While a mother’s work never is really done, I am technically on-duty with my twin toddlers from 7 AM-7 PM (yes, on the weekends too.) Of course we are talking about two toddlers under the same roof, so you can imagine the extent of overtime put in, but for the most part the time between the boys’ bedtime and my own is essentially sacred. Some days are definitely harder than others, but either way it’s always a long day, and come 7 o’clock I am in dire need of some major R&R.
As a mom your daily life is very scheduled and repetitive, but the plus side to this dynamic is that it’s easier to structure time into your day to unwind and reboot. Evenings are exclusively reserved for hanging out with the Mister and getting in my me time right before bed. Having a calming and rejuvenating night time routine is essential for taking care of your body and preparing yourself to wake up feeling fresh and ready to take on the day. Because everyone deserves a good nights rest, I’ve partnered with Crane & Canopy to show you the steps I take each evening to pamper, rest, and relax this season.
I cook dinner at home most nights, which can seem like a chore but for me it’s more therapeutic because it’s my first step in decompressing after putting the boys down to bed. After a day of carrying on toddler conversations and being pulled two ways at once it’s quite calming to turn on some music and whip up a good meal. Sometimes I’ll have a glass of wine with dinner, but I always, always enjoy a taste of dark chocolate after dinner. It’s my daily reward for surviving yet another day, and I think it’s important to treat oneself to one (or maybe two) daily indulgences.
After the chocolate is gone and the decompression is completed, I head upstairs to begin my nightly skincare routine. Removing makeup before bed is a basic rule in skincare 101, but if you want better than basic skin you have to implement a nightly skincare routine to cleanse, nourish, and moisturize. In December I posted a roundup of my favorite winter skincare products, many of which are still in my line up, but since then I have discovered a few new gems.
Micellar Cleansing Water– First up in any skincare routine is cleaning the day away from your face. A French girl favorite, micellar water gently removes makeup, cleanses, and moisturizes the skin. While micellar water can be used as a sole cleanser on its own, I use it more as a toner giving my face and neck a good wipe to remove oils and make up before washing with a simple milk cleanser. With a few dabs of this miracle water on one of my favorite organic cotton rounds, a few swipes across the face and all of the dirt, oils, and makeup are wiped away.
Facial Cleansing Milk– The second cleansing step comes with this botanical cleansing milk that gently cleanses the skin without stripping away its moisture. This soap-free cleanser contains CoQ10, Rosehip Oil, and Hyaluronic Acid which together work to boost regrowth of collagen and elastin, promote healthy skin rejuvenation, and help skin to attract and retain moisture, resulting in a dewy, resilient and smoother surface texture. I had previously been using Avalon’s Vitamin C Renewal cleansing milk which I was very happy with, but seeing as I’m getting closer and closer to the end of my thirties I wanted to give the Wrinkle Therapy option a go.
Midnight Recovery Concentrate– Speaking of anti-aging, I’m slowly working towards incorporating more and more anti-aging products into my skincare routine, and this serum is a new addition to my line up that is a wrinkle-fighting superhero. A good serum is the most important tool to have in your anti-aging toolbox, so if you’re serious about starting to invest in your skincare a high quality serum is the place to start. My skin is regularly on the dry-side, but add in winter weather and my face becomes a desert so I’m always on the hunt for products that will moisturize and leave my skin dewey and glowing (isn’t everybody?!) Applied before moisturizing, this serum works wonders at restoring and replenishing your skin while you sleep.
Positively Radiant Night Cream– This night cream is one of the best facial moisturizers I have ever used. For being such an intensive moisturizer it’s very lightweight and non-greasy on the face. At a price point much more attractive than many other top rated night creams, this one really holds its own.
Vaseline– Yes, Vaseline. While it’s not the most glamorous of products, Vaseline is my go-to for soothing wind burnt lips. Without fail, my lips always get especially chapped during winter, so every night before bed I put a quick swipe over my lips and by morning they feel soft and moisturized.
Almond Oil– Last but not least, I discovered almond oil while reading about French skincare products, and it has become my favorite body moisturizers. Almond oil is made by pressing raw almonds without cooking them, also referred to as raw or cold pressed. Because no heat is used in the process, all of the naturally occurring chemical compounds within the oil are preserved and can directly benefit the skin. Applied topically, the high level of fatty acids in almond oil help skin lock in moisture by forming a protective barrier. Almond oil also acts as a natural exfoliator to help to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of healthier skin.
The Mister, the dog, and I really love snuggling up on the couch to a good movie or one of our favorite TV shows in the evenings, but sometimes when he’s traveling for work I’ll switch the TV off early and opt for a pamper and chill session instead. We all need a good pamper every once in a while, and with the right products you can put together your own DIY spa treatments. When it comes to masks and scrubs, I always prefer to use natural products with fresh ingredients which is why Lush is my absolute favorite spot for cosmetics luxuries. I say luxuries, but at the price points for Lush products, you’re getting a whole lot more than you pay for. If you’re fortunate to have a store near you (there are three locations in the D.C. area) you can walk in and sample pretty much anything you want. The staff are extremely knowledgable on skincare and if you give them a quick explanation of your skin type and goals, they will swiftly lead you to what you are looking for, and give you a few samples to try as well. While I’m not able to make it to the stores as often with the kids in tow, I still make a point to venture out a few times a year to stock up on some of my favorite pampering products, which I’ll share with you here…
Bath Bombs– There are few things I can think of that are better than a hot bath before bed. Throw in a Lush bath bomb and your tub will be exploding with essential oils, creamy froth, and dreamy auromas. My personal favorites are Butterball and Tisty Tosty.
Dream Cream– Aptly named, this is the absolute dreamiest cream you will ever, ever put on your skin. Whenever I get a bad spot of dryness on my legs or arms, I’ll go grab a pot of this classic, calming blend of oat milk, lavender, and chamomile and in a day or two the dryness is gone and my skin is soft as a babies bum. Speaking of babies’ bums, unfortunately one of my boys inherited my dry skin and after trying every possible baby lotion nothing was clearing up his dry patches. I decided to try the dream cream on his skin and voila- dry spots gone and happy baby.
Ocean Salt Scrub– A mineral rich do it all scrub that can be used on the face and body, this scrub is a mixture of fine and coarse sea salt with coconut oil and avocado that exfoliates, hydrates, and softens the skin like no other.
Face Mask Bar– The mecca of face masks. The face mask bar at Lush is reminiscent of a gelato stand which makes it even more desirable. Troubled or sensitive skin, deep cleansing, rejuvenation, tone and tighten, whatever your facial needs… there is a mask for it at the face mask bar. These concoctions are made of ultra fresh ingredients and must be stored in the refrigerator. One container lasts in the refrigerator for about a month and is enough for 2-3 masks. My favorites of the bunch are BB Seaweed, Brazened Honey, and Oatfix.
After all the cleansing, scrubbing, and moisturizing is done it’s finally time to jump in bed. With two toddlers sleep is a very hot commodity in my house, which is why the Mister and I put extra consideration and resources into building our perfect bed. From the mattress to the throw pillows every component of our bed was carefully selected and it’s definitely one of our favorite spaces in the house.
Creating a comfy cozy sleep space is essential to getting the good rest you deserve. My philosophy on picking out bedding is sticking to color schemes that truly reflect you and accommodate your lifestyle. In my single life I always preferred crisp whites and pale blues for my bedding, but with a dog that sleeps on (and takes up half of) the bed, light colors don’t work anymore. With the Mister in the picture I also had to find something that was a toned down version of the dainty and feminine look I previously slept in. I came across this pale sea green and beige enlarged paisley print and it was the perfect balance for us. For sheets I have sets of crisp white and light beige that is a slightly lighter shade than the beige in the duvet.
We have a down comforter which is absolutely necessary in the winter, but I wanted to have another light layer inbetween the sheets and duvet that would add more warmth for winter, and also stand in as a comforter on its own during the summer. I wanted to add texture to the bedding in a color that wasn’t too matchy-matchy so I went wit this slate grey quilt, which I think complements the sea green and beige nicely and also coordinates with my bedside table.
Our bed is in a little nook, so we have bedside tables right around the corner. I got this piece years ago, but I really love the artsy print mixed with my more traditional bedding. I usually have a book or two that I’m reading placed on it, and keep my book light stashed inside the drawer. My final, and maybe most important, step before bedtime is setting a glass of water on my night stand. I’m a bit obsessive about staying hydrated because whenever I’m not I get headaches and feel fatigued. The first thing I do each morning when I wake up is drink an entire glass of water which increased the flow of oxygen, flushes out toxins, and jump starts the metabolism. After sleeping 7-8 hours the body gets dehydrated so this small step is a simple but effective way to get a head start on the day.
Sleep well, Live well!
