I took part in the #askromancewriter discussion on Twitter yesterday, and we got to talking about the things we indulge in to get us through. Yanno, those little things we resort to whenever we need a pick-me-up.
Mine used to be taking time out and relaxing in a hot bubble bath, surrounded by scented candles and a good book. But alas, I've now got allergies to anything highly perfumed, so it's just me and the Epsom Salts. There's also the added downer that although our house now has 3 showers, it only has one small bath... and it's not very private at all. What were they thinking when they didn't put a bath in the ensuite upstairs? The room is flaming big enough! Sorry, but showers just do not have the same level of indulgence as a long hot bubble bath. Which I can no longer indulge in. Sigh....
Anyway, back to the subject.
As much as I enjoy a glass of wine or bubbly, I indulge in a glass a little too often for me to consider either a true treat. No, my idea of an indulgence is something I don't have very often at all. Something that I occasionally crave and can't stop thinking about. Something that makes me feel just a little bit wicked (and a heap more happy!) when I indulge in it.
And mine is chocolate: dark dark, sinfully rich, high-cocoa-content chocolate.
For me, the taste of dark chocolate brings to mind a scene I remember from one of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake Vampire Hunter books. Jean-Claude is by this stage so completely bonded to Anita that he can now experience the pleasure of eating and drinking through her. He coaxes her to eat a certain food and when he tastes it through her, he presses his hands to his lips, partially closes his eyes, practically comes on the spot at the sheer deliciousness of it after so many centuries of deprivation.
Not that I ahh...do a Meg Ryan for real whenever I eat dark chocolate. But it definitely helps improve my mood! Mmmm. Chocolate. Oh, the bitter-sweet, melt-in-your-mouth decadence of it!
One of the tweeters confessed that Denny's Cheese Fries were her secret indulgence. Not entirely sure what they are--perhaps a similar concept to the chilli cheese wedges we get at Denny's in New Zealand? Regardless, they sound absolutely sinful.
For another, it was Pepsi. And as a bonus, the caffeine helps keep her awake when she's pulling a late night because of a writing deadline. And many of the people I follow on Twitter have tweeted about a particular food, snack, or dessert that they like to indulge in.
Funny how so far these indulgences are all food-related? Let's not even go there, okay? LOL. I do follow a couple people who tweet about their passion for shoes. Calorie-free, perhaps, but certainly a wee tad more impactful on the wallet! Think I'll stick to my chocolate bars so my husband doesn't have kittens when the credit card bills arrive.
Seems to me, that we all--especially in today's tough economic climate--need some little indulgence, something that we can use to get us back in the right headspace when we're doing it tough. Or alternately, to treat ourselves with when it's just gone right for us and we want to celebrate!
So c'mon, spill. Anyone else brave enough to share their secret indulgence? That thing you suddenly crave and just can't stop thinking about? That thing you suddenly just know you want and must have?
Mmmm. I'm visualising a nice big slice of chocolate brownie right now. Guess what I'll be having we go out after Ceroc dance class tonight? I can almost taste the chocolately goodness now....
;-)
M
8 comments:
My indulgence is decorating magazines. I'm an avid interior decorator and i just love magazines showcasing wonderful homes. I sit and drool and dream.
Another indulgence is treating myself every week to something just for me. It may simply be a walk, or reading time, or as indulgent as a massage....hmmmm time to indulge i think.
Jane Beckenham
www.janebeckenham.com
A secret indulgence of mine is a Vitamin C Facial. I get them at the local beauty college for only $25 so the cost isn't prohibitive just the time to go get it done:)
Gosh, I have so many, I don't know where to begin! lol
As for non-food indulgences, my main one is the standard book reading. I also subscribe to a certain weekly celebrity magazine and let them pile up for weeks before taking a me day and devouring them in one sitting. The mag has a giant crossword puzzle in it too, so I include those in the indulgence as well.
Food - hot wings. I looove them, and the hotter the better, you know, the coughing-make-your-nose-run kinda hot. Also brownie/ice cream desserts (esp. the one at TGIF!). Yum!
Titania
Starbucks coffee. Double tall cinnamon dolche latte to be exact. And Dove milk chocolate. It has to be Dove. Hershey's chocolate is great, but it's a cheap thrill. Dove is quality.
For something non food related it would be reading or bubble baths. I haven't had a bubble bath in a really long time though, because my parents bathroom has the only bath tub in the house. I shower in something the size of a freakin' telephone booth.
Lavendar bubble bath. A volume of fine poetry. A hank of brand new gemstone beads. Those do it for me.
OK, fine. And chocolate. Preferably dark and German, chased by espresso!
Oh, a facial. What a great idea. I haven't had one for ages.
For a special indulgence I go to my favorite cafe and have a strong latte and a piece of cafe latte slice. After all that I'm so jazzed I'm back to the writing. ;)
Decorating mags - fantastic! I love drooling over those and imagining having all the money in the world to redecorate my house. Sigh.
And books of course. I'd go nuts if I didn't have a book to read. Always have one in the car and one in my handbag.
Thanks for sharing, ladies!
And BTW, I did have that brownie last night after dance class ;-)
I love getting pedicures and this is my secret, but I'll occasionally pay to get my hair straightened. My hair is super curly and long and even though I have the Chi, it's still a pain to do. Soooo, a few times a year I'll go to the salon and pay for them to wash, trim and straighten my hair. Ah, just thinking about it...hmm, maybe I need to set up an appointment ;)
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