As the years go by and I'm turning into a fully legit adult, I feel like I'm getting to know myself better and I'm definitely beginning to warm to the things that I would once label as 'flaws' in my personality. An example of this is that I've always doubted myself and thought I was 'boring' because I'm not one to go out clubbing most weekends like a lot of girls my age do (plus the fact that I'm a massive lightweight anyway) and I'd much rather come home from a long week at work, crack open a bottle of wine and chill out. I've recently convinced myself that there is absolutely nothing wrong with this and that I'm really not the only person in the world who acts like a little old lady in a 20 something year olds body - thank god. Don't get me wrong, I still love going out for dinner and drinks every now and again, but my favourite weekends are the ones spent in my onesie, being productive at home and relaxing. I thought I'd put together a list of the 8 ways I like to spend my cosy evenings.
1. COMFY ATTIRE: The first thing I do when I get home from work is tie my hair up in a completely non-flattering top knot and change into some cosy pyjamas with a pair of fluffy socks to match keep my feet warm. I'll have a bath later on in the evening where I'll wash my hair, do the whole skin care thing and then if I'm not too tired, I'll also change my bedsheets most weekends - because there is no better combination than clean on pyjamas, freshly shaved legs and clean bed sheets.
2. SOMETHING TO FLICK THROUGH: Even if it's just a few pages, reading is one of my favourite ways to de-stress from any thoughts that are playing on my mind from the previous week. The books that I'm slowly making my way through at the moment are 'How to be Parisian: Wherever You Are' and 'Love, Style, Life' by Garance Doré - both really fun, easy reads which I would totally recommend adding to your collection. I think it's important to have those light-hearted style books that you can just flick through whenever you fancy rather than feeling that pressure to finish something - I can't stand that.
3. CANDLES: All of the candles. Without setting your house on fire of course. I love turning the lights off in my bedroom and having an array of flickering candles on the go. There's just something about a room filled with a gorgeous scent that calms and relaxes the body. My favourite ones are the fresh, clean ones that smell like mint or baby powder.
4. A DRINK OF CHOICE: Mine would most definitely be a bottle of red wine - but if you're not a lover of alcoholic beverages, then a nice cup of tea/hot chocolate is another perfect way to end the week.
5. SNACKS, SNACKS AND MORE SNACKS: Or a takeaway for that matter. I'm trying really hard to stay healthy at the moment and I feel like I'm succeeding during the week... But as soon as the weekend comes, the words CHINESE and PIZZA haunt my brain and force me to make an order through Just Eat.
6. A SCHEDULE OF TV PROGRAMMES: Does anyone else not know what they're ever gonna watch on TV again now Big Brother has ended? No? Just me then. But I just love those shows that you get into so much that they almost become a part of your life. It's quite sad thinking about it, but I'd actually get a burst of excitement driving home from work knowing that Hollyoaks followed by Big Brother would be on in the evening.
7. ANOTHER HUMAN (OR FURRY FRIEND): My human of choice is usually my boyfriend or sometimes I'll have a couple of glasses of wine and catch up with my mum. There's nothing better than having someone to share your cosy evening in with, as well being able to moan about your week at work to someone that isn't your cat.
8. HEADPHONES: Just in case that other human starts to annoy you. Just kidding. One of my favourite ways to relax is to put my headphones on and completely zone out. Whether it's listening to some music or an audiobook, this is a great way to just forget about anything going on around you. I recently subscribed to a 30 day trial with audible which allows you to choose 1 free book for the month (and £7.99 afterwards), so I decided to go for 50 shades of grey. Although I absolutely love the film and Jamie Dornan is literally GOD, I haven't actually read the books so wanted to see what the fuss was about. Erm yeah, let's just say the film is like an episode of My Little Pony in comparison.
What are your favourite things for a cosy evening in? Are you a granny at heart like me?