Giving Yourself A Personal Spruce-Up Before Summertime

The spring is now here, with the summer sure to follow it. This means that many of us are looking forward to vacation time, to going out and enjoying time in a range of bars, to inviting people around our house, and to exploring like never before.

The last two years have been tough for many, but now most of us have the opportunity to get out there and enjoy ourselves like never before, once again grateful for the chance to do so. One thing worth considering, then, is how useful a personal spruce-up can be before summertime. You’d be forgiven for becoming a little lethargic in the last two years, as unprecedented times were upon us.

Now can be a great time to indulge, to focus on our beauty, fashion and fitness, and to think about how we want to live our lives from now into the future. But unlikely our vehicles, it can be hard to just “roll into the shop” and expect a full service. We need to tackle this from very many angles, and it’s a totally self-directed effort in regard to our own person.

In this post, we’ll discuss how exactly to make the most of that:

Dental & Skincare

Teeth whitening can help your perfect smile look that little more inviting, and can help you feel more confident in grinning ear to ear in photos and at special events. Caring for our skin can also be a fantastic means of beaming and feeling radiant, be that investing in an exfoliant pack, trying new moisturizers, or even trying appropriate aloe-vera enriched scar treatment. The more you care for yourself, the more you define yourself as someone who deserves to be cared for.


Five Essential Wardrobe Staples

It can be nice to pick up essential wardrobe staples you might need to reinforce your clothing set for the new season. Sticking to five great investments that you can balance other outfits around might seem like an artificial number, but it really can be a good starting point. For instance, you might opt for two new pairs of shoes, a summer’s coat, some accessories, and perhaps a smart casual dress you can wear should a formal event come along. This way, you can start thinking about your summer style without having to spend thousands in a single wardrobe upgrade.

Spa & Massages

A good way to say goodbye to the prior season and welcome the new one is to dissolve your stress and feel like a new person. This can be achieved by booking an excellent massage and spa day, where perhaps you go with a friend to truly pamper yourself. This day might involve casual swimming, time in a jacuzzi and a sauna, and then spending time having your back massaged by a trained professional in a safe environment, with pleasant smells and sounds coming your way. Odds are, you’ll leave that environment feel like ten times the person you were before, and this energy can help bound you into the new season.

With this advice, you’re certain to give yourself the best personal spruce-up before summertime.

Selfcare Moment With Brown Girl Jane

Life has been hitting me hard, I’ve put myself on the back burner, and finding time for self-care has been nonexistent but in 2022 I’ve decided things have got to change. Taking care of myself physically and mentally needs to be a priority. In 2021, I decided to get back into therapy and that’s been a godsend. I’ve also challenged myself with learning how to take better care of myself and being intentional with self-care moments.

This month I’ve been really into candles. I enjoy candles that offer great projection and provide me with a mood boost! I decided to splurge for my birthday (hello, 31) and purchased a few items from Brown Girl Jane. Brown Girl Jane has branded itself as a Mood-Boosting Fragrance company that offers products for your well-being; anti-stress fragrances rooted in science! 

Casablanca Eau de Parfum


I’ve seen this fragrance everywhere and figured it would be a safe blind buy out of their Wanderlust Collection and indeed it was!  I’m a huge gourmand fragrance lover and the notes of marshmallow, vanilla orchid, and glowing amber intrigued me. On the first spray, it reminded me of something very familiar. I knew I had smelled similar notes before but not the same. It sits on top of the skin for the first hour or two and nicely dries down to become a skin scent. Naturally, I would be opposed to skin scents but this one works. I get whiffs of this fragrance throughout the day and it’s beautiful! It reminds me to slow down and take a deep breath! 

Top Notes: Cardamom, Marshmallow, Incense

Mid Notes: Saffron, Soft Suede, Vanilla Orchid

Base notes: Glowing Amber, Soft Musks, Sandalwood



Warm Cashmere Perfumed Candle 

65 Hour Burn Time

Coconut & Soy Wax Blend

8oz

This candle screams luxury! The packaging is so beautiful and the candle has a matte finish that gives it a sophisticated look. The scent is fresh, calming, and relaxing - perfect for creating a romantic mood!


NOTES

Top: Mandarin, Grapefruit, Clary Sage

Mid: Rose Buds, Musk, Freesia

Dry: Amber, Oakmoss, Orris


​Velvet Moon Perfumed Candle 

65 Hour Burn Time

Coconut & Soy Wax Blend

8oz

I could smell this candle before I open the box! It’s insanely yummy and uniquely infused with Italian Bergamot and Orange Blossom. This candle reminds me of a cool morning enjoying a cup of coffee on your balcony or a nice evening with your favorite wine and snacks! 


NOTES

Top: Italian Bergamot, Orange Essence, Sandalwood

Mid: Musk, Orange Blossom, Freesia

Dry: Amber, Cedarwood, Vanilla Bean


​I am very happy with my purchases from Brown Girl Jane, I can’t wait to see what they come up with next! 



5 Must-Have Fragrances for Spring 2022

This post does contain affiliate links, if you purchase it will not cost you but only help to ensure I can continue bringing you amazing content.



Spring is one of my favorite times of year - minus the pollen! I love watching the flowers bloom and feel the temperatures rise. It’s also the unofficial start of a lot of outdoor family fun. Since starting my fragrance journey I’ve quickly realized that some fragrances do better depending on the time of year. Don’t think it’s true? Try it out for yourself!


Today, I’m sharing my favorite fragrances for Spring 2022, you may notice I enjoy certain notes! 




Armani - My Way

My Way is a testament to why it’s so important to certain fragrances to have their own season to shine. I received a sample of this in the winter and wasn’t impressed. I saw so many people rave about it online but it did nothing for me. It simply smelled “okay” nothing that I needed to add to my collection. As time went on, I decided to give it another chance and I’m glad I did! It’s youthful and fun - reminds me of fruity bubblegum with a pineapple twist! I can’t get enough of it! I keep the travel-sized one in my purse! If you’re not into the young and fruity fragrance but still desire a floral try the intense version


Scent Category: Woody Floral 

Top Notes: Bergamot, Orange Blossom

Middle Notes: Tuberose, Jasmine

Base Notes: Cedarwood, Vanilla, White Musks




Lancome - La Vie Belle 


This will forever be in my collection! It’s a time vanilla floral fragrance. The florals in this fragrance are not heavy at all. You will smell the vanilla as it dries down. It’s a perfect everyday fragrance that can be throughout the year. You’ll be amazed at how different it smells every season.

Scent Category: Floral

Top Notes: Iris

Middle Notes: Patchouli

Base Notes: Spun Sugar, Warm Vanilla


Chloé Eau de Parfum

Scent Category: Powdery Florals

Top Notes: Peony, Litchi, Freesia

Middle Notes: Rose, Lily of the Valley, Magnolia

Base Notes: Virginia Cedar, Amber 

This fragrance oozes femininity! It’s soft, pretty, and long-lasting. It is not extremely powdery but more of a rose and perfect for every day! 


Marc Jacobs - Daisy Eau So Fresh

From the pretty pink bottle to the cute flowers on the top this one is a must for spring. Everything about it screams Springtime for me. At first spray, I was able to pick up on the pink grapefruit and wild rose. As it dried down and settled into my skin the musky notes rose but were very pleasant, it reminded me of baby powder but not in a childlike way!

Scent Category: Fresh Floral 

Top Notes: Pink Grapefruit and Raspberries

Middle Notes: Wild Rose

Base Notes: Soft Musks

Marc Jacobs - Perfect Eau de Parfum 


The name fits this fragrance well! It’s light and floral without being offensive. Perfect for wearing around the office or when you want to smell amazing without feeling like you’ve overdone it!  While it’s categorized as a warm floral it doesn’t come off warm at all; which is why it’s landed in my spring collection. When I originally purchased it in the winter it didn’t do much for me and I was worried it wasn’t living up to the hype but as the months have gone on I’ve fallen in love.

Scent Category: Warm Floral

Top Notes: Rhubarb, Daffodil

Middle Notes: Almond Milk

Base Notes: Cashmeran

Honorable Mention:

Dolce & Gabanna - Light Blue Forever

If florals are not your thing and you still want to change it up for spring consider Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Forever for women! It’s a citrusy white floral that reminds me of fresh laundry. It’s really clean and dries into the skin beautifully. It's my personal favorite out of the Light Blue collection.

Scent Category: Fruity Floral

Top Notes: Lemon, Blood Orange, Green Apple

Middle Notes: Orange Blossom, White Flowers

Base Notes: White Musk, Cedar, Cashmeran

If you enjoy fragrance, body, and skincare style content be sure to follow me over on my new Instagram page @selfcarewnat! 








Summer Style Pieces For This Season

Spring is approaching, which suggests a long, scorching summer is not far after. Our summers have been slightly confined and a little more tedious than we imagined during the last two years. It's now time for a fun-packed summer full of celebrations, Barbeques, and loads of other activities. It also means that we can upgrade our clothes and have new and gorgeous stuff to showcase and flaunt, whether we're looking for tips from our favourite celebs like if you love the classic look you can go for the Marilyn Monroe gold dress or try putting a new twist into our own style. Here are a few crucial items to incorporate into your summer wardrobe.

It's such a comfort to be able to look forward to going on vacation and flying across the world once more. Envision yourself on a beachfront, soaking up the rays while sipping a martini. As a result, replacing swimwear is necessary. You may require a size alteration or desire a different style. There are so many alternatives that finding something that suits you can be difficult. You want to be comfortable, so get a one-piece or a bikini with high waisted bottoms if you want to be more covered.

You won't need a coat in the summertime, but when you're out for the day when it's bright and sunny, you'll be wearing a pretty dress or a short-sleeved shirt. As nighttime approaches, an extra layer may be required; a dress or T-shirt will not suffice, so consider investing in a summer cardigan. Something slim, light, and fashionable. Other options are also a denim jacket, a bomber jacket, or even a blazer are all viable possibilities. You could see which pairs nicely if you arrange your wardrobe for the day ahead of time, or you can try a neutral colour jacket that works with everything.


You should also consider your jewelry in addition to your clothing. When it comes to jewellery, quality takes precedence over quantity. Cheap jewellery is prone to breaking, tarnishing, and even turning your skin green. It's far preferable to save up and invest in a few important pieces that are of good quality and can be worn on a daily basis. You can still go for something a little more opulent and daring. All you have to do now is choose the ideal thing for you and your personal style. It might be some modest gold hoops, a cross pendant, or statement pieces like diamonds if you want something with a little more dazzle.



You can also try to add some mainstays, such as an upgraded purse if you haven't purchased one before the epidemic, a new handbag, or minimalism capsule pieces that can be used with multiple ensembles so you aren't buying a lot of clothes and contributing to fast fashion. You can look to get something classic like a comfortable white tee that you can wear with many different outfits and really get your money's worth. It also saves you having so many clothes you won’t wear.