No, my home is not loaded with piles and piles of newspaper, crap and unsanitary empty containers…but what I do have are candles unburned, shower gels never washed with and “party” shoes waiting for the parties I somehow never go to. And then there’s the perfumes, lovely perfumes I never wear. I seem to be waiting for a day that never comes. Do you do this too?
How did I realize this? Last month on my birthday, I was showering and noticed the Jo Malone bath gel a friend had given me a year ago as a gift. First let me say I luuuuuv this gel and secondly, it wasn’t even HALFWAY used. Something’s wrong here.
Then I noticed in the living room a beautiful Jonathan Adler candle I had received as a thank you gift. I’ve only burned it twice. What am I waiting for? I love it when I go over my friend Julianne’s house because it always smells fragrant from whatever candle she has recently burned or from diffusers marinating her dining room and bath.
And I loved whenever another friend got in my car and how he smelled from the cologne he wore. That’s him. Yet I just go on day after day with a non-descript smelling home and body. Have I become bland? When was the last time I put on lipstick and actually smiled with Chanel peach or Stila pink lips? omg…I’ve let my lips disappear! Egad!
And the thing is, I won’t run out. I have at least seven candles (mostly gifts) waiting to be lit right now. Four lovely perfumes that even if I wore one every day for the next two years, I would still have plenty left. And I have tube after tube of lipstick and gloss in the most kissable shades just sitting there sadly waiting to expire.
What is behind all of this? Well, for one thing, some of these candles are damn expensive. Have you seen the price of a Molton Brown candle? Me at home watching “So You Think You Can Dance” doesn’t really justify burning a $74 candle, does it? Well, why not? And coming to work with the same 14 people every day isn’t enough of an occasion for a spritz of Guerlain’s now off-the-market Metalica. But wait. Don’t I buy these things so I can enjoy them?
What about how I feel when I shower with a gel that smells yummy and starts my day off with a smile. If 15% of women don’t wear perfume, how many of us poor saps never even burn a candle or take a luxurious bath-bombed bath? Again, egad!
I am going to rethink this. Here’s a New Year’s Resolution I can get behind. I am going to burn my candles starting right now and on both ends if that’s what it takes. I am going to spritz and pucker up as I apply away. And I am going to book my calendar with dinners and lunches this year so my party shoes can finally come out to play!
Let me know what lovely things you are depriving yourself of too…maybe we can change together.
