Up there with Netflix binging, I have guilty pleasure rituals at home. The thing is, mine are really small things that most don’t even consider are.
They are what I do on an almost daily basis, especially now that it’s colder. Call them rituals. Call them guilty pleasures or just habits but these are my top four…
I discovered this tinned gem about five years ago after an old work colleague raved about them. Trader Joe’s does a brilliant dupe for Starbucks Chai Tea latte. It’s the Trader Joe’s Spicy Chai Tea Latte mix. I buy it it by the half a dozen to last me for a few months.
The tins are usually the first to go in their hot drinks aisle (at least at the 14th street union square shop they are) and the mix was recently highlighted by Refinery 29 as one on of their must buy items.
I’ll have most hot drinks from out of my bone china cup. Call it psychological but they just taste better from bone china plus they keep the heat longer. This one belongs to my Mum so I feel like it’s a personal connection to growing up in London with her since this was one of her favourite tea cups.
You’ve seen them before in older decor posts here and here, but Diptyque are still my fave scented candles. Usually two hours at a time is enough for a fix. Although once I left the house with one burning. I nearly died when I walked in around six in the evening and saw it still going.
My current favourite is Cannelle, a spicy woody cinnamon scent.
I watch tv with a blanket approx 90% of the time. I don’t know why I started doing this but it’s like a child-like habit that I can’t break . This blanket is about seven years old so I need a new one. I dream of the owning the perfect milky white blanket that’s cashmere on one side and a cowhide in wearable form on the other. If anyone’s got any recs let me know.
All this talk about my blanket has reminded me that I need to purchase a new mattress soon. I love spending time in my bed, but I recently learned that you should replace your mattress about every 7 years. I have had my mattress for as long as I can remember so the time has definitely come for a new one. I am going to start by looking online for an affordable memory foam mattress and then see if any catch my eye. Do you have any mattress recommendations?
Don’t laugh. These ugg-like slippers are not pretty but they are mini duvet covered beds on each foot. Regardless of what they look like they are flipping brilliant.
My other at home guilty pleasures:
Binging on YouTube videos + Surfing forums + On Demand binging + Staying in pajamas till after 10
Overdress Vintage says:
too cute this post Karen, your home looks lovely on all the shots, love the Jacobs crackers box, they are made in my home town!
Karen Blanchard says:
oh really? I found mine at Battersea flea market in London. It so reminds me of home.
Overdress Vintage says:
Yes the Jacobs factory is in Liverpool – when you drive down the road its its smells so good like bread baking all the time – must be the crackers Its looks quintessentially English in your Kitchen Karen- too cute I get what you mean though it is a Brand
synonymous with home x
LondonLady says:
Love your list of life-enhancements, am particularly inspired by your slippers! I would say though that if it brings you joy, no need for the ‘guilt’, these are just pleasures pure and simple.
Karen Blanchard says:
I just think that it’s cool that something like a good pair of slippers does this Crap we sound old LOL
Sinead says:
My sister from another mister! We have some very similar habits. 🙂 I have those slippers — or at least some that are very like them. Mine came from Target and have been worn to bits. I put them through the wash and re-glue the soles as necessary. This is particularly ridiculous as I have a backup pair that I am reluctant to start using. Yes, I’m a bit crazy, lol!
Karen Blanchard says:
omg aren’t these slippers ridic?? Don’t worry I sort of wish I had another pair as a back up. I cannot go back to walking around in socks after this!
Diana says:
Yes, yes, yes to everything! I recently just bought a Dennis Basso throw + teddy bear! I mean. I saw it and I had to have it! Also, girlll, I will need to find this Trader Joe’s spicy chai mix! I love the tea cup too! Also, I just realized everything before this sentence ended with an exclamation point. *shame*
Karen Blanchard says:
yes you HAVE TO FIND the TJ mix it’s really good. I mean I’m still buying them years after my office job! I didn’t notice the exclamations so …….LOL
Diana says:
I can’t believe I didn’t know about this! Lol. 😉
Laura says:
Hi! Speaking of guilty pleasures, I am willing to pay well for a GOOD cashmere sweater that will not pill after five wearings. I have even read up on it and understand it depends on the length of the fibers – the longer the length, the less they will pill. I have a cashmere sweater from Saks that I bought 15 years ago, got a hole in the arm from a moth, so I wear it as pajamas in the winter and it does NOT have a pill on it. Can you tell me where to find a good quality sweater today? Thanks – and love checking your blog every day!
Sinead says:
Not Karen, but I do love cashmere! JCrew does great cashmere, as do Pringle, Loro Piana, and TSE. None of these are cheap, but I do feel that you get what you pay for. I bought some relatively inexpensive cashmere from HSN a couple of years ago, and it did not hold up at all. Lesson learned. I also have a two-ply cashmere sweater that I bought from the men’s department at Monoprix in Paris over 20 years ago, and it is still as beautiful as it was the day I bought it. Sometimes, you do find an accidental bargain!
Karen Blanchard says:
wow it’s always the bargain ones that are extra special. Ugh now I need to find a cashmere blanket.
Karen Blanchard says:
Thanks Laura. God to be honest I don’t really wear cashmere sweaters actually no correction: if I do its one that I found from a vintage shop or something. I just got one recently from Boden though which feels really soft. Ugh I’m clearly no help
Chelsea Eddy says:
Where’s your shirt from? I love it x