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The Little Luxuries That Make Everyday Motherhood Feel Special
Motherhood has a funny way of changing what you consider a luxury.
Before having kids, a little luxury might have looked like a weekend getaway, an afternoon of shopping, or getting ready without watching the clock.
These days? Sometimes it's finishing a cup of coffee while it's still hot, having freshly washed hair, or getting twenty minutes to myself before the house wakes up.
And while I wouldn't trade this season of life for anything, I've also realized something important: just because I'm a mom doesn't mean I have to stop doing the little things that make me feel like myself.
With two little ones, our days are full of snacks, activities, laundry, tiny shoes that somehow disappear, and the beautiful chaos that comes with raising a family.
But lately, I've been trying to make everyday life feel a little more intentional.
Not necessarily more expensive. Not more complicated. Just a little more special.
These are some of the small luxuries I'm incorporating into my routines as a mom, especially as we head into the cozier months of fall and winter.
1. Making My Morning Coffee Feel Like a Ritual
There is something about having a morning routine that feels like it's just for you.
Even when the kids are awake before I'm ready, I love finding little ways to make those first moments of the day feel calm.
A favorite coffee mug, a cozy sweater, a candle burning in the kitchen, and a few minutes to think about the day ahead can make such a difference.
I'm not talking about an elaborate morning routine that requires waking up at 5 a.m. or following a ten-step checklist.
Sometimes it's simply choosing to sit down with my coffee instead of drinking it while standing at the counter.
Especially during fall and winter, I love creating that cozy feeling at home with warm lighting, seasonal scents, and little details that make an ordinary Tuesday morning feel special.
The little luxury: A beautiful mug, a favorite coffee, and ten minutes without multitasking.
2. Taking Time for My Hair and Beauty Routine
One thing I've learned since becoming a mom is that taking a little time to get ready can make such a difference in how I feel throughout the day.
With two little ones, I don't always have the time for an elaborate beauty routine, and honestly, most days I don't need one.
But I do love having products that make those few minutes feel special.
Three brands that have become part of my routine are Amika, DIVI, and Kitsch.
I love incorporating Amika into my haircare routine. There's something about taking the time to care for my hair that makes me feel a little more put together, even on the days when we're just staying home.
DIVI is another brand I've incorporated into my routine, especially when it comes to giving my hair and scalp a little extra attention. It's one of those small self-care habits that helps me feel like I'm doing something for myself.
And then there's Kitsch, which fits so naturally into everyday motherhood. I love having practical beauty and hair essentials that make getting ready feel a little easier.
Some mornings, getting ready means doing my hair and makeup.
Other mornings, it's simply pulling my hair back, putting on a comfortable outfit, and heading out the door with the kids.
Either way, I've realized that feeling put together doesn't have to mean spending an hour in front of the mirror.
Sometimes it's just having a few products you genuinely enjoy using.
The little luxury: Giving myself ten minutes to get ready with products that make my everyday routine feel a little more special.
3. Having My Nails Done, Even When I'm Staying Home
There's something about having a fresh manicure that makes me feel instantly more polished.
Even when I'm wearing leggings, doing laundry, and spending most of the day at home with the kids, looking down and seeing a pretty nail color is such a small mood booster.
I've been especially excited about incorporating Olive & June into my at-home beauty routine.
With the holidays approaching, I'm already thinking about classic reds, deep burgundy, soft blush, and creamy neutral shades.
I love the idea of turning an ordinary evening into a little at-home manicure night.
Put on a favorite show, make a cozy drink, and spend a few minutes doing something that's just for you.
It doesn't have to be a spa appointment or an expensive treatment to feel special.
The little luxury: An at-home manicure and a beautiful seasonal nail color.
4. Wearing Something That Makes Me Feel Good
I talk about this often because I genuinely believe that what we wear can influence how we feel.
Not because we need to be dressed up every day, but because it's nice to feel comfortable and confident in our own clothes.
As a stay-at-home mom, I spend a lot of time in casual outfits.
But I've been trying to find pieces that are both comfortable and beautiful.
A matching lounge set.
A soft knit sweater.
A great pair of leggings.
A pair of earrings that makes an otherwise simple outfit feel intentional.
I love finding these kinds of pieces at Abercrombie, Nordstrom, and through the smaller accessory brands I'm discovering.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with spending the day in pajamas, but sometimes changing into an outfit I love is exactly what I need.
The little luxury: Getting dressed for yourself, even when you don't have anywhere special to go.
5. Making My Home Feel Cozy and Beautiful
I've always loved creating a home that feels warm, welcoming, and beautiful, but motherhood has made me appreciate those little details even more.
Our home is where so much of our everyday life happens.
It's where the kids play, where we make memories, where we celebrate birthdays and holidays, and where we spend those ordinary afternoons that I know I'll miss someday.
And while our house certainly isn't perfect or spotless all the time, I love finding little ways to make it feel more intentional.
Two brands I use that fit beautifully into this part of my life are Biom and Caraway.
Biom has become part of our everyday cleaning routine, and one of the things I appreciate is how thoughtfully designed the products are. I love that their containers look beautiful enough to leave out on the counter, making it easy to grab what I need throughout the day.
Especially with little ones, having cleaning essentials that are convenient and accessible makes everyday life easier.
Caraway is another brand I enjoy incorporating into our home. I love how their kitchen essentials combine functionality with a beautiful, timeless aesthetic.
There's something about having cookware and kitchen pieces you enjoy using that makes even an ordinary family dinner feel a little more special.
And then there are the cozy finishing touches.
I've been dreaming of adding a really beautiful, incredibly soft blanket to our living room.
I can already picture one draped over the couch during the holiday season, with the Christmas tree glowing in the background and the kids curled up beside me watching a movie.
It's one of those little luxuries that would make our everyday evenings feel extra cozy.
Fresh flowers on the counter, a favorite candle, beautiful kitchen essentials, and a soft blanket waiting on the couch.
None of these things need to be extravagant.
They're simply little ways of making the place where we spend so much of our time feel like home.
The little luxury: Creating a warm, welcoming home with beautiful everyday essentials and cozy details that make ordinary moments feel special.
6. Creating a Little Evening Wind-Down Routine
By the time the kids are in bed, I'm usually ready for a moment of quiet.
And while there are always things that need to get done, I'm trying to be better about allowing myself a little time to unwind.
Some nights that means watching a favorite show.
Other nights it's reading, taking a shower, doing my skincare, or simply sitting on the couch under a cozy blanket.
I especially love the idea of creating a little evening basket with everything I reach for regularly.
Hand cream, lip balm, a book, cozy socks, and a favorite blanket.
It's such a simple way to make those few quiet minutes feel intentional.
The little luxury: Creating a relaxing end-of-day ritual that doesn't revolve around your to-do list.
7. Keeping a Few Beautiful Everyday Accessories
I've become a big believer that little accessories can make even the most basic outfit feel special.
A pair of gold earrings.
A pretty hair clip.
A classic watch.
A beautiful handbag.
These are things I can use almost every day, and they don't require a completely new wardrobe.
I've been looking at accessories from The Styled Collection and other brands that fit my love for timeless, feminine pieces.
I especially love items that work just as well with jeans and a sweater as they do with a holiday outfit.
The little luxury: Choosing one accessory each morning that makes you feel a little more like yourself.
8. Finding Time to Move My Body
This one isn't necessarily a traditional luxury, but it absolutely feels like one in this season of motherhood.
I've always loved running and fitness, and movement has been a big part of my life long before having kids.
But finding time to exercise looks different now.
Sometimes it's a workout at home.
Sometimes it's a stroller walk.
Sometimes it's getting outside with the kids and enjoying the fresh air.
I'm learning to appreciate movement for what it gives me mentally as much as physically.
It helps me feel stronger, more energized, and more connected to myself outside of motherhood.
The little luxury: Making time for movement without expecting every workout to be perfect.
9. Keeping a Few Things That Are Just Mine
Motherhood involves sharing so much of yourself.
Your time, your space, your attention, and sometimes even your snacks.
And I love being needed by my children.
But I also think it's important to have a few things that feel like they're just for you.
Maybe that's a hobby.
A favorite book.
A creative project.
A skincare routine.
Or a quiet morning walk.
For me, working on Vogue Family Lifestyle has become one of those creative outlets.
I love being able to share motherhood, fashion, travel, and the little moments that make our family life special.
It's something that allows me to be creative while also building something of my own.
The little luxury: Making space for an interest that belongs to you.
10. Romanticizing the Ordinary Moments
This might be my favorite one.
Because the older my kids get, the more I realize that so much of motherhood happens in the in-between moments.
It's not always the big vacations, the perfectly planned holidays, or the elaborate activities.
Sometimes it's making pancakes together.
Lighting a candle while cleaning the kitchen.
Putting on music during breakfast.
Going for a walk on a chilly morning.
Or watching the kids play while drinking coffee on the couch.
I want to be better about noticing those moments instead of rushing through them.
Especially as we head into the holiday season, I'm trying to remind myself that the magic isn't always in doing more.
Sometimes it's simply appreciating what's already right in front of us.
A Little Reminder for This Season of Motherhood
I think it's easy to convince ourselves that taking care of everyone else means putting ourselves last.
But I'm learning that the little things matter.
The fresh manicure.
The cozy sweater.
The ten minutes with coffee.
The walk outside.
The beautiful candle burning in the kitchen.
None of these things need to be extravagant, and not all of them require spending money.
They're simply ways of making everyday life feel a little more special.
Because while motherhood is one of the most meaningful parts of my life, I'm still allowed to enjoy the things that make me feel like me.
And sometimes, the smallest luxuries make the biggest difference.
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