Hitting the pause button

Well this week certainly feels like the millionth week in lockdown and the bank holiday weekend only served to confuse us further on what day of the week it actually is.

If, like me, you don’t have a work schedule anymore it’s quite a surprise to see how quickly days of the week hold very little significance. I only have some idea of the concept of time because my husband is working from home so he keeps a Monday to Friday schedule.

I’m going through a bit of a fashion lethargy at the moment, which in one way, is quite sad but in other ways is great for my bank balance because I’ve lost all interest in online shopping.

That’s not to say I haven’t been perusing the odd site or having a look on Instagram to see what people are wearing but my heart’s not in it this week. I’ve also realised a few times that I’ve gone to purchase things only to not go through with the purchase because I’ve realised, in fact, that I own something incredibly similar already.

It’s really worth taking a pause before completing a purchase and thinking about what you already own. I saved myself €70 the other week when I almost bought a skirt that I already have, albeit ever so slightly different.

So while I’m taking a short fashion sabbatical for the week I’ve found lots of other activities to keep me occupied. For one, I’ve been sitting out loads in the sunshine and just enjoying the fine weather whilst reading a book on my Kindle.

Now I have to admit I was a bit of a book snob pre-Covid and never thought I would like using a Kindle but I received one as a present a few weeks ago and it has been one of the best presents I’ve ever received.

I am flying through the books on it and it makes it so easy to keep up with my book club reading list. I really don’t know how I managed without it.

With the warm weather I have also been taking extra care of my skin and using that all important SPF. We all know by now that it’s a must regardless of whether the sun is shining or not.

I’ve been using factor 30 from the Image skincare range from Advanced Laser Light, and while I wait for them to open so that I can run in there and get a facial which I’ve been dreaming of since lockdown began, for now I’m attempting to give myself at home facials.

A friend of mine Louise, who is a training manager with Clarins, put together a great video for the G&T Style Club which I run on Instagram with my friend Gill on how to give yourself a facial massage.

It is so relaxing and I had a lot of tension in my jaw which was really helped by trying this out the other day.

As well as sticking to my regular skincare routine with Image products, I have also been trying out a few new ones and have become obsessed with masks which is a new skincare venture for me.

One I’m particularly loving is the Period mask from Faace which is for skin disrupted by life and which has really helped to rebalance my skin. Plus it smells amazing and it is so relaxing to sit there, mask on, reading a book with a gorgeous candle lighting by your side.

I’ve also really been missing getting my nails done but I feel like they needed a break from shellac and I would never have given them a break if it hadn’t been enforced.

Every evening I’m applying my cuticle oil and hand cream and giving myself a little mini hand massage.

It’s the little things but they all make a difference and we all need a bit of luxury and pampering every now and then.

The usual fashion chats will resume next week!