9 Things I’m Splurging for Myself This Valentine’s Day
It’s time to celebrate the most important person in my life: me.
Valentine’s Day is this weekend, and I don’t know about you, but I recently found each person has a different opinion about the holiday. If I were to ask any of my boo’d up girlfriends, they’d most likely tell me it’s a day where their significant others sweep them off their feet with a romantic meal, a box of chocolates and a sexy rendezvous post-dinner.
(If you can’t tell, I seem to have a lot of friends who have an enchanted idea of love. :P)
My single friends, on the other hand, are definitely more cynical over February 14th. Their ideal Valentine’s Day? It involves curling up with a blanket on the couch — glass of wine in hand — and binge-watching their favorite anti-romance movies (one such example given? Die Hard). After all, why should they be partaking in the day when there’s no one in their lives to snuggle with? Although, it doesn’t mean they’re not stalking group #1 on Instagram throughout the day…
While I sadly admit my love life is currently non-existent (#covidlife), it doesn’t mean I’m going to wallow about my singledom for the entire internet-sphere to read. If anything, I’m thinking it’s a good time to assess some good self-care skills and be more in touch with my inner self.
That’s why this year, I decided to do something I wouldn’t usually do — buy a few presents for myself.
It potentially doesn’t make sense (or maybe it does), but by splurging for a few little things here and there, it’s a personal love letter to the person I’m learning value the most — me. Because as my mom loves to tell me literally all the time, I first have to love myself before I can love someone else.
Cubic Zirconia Inlayed Star Statement Ring
If I’m going to treat myself right, it usually means I’m buying a piece of jewelry. A rather new find, this ring is subtle enough to wear every day, but also has enough sparkle to give me a little pep in my step.
Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate & Raspberry Filling Squares
If I’m going to spend the most romantic day of the year alone, I might as well buy the one type of chocolate I love to indulge in the most. *Expect it to be all gone in about thirty minutes from now.*
NYX Butter Gloss in Tiramisu
As quarantine is still a thing, I want to feel good about myself without having to apply too much makeup. With just a hint of color and a non-sticky formula, this lip gloss is perfect for a casual FaceTime call or a Zoom meeting.
This Is Us Quote Sticker
I need to find a way to represent my favorite television show, right? Although super simple, looking at this quote is guaranteed to make me feel just a bit better after a difficult day.
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison
Black History Month is upon us, and I’m making an effort to solely read novels by POC writers to celebrate. One of my all time favorite books, it’s clear after the first page just how brilliant Morrison was with intertwining race and compassion.
Bartenura Moscato
Just because this is technically the wine I drink during Passover (four large cups, to be exact!) doesn’t mean I can’t have a bottle… or two… during the rest of the year. It’s basically an adult’s version of soda — meaning the amount of alcohol consumed won’t hit you until much later.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid
For us dry-skinned folks, hyaluronic acid is the miracle serum we didn’t know we needed. Although it took watching skincare YouTubers to introduce me to this surprisingly affordable product (thanks, Skincare by Hyram!), it’s now a staple in my twice-daily routine. It’s glorious — don’t knock it until you tried it.
Bodycology Coconut Hibiscus Body Spray
Thanks, Bed Bath & Beyond, for introducing me to a $4 body mist which won’t make me feel terrible for using 24/7. Although the scent is relatively subtle, it’s perfect for when I’m nostalgic for vacations and those days sunbathing on the beach. And given how long we’ve all been in quarantine, those moments come a lot.
e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator in Brown Sugar
I’ve become obsessed with taking care of my skin over the last few months, and lips are no exception. Instead of splurging on an expensive lip mask, this exfoliator from e.l.f. not only does a great job at scrubbing off the dead skin cells, but also leaves your lips with a pretty delicious aftertaste (not that I’m busy licking my lips after exfoliation, of course). I like to follow up this treatment with a basic lip balm, and then I’m all perfect to go!
