Rub-a-Dub! Instructions for the Perfect Pampering Day

Every Tuesday and Thursday I don't have classes, so I sometimes use one of those days to just pamper myself. I do it because it's really good for your psyche, and because I can't go to school in a sea kelp masque. I think everyone should make some time for themselves, about once a month, to just relax and be good to themselves. However, I know that few of us truly have enough money to go to a spa, so I have decided to let you all in on my little routine. You can thank me later.

The first thing I do is get a good nights rest beforehand. I promise that this is really important, because I myself have fallen asleep in the tub and it is scary. So make sure you get a good nights sleep the night before. Then, you need to get up relatively early. I don't mean at the crack of dawn, just sometime before 10:00am. You'll need plenty of time before any prior obligations. The worst thing to do is try to squeeze a one-hour bath into twenty minutes. So timing is essential.
Next, you need to decide between a shower or bath. I prefer to take a bath(no bubbles) when I am pampering myself, but if it's more important to you to just get clean than to soak, go for it. Below, I've written my recipe for a perfect bath. YOu will note that I don't use bubbles. The reason for this is because they aggrevate the hell out of me; they get in my hair (which really fucks up the texture), they stick to you after you get out, and are known to give us gals yeasties. So I prefer to go without the blanket of bubbles. Hey, it's my own preference.
After you have had your little soak (or shower), I recommend wrapping up your hair, because you definately won't want it in your face. I dry off really good and put lotion on. The Florida heat will kill your skin, and you'll look like a gator. Not flattering. I like to use either oatmeal baby lotion, or after-sun lotion, always generic. They're just as good, I swear. I hate paying $6 for friggin' lotion. They have generics of "sensitive skin" stuff too. Yey Target. While you're in there, grab a couple of the single use face masques. You can get them anywhere, and they're super cheap for what you're getting. After putting on my lotion, I slip into a nightie. Wear whatever you feel like, it's your day. Then put on your masque. I think guys should use them, because their facial hair will be softer and easier to shave. While you wait for it to finish doing it's thing, lay down for a moment and read a magazine or listen to calming music. Just mellow out.
Once you rinse off your gooey face, get out the tweesers. Plucking your eyebrows may not sound like the most relaxing thing to do, but you will look better, which in turn, makes you feel better.
After all of that is done, I eat. Not junk though. Soul food, maybe, but only if it's that time of the month. I prefer a big salad with lots of veggies. I also have left my recipe for a big, pamper-yourself salad at the bottom, just in case.
Now that you've eaten, you can give yourself a manicure. I wait to do this until after you've eaten because you won't want to use your hands. While you are painting your falangies, watch your favorite DVD. (Watch something that isn't going to make you laugh so hard that you mess up your nails though.) Finding Nemo is good. Or a Fred Astaire classic. Whatever you're in the mood for, really.
After this point, I let you come up with your own stuff. Sometimes I get dressed and go out. Sometimes I take a nap. Sometimes I sit on the computer and play solitare. If it feels good for you, then do it. Above all else, enjoy yourself and relax. You work hard at everything else, you should work hard to take care of yourself.

Now for my recipes:

MIMI'S BATH RECIPE--
a clean bathroom with a lock on the door
a tub full of super-warm water
about 5 lit candles
a relaxing CD (no radio; commercials suck.)
a sponge, loofah, or puffy-thingie
body wash
about 45 minutes
a disposble razor (shave yo hairy legs)
INSTRUCTIONS:BATHE.


MIMI'S SPA DAY SALAD--

In a large, shallow bowl, layer(in this order):
Spinach leaves
sliced hearts of palm
sliced beets
Garbanzo beans
baby carrots
a small handful-sized scoop of cottage cheese in the middle
and drizzle all over olive-oil based dressing
INSTRUCTIONS:EAT.