You may think that pampering yourself on a regular basis is selfish, but the truth is it can do the mind and body some good. With everything a person faces throughout life, it’s important to find ways to recenter and recharge. 

A little TLC every day goes a long way to helping to get through each day. The best part is, it doesn’t take much to care for your emotional well-being. These examples below are simple yet beneficial ways to pamper yourself on a daily basis.

Take a Bath

Showers are great but there’s nothing like a nice, long, hot bath to cheer you up and relax the mind. Try to make time in your day to draw a bath. You can add some bath salts and essential oils to the mix for increased therapeutic benefits. Turn down the lights, light a few candles, and let some calming music play in the background while you soak your troubles away.

Schedule a Spa Day

The spa is filled with therapeutic services geared towards relaxing the mind and improving the body. You can book an appointment with a nearby spa to get a massage, facial, or other treatment.

If you don’t have the funds for a day at the spa, you could always look for online massage therapist supplies and create your own experience at home.

Buy Something New

There’s nothing like retail therapy to make you feel better about yourself. If you’re looking for a way to feel pampered, why not buy yourself something new? It doesn’t have to be extravagant to have significance.

You could purchase a new shirt or scarf you’ve been eyeing, treat yourself to a fancy lunch, or buy a book you’ve been dying to read.

Cook a Gourmet Meal

Food always provides some form of comfort. Why not pamper yourself by preparing a meal you wouldn’t eat on a regular basis. Instead of going with chicken or beef, spring for the fresh seafood and create a culinary masterpiece.

You’ll not only enjoy making the meal but the reward of getting to indulge (with your favorite bottle of wine) after it’s done.

Manicure and Pedicure

You’d be surprised how great you can feel about yourself after you’ve had a manicure and pedicure. If you can’t get to a nearby salon, you can do it yourself.

You’ll need a few supplies like nail polish, nail files, clippers, and perhaps some products for a pedicure like foot scrubs, soaks, and lotion. They even have more advanced products like nail dryers and massaging foot tubs to soak your feet in.

Do Nothing

Sometimes caring for yourself a bit more means doing nothing at all. You’re constantly on the run worried about one thing or the other. You can essentially help yourself out by finding a few minutes of your day to do absolutely nothing. Just sit in a comfy chair or catch up on some sleep, but try not to do much more than that.

Don’t look at pampering yourself as an act of selfishness. The truth is you deserve it! Whether you perform your own spa treatments at home, visit a local spa, go shopping, make a meal, take a bath, or just sit and do nothing, it can greatly boost your spirits.

Are you getting hitched in the Emerald City? There are a lot of things to plan in order to get everything right. In addition, you'll need to make it your own and add those details that speak to you and your betrothed. Want to have a unique wedding in Seattle?

There are plenty of beautiful locations, amazing catering services, and lots of dress shops that will create the ultimate look for your wedding. If you're thinking of a one-of-a-kind celebration, then start with a theme and find locations in Seattle that will fit your idea.

Where should you get started with your wedding planning in Seattle? First, let's think about the best season for weddings in Jet City.

Set the Date: Best Season for Weddings in Seattle

Did you know that Seattle has the rainiest days in November and March? It's hard to stay dry in Seattle at times. While the city is consistently rainier than many other cities, there are sunnier days during summer months.

However, you may find that there are some rainy days expected in January, October, and December. If you want an outdoor wedding, you should stick to June and early September.

Choose a Place: Best Places for a Wedding in Seattle

There are a few wedding venues in and around Seattle that are especially unique and scenic. However, these may not work for a reception, or you may not want to plan a full day outdoors in case of incremental weather. These are some ideas for your wedding location and reception:

Bybee Farm

This is one of the most charming spots in all of Seattle. Known for being a blueberry farm, it's the best wedding venue in North Bend, and it's less than an hour's drive from Seattle. If you love the idea of an outdoor wedding, then you'll love getting married at the foot of a mountain surrounded by endless greenery.

TreeHouse Point

This is another outdoor venue with a lot of greenery that's right in the middle of Washington's forests. There are six different tree houses to choose from. The bonus is that you get the wilderness as the backdrop for your wedding ceremony, making for beautiful photos and whimsical romance.

The Loft at Russell's

If rustic chic is more your style, then you'll love the Loft located just northeast of Seattle in Bothell. This historic place is a refurbished barn that was first built in 1927. It has 4,000 square feet of event space with hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, and whimsical lights adorning the rafters. All catering and bartending is included by the Russell Lowell staff.

Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle's East Side

If you are looking for modern luxury and elegance, then the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s East Side is certainly the place to choose. With Asian-inspired design elements, customizable decor, and chandeliers, it's a great space for any kind of intimate or large wedding.

You can choose from several different ballrooms, and there's even a high-tech auditorium with tiered seating if you want to have a super large affair. In addition, your guests can stay at the hotel for added convenience. Check out their site for more details about their accommodations.

Boat Street Kitchen & Bistro

This is one of the best restaurants in Seattle for an intimate and private wedding. This is a great option for receptions where you want to treat your guests to a great meal and enjoy each other's company. The setting is quite intimate and quiet with French-inspired cuisine and local ingredients. You'll feel right at home in this restaurants modern yet rustic decor.

Foss Waterway Seaport

If you love history and want to be apart of it with your celebration, then you should check out the waterfront Tacoma venue known as the Foss Waterway Seaport. There are a number of venues here, including museums and exhibits that show off Tacoma's maritime history. The main exhibit hall is the largest and most unique with 55-foot ceilings and a window wall.

Fauntleroy Church

If you are looking for a more traditional space for your wedding, then the beautiful glass and cathedral ceilings at Fauntleroy Church will make it a dreamy ceremony. In addition, the church has a wonderful wedding coordinator that helps bring your dream to life.

Treat Your Guests Right: Plan Amazing Catering in Seattle

Once you have your date and venue selected, the next step is to think about the food. Guests will expect that you'll have something planned that includes your favorite dish. There are a few caterers that stand out in the Seattle area, including:

•  A Grand Affaire
•  Amato Catering
•  Basil's Kitchen
•  Blue Willing Catering
•  Cameron Catering
•  Cochon Catering
•  Herban Feast
•  Los Agaves
•  Rain City Catering
•  St. Clouds Restaurant Catering
• Twelve Baskets

Now Pick the Dress: Best Wedding Dresses in Seattle

There are several bridal dress shops that come bride-recommended in Rain City. These fun boutiques make it a relaxing and genuine experience to pick out your wedding dress. These shops feature the best designs, staff and will give you the perfect shopping experience for you and your bridal party.

•  La Belle Elaine's Bridal Salon
•  Brides for a Cause
•  Susan's Couture
•  Christinna's Bridal
•  a & be bridal shop
•  Blue Sky Bridal
•  Unveiled Bridal Boutique
•  Cicada Bridal
•  The Dress Theory
•  Dolce Bleu

Other Top Places for Wedding Planning in Seattle

Flower Shops

•  Seattle Flowers
•  LaVassar Florist
•  Flowers on 15th

Wedding Cake Shops

•  Honey Crumb Cake Studio
•  Baked.
•  Morfey's Cakes

Final Thoughts

While these tips don't cover everything you'll need for a Seattle wedding, it does cover the basics. With the date, setting, food, and dress, you'll have at least half the preparations out of the way.

Most people’s New Year’s resolutions revolve around personal growth and success.  Getting in shape, saving more money, and eating healthier are some of the most common goals we set for ourselves going into the new year.  While all of these are valid resolutions, why not think outside of the box and get creative with what you strive to achieve this year?

Taking better care of your skin is something you may not have thought of when coming up with the things you want to improve on in the new year, but it doesn’t mean it’s not important.  Taking care of your skin isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling good, too.  Here are some helpful ways you can improve your skincare routine this year to have you looking and feeling your best!

Remove all of your makeup before bed

This may seem like a no-brainer, but taking off all of your makeup before bed is crucial to your skin’s health.  Sleeping in your makeup clogs your pores and doesn’t give your skin a chance to breathe, leading to breakouts and advanced signs of aging.  

Because of this, it is important that you remove your makeup as thoroughly as possible before hitting the pillow. If you typically wear a lot of makeup during the day, start by removing it with a makeup remover, followed by a cleanser to really give your skin a deep clean.  

Using witch hazel on a cotton pad is a great way to get rid of excess dirt and debris after you’ve washed your face, and it also works as an all-natural toner. Finally, hydrate your face using a moisturizer that works for your skin type.

Additional steps, like eye creams and serums, can also be used to create a more involved skincare routine.  By practicing good skincare at night, you’ll wake up each morning feeling refreshed and glowing! 

Stay hydrated

The key to clear, healthy skin is putting good things in your body, not just on it.  This is why it is important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day.  The recommended amount of water you should drink each day can vary depending on the individual, so listen to your body and drink water when you’re thirsty.  

Drinking water helps your body get rid of toxins and gives your skin a “lit from within” look that will have you looking fresh and dewy. Aside from drinking water, it is also important to keep your skin well-moisturized throughout the day.  

Heavier moisturizers work best at night, as it has time to really sink into your skin and do its job. A more lightweight moisturizer with SPF works best for daytime, as a lighter formula won’t make your face feel heavy and sticky. 

Enlist the help of a professional

Skincare can be a tough road to navigate, especially if you’ve struggled or currently struggle with skin issues.  Seeking the help of a dermatologist can be a saving grace for anyone looking to revamp their skincare routine, as having that extra guidance can help guide you in the right direction.  

Finding a dermatologist can be as simple as doing a quick Google search for “skin treatment near me”, and you can meet with a few different doctors in your area before deciding on one.  A good dermatologist will assess your skin situation and help you come up with a personalized plan based on your skin’s issues.  

If you want to go the extra mile, look into skincare treatments like facials, microdermabrasion and chemical peels for even better results!

Wear SPF daily

You already know how important it is to wear sunscreen when you’re going to be out in the sun, but what many people don’t know is that you should be wearing SPF every day, even on less than sunny days.  Wearing an SPF of at least 30 every day is imperative to preserving the health and appearance of your skin, especially your face.

The sun gives off harmful UV rays even in the dead of winter, and skipping the SPF during the colder months makes you vulnerable to this.  If you’re worried about sunscreen looking heavy and goopy under your makeup, don’t worry- there are tons of lightweight sunscreens that have the texture of a moisturizer while also providing the necessary amount of SPF.

Regardless of what kind of sunscreen you choose, make sure it has an adequate SPF level and will stay on your skin all day! 

Exfoliate

Exfoliating gets rid of dead skin and gives you a smooth and glowing complexion, making it an important part of any skincare routine.  There are tons of different ways to exfoliate, from chemical exfoliants to a regular drugstore one.

When choosing an exfoliator, be sure to avoid anything too harsh or gritty on your skin and instead opt for something more gentle.  The amount of times you exfoliate per week depends on your skin type, but 1-3 times each week is typically the norm. After exfoliating, be sure to moisturize your skin to leave you feeling fresh and hydrated. 

Take care of the rest of your body

Good skin comes from within, so make sure you’re taking care of the rest of your body in addition to your skin.  One of the most important factors that goes into good skin is sleep, so make sure you’re getting between 7-9 hours of sleep each night.  

You may have noticed that when you don’t get enough sleep, your face can look puffy, blotchy and tired the next day. Getting a good night’s sleep will ensure you wake up feeling well-rested and ready to take on the day!  What you eat is also an important part of taking care of your skin, as what you put in your body reflects in how you look.  

For the best skin of your life, make sure you’re eating a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables, as well as healthy fats like almonds, avocados and fatty fish. 

When it comes to caring for your skin, all it takes is a little patience and effort.  With these tips, you’ll be on your way to clear, glowing skin in no time!