During the winter, I gravitate towards period films.
Not to sound like a child, but when I wrote that, my mind immediately went to films about periods, as in menstruation. I can promise you that I don’t gravitate towards films about periods, but this one is pretty funny. While this one was written by J.K. Rowling.
Pride and Prejudice (BBC) and Emma. (2020) are big re-watch films in my house. They have the right vibes with all their rolling hills and crackling fires, and the men in those stories are my kind of men! They’re elusive and slightly mean!
I mean, when Colin Firth as Fitzwilliam Darcy says that Lizzy Bennett isn’t “handsome enough to tempt me”, didn’t you just want to kiss his tiny mouth?
I’m also a Little Women (Winona Ryder) stan, obviously, but while I hate that Laurie and Jo don’t get together, I do relate to Jo not liking Laurie because he liked her too much. Be meaner, Laurie! Diss me like one of your German professors.
This post is starting to lack sense… AND SENSIBILITY! Another great Jane Austen movie starring heavy British hitters like Kate Winslet! Hugh Grant at his hair’s peak! Emma Thompson! Hugh Grant’s character, William, is just elusive enough for me to dislike him personally, but require him sexually.
The point is… winter is a time for retreating to the couch and TREATING YOURSELF with lovely things. In fact, Dry January comes at the worst time of year. Winter is already hard enough. Let it be known that THAT is why I don’t partake… it has nothing to do with my alcohol problem.
But truly, I think it’s important to lean into the season we’re in rather than be angry or upset that it’s not the season we want. If it was up to me, it’d be autumn every day. But it’s not up to me, and I’ve checked! Therefore, I’ll cover myself with blankets, wear cozy socks and light several candles while watching 18th and 19th century love stories; trying my best to disregard the fact that they barely bathed and defecated in pots!
These, my friends, are my little treats. We all need little treats!! My friend Sebastian once said, “The human world… it’s a mess.” So to offset the weather, the politics, the EVERYTHING… thou must treat thyself.
Aside from watching period films, here are some other LITTLE TREAT RECS!
Foodie treats…
Braised red wine short ribs - I have made these three times over the last month and they are absolutely perfect. They’re easy to make, relatively healthy (I use bone broth to amp up the protein… AND THE COST, but IT’S A LIL TREAT, BABYYYYY), they make the house smell amazing, and they are fool-proof. They’re also impressive to guests.
Serve with roasted (er, air-fried) potatoes, risotto, or honestly, Trader Joe’s frozen mashed potatoes. Don’t overthink it.
TALK ABOUT TREAT: I used the leftovers one night to make poutine. Short ribs, potatoes, covered in cheese… #MMMTREAT
Honestly, the whole reason I was inspired to write this post is because of this PAINTED DUTCH OVEN. My HomeGoods dutch oven works just fine… it’s FINE. But it’s not PAINTED, or PINK. So, I bought it. It’s my expensive, little, heavy treat.
Also, these inexpensive smiley face spatulas are SUCH LIL TREATS. Imagine having a bad day and coming home to cook with these guys?
Candle treats…
Boy Smells Woodphoria. I bought this in perfume too, it’s so good. That way, it’s like bringing my lil treat everywhere I go!
Anecdote Candles Apres Ski. I got this in a holiday bundle and I love it.
Lobster taper candles! 2 cute 2 light.
Cozy & cute treats….
Bombas wool socks. LIL TREATS FOR YOUR FEET.
A cozy throw blanket. A fuzzy treat!
Why put your hair up with a regular hair claw when you COULD put it up in a PICKLE HAIR CLAW? OR A HOT DOG?
Why use a regular heating pad when you can use a CHICKEN-SHAPED HEATING PAD? Or a POTATO? Or a PLATYPUS? Warm treats!!!
Entertainment treats…
I already mentioned this, but Emma. is so aesthetically pleasing and the chemistry between Anja Taylor Joy and Johnny Flynn is outstanding. Follow it up with Clueless, which is based on Emma (the novel), but I think Emma. (the 2020 movie) is inspired by parts of Clueless, too! It’s a feast for the eyes. When you watch the movie, you’ll understand the style of my home.
Have you watched any of the publicity tour for All of Us Strangers with Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott? They have so much chemistry, I love them so much.
There’s a new show on Prime/PBS called Funny Woman (based on a Nick Hornby novel) and it’s cute. It’s about a charming, crass 1960s woman from Blackpool who moves to London and gets cast in a sitcom. There’s a lot of sexual harassment!
I’d heard nothing but good things, and that it’s inspired by Little Women, but I’m listening to Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and it’s lovely. It’s not Little Women though, it is the story of four sisters growing up in 70s/80s Chicago.
Self-care & woo woo treats…
Get a hydrafacial. They’re a splurge ($200 where I go) but they reduce the size of your pores and discoloration and I feel like the effects last for a long time.
Dry brushing is not just Goop bullshit. I know, I thought so too. Then, I started looking into lymphatic drainage and it sounds like a dream but also woo woo bullshit? Either way, I tried dry brushing as an alternative and I actually feel better afterwards and even if it’s just a placebo effect, it’s a very nice self-care routine prior to taking a shower.
THE PRETTIEST LIPSTICK EVER!!!!
I hope you enjoyed this little fluff issue focused on treats. I really do think we need them right now more than ever, so don’t apologize for that latte you buy on the way to work, or those luxury sheets, or that sleepy girl mocktail. It’s so, so tired out there.
Speaking of fluff… a peanut butter and fluff sandwich is ALSO a very good lil treat.
xoxoxo,
Patty
This reading was my little treat 💛