What is your biggest indulgence?
Daily | July 24th, 2008
“Indulge, verb: to yield to an inclination, desire, wish or whim.” Sounds good to us!
Carrie says: This is difficult for me to answer. I am the girl who will go without, make do, wait ’til someday, one day to indulge myself. Biggest indulgence would be shopping for clothes and not checking the price tag first. And I do love to eat good dark chocolate!
Danielle says: I burn honey beeswax candles all day long. And…I just spent a lot of coin for a small amount of very hard to find amber oil that smells like sexy Goddess nectar to me. And sometimes I keep talking even if my man is showing signs of listening fatigue…tres indulgent.
Read Carrie’s blog on “Shopping for your Wardrobe with Wisdom”
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July 24th, 2008 at 1:47 am
I find indulging myself very difficult, I tend to feel guilty. I would have to say sleep is probably my biggest indulgence. I love to go to bed early, read for a little while, then drift off. It counts as an indulgence and not a necessity because sometimes I go to bed when I’m not tired and when I’ve a million things to do.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:57 am
Creating time for myself is my greatest indulgence. I spent the whole of my twenties racing around doing things I didn’t want to do -trying not to let anyone down. Now I’m far more selfish and regularly schedule evenings in with a good book… and I guess my huge handbag collection counts as an indulgence too.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:00 am
Books, TV (Cable), the computer and good hand milled soaps.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:18 am
Lighting beautiful soy candles in every room whether i am in them or not
Having candle lit baths complete with aromatherapy oils first thing in the morning
Buying candles that cost £40 and loving the way the smell
Sitting in my garden reading Coastal Living and dreaming of the day there is water under my feet
Creating girlfriend get togethers for no reason complete with a dressed table, goody bags and home cooked food and drinks
Believing that to indulge is to truly believe your worth it!
July 24th, 2008 at 2:29 am
Time. Taking the time to create, to breathe, to focus my intention; or to read, to travel, to love. Pilates class, the physical embodiment of a strong spiritual core. Selfish time to better the self feels quite indulgent – perhaps it should be a given, but that’s another Q&A.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:15 am
Good red wine and cheese! I think it’s ridiculous that I’m trying to keep a budget, but think $10.00 for a tiny piece of goats milk cheese is totally acceptable. And don’t get me started on red wine, but I have found bottles which are terrific value.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:27 am
I just recently went for a true bra fitting like the one they featured on Oprah…these bras are very expensive but I look like I’ve lost a little weight and had “some work done”! And, I don’t know how, but the bras manage to look pretty sexy for a size 34F (DDD)! You gotta cherish the boobs.
I love to burn my LeMMongrass soy candle when I’m listening to beatiful music (Vivaldi at the moment)and just puttering around the house. That particular scent is a mood lifter and calming agent! Some pricey things are completely worth it. Be kind to yourself!
July 24th, 2008 at 3:40 am
A trip to the spa. I have a busy brain but I find that at the spa I’m able to just take a deep breath and let that go. I leave feeling refreshed and as though I’d had a mini vacation.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:55 am
Massages & pedicures …. are some of my favorite indulgences… Lingerie … and spritzing my favorite perfume in the bedroom just before going to bed… hum…
July 24th, 2008 at 4:01 am
Very simple and thus expensive jewellery. Wine. Living on my own.
July 24th, 2008 at 4:07 am
Like Carrie, I can go without…but my greatest indulgence is traveling. Whenever I can save up enough money, I will travel before all else. So far been to: Spain, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Morocco, Ireland, Memphis, New York. Looking forward and saving for Tuscany.
July 24th, 2008 at 4:28 am
I was going to say “Books, books and more books!”
I tell myself its good for me to buy them to up-date my knowledge – and also give me a chance to just relax.
But really my buying books gives me my true indulgence….Allows me “ME” time. I guess I can say that the “ME” time is truly my BIG indulgence….Free time! Sad to say but true….
Now I am off to catch a few minutes with my newest book by Martha Beck…ciao
Mini
Cheers!
July 24th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Time to do absolutely nothing! Last night there was a thunderstorm. I “shutdown” the house for the night, opened the windows and enjoyed the storm. I felt the breeze circulating, a little spray come in the windows every once in a while and just existed until I fell asleep. No worrying about gas prices, the deer eating my garden or what I had to do at work the next day. I just watched the storm. For someone who was once petrified of thunderstorms, I’ve come a long way.
July 24th, 2008 at 4:56 am
Putting my life on hold and hanging out with my adult children. My girls and I just love to “play talking”. My son is teaching me how to fish. This spring – I had a number of firsts with him – my first fishing license, putting a worm on a hook and taking a fish off my line – by myself. Since we are all leading hectic lives – these “stolen” moments together truly feel like wonderful indulgences.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:09 am
Exotic body oils, incense, and food – all feel like love to me
July 24th, 2008 at 5:16 am
Definitely shopping! My biggest indulgence was when I was in university – not a lot of income, well, living the typical student’s life, kraft dinner and the whole bit. I was in Montreal one weekend and fell in love with a leather coat that I could not live without. It was VERY expensive – but I wore it for 15 years!
July 24th, 2008 at 5:17 am
Travel. Especially to Kyoto, Japan.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Writing Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog. It truly is an indulgence because I have not made any money or attempted to make any money. I am genuininely passionate about writing, connecting with readers, helping readers gain confidence with intelligent beauty, style, and fitness. I get lost in my writing and lose all concept of time. That’s an indulgence. At least my husband thinks so. LOL.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:38 am
Thee biggest would be R & R every afternoon… Read & Rest for at least an hour. Sometimes I fall asleep, sometimes not, but the quiet time ~alone~ restores my energy~ spiritual, artistic, and as an active woman.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:46 am
It’s definitely dining out with friends. Lunch, brunch, coffee, tea. Nothing extravagant, but it all adds up.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:50 am
Escargot Brochette at Pappas Seafood and Steak House in Houston, TX. It’s the best I’ve ever eaten. Of course, I have not been to France. ;p
July 24th, 2008 at 5:52 am
A woman after my own heart. Before I moved here to Tiny Town USA, I ate one meal a day some where with some body or some bodies.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Amen!
July 24th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Ooooh… that sounds like a necessity to me. I would never survive with out mineral baths, insence and oils. Or food.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Outsourcing weekly house cleaning.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:58 am
My heart skipped a beat when I read – living on your own!
Oh my this is what I want to do before I die. I’ve lived with other people all my life – mother, father, brother, sister, two husbands, three children, a couple of grandchildren for a time. It would definitely be an indulgence since we can’t afford it.
I still might do it for a year!
July 24th, 2008 at 5:58 am
And you beleive you have to justify meeting your needs because why? I just don’t sleep in. But, “going to bed” at 6 pm works for me. There are times when I simply need to turn off the out side world, shut down and go inside myself, whether listening to a certain CD, reading a book or laying there in the dark listening to myself breathe. Love yourself. You are so worth it!
July 24th, 2008 at 6:06 am
I believe my biggest indulgence is eating out. Since retirement we live on a reduced income but we still go out to eat.
I do a lot of wonderful things – now – for myself. I no longer see them as indulgences but as necessary to my heart and soul. I listen to beautiful music when I write as I’m doing right now. I burn incense, light a candle. I buy soap from France that cost a fortune. I’m very sensate – loving to touch, taste and smell beautiful things.
If my heart says ‘buy it’ I do.
July 24th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Clothes and shoes baby!
July 24th, 2008 at 6:43 am
I’m addicted to buying books! I love the half-price bookstore. I recently got seven books for $10.60! I also love http://www.paperbackswap.com.
For the past six weeks I’ve been indulging myself by maintaining my manicure once every two weeks. My nails look so nice and it is very uplifting to me when I take a look at them. It makes me feel so pampered!
July 24th, 2008 at 6:50 am
I’m with Carrie on this one. I’m the one who gets things done and feels undone when I don’t, so indulgence is hard. But I have finally decided that an expensive (for me, anyway) haircut and eyebrow wax every 6 weeks is a little slice of bliss.
Also, reading. Reading always every day every spare minute despite it all because words are food.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:04 am
You took the words right out of my mouth! (off my fingertips?) My immediate response was “books, books, and more books”! Even if there’s plenty of stuff to read around the apartment, if I see a book that intrigues me it is very hard to resist it. I also love to re-read (which some of my friends just don’t “get”, saying “but there are so many new books out there”) — some books have become good friends, and I love to return to them, make time for them and for me, go on a voyage of discovery within the familiar.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Red wine with dinner most evenings and GREAT skin care products.
I also try to indulge myself in not overbooking. I have a finite amount of energy, so I try to give myself enough down time. Not easy in our burning-candles-at-both-ends age, but I try.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:23 am
I definitely indulge my passions: books, good food, travel. The first thing I try to cut down on are things that aren’t working for me: the lattes I don’t really need, frozen food I really don’t like, etc. I surprised myself at how much of my life (not to mention money and time) is taken up with things that don’t work for me. The second thing I try to do is increase the number of ways I put my passions in my life. When it comes to books for instance, am I going to the library and used bookstores and swapping books with friends as well as buying them new at the bookstore? Am I volunteering to support book related causes? Am I living my passions with my whole life or just my wallet?
July 24th, 2008 at 7:25 am
I’m similar to Carrie in that I’m Queen of better-to-save, make-do, and the like. I’d say travel, probably. I love it and I feel so much better and so freed-up when I’m traveling, even work-related travel.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Amen Julia! After having a spectacular bra fitting and extraordinary service from Secrets from your Sister on Bloor Street in Toronto, I am finding that having excellent bras (especially for those of us who require a little more engineering than an elastic that calls itself a “shelf”) may be slipping out of the indulgence category and into necessity. Of course, the first time you do it the experience (and the bill) will feel very much indulgent. My new bras make me feel supported, sexy and energized, and remind me that my size deserves to be expressed just as beautifully and with as much choice as any other size.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Puzzle Pirates – on-line computer role-playing game – but I’ve met some wonderful fun people at it!
July 24th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Travel. It keeps me sane and I find ways to make it happen. My boyfriend and I have a policy that when we are traveling, we won’t pass up something that we really want to do because we can’t afford it.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Moment to moment: Chanel’s Cristalle…only and always. For the last 30 years.
Daily: Puppy snuggles. I have 2 whippets who are master ’spooners’!
Weekly: 90 minute myofascial release / reiki massage.
Yearly: A week at http://www.seaviewinn.com with my sister. No kids, phones, laptops, TV or shoes. Plus 3 low-country meals a day. Ahhh…
July 24th, 2008 at 7:49 am
lots and lots of O’s…
July 24th, 2008 at 8:00 am
enjoying quality food and really good wine….alone! and loving it!
July 24th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Sunday New York Times, and sleeping late.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Waking up on Saturday morning before the baby has started to cry, before my eldest daughter, before my husband, and before the cat. I make my cup of tea, grab the newspaper, and I read, and I relax. I love the feeling of peacefulness in the morning. It’s me with me time.Like Carrie, I love my Dark Chocolate moments too.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Maybe you are right! How about regular visits to Bali, shopping, creating a home with lots of rugs, tapestries, and pillows for an everyday-living indulgence.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Exactly! You go girl! I wanna see pics! ;D
July 24th, 2008 at 9:16 am
My biggest indulgence is a standing 6 week hair appointment. I pay the big bucks to have the very best stylist (6 years running) make my hair fabulous. Oh and good wine, of course!
July 24th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Im thinkin mine would have to be…cookies and milk before bed everynight with my love. It’s one of my favourite times of the day!
July 24th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Dark (86% cocoa) chocolate. After trying several I’ve committed to a French brand called Poulain for about $3.50 per 100 gram bar. Various grocery stores carry it as does the Bay. A square (or 2) of chocolate has replaced my former “two cookie a day with lunch” habit.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:32 am
SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!I love buying things….or getting new things!!! Whether it is new bedding (which I just bought last week to go along w my king size bed my friend gave me…FREE!!! Praise God.) or a new trip (within the U.S. or abroad) or doing/learning something new (dance and Spanish classes).
July 24th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Marine fuel!
July 24th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I’d say my hair. Although I only get it cut, colored, & hilighed about every 4 months, I do pay TOP DOLLAR to get the most AMAZING stylist do it. It is worth EVERY cent to have that trust built with him.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Saying no.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Here here! After all, you wear your hair EVERY SINGLE DAY so you might as well love it. People will pay a couple hundred for a fabulous dress that they’ll wear….a few times but hair – daily! I’m so with you on this!
July 24th, 2008 at 10:45 am
I indulge with a glass of wine almost every evening. I also indulge myself by getting a good haircut every 6 to 8 weeks. I’ve had cheap haircuts, and you know what I’ve learned? You get what you pay for. That said, it’s not always true that more expensive is better, but with haircuts I don’t mind “indulging.” My biggest indulgence is books, books, and more books. Ask me to choose between a beautiful piece of jewelry and a new book, and I will take the book, hands down! I love reading and writing. Writing in my journal is a big indulgence, and frankly, sitting hear reading this website and putting my two cents in a big indulgence too. There are so many other things I could be doing, should be doing, but coming here makes me feel really good.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:17 am
I don’t mind spending on really good oil for my body. I don’t like chemical scents, dyes or phylates, just pure plant oils scented with essential oils. I really like using the Unwind Massage oil from Arbonne or the ABC Baby Body oil the Awaken citrus blend also is nice for hot days when I am feeling irritated. Good oils seem to soak in to my skin, plump it up and give it nice polished finish, and they never clog up my pores.
I also like a nice tea, Kyoto Cherry Green Tea from the Fairmont is a treat. Or wine…loving Orofino Reisling, and good Swiss milk chocolate.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Forgot to add, you can buy that tea at the Fairmont store. Orofino is hard to find now…specialty wine stores only. As for Arbonne, I have an account and donate my commissions to the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, you can email me. http://www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com
July 24th, 2008 at 11:20 am
My biggest indulgence is the time and money I spend on shelter magazines. In them is beauty and creativity and inspiration and guidance. Sounds biblical, doesn’t it? I guess, for me they are. Beautiful and peaceful space is, I believe, essential to the soul.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Most expensive indulges: MAC Makeup & Moscato Wines. My MAC cases, collections are bananas but the let my creatives flow on my face its an art, lol. The other, well I just love how Moscato feels and tastes.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Fantastic clothes, good coffee, fashion/design mags. Skin products, don’t get me started on serums and masks! Sandalwood inscence and asking friends how they feel.
Wouldn’t want to live without them and I feel great when I have them.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:51 am
sleep. nars blush, bare minerals make-up. cookbooks with beautiful photography. growlers of handcrafted beers, buying boxes of wines at Trader Joe’s. fashion mags/trashy gossip columns. well-made/tailored clothing. cashmere socks. good chocolate for baking. nourishing whole foods and taking the time to prepare it with love. time with my mom. indian buffet feasts – chutneys, pickles, tamarind, fresh breads, sweet lassis, levels of spice – oh yes.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, and the occasional glass of red wine. Oh, did I mention chocolate?
July 24th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Wow! This is a deep question for me because I am always encouraged to indulge more often and I don’t. It’s easier for me to give to others than to myself.
When I do indulge I usually purchase a bottle of unusual perfume, or chocolate truffles. I would top it off with a wonderful book I’ve been wanting to read. Hardcover of course.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
The RIGHT bra changes everrrrrything.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
“it all adds up” – great point. Lil’ bits of love and luxury add up to wellness.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
next week we’ll be asking about favourite magazines!
July 24th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
OK, this is not nearly as sensual as most of the answers, but it is the one thing I do with a twinge of guilt (sort of) every time – I use the “full serve” island at the gas station. In hot West Texas summers, it is pure indulgence not to have to get out of the car, stand on a steaming pavement and smell gas fumes.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Yes! And the “fitters” make you feel special and deserving! I highly recommend making the time to do this!
July 24th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Surfthechannel.com: for watching tv shows I am missing since ditching the t.v. So You Think You Can Dance, Sex and the City, My So Called Life… Cooking meaty dishes that I’ve never had before (was raised a vegetarian) such as meatloaf and chili! Dang I make a mean meatloaf!
July 24th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Just one? I guess I’d have to choose Peter Pan Chunky peanut butter. After a childhood of organic, oil-soaked sandwiches it tastes like heaven!
July 24th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
My biggest indulgances would have to be books, magazines and scrapbook supplies.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Eating out – and we do it too often. Having my own business, working part time teaching at our College and having a busy and active grown family . . . well, I cop out on the meal making. I do want to make a change and see it as a treat occasionally rather than something we “indulge in” frequently.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I’m all about the Full Serve. I also indulge in valet parking whenever possible.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Totally agree about investing in great bras, especially if you are gifted with a little extra up top! Completely worth the money, every time.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Oh, Jamie–thanks for the inspiration! The spas smells (eucalyptus, rosemary, grapefruit, verbena, etc.) and the tranquil atmosphere DO make your brain take a break. I’m going to make an appointment!
July 26th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
My biggest indulgence is food. Each week, I plan a menu of recipes out of seasonal Cooking Lights. I make a full grocery list before making my pilgrimage to the local gourmet grocery store and then to my regular grocery store for the ordinary stuff. Choosing our food is like a sort of meditation for me. I spend horrific amounts of money for feeding a family of 2, but I love every bite and feel a deep sense of satisfaction when the food I serve tastes awesome!
July 26th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Oh, wish I lived close enough to try out Secrets from your Sister. and I also wish owning a few really good bras wasn’t something I needed to consider as an indulgence.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Sugar! Chocolate, cakes, ice cream (preferably chocolate!), cookies, muffins, banana bread, Smarties, etc, etc, etc. SUGAR!
July 30th, 2008 at 2:09 am
My biggest indulgence right now is taking time off during my divorce to “center” myself. I gave myself one year to do this, which sounds long, but also includes devoting time to being a full time mom to my toddler. Soon I will work again, but this past year has been essential to getting to the “right place.”
July 30th, 2008 at 9:24 am
spending an afternoon with myself… treating myself to lunch…a little browsing time at Barnes & Noble…a movie where I arrive in time for the previews and not have to make small chat:)