52 Weeks of Self-Care: Weeks 1-4
WEEK 1
I love nothing more than getting lost in a good book…the characters, the setting, and all the adventure. It’s a great way to transport yourself to another world. 2023 is the perfect year to try new books, or even new genres. To help you find a great new book, take a peek at some of these recommendations:
WEEK 2
Iceland is the new “it place” to travel to and some people are deciding to add a few days there as a layover. If you have one full day to explore Reykjavik, Iceland, the capital, you may want to get an early start because there is so much to explore in this picturesque port town. I decided I wanted our time in the city to be about culture and our time in the countryside to be about nature. So how can you do Reykjavik in one day with kids?Â
Photo Credit: Simpson Bay Beach Resort
Since my younger daughter was having fun at sleepaway camp, we thought it was the perfect time for my husband and I to take our oldest daughter away on a trip since she will be heading off to college a year and a half. Since we’d been to St. Martin two times before and always loved it, we knew it would be an amazing destination for our getaway. The Simpson Bay Beach Resort had everything we would need for our stay.
After a long day of flying from Boston (we had a delay and a long layover…yuck.), we finally felt the Caribbean sun on our face and could smell the salty air. Check-in was fast and informative and we couldn’t wait to head to our suite since we didn’t know what to expect.  Our jaws dropped when we saw what our accommodations looked like.
Photo Credit: Oyster Bay Beach Resort
There’s nothing crazier than the weeks leading up to the holidays, so there’s no better time to get away for a long weekend before the hectic season starts. I actually had a credit to the Oyster Bay Beach Resort, which they allowed me to apply to our stay, so my friend and I packed our bags, hopped on a flight from Boston, left New England behind, and headed to the Caribbean.
Resolutions are often hard to keep, but travel resolutions help me brainstorm ideas for ways to create family memories. Push yourself to have new adventures, remember old memories, and daydream about future trips. You can also use these to create Travel Bucket lists. Take a peek at mine. Here are some ideas for 50 New Year’s Travel Resolutions.
Whatever you decide to do this year, I hope you have a wonderful year making lifelong memories! Cheers!
Take a solo trip, whether it’s for an overnight or a week.
Do a weekend girls trip/ guys weekend.
Try something that brings you out of your comfort zone.
Stay in a hotel close to home.
Recreate a cocktail from a great night out.
Go on a food tour/ pub crawl/ brew bus.
Head to a winery to sample new wine.
Visiting vineyards in Napa
Sample an exotic new food.
Go camping…or glamping!
After a few health scares this past year, I discovered the importance of self-care. Sometimes we try so hard to take care of others that we neglect making time for ourselves. Self-care allows you time to relax, recharge, and be present in the moment. It’s important to focus on both physical and emotional areas in your life.
I love to practice self-care while traveling and it often becomes some of the best parts of my trip. I love to head to a spa for a signature treatment, enjoy sipping coffee in a courtyard while people watching, breathing in the salty air at a beach, and taking time to put down my camera and be present in the moment. This year I plan on recreating these moments from the comfort of my home.
 I’ve come up with 52 weeks of self-care that I plan on completing this year. I will do one each week.
Follow along on my Instagram Stories each Sunday.
Don’t miss out…give a CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM. I’ll provide plenty of DIY options, share products I use, and give you links I find.
(These are not in any order. I’ll bounce around the list with whatever feels right.)
Make time for stretching
Enjoy a facial
Sip on a warm cup of tea
Using Essential Oils (more…)
Being raised in a Portuguese home meant I was surrounded by the most amazing meals. There were no canned spaghetti and meatballs, and no frozen dinners. (There was also no peanut butter and fluff sandwiches…but I guess I forgive them for that.) Food was prepared with fresh ingredients and with recipes handed down from generation to generation. A while back I created a cookbook filled with family recipes for my girls to use when they have their own families. I’m hoping to instill the joy of cooking together, sitting down to share a meal, and laughing over great conversations at the dinner table. This Portuguese Paella is perfect for Christmas Eve, Christmas day or New Years Eve. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
Portuguese Paella
Ingredients:
¼ cup good olive oil (never buy the cheap stuff)
Every December, I start to look at my life and evaluate what I could do to make it even better for the upcoming year. I think of things I like to do that brings me joy. For example, this year I want to entertain more. I love to cook and try new cocktails, so cookbooks are definitely on my Christmas list. I love unique cookbooks…check out a few amazing ones I’ve found. It is also a time to make some new habits like journaling, traveling, and becoming the best you possible. Here are a few books to help with your new years resolutions!
By: Nevyana Dimitrova & Trey Guillory
The Unofficial Witcher Cookbook: Andrzej Sapkowski’s epic fantasy saga of the witcher Geralt has captivated pop culture for nearly 30 years. Through books, graphic novels, TV shows, and video games, the witcher’s adventures have brought audiences face-to-face with monsters, sorceresses, kings, and destiny. Now, you can have your very own taste of the legendary adventures of a witcher.
The Unofficial Witcher Cookbook is filled with 50 recipes ranging from humble meals and tavern stews to bountiful feasts fit for a king, including:
Prized Potato Soup
Blacksmith Dumplings
Feast of Ham and Nightshade
House Specialty Soup
Honey Cakes for a Coin
And more!
This cookbook is perfect for die-hard fans of The Witcher, as well as those who just can’t get enough epic fantasy in their life.
By: Susan Marque
Looking for a unique gift for everyone on your list? Here are some amazing companies that offer great products! Show them you truly know them by giving them a gift that compliments their personality. Check out our 2022 Christmas Gift Guide:
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THEM
I don’t know about you, but I can’t get through my day without my planner. I use it to make lists, plan projects, and strategize everything I need to get done. Organization is my way to prevent stress and make plans for my future. It is a wonderful way to track your goals and help you increase your performance.
I love the high quality of all their products. There is so much thought that went into all the details of the books. The covers are beautiful and look wonderful on my desk.
WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?