Before I dive into today’s writing prompt, a little administrative goodness:
1. Cloud 8 1/2 has a slightly new look! I’ve changed my WordPress theme and created a new header. But in even better news, this is a temporary fix as I plan to do more of an overhaul in the coming couple of weeks. Stay tuned…
2. Cloud 8 1/2 has a Facebook fan page! Please consider “liking” me over there. It’s great for my ego.
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Now onto guilty pleasures – those little things that make life more enjoyable but, maybe, you’re not supposed to enjoy them. They’re from the fluffier side of things. The silly, the trivial, the indulgences.
1. Magazines
Ooooh, magazines. Their glossy pages. Their pretty pictures. Their lists and quizzes and short little bursts of commentary. I have stacks of them all over my house and I’m loathe to part with any of them despite the fact that I flip through them once, maybe twice, and then leave them to collect dust in a corner. Real Simple is my favorite and I still mourn for Domino and Cottage Living. House Beautiful, Food Network, Cooking Light, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Coastal Living, Travel + Leisure – pretty much if it has pretty houses, pretty vacation spots, yummy food or tips for organizing my junk drawer, I’m all over it.
2. Reality TV.
Real Housewives of Top Chef Getting Married? Yes please. I watch every Real Housewives franchise except Atlanta, Top Chef, Bethenny Getting Married?, So You Think You Can Dance? and Millionaire Matchmaker (and, when they air, Flipping Out and Thintervention). I’ve cut back, dropping Project Runway, America’s Next Top Model and Hell’s Kitchen along the way. Regardless, I know it’s trashy, mind-numbing television with no value at all, but it’s my brain candy. I watch it and I check out of my own life and into the drama-fueled world of privilege, back-stabbing and surprisingly skanky rich chicks.
3. Reddi-Wip
I know that, as someone with a modicum of skill in the kitchen, I shouldn’t be using Cool Whip, Reddi Wip or anything else that vaguely resemble pre-made whipped cream. But there’s a tub of Cool Whip in my freezer and a container of Reddi Wip in my fridge. Almost every night I brew a cup of hot chocolate in my Keurig (thanks Mom!) and I top it with a giant fluffy mound of whipped cream. Then I squirt a little directly into my mouth. Then I lick the whipped cream off of the top of the hot chocolate and, saddened, vaguely entertain the idea of squirting some more on there for round two. I don’t care that it’s in a can, I don’t care what’s been added to it, I don’t care that it’s terribly simple to make homemade whipped cream. You can pry my Reddi Wip from my cold, dead hand.
4. Fancy Coffee Drinks
Not that long ago, the only way I could drink coffee was if it was drowned in flavorings and sugar. I hated the taste of it and had to try hard to mask it, and in doing so, I got hooked on Fancy Coffee Drinks. The ones with long, annoying names and very little coffee in them? Yeah, that was me. Of late I’ve realized that I don’t need quite so much sugar or flavoring added, but I still love a Pumpkin Spice Latte or a Caramel Macchiatto from my former employer, Starbucks. I know they’re over-priced and ridiculous and I just don’t care. They’re a treat when I get them and I savor every last drop.
5. Sleeping
I really, really, really like to sleep and naps are a big indulgence for me. I inevitably feel guilty (the only item on this list that actually does make me feel that way!) when I take a nap, my mind racing with all of the cooking/cleaning/organizing/errand running/child cuddling I could be diong with that time, but oh-ho, are they good for my soul. I luxuriate in high-quality sheets, fluffy pillows and duvet covers and a pillow-top mattress that isn’t nearly big enough, but so comfy. I make happy sounds when I slide into bed at night and snuggle down and my husband laughs that every time I’m truly exhausted, he can hear me calling “I love this bed” as I climb into it. Add a purring kitty and a cool breeze through an open window and you pretty much have my definition of Heaven.
And now, it’s your turn ~ what is YOUR guilty pleasure?
Want to see the Writer’s Block 30 list? Here’s my original post on the topic.