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 took my first vacation in 7 years (short road trip to the province next to mine). I spent a week visiting my good friend and her kids and sitting on the beach. It was amazing and I came back so happy refreshed.
I totally quit watching the news. Books and movies became my go to. Family and friends helped me focus. Looking forward to the new year with hope.
I took naps when I needed them! I used to pride myself on not napping and on sleeping less than 6 hours when possible.
WHY!
My goal for this year has been to reclaim my friendships with other women. I started a romance book club with some friends, made greater efforts to get together with my girlfriends on a regular basis, and left work at work.
Trying to work out and eat better recently. Also joined a romance book club which was so great
Virtual library cards at 3 local to me libraries to load my kindle with happy stories and putting phone away 2 hrs before bedtime.
Best thing I did for myself in 2021 was leave a toxic company. I decided to leave management after 20 years and become an individual contributor to reduce stress. So happy with my new role!
I took up some hobbies I had neglected for years
The last few years have been lived in survival mode. Midway through this year, I finally faced that there’s always going to be something looming, but you can’t dwell only on the bad. My job is hell on my hands and nails so I haven’t bothered with a manicure since my wedding. A few months ago, I tried a literary-themed set of nail wraps, for a one day event, since hey, they only had to last 24 hours. Now, a cute set of wraps is my feel better go-to.
Walks in the park (for body and mind!)
My body said “not going to work” and I listened and rested, and didn’t stress as much about paying people to help me feel better.
I struggled with reading this year, so I gave myself permission to set aside all of the books that I really wanted to read but did not have the mental/emotional capacity for right now. I gravitated towards shorter and more light-hearted stories as well as listening to more audiobooks. I’m finally starting to get out of the slump so I know this was self-care that I needed, but hoo boy was it difficult to accept. The up side is that I did buy a bunch of books so now I have a plethora of awesome books lined up to read!
Thanks to working from home, I changed my wake up alarm to 8 AM and gave in to my night owl ways. Living by my preferred body clock has made me feel much better!
I finally broke down and replaced all of my skincare items this weekend. Sokoglam had 40% off and it seemed like a sign.
I finally left the job I had been wanting to leave since 2018. I took a sabbatical and owned up to myself that I just needed some time to reset.
I started doing yoga and PT stretches every morning and listening to my body. I became a Bath Person, and my collection of bath bombs and bubbles and candles is truly impressive at this point! I read so much romance and fantasy/sci-fi this past year and had the best time doing it.
Had my life turned upside-down by an unexpected medical diagnosis, so under doctor’s orders I went vegetarian, lost 30 pounds (so far) and started dealing with all the additional medical issues I had let slide since my late husband first got sick. My bank account is thinner too as a result, but I feel SO much better!
I’ve struggled with self-care this year, but I’ve been learning to recognize my body’s cues and taking a break when I need it.
I blew a fortune on joining the expensive but very clean gym in town and even paid for personal training to get myself in better shape. I get really down if I don’t exercise regularly.
Rereads! So many comfort rereads. I relaxed my Goodreads goal (I don’t track rereads because I am that kind of nerd) so that I would have plenty of time and space to do rereads of all my favorite series and I enjoyed them so much. Knowing I would be able to hang out with familiar characters during my reading time made some of the stressful days of 2021 a little easier.
Doing yoga and reading books
I allowed myself to DNF and move on to the next book without guilt or looking back.
Finally made an appointment to see an orthopedist about a persistent foot problem (I’m a runner) and then did all the treatment and PT prescribed to recover. I’m not back to running yet, but I’ll get there soon hopefully (and without pain!!)
This year I did a whole bunch in the name of better work-life balance. Taking advantage of the flexibility with WFH, I worked the hours that made sense for me and mine.
Self care for me is about alone time from my young family. I found a new local coffee shop this year and treated myself most weekends to staying a bit to read my smut and sip my overpriced latte.
Tried to prioritize eating more regular mealtimes and cooking.
I definitely didn’t do enough to care for myself this year. Some walks when the weather was nicer helped. I hope to do better in 2022!
My self-care included telling the teens that they needed to help keep the house clean, including taking care of their own mess. When they didn’t, I just left it (kind of difficult) and when they complained about how the house looked, I just asked them what they had done recently. We are slowing getting into a better place as they begin picking up and helping with the cleaning.
I also got very conscious about napping.
Good question. I’d say realizing it’s OK for me to be me. (But I do admit it’s a work in progress.)
I gave myself permission to do nothing. Usually, it feels like I should be reading, working on a craft project, cleaning, or whatever. Sometimes my brain just needs a break and that’s okay too!
I started Yoga with Adrienne videos and have done them daily (only missed once). It might be a quick mediation or a longer stretch but it’s been so, so good for my body and my mind.
I upped my bath ritual with bath bombs. It makes for an extra nice bath and I love that the tub is coated with sparkles when I drain out the water.
Started planning a family trip for Feb-feels great to have something to look forward to.
I have been exercising with yoga, walking, cycling. I try to get moving when I can since I sit so much when I’m working.
I take an online yoga class with a local teacher who used to teach in person, but due to Covid moved to zoom.
My favorite self care is manis and pedis. I was so glad to resume both after I was vaccinated!
I got three doses of Moderna, social distanced, masked, and washed hands often.
Finally felt safe enough in my area to go back to doing my aerial silks classes and that’s been amazing for my physical and mental health!
I caught up on doctor’s appointments I had been putting off and I’m trying to take better care of myself.
This was not a good year for self-care, with the exception that I got serious about weight loss (and have been successful up until last week–no Christmas cheating for me!).