Published 16:50, June the 16th, 2009
The long-distance summer staycation
Just because you’ve canceled your summer vacation plans doesn’t mean you can’t savor your favorite travel destinations
Frequent-flier miles or not, a seven-day trip to an exotic, far-off locale (or even to the closest big city) may not be the most affordable way to spend your vacation days this summer. More and more people are spending their planned days off from work at home. Still, there are more imaginative ways to escape. The portal: your bathroom.
1: England
Cowshed Body Lotion and Bath Oil in Lazy Cow
Break out a pot of tea and finger sandwiches, blast Estelle, and pretend you’re heading to a spa treatment at London’s exclusive, members-only club, Shoreditch House. Cowshed, a cult favorite, is its official bath and body line.
2: Morocco
REN Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish and Bath Oil
Spend a day decompressing from work (and sloughing off dead skin) with this body scrub and moisturizing oil made of rose extract from southern Morocco, Kola Nut bio-actives and tea extracts that stimulate circulation. If you close your eyes and inhale deep enough, you might be able to imagine that your bathtub is in a Kasbah rather than your cramped city apartment.
3: California
Apothia Verde Aromatic Candle and If Body Lotion
With notes of cilantro, tomato leaf, lime and chili pepper, the candle makes the perfect Santa Monica-like backdrop for a day
lazing about the house. The lotion, meanwhile, has a hint of grapefruit, gardenia, freesia and tuberose. Put it on in the morning and pretend you’re about to take a road trip to Santa Cruz.
4: Paris
Cire Trudon candle in Balmoral
By Terry Intensive Night Renewing Treatment
Use enough of this regenerating night cream from the French makeup artist Terry de Gunzburg’s line, and your co-workers will think you spent a restful week out of town. The candle, complete with a centuries-old French history, will give your at-home spa day a little authenticity.