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Give Yourself a Spa Experience in Your Bathroom

Posted on May 5, 2022

Whether the reason is time, energy, or expense, a spa day just isn’t always practical. However, that doesn’t mean you have to skip the indulgence altogether. With the right atmosphere, you can create a spa-like environment just about anywhere, even in your bathroom.

With a couple of simple steps, you can transform your bathroom experience and trick yourself into believing you’ve stepped into your favorite spa.

Step 1: Prepare Your Space

So, we actually hate this step, too. But! It is so much easier to relax when our space is clean and tidy. Create an environment where you won’t be distracted by things you need to put away or a mess you need to clean.

Then, when it’s time to settle in, light a candle and soak. You can clear your mind, just like you cleared your countertops!

Step 2: Treat Your Senses

It’s incredible how the little things genuinely elevate an experience. When setting up your spa experience, think about all of your senses and how you can give them a treat. Give yourself a sensory checklist to ensure you feel great at your home spa. What sounds or music could your ears enjoy? Do your eyes prefer dim candlelight? Pick the perfect scent for your nose, and make sure you keep your muscles relaxed with a bath pillow.

Step 3: Add the Extra Touches

Maybe it’s as simple as adding some fruit to a glass of water, adding a tray to your tub, grabbing the book you’ve been dying to read, or even spending your “spa” time watching your favorite show while soaking (safely, of course!).

Find whatever your experience needs to make it perfect for you.

Step 4: Line up the Products

It’s finally time to enjoy all of the special items you get in your Bubbles and Books box! So grab the bath bombs, bubble bars, lotions, face masks, hair masks, and other special items that you can’t wait to enjoy. Make sure everything you could even consider wanting is within arm’s reach, so you don’t have to get out of the tub for anything.

Step 5: Do Not Disturb

If you’re anything like us, the real draw of the spa is the guarantee that you won’t be bothered by the demands of the outside world. Let everyone know you’ll be with them when you’re refreshed and revitalized.

It’s time to take care of yourself, and sometimes, that needs to be the priority.

Newsletter

Create A Spring Bucket List

Posted on April 5, 2022

If the surplus of daylight, warmer weather, and budding flowers make you feel like it’s time to break out of hibernation, you’re not alone. We’re feeling the spring weather right now, and it has us bursting to get outside and soak in the sun.

If you’re like us and don’t want to miss a moment of what Spring offers, check out our list of Spring’s must-dos. We’re adding to it all the time!

Dine Al Fresco

Whether you’re in the mood to pack a picnic, step off the beaten path, or lounge on your favorite restaurant’s patio, there’s something special about dining outdoors. If you’re lucky enough, you may even be able to sneak outside for lunch on an ordinary weekday. Those simple treats are often the best!

Feed the Animals

You’re not the only one who enjoys a good meal. So grab some healthy duck food, like frozen peas, shredded lettuce, or oats, and head to a local pond to offer the ducks a snack. Alternatively, you can set up a bird or squirrel feeder in your yard to enjoy the local wildlife from home.

Fly a Kite

Take advantage of those warm spring breezes and relive your youth by flying a kite. Kites can be as inexpensive or as fancy as you wish, and flying a kite means having fun while getting some exercise, working on your hand-eye coordination, and soaking up some vitamin D!

Plant a Garden

Audrey Hepburn once said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” Give yourself the same gift and start a small garden. Your gardening endeavors don’t have to be giant projects. You can start with just seeds and a pot.

A study found a correlation between digging in a garden and your mental health. Gardening can reduce depression and anxiety and improve your life satisfaction and quality of life.

Take a Hike

Find a new trail and set off on a new adventure. Hiking provides excellent exercise while allowing you to immerse yourself in nature. Taking the time to walk the trails will enable you to discover new plants and flowers, surround yourself with trees and wildlife, and breathe the freshest air.

Hiking is known to improve your mood, balance, and overall physical health!

Read and Relax

You don’t have to engage in a heart-pumping activity to enjoy Spring! Some of your most joyful and springiest moments can just involve relaxing outside with a good book. So pull up a comfy seat, grab your latest Bubbles and Books novel, and take a moment to enjoy the changing seasons.

Newsletter

The Science Behind Soaking

Posted on March 1, 2022

A fabulous bath serves as an easy form of indulgence. Whether yours has you catching up on your latest shows, reading a riveting new novel, or simply enjoying some time for peace and quiet, there’s something magical about taking a bath.

While soaking in a warm tub can feel like magic, there’s a lot of science backing up the benefits of a bath. You can use science to get the most out of your bubble time by finding the perfect temperatures, scents, and add-ons to make your self-cleaning a powerful self-care tool.

How Hot Is Too Hot?

We admit to never putting too much thought into our tub temps. We know it’s too hot if we can’t put our toes in without yelping, and we know it’ll cool down too fast if we’re not a little too hot when we get in. So what is the “perfect” tub temp? It all depends.

As a General Rule

The ideal temperature for most people is around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That temperature seems warm enough to be comfortable and relaxing for most people. However, personal preference may have you adjusting your thermometer higher or lower.

Wait, who has a thermometer for their tub? Some newer models do indeed come with built-in digital valves that allow you to adjust the temperature to your degree of perfection. If you’re trying to get serious about your tub temp, there is a wide variety of tub thermometers available.

For Optimal Cleanliness

The sweet spot for washing away the grime is a steamy 112 degrees Fahrenheit. However, those sensitive to heat can rest assured that they’ll probably still get clean with a slightly lower temp.

To Retain Moisture

Super-steamy baths aren’t great for holding onto the skin’s protective lipid layer, which seals in moisture and keeps dirt and grime from penetrating our skin. If your skin is dry or sensitive, keep the bath temps at around 100 degrees or lower to avoid irritation and keep your skin’s natural oils intact.

To Relax Before Bed

If your pre-sleep routine includes soaking in a warm tub, the optimal water temperature matches your body. Keeping the tub at a body-temperature neutral of 95-98 degrees F will relax your nervous system and help you unwind.

Consider a Balance

One of the most beneficial add-ons you can take to your tub time is a cold rinse afterward, especially if you like your baths (or showers) on the hot side. While heat forces blood flow and circulation to ramp up, a cool rinse brings your body back to a balanced state.

How Long a Bath Should You Take?

The short answer is: as long as you like. Most bath lovers tend to stay in for about 20 minutes. However, in a sleep study that looked at how long to bathe before bedtime to reap optimal sleep benefits, scientists discovered you only need 10 minutes in the tub to catch some shut-eye.

In addition, the same study found that the optimal bath time for sound sleeping is about one to two hours before bed. Therefore, using your ideal bedtime to schedule your bath helps prepare the body for sleep by improving blood circulation.

Which Scents Are Best?

There’s an oil for just about everything, and aromatherapy is a natural way to promote health and well-being. In addition, since the body’s olfactory system directly affects the part of the brain that regulates emotion, smells can trigger memories and feelings, both positive and negative.

To best use aromatherapy to reduce stress and anxiety, it helps know which scents aromatherapists identify for specific moods and needs. These include:

Best for relaxation: Lavender.
Best for sleep: Chamomile.
Best for meditation: Orange.
Best for anxiety: Sandalwood.
Best for stress: Clary sage.
Best mood lifter: Lemon.
Best for depression: Jasmine
Best for rest: Ylang ylang

If you’re creating a DIY bath oil, dilute essential oils into a carrier oil to ensure they don’t irritate the skin. Mix anywhere from 5-20 drops of essential oil with a tablespoon of carrier oil (grapeseed, jojoba, almond, and argan all offer skin benefits as well), and then add your mix right before getting into the tub, so the scent doesn’t evaporate.

We always want to get the most out of our self-care, and knowing the science behind our soaks allows us to ensure each bath offers the perfect platform for unwinding with our latest Bubbles and Books box!

Newsletter

August Newsletter

Posted on August 14, 2021

Your monthly guide for sneak peeks, giveaways, and more!

Saltwater, tanned skin, sunsets, and hot nights are what summer flings are made of…

Every summer has a story, and we want you to feel the heat of being kissed by the sun… and more this August. Take advantage of these last days of summer with our summer fling box, filled with love spells, summer bliss, and some extra pampering. All handcrafted with nothing but summer love!

Featured Author

We probably need to lead with the fact that we fell hard for Jennifer Hillier. Her interview clearly displays that she belongs as one of our new BFFs and we’re not afraid to admit it. Hillier is smart, funny, and is the rare thriller writer who loves a steamy scene, and has racked up the writing awards. Basically, she’s our new favorite, and we’re so excited for you to discover her too! Click the image below for her full interview!

We have lots in store this month and all year long! Save the dates below so you don’t miss important events!

Get the August Box!

Stock up on your summer reads!

Celebrate summer with a new favorite novel! This month, you can double (or triple!) up your book haul in your Bubbles and Books Box by checking out our $3 book sale! Subscribers can purchase new books until August 13th for inclusion in their August Bubbles and Books Box with no additional shipping.

Shop the Sale!

Have you cashed in yet?

We’ve teamed up with Audiobooks.com so you can get AUDIOBOOKS for free! Afraid you’ll drop your book or Kindle in the tub? Want to take your books with you on a long drive or run around the neighborhood? Now you can listen to your favorite books in audio format while relaxing in the bath. Click below to get 3 audiobooks FOR FREE!

Bubbles and Books Babes Spotlight!

We’re not the only ones loving @jamiesbookaddiction! Even author Karen Dukess is loving and commenting on her posts! Full of reviews and insights into all things romance, there’s plenty of content we can’t get enough of from this book babe! Give her a follow to see what’s up!
Did you know that being a Bubble Babe can also earn you prizes? Just Snap a photo of your box, Share it on social media, and you could Win a special prize pack!
Want to be a featured Bubbles and Books Babe? Just tag @bubbles_books_box on Instagram or @BubblesandBooksBox on Facebook and you could be in the next newsletter! Who knows, you could also be our next winner!

Taking Care of You!

It’s safe to say we got completely hooked on Bridgerton when it dropped last year, and there may have been some serious happy dancing at Bubbles HQ when we heard the news that Bridgerton Season 2 is releasing on January 21st.
But… that also feels really far away. Here’s what we’re reading to pass the time until we’re back in Lady Whistledown’s clutches….

Help us get the word out!

Review Now!

Newsletter

March Newsletter

Posted on March 15, 2021

Your monthly guide for sneak peeks, giveaways, and more!

This March we’re bringing the magic!

Who doesn’t love a bit of magic? March is already that magical time of year when winter shifts into spring, add a little of that St. Patrick’s Day leprechaun magic and maybe even a rainbow or two, and it can’t help but feel like anything can happen in the month of March!

Featured Authors

We are head over heels for these four featured authors who have brought us some seriously steamy moments. Click on their images for the full interviews!