Anne Barone of the fabulous Chic & Slim book series mentions that chic French women take regular ‘boudoir time’. This means withdrawing to their boudoir to take stock, recharge, have quiet time alone.
My version of boudoir time is to go up to our bedroom after dinner but before bedtime. The bed is made and tidy, with pillows and cushions arranged in a pleasing way. All laundry is in the hamper, clothes are hung up and put away.
I turn the bedside lamps on so there is a soft glow rather than the overhead light and spend 30-60 minutes or even longer reading. Often on my stomach or on my side laid out across the whole bed with either an old Victoria magazine (the French issues please) or some printed out French Chic group/blog posts bound in a clear-file folder.
A glass of water or herbal tea is on the bedside table. Sometimes I will have a facial mask on, sometimes not, just a freshly washed face with night cream sinking in.
This time is a very relaxing prelude to drifting off to sleep.
Fiona, we seem to be on the same page as I just wrote a blog entry about my new "boudoir." I'm trying to create the same kind of alone time that you seem to have mastered.
ReplyDeletehi fiona,
ReplyDeletemy bedroom is my respite. our house is so tiny that we can sometimes be too close. i need a little escape of my own. my fav time is in the very early morning, before light. he's gone to the gym and the chandelier it lit (on dimmer) and it's tea & toast and my journal. if i don't get up and make the bed i could stay in it all day.
~janet
This sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis is so important. I like how you describe the details of your room and how it's kept.
ReplyDeleteCherie, I look forward to seeing your new boudoir, how exciting.
ReplyDeleteJanet, your morning time sounds wonderful. A chandelier in the bedroom is so luxe (yet so necessary).
Kalee and Stephanie, Merci!
Hi Fiona- Fabulous rituals. I love Anne's advice regarding the boudoir too. Last night I was able to have some time to myself- have a bath, put on a face mask and listen to classical music! (A rare opportunity now that we have a newborn baby). It was wonderful boudoir time. Hope you're well. You look gorgeous in your profile pic xxx
ReplyDeleteJennifer, merci! Your boudoir time sounds delightful. Good on you for taking some time for yourself (I'm sure it's not easy with such a young baby). Hope your family of four is well!
ReplyDeleteI love to do this too! In fact, I had boudoir time last night while the raining fell softly outside my window. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteEmily, how delicious. As we all know, boudoir time is greatly enhanced with rain outside.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea! That sounds way better than what I usually do: watch TV until I get sleepy, or waste time on facebook. I really like your idea of printing out some blog posts to read. Reading from a page is more relaxing than reading from a screen isn't it?
ReplyDeleteLyn, I'm not on Facebook but I definitely noodle about on the internet (or watching tv) too late sometimes. It's hard to relax after staring at a screen.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's much easier on the eyes to read off a page.
I LOVE my collection of printed out blog and French Chic group posts. They calm and inspire me instantly.
It sounds like a wonderful way to unwind before heading off to sleep!
ReplyDeleteManuela
I need to do this. I need to set a time to turn off the computer and simply read, relax and recharge. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteManuela, thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteDeanna, I find doing something like this makes a huge difference in how easy it is to drift off to sleep. If I stay on the computer or watch tv right up until bedtime it takes a while to wind down. Reading something relaxing off a printed page calms the eyes (and mind) I think.