It’s funny how a small thing can derail the best-laid plans. Actually, slash that, it’s not funny, it’s frustrating and really rather disheartening, even if you know rationally that it’s not the end of the world (which is plenty obvious at the moment, when there’s the end of the world going on for comparison). About two weeks ago, I had a post planned on Rebecca Solnit’s Recollections of My Non-Existence, which I almost finished and then didn’t save. So I lost the text and as it was something I really, really wanted to write but had to be written in a certain state of mind, it messed up my schedule and made me swear in several languages.

I might return to the topic at some point in the future, as I adored the book and it unlocked so many of my own thoughts, but it became clear that I had to write something else in between or stay stuck forever. Today’s post was originally started before the virus hit, when I was contemplating things you can enjoy without spending any money – the commercialisation of pleasure is something that bothers me a lot these days. The ideas I came up with aren’t entirely immaterialistic, but the point of them is not (new) things and definitely not shopping. And as I realised that they are also all applicable at home, I thought it would make a good lockdown piece as well.

Perfume in bed. For years, it didn’t even occur to me to wear perfume in bed. I believe I encountered the idea on Now Smell This – a place that has influenced my perfume philosophy in many, many ways. I don’t mean wearing perfume in bed for someone else, that’s a different topic. I mean putting on a perfume you like before going to sleep and just enjoying it while you read or whatever else people do before sleep (I almost always read). The most obvious way to do it is to wear something comforting, perhaps a gourmand or a gentle lavender for relaxation. That said, it can be fantastic to put on a satin slip and go all out with Shalimar or Fracas. A scented body lotion is also an option, especially if there IS  someone in bed with you and they are not a huge fan of Shalimar.

Cake for breakfast. There are very few things that feel as decadent as eating cake in the morning. Which is strictly speaking a bit odd, as a croissant with jam is considered a perfectly legit breakfast in many places, not to mention pancakes or churros or corn flakes that are, in fact, 40% sugar. Still, cake feels different and while it’s perhaps not strategically wise to adopt daybreak cake-eating as a regular routine, why not do it on an occasional Tuesday or whatever day seems the least fabulous to you. My banana cake would be almost a healthy option, although I’m personally craving a zefir cake for reasons of aesthetics and nostalgia. It’s something I imagine a Soviet Marie-Antoinette would eat every morning.

Updating your soundtrack. I have written about the importance of having a soundtrack for one’s life before and I maintain it is an important element of anyone’s existence – even if your list of music is not particularly long or sophisticated (mine isn’t). However, it is crucial to update it from time to time to make sure you are not stuck with the past you – and just for keeping it interesting. For me, the current moment requires something surreal and dramatic, so I have been listening to Babylon Berlin’s Zu Asche, zu Staub on repeat. Florence + The Machine’s Moderation is good for energy and ADONA’s Hit Me With Your Best Shot for late walks in Saint-Josse.

Unexpected reading. Books can take you from this mundane place to somewhere much more exciting in an instant, so reading qualifies for this list by default. But what is better than reading? Reading that occurs when and where one does not expect it. I’m generally and evening (and night) reader and reading early in the morning has been a complete revelation for me. On a weekday morning it feels indulgent and almost naughty, as you are supposed to do something more productive. On weekends, you can perhaps get hours of reading done in peace and quiet before everyone else wakes up. It is of course especially lovely when you can do it in the garden or have a nice view. But even just a bit of early morning light, if available, goes a long way. And there is a special kind of romance in reading in darkness at 7am as well.

Displaying your beautiful things. I suspect we all own things that we have kind of forgotten about, because we have a lot of stuff and some of it is out of sight. At least I’m certainly guilty of accumulating things and then neglecting them. I’ve been making a conscious effort for some time to make sure that I know what I have and that things get used and/or used up. One thing that helps is having what I have on display, so that I don’t forget. Although I may shop too much, I rarely buy something that I don’t like. I own MANY beautiful things. So I get my candles and jewellery and books and art reproductions out and use them as decor. I also like to display my dresses: I have them on two beautiful stands in the guest room/office and I own a wire mannequin that is currently graced with the presence of my red Ketlin Bachmann dress. It makes me feel happy every time I catch sight of it.

These are my six cents. Any other small things that make you feel glorious without a huge investment?