew how beautiful my neighborhood was!
I took a couple getaways to hotsprings and unplugged in the process! Between opening a business and some crazy weather on top of the pandemic it’s sure been a year!
I committed to a long walk every day.
I bought pedicure deals on groupon.