So this month things were a little tight! I usually am able to line up my freelance jobs - finish one and already have the next one booked. Well...not this month. I was out of work for 5 weeks. Yes, I still had my clients but most of them were no where close to being finished with their packages so a budget needed to be put in place - main things that needed to be covered rent, bills, eating and working out. If I covered those and didn’t spend any extra I would reward myself on a weekly basis. So no real Splurges per se this month more so rewards - things that make me happy.

1. Lillies - Yellow Lilies to be exact. Whenever I want a quick pick-me-up I get some flowers. I love when I walk into my apartment and I get a glance of them - a smile literally will wash over my face. Lilies usually last 1 - 2 weeks so that was a definite plus. I decided on yellow because it reminds me of sunshine - yellow is also associated with joy, happiness and energy. I wasn’t down this month but I wasn’t my usual cheery self so these bad boys really help boost my mood.

2. Citrus Brown Sugar Scrub - A few years ago I gave bottle of perfume to a friend and in return she made me a body scrub - quickly became obsessed and asked her how she made it and that was the birth of my Sweet Orange Brown Sugar Body Scrub. Now I can go on and on and sing its praises but I know its special because I have been told by many that it is. Houseguests have come, stayed, used it (some way too much) and left and said that they wish they could buy it somewhere because its so good. I usually make so much and will give a lil bottle to a friend and get a text later on about how fabulous it smells. It can get pricey depending on what kind of oils you want to add - I love Rosehip Oil but it is super expensive so sometimes I use it and sometimes I don’t. I also always use a Lavender essential oil and that too is a little pricey (compared to other essential oils). I’ve figured out how to get around spending to much though and always end up with the perfect combo. I’ve said on numerous occasions that I am going to try other combos of ingredients but...this combo smells heavenly, is so moisturizing and just plain ole makes me smile!!!

*Here is my combo - not including amounts because I feel that is a personal preference thing. If you want it more oily add more oil - if you wan the smell to be stronger add more essential oils.

Coconut oil (I prefer using it when its solid - that way I can have lil chunks), Vitamin E oil, Grapeseed oil, Shea oil, Organic Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar, Sweet Orange essential oil, Lemongrass essential oil, Lavender oil.

Angelika Film Center - I love this theater but really any theater playing good movies will do. Just happened that this month if I did good budget wise I treated myself to a movie and 2 times I ended up at this theater. I saw 71 (excellent in my opinion) and Still Alice (was dying to see it and loved it but...why did I do it to myself...I mean chest heaving up and down I cried so much). There is just something about going to the movies (in particular by myself) that I love. It doesn’t compare to a vacation but to me it feels like a getaway of sorts. A time where I can get out of my head - no more thinking about my check list, obsessing about work, money or just life - I can get wrapped up in a story that isn’t my own and laugh, cry and think etc. This to me is a priceless feeling. I don’t go nearly as much as I would like to but I am now going to make it a point to try and go more - yay!!!