Living deliciously 101
This post is inspired by the season two finale of the podcast Exactly with Florence Given! Full credits to her and her audience for kicking off my own list of delicious ideas. I’ve paraphrased the ones she shared to the first list below:
Finding your signature scent. Bonus points if: you wear it to bed when only you can smell it.
Drinking a coffee slowly, quietly and intentionally as you hear birds chirping. Bonus points if: it’s at sunrise with a gorgeous view.
Drinking a glass of wine in the bath and watching your legs glisten in the water. Bonus points if: you bathe with essential oils.
Covering lampshades with coloured paper or fabric to change the aesthetic. Bonus points if: said material tints the light pink.
Leaving home every single day to take in fresh air and be inspired by your surroundings. Bonus points if: you allow your mind to wander without music.
Choosing to sit in the most aesthetically pleasing part of the room you’re in. Bonus points if: that part of the room matches your outfit.
Buying flowers when you pass a florist, and carrying them around with you for the rest of the day. Bonus points if: the shop is a locally owned one.
Making an intentional choice to walk in the sun. Bonus points if: you cross the street to do it.
Listening to the soundtrack of a movie that pairs perfectly with your scenery. Bonus points if: you’re traveling through the location where the film was made.
Plaiting your hair with velvet ribbons, placing stickers all over your journal, or buying the candy you enjoyed as a child; basically, anything that brings out your inner playfulness. Bonus points if: you share your childhood nostalgia with your mom.
Scrolling through Pinterest instead of social media. Bonus points if: you use it to envision exactly what you want all aspects of your life to look like.
Making an indulgent sandwich with like 9 ingredients, the kind you would normally only buy from a fancy cafe. Bonus points if: you use sourdough bread to make it.
Going to an art gallery or museum in a cute outfit and allowing yourself to go wherever the day takes you. Bonus points if: you end up somewhere better than expected.
Choosing a favourite seat in your local coffee shop. Bonus points if: you become a regular and befriend your barista.
Applying a power lip in public. Bonus points if: you use a compact mirror to do it.
Drinking hot drinks exclusively from tea cups and saucers. Bonus points if: you hand-curate your crockery collection.
Cooking yourself a romantic dinner with slow music and a glass of wine. Bonus points if: you garnish your plate.
Walking in the park with your lover and creating storylines for the other strangers around you. Bonus points if: the stories you create are outrageous.
Standing in a hot shower and pressing your tits against the glass like you’re in a steamy magazine shoot. Bonus points if: you’re showering by candlelight.
Trying ‘masturbation manifestation’. Bonus points if: you do it with a vision board in view.
Staring up at the full moon. Bonus points if: you’re cuddled up with a loved one, sitting on top of a roof.
Planning a slumber party with your girlfriends. Bonus points if: cozy pyjamas and classic romantic comedies are involved.
Sending your friends voice notes as though you’re hosting a mini-podcast. Bonus points if: you’re spilling piping hot tea.
After hearing Florence’s list, I challenged myself to dream up my own. I landed on 101 ways to live deliciously, and it was far easier to think of than I realised it would be! Writing this list reminded me just how lovely and romantic life is - I hope it does the same for you.
Sending love letters. Bonus points if: you kiss the envelope and leave a lipstick stain on it.
Cold plunges, followed by immediate warmth. Bonus points if: you’re cycling between the pool and the hot tub.
Colour coordinating your lipstick, nails and accessories. Bonus points if: your colour of choice is a bold one.
Skinny dipping at night. Bonus points if: you’re the first to do it in a group, and everyone else joins in.
Watching a movie in the park on a big projector. Bonus points if: you bring your own pillows and blankets.
Jumping on the bed. Bonus points if: you’re in a hotel room and there are two beds to jump on.
Buying the quintessential second-hand find that sets you apart from everyone else. Bonus points if: the item is priced lower than it is worth.
Marking a new chapter of your life with different hair. Bonus points if: it involves a major chop, bright colour, or bangs.
Listening to an album all the way through on vinyl. Bonus points if: there are slight differences between the record and streaming versions.
Finding a drive-out parking spot. Bonus points if: the spot is right beside the doors of where you need to be.
Perfecting a parallel park on the first try. Bonus points if: you do the sexy hand on the headrest, look behind you thing.
Buying produce at the farmer’s market. Bonus points if: you talk to the farmer and learn the story behind their labour of love.
Texting someone a secret message in a crowded room. Bonus points if: the text says, “Want to get out of here?”
Planning a themed party. Bonus points if: the music, decorations, costumes and games are all coordinated.
Refusing to wear a bra if you’re in a setting where you can get away with it. Bonus points if: you can go commando too.
Making delicious, vibrantly coloured smoothies. Bonus points if: you drink it in a tall glass with a straw.
Capturing friends with a film camera or Instax. Bonus points if: your photos make a mundane night look dreamy.
Wearing a matching activewear set to the gym. Bonus points if: you work out to hot girl music.
Putting your jewellery on display in a cute ceramic dish. Bonus points if: you sculpt the dish yourself.
Applying a peel-off face mask. Bonus points if: you apply mini under-eye masks too.
Reading a book in a library or bookstore. Bonus points if: you can finish the book in one sitting.
Listening to emotional music on a nighttime bus ride home. Bonus points if: you’re alone and able to have a cathartic cry.
Hanging a beautiful decoration that reflects sunlight into your room. Bonus points if: said decoration is a disco ball.
Having one ridiculous, yet iconic pair of shoes. Bonus points if: they’re cowboy boots or mega-platform heels.
Pairing your flowers with a cute vase. Bonus points if: the vase is strangely shaped and colourful.
Curating a gallery wall in your home. Bonus points if: your art pieces are from places you’ve traveled.
Picking fresh berries. Bonus points if: you find them growing wild.
Choosing a favourite small animal or bug to notice whenever you’re outside. Bonus points if: you start seeing them regularly.
Changing your ringtones and alarms to enjoyable sounds. Bonus points if: the sound sets you apart from everyone else.
Finishing your shower as a song ends. Bonus points if: you perform a solo concert in the shower.
Naming your tattoos like they’re art pieces. Bonus points if: each name has a story behind it.
Affectionately naming your car or bicycle. Bonus points if: you name it something whimsical.
Making up catchphrases. Bonus points if: your friends start unintentionally adopting them too.
Taking photos in the vintage photo booth. Bonus points if: you can still find one in the mall.
Organizing your books and/or clothes by colour. Bonus points if: you have an item in every colour of the rainbow.
Journaling daily from a scenic spot. Bonus points if: your writing is a secret you keep to yourself.
Taking part in small-scale expressions of creativity, like poetry slams or stand-up comedy. Bonus points if: you try being an act in a show.
Joining workshops and classes to dedicate time to your hobbies. Bonus points if: you make new friends there.
Splitting a milkshake with two straws. Bonus points if: you drink it in an old-school diner.
Exfoliating your whole body with a homemade scrub. Bonus points if: you apply lotion to your whole body too.
Shaving your whole body to smoothness. Bonus points if: you crawl into fresh sheets immediately after.
Serving non-wine drinks (kombucha, cocktails, etc.) in a wine glass. Bonus points if: your alternative looks like wine.
Wearing a huge, long, fluffy scarf. Bonus points if: you wrap it around your head, babushka style.
Meeting your friends for picnics in the park. Bonus points if: you serve sandwiches with the crusts cut off.
Finding a signature wine or two to serve at home. Bonus points if: you cooly ask your guests, “Red or white?”
Batting your eyelashes slowly and softly to feel romantic. Bonus points if: you look up all doe-eyed at someone you love while doing it.
Sticking your tongue out at babies. Bonus points if: you can make them laugh.
Dancing when you get the teeniest bit excited about something. Bonus points if: you do it without noticing.
Writing a haiku. Bonus points if: you gift it to your lover.
Agreeing to be ‘vent partners’ with someone at work. Bonus points if: you gain a friend in the process.
Tying little notes to helium balloons. Bonus points if: you surprise someone with them for their birthday.
Reading at the beach. Bonus points if: you read a juicy summer novel on a hot summer day.
Letting someone else remove your shoes after a long night out. Bonus points if: they take some effort to get off.
Writing on planes. Bonus points if: you use your airplane mode time to dream about the future.
Feeling the soft touch of satin or silk against your skin. Bonus points if: you have a favourite silky dress.
Serving, or being served, breakfast in bed. Bonus points if: a cute serving tray is involved.
Admiring swans, ducks or koi fish in ponds. Bonus points if: you stop to really observe their behaviour.
Watching dogs get the zoomies at the dog park. Bonus points if: one runs up to you and lets you scratch their belly.
Sitting lakeside, sunning yourself on a dock. Bonus points if: you cannonball off the dock for a swim.
Riding a bike. Bonus points if: it has a basket in the front.
Watching the sun glisten over water. Bonus points if: it’s golden hour.
Wearing elbow-length gloves. Bonus points if: it’s for a fancy event you have no business being at.
Dancing on tables. Bonus points if: you can get away with it at the bar.
Painting BIG canvases. Bonus points if: you host a paint night with friends, and share a canvas together.
Standing on top of a mountain and staring out at the view. Bonus points if: you climbed it.
Warming towels and robes in the dryer. Bonus points if: your lover hands them to you as you finish your shower.
Making out in an elevator. Bonus points if: you pretend it never happened when other people get on.
Taking yourself out to dinner. Bonus points if: you say “table for one” with intent to your host.
Roasting marshmallows. Bonus points if: they come out perfectly golden.
Enjoying someone else’s boat or pool for a day. Bonus points if: you have regular access to it.
Having a go-to “airport uniform” that you don’t have to remove at security. Bonus points if: it’s comfortable loungewear.
Scented sunscreen. Bonus points if: the smell brings back memories of a certain vacation.
Vacation flings. Bonus points if: you return home with an incredible story and never speak to them again.
Wearing an everyday tote bag. Bonus points if: the bag is a conversation starter.
Locket necklaces. Bonus points if: you and your sweetie keep photos of each other inside.
Finding a food item you thought you could only get abroad at home. Bonus points if: you find the item in an international grocery store.
Buying a magazine subscription and allowing yourself to indulge in reading it each month. Bonus points if: the magazine is trashy.
Infusing your water with cucumber or lemon. Bonus points if: you keep a big jug to refill from throughout the day.
Curating a killer charcuterie board. Bonus points if: there are 3+ types of cheese and a salami rose on it.
Doing yoga to wind down before bed. Bonus points if: your practice increases your flexibility.
Regularly listening to a podcast. Bonus points if: the podcaster knows of your love for them.
Writing down inspiration as it strikes. Bonus points if: your good idea comes in handy later.
Walking around your house naked. Bonus points if: you do it without sexual intent.
Dangling an air freshener from your car’s rearview mirror. Bonus points if: it smells yummy.
Burning candles or incense in your home. Bonus points if: you pick up compliments on your signature scent.
Leaving the party on your terms. Bonus points if: you make it an Irish goodbye.
Saying no to a substance everyone else is taking. Bonus points if: you use "no” as your complete sentence.
Fresh squeezed juice. Bonus points if: you squeeze it yourself.
Assigning a storyline to a mundane task you’re doing to make it more interesting. Bonus points if: said storyline motivates you to complete the task.
Committing to your boundaries. Bonus points if: doing so clears a toxic person from your life.
Learning the ins and outs of your own pleasure. Bonus points if: you advocate for your needs and have them met.
Hosting dinner parties. Bonus points if: themed decor is involved.
Crowd surfing. Bonus points if: it’s at a music festival.
Taking photos of your neighbourhood flowers. Bonus points if: you send them to your mom and tell her they remind you of her.
Collage making. Bonus points if: the collage becomes your vision board for the month.
Allowing yourself to be a beginner at something. Bonus points if: the activity brings out your inner kid.
Curating a perfect Spotify playlist for the moment. Bonus points if: you’re complimented on your music taste when you play it.
Buying someone else’s coffee. Bonus points if you say “my treat”.
Laughing at the “kiss cam” at sports games. Bonus points if: you kiss the person next to you.
Blowing out candles on non-birthday occasions. Bonus points if: you use them to set your intentions for the season.
Fervently believing you have ‘lucky girl syndrome’. Bonus points if: it starts coming true.
