Life’s little luxuries

You know those little, seemingly meaningless, items that add sparkle to a day? Something that may not cost a lot, but somehow makes the humdrum of day to day life more bearable?

For me, I’m realizing that my “little luxuries” are pretty consistent from season to season, but the aesthetic of the item may change.

A lot of my favorites came as recommendations online that I tried and loved, and while I realize what one person considers soothing or uplifting, may do the total opposite for others, I thought I’d share my list of life’s little luxuries below, in case something here resonates with you.

I absolutely love the scent and feel of this Orange Blossom Honey hand soap. I’ve never been to France, but every time I wash my hands with this, I’m pretty sure I’ve been there in a past life. I can literally see myself exploring the streets of Marseille wearing a flowy white linen dress that daintily ties at the shoulders. Is that too much? Because that is a truthful depiction of what I see when I use this soap. I’m transported to France.  Try some. I’m dying to know what vision you see when you use it, haha.

Alright, now that I’ve taken you to Marseille, it’s time to let you in on another random life luxury: decorative paper napkins.

Boring, you think?

Nope. Here’s why: There’s nothing that brings about nostalgia for me like a pattern. To get a little more insight into nostalgia I did some research and came up with this explanation of why we seem to enjoy places, people, or things that bring about nostalgia for us. Most profound to me was this quote I found by Clay Routledge, a social psychologist at North Dakota State University: “We see nostalgia as a psychological resource that people can dip into to conjure up the evidence that they need to assure themselves that they’re valued.”

I must need this assure a lot, because I do find myself quite attached to things and places that bring about nostalgia.

Alright, back to the napkins.

I love to have several patterns to choose from stowed away in a drawer. Personally, I prefer the cocktail size that I can use in the morning to rest my coffee stirring spoon on or to place a cup or glass on to absorb condensation. They’re also great to pull out and place with a cheese board or hors d’oeuvres. Voila, instant charm.

Aren’t these pretty for spring or summer?

Or how ’bout these from Mackenzie-Childs?

Pro-tip: Dollar Tree has some of the cutest cocktail napkins in their party supplies aisle.

 

What are some things that add beauty to your everyday life? Please share them with me!

 

 

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