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As COVID cases climb in the U.S., staycationing at home is appearing to be a better idea by the minute. Luckily because we’ve already gone through the shelter-in-place mandate once, I feel more prepared to face this second phase.
Here are some tips on how to survive this second wave without sacrificing your wanderlust – particularly how you can plan a staycation at home. It’s easier than you think!
Create Your Own Spa
I didn’t think I could live without getting a massage, facial or a mani pedi for SO LONG. However, after enduring 8 months of no access to these services, I’ve learned to do quite a bit myself and have saved so much money in the process. So how do you create your own spa at home?
1. Draw a Bath
Things You’ll Need:
- Bath bomb in your favorite scent
- Essential oils
- Flower petals
- Champagne or your favorite beverage
- Book or tablet
- Speakers
If you have a bath tub at home that’s rarely used, now is the time to take advantage of it. Use a bath bomb to create the foam, and add essential oils and flower petals for an elevated experience. Champagne is a MUST when I bubble bath, but any drink will do. I like to read or listen to music while I’m taking a bath. Feel free to just focus on that glass of liquid though – it’s already plenty. You’re having a staycation after all!
2. Give Yourself a Mani-Pedi
Things You’ll Need:
- Nail Clipper & File
- Nail Strips
For $7, you can give yourself a gel manicure at home. I never considered using nail strips before COVID, but since I didn’t feel safe getting a mani pedi anymore, I’ve started appreciating these stick-on nails. I got a set of Dashing Diva gel strips for Halloween and they were so easy to apply and remove. They’re now my go-tos for a quick mani upgrade at home.
Wanderer Tip: apply a base coat onto your nails to protect them before applying the nail strips
3. Give Yourself a Facial
Things You’ll Need:
- Facial Cleanser
- Gentle Exfoliator
- Skin Oil or Serum
- Soothing Gel
- Ice Globes
- Hydrating + Nourishing Face Mask
I loved getting my facials done once a quarter, and still miss the amazing feeling I get after every session at Dermaplus. When I found out they were selling an at home facial kit, I’ve been determined to try replicating their facial at home. Another brand I love is Fresh. They have this awesome value set at Sephora right now just for the holidays!
There are a few different ways to do a facial. Here’s a basic step-by-step:
- Clean your face and exfoliate. Give your face the deep clean it deserves, and exfoliate to get rid of all the built up dirt and dead skin. Then wash off products with warm water.
- Massage your skin with oil or serum. This is where you nourish your skin by massaging the good stuff in. Remember: circular motions upwards.
- Apply a soothing gel and massage using ice globes! The ice globes are KEY here. They feel so good against the skin and have a calming effect that will make your facial ten times better.
- Apply your favorite face mask and wait 15-20 minutes. This is the last step where you let your skin soak up all the goods. Maybe play some classical music while you’re at it to create the ultimate spa-like environment. And if you got essential oils for the bath, this is also a good opportunity to whip those out.
Wanderer Tip: For a low budget alternative, just do steps 1 and 4. Your skin will still thank you!
To create your own spa at home, you can do one or all of the above. Try to buy good products or facial sets like the one Dermaplus has so you’re getting the full experience without spending more than you need to. Chances are, you’ll save money doing an at-home facial regardless of what tier of products you end up buying.
High Tea On Your Balcony
Things You’ll Need:
- 3-4 mini sandwiches
- 3-4 kinds of pastries (i.e. scones, shortbread, cake slices)
- Jam and cream
- An dessert tower
- Tea set with a pot and cups
- Tea
*Bay Area based Asha Tea House sources their tea from Japan and Taiwan (my hometown!) Their teas are high quality and I highly recommend checking them out.
Depending on your cooking ability and whether or not you WANT to cook during your staycation at home, you can either make the sandwiches and pastries or order take-out from your local shops. Grocery stores might even have a lot of the stuff you need (e.g. Whole Foods has an amazing bakery section). Having a teapot, cups, and silverware is key to making the experience feel like a vacation, so invest in some if you can. Plus, they can be reused when you have girlfriends over in the future.
If weather permits, take the tea sesh outdoors so you can get some fresh air. However if outdoors isn’t an option, an indoor afternoon tea is just as good!
Have a Movie Night
Things You’ll Need:
- Movie Streaming Account (e.g. Netflix)
- Popcorn
- Cocktail Mix
- Blankets
- String Lights
My boyfriend and I spend enough time on Netflix as it is. That’s why when we want it to feel like we’re on a vacation, we make sure the lights are dimmed, the popcorn is ready, and there is some alcohol (this pre-made cocktail at Whole Foods is so good) to go with our viewing. I’ve seen friends build up a blanket fort at home and add string lights to make the atmosphere extra special. It’s such a good idea for the vibes ✨
Staycationing at Home is Always a Good Idea
I’m learning that even if there isn’t a shelter in place order, I should still work on my staycationing skills. There are so many benefits to doing one – it saves money, it gives you an option to relax when you can’t travel far, and it can elevate your daily life. Case in point: I’ve given myself 3 stick-on manis in the last 2 months and that’s more manis than I would’ve gotten in half a year pre-COVID.
Give these at-home staycation ideas a try and let me know which one’s your favorite in the comments!
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