I am raising a 1-year-old girl. As an actress I do have the (relative) advantage of traveling often and having excuses to get dressed up for events and auditions, but for many weeks at a time my life consists of sweatpants, coffee, diapers, barbies, an unending mess of toys and a bigger unending mess of my hair. The other morning I went to pour the beans into the Mr. Coffee when I notice my old French Press on the back shelf. I decided to take a moment for myself, boil some water and make a nice cozy cup of French Press coffee. It got me thinking– what else could I be doing that would make my ordinary days feel just a little more… romantic?
Wear Red Lipstick
Try to take a minute in the morning to curl your eyelashes and put on some bright red lips. If you can find a good colorstay red (Stila makes one), the impracticality of red lips rubbing off on everything goes away, and you’ll feel like une petite French schoolgirl! Maybe no one will see it but your kid or the walls, but you’ll feel better every time you pass the mirror and see some personality smiling back at you.
Buy a French Press or Cappuccino Machine
There’s something so soothing about the experience of watching the frothy, brown crema come up to the top of the French Press pot and pouring yourself a cup from that little, glass carafe. Equally as soothing is going about your business with a homemade cappuccino. Instead of your regular, boring pot o’joe, treat yourself to savoring the caffeine moment. 
Clean House to Audiobooks
I recently became quite fond of cleaning when I began designating that time to enjoying audiobooks! I spent a summer listening through the entire series of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. It was such a nice alternative to having the TV on.
Make a Cooking Playlist
Even if it’s only 20 minutes in the morning, have a little Ella Fitzgerald or Doris Day playing in the background while you make the kids’ school lunches or prep your own snacks for the week. It’s just enough to shake the cobwebs out and put you in the right mood… and if you’re really need a lift– try dancing around the kitchen a little. You’ll feel like a goof, but it’ll make you smile.
Drink More Wine
I keep a bottle of cheap white in the fridge for lunchtimes. I never finish an entire glass but I’ve found that it is so relaxing to put the baby down for a nap, plate up some lunch, catch up on a show and drink a glass of light wine.
Get Yo’ Nails Did
When I’m doing laundry or dishes and l see manicured hands staring back at me, it makes me feel a little more “together”. In contrast, when I see torn nails and ragged cuticles I instantly feel bad about myself. I don’t know if I’m alone in this– but doing your nails regularly can work mental wonders.
Christmas Lights All Year Round
I have a strand of White Christmas lights strung up along the large picture window in my house. The little extra sparkle makes me feel so girlie and all warm & fuzzy inside.
Fresh Flowers
If you can budget it in (or grow your own) to buy some fresh flowers every week, you’ll feel more motivated to keep your space clutter-free and it will make you feel so lovely to have tiny blossoms tucked into a few corners of the house.
That’s all I can think of for now, but I’ll let you know if I come up with more. Anyway, give some of these a try and let me know how it works out!
xoxo, Bethany Joy
Amazing advice. I’m going to do all of the above. They don’t even take that much time and cost nothing. Thank you for this invaluable advice.
Louise xo
Cominghomesoon.wordpress.com
[...] and cute jewelry. My love of lipstick and floral arrangements even led my roomie to tweet me this article on adding romance to every day life, claiming that I must have been the article’s inspiration. Evidence that I am part of the [...]
Bethany you are such and amazing person, besides being so talented you are a great mother. I love that you find little tricks in your life to feel that normal feeling and are willing to pass them along…I love the music and dancing around I do that all the time and it works. It can make you motivate to get some impressive things done too before you even realize it, with the right tunes of course. OTH music web has an awesome list of tracks over the last 9 years that I have acquired and I can rock out. Thanks for being always just being true!
Okay, I’ve got to say it. Listening to an audiobook while cleaning is the most amazing tip I’ve ever heard. I was able to focus on the story (The Hunger Games) and mindlessly go about cleaning. Oh, and I’m not a mom- yet. I’m due in October but I’ve been in the biggest rut with the morning sickness and exhaustion. I was needing something to \help kick-start getting back to myself and this article is perfect! Thank youuuu Bethany Joy! Now on to the rest of the list! (;
Loved this article! I’m a mom of two (2 years and 8 months) and those little things make all the difference! Just getting dressed (and out of the sweats) and putting makeup on in the morning can make such a difference in my day!
IN LOVE WITH THIS. As a stepmother, I find this SO inspiring because we only have the babies every other weekend. Usually when we do have them, I find myself in a rut because I’m not used to the routine of getting up with them, making lunch and dinner, etc. I’ll definitely keep this post in mind even when we don’t have the children!
What a simple, sweet and honest article. Little things do make a difference. Thanks for the inspiration Bethany!
Everything Bethany posts is gold. Love her.
These are all great ideas for guys too!
The flower thing is totally true!! these are really fun ideas!! btw Love you on OTH!! Fan since the beginning and can’t wait to watch you in whatever’s next!!
Great tips! Good for even us non moms although at times my dog feels like a kid! haha. I also find pulling up the window blinds and letting in the natural light even if it’s not sunny out helps. We have a strand of colored Christmas lights on our front porch and I turn them on sometimes and just sit out there, sometimes doing nothing but sitting.
Thanks Joy for sharing these beautiful articles about you.Is this Shantel Vansenten in the picture you posted?It looks like her.
-much love melissa
twitter @ohla_0312
I really need to start doing my nails more. When I do paint them, I do feel a load better, even if it is just a case of seeing a little colour on them. Thanks for posting these tips, I’m going to have to try and get into the habit!
I do most of those things already and it makes me feel awesome. Thanks for this article.
Love, love, love this post!
I do not have a child yet, but I still understand the importance of doing a few things just for you. I particularly liked the points of: clean house to audio books, drink more wine, and fresh flowers.
For anyone looking for a cheep place to get some pretty flowers, try Walmart! For five bucks I can get a bouquet of daisies (lots of different colors) that will last at least two weeks! I smile everytime I see them!
Between grad school and work it feels like there is little time to do anything. The one thing that always keeps me sane is doing my nails. I can do them while I am studying, and it helps me look put together even when my hair and makeup (and the rest of my life for that matter) are a mess.
YES! I am so with you on the difference painting your nails and having flowers around makes. It makes me feel more feminine and ready to conquer the day. I also like to take the time to sip tea throughout my day- it’s special! I’d also recommending finding your signature lipstick and scent- it’s completely YOU and leaves a lasting impression!
http://www.bundtsofsteelblog.com
Hi Joy
This is an awesome entry to read. Its really fun getting to reaad about your every day life being a mom. All your suggestions really put a smile on my face, really in the mood now for doing my nails. The way you talk about your house is really interesting and exciting, sounds so lived in and family like (which that even makes sEnse to you).
Thanks so much for sharing your suggestions with us
.
What an awesome article ! Thank you for these advices and I have to say that I needed these advices because at the moment I feel not girly at all, I mean I’m wearing sweatpants, no make up, there is a mess of my hair, haha ! So thank you for these things, I’ll try them and I’ll let you know if it works
Xoxo, Emeline , @FanBJoyGaleotti on Twitter
what a great article Joy !! i loved every single thing you said in it ! i don’t know if i’ll look good with red lipstick but i’ll give it a try and we’ll see
i already have a cooking playlist coz i cook a lot and love it !!! i’ll try what you said except for the wine part 
oh shame on me but i don’t drink wine or any other alcohol because i don’t like it ! i’m 28 but i can”t drink wine ! i tried but it didn’t work! and i’m sure you’re gonna hate me for what i’m about to say but i don’t drink coffee either !! i’d love too but my stomach don”t 
ok i hear you you hate me 
)
)
i still send you much love form a french fan (and you seems to appreciate french things since your trip in my country
@haleyjames29 on twitter
ps: i hope you had the time to read the letter i gave you at the BTTH convention !