“Lists are a form of power” – A. S. Byatt

I have a confession. I’m a list maker. In fact, I might even be a serial list maker, if that’s a thing. I have lists for daily activities, lists for appointments, lists for things I plan to do in the future, and lists for my lists. I realize this may be a little extreme for many people (do they MAKE a 12-step program?) but having some organization in your life is also not a bad thing. Here’s a list of the BEST lists to make to keep yourself organized and productive. 

1. Household Chore List

If things tend to pile up in your house, then creating a list of tasks prevents this from happening (or at least happening as frequently). For me, doing just a little bit each day means I don’t have to spend a few hours on the weekend playing catchup. If you have a large home, then try the “zone” technique. Each area of the house is a zone, and you only focus a small amount of time on that one zone. Set a timer, put on a great audiobook or music, and before you know it, 30 minutes or less has blown past. 

2. !0 Minute Task List

Think about all of the things you need or want to get done. Select those that should only take around 10 minutes or less. When you get an unexpected chunk of time, drop one of these bad boys into that time slot. Believe me, these little 10-minute wonders add up when you are able to do about 3-4 of them a week. 

4. Kitchen List of Goodness

I don’t know about you, but it annoys me when we waste food. We don’t do it on purpose, but often after a meal is made, there are leftovers…which we promptly forget about until it becomes a science experiment gone horribly wrong. So, on the outside of our ‘fridge, we have a leftovers list, and down below that, there is a space for grocery items we want or need to replace. Same goes for the freezer…where things go in and often never come out. You can expand this kitchen list to include pantry items as well. 

5. Birthdays and Gift Lists

Remembering someone’s birthday is a great way to remind them how much they mean to you. Create a list on your computer or enter their birthdays onto your phone’s calendar. Then, set a reminder a week ahead, so you have time to order the perfect gift, or send them off a beautiful card. If your loved ones live farther away from you and you’d have to mail a gift, choose something that will ship well and arrive intact, like an elegant candle, diffuser, or a personal product like creamy body butter or lotion. 

Let’s face it: beauty has evolved. Of course, perceptions of beauty, the products available, and the way they are represented in media have all changed drastically over the years, but one thing remains the same: beauty is always in demand. It’s also always sought after and appreciated in a myriad of ways. 

Today, thankfully, we see all types of women –and men—depicted in beauty ads. There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing people of different shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and backgrounds represented.

A couple of other things that have drastically improved when it comes to beauty—makeup, hair, and nails—are the variety and quality of products.

Long before shopping on the Internet (so, very recently), beauty products were harder to come by, and people simply didn’t shop as they do now. First of all, the sheer amount of different products now was unthinkable then. There wasn’t much diversity in beauty wares. For example, women shampoo their hair far more now than they used to. If we’re going to go way back, the question of water was an issue. Without indoor plumbing, people bathed a lot less, and a good shampooing was quite the luxury! To even think of washing one’s hair every day was a foreign concept (and we know that it’s actually better not to shampoo every single day: let those natural oils work their magic).

Hair: Before the 1920s, women mostly wore their hair long. During the day, they usually styled it piled on their heads into a bun (think of a Gibson girl) and, at night, would let it fall, brush it out, and put it in braids with a nightcap. 

Before portable hair dryers, women were less willing to get their hair wet. Swimming without a rubber cap, are you crazy? Going to the beauty parlor once a week to have their hair set (in curlers) and styled for the entire week was very popular. A beauty parlor has always been thought of as a place of necessity—for the most basic maintenance—as well as a community hot spot. If you heard any gossip (especially in small towns), it was at the beauty salon.

Then, in the 1920s, when flappers were all the rage, women started bobbing their hair. How revolutionary! 

Soft curls have always been an incredibly feminine, lovely look. Long before electric curlers, women wore hard plastic ones to bed (can you imagine sleeping on those things?). Now, with heated rollers and sophisticated curling wands, one doesn’t have to sacrifice a good night’s sleep for voluminous hair. Thank goodness for hairspray and dry shampoo!

Hair dye has, over the years, become much more sophisticated. Women (and men) still use Clairol at home and, gasp, peroxide to achieve a platinum blonde look. Now there are so many more colors from which to choose, and it’s not considered risqué to dye your hair. One hundred years ago, it was all the rage (and pretty sassy) to put a henna rinse on one’s hair for a flame-red effect.

Makeup 

“If you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack.” –Coco Chanel

Women in small towns who wanted to bring a little glamour into their lives and some extra money started selling Avon and Mary Kay products. Avon—founded in the late 19^th century—was the first beauty brand to be sold door to door by representatives. This made beauty much more accessible! This way of shopping has gone out of fashion because, as we know, beauty supply shops like Sephora have taken over, and, of course, there’s online shopping. 

Max Factor was probably the first big name in quality makeup (of course, quality has changed and gotten exponentially better, more ethical, organic, etc. over the years). Founded in 1909 by Maksymilian Faktorowicz, this brand specialized in movie makeup and really had a monopoly on the business. This is where the Pan Stik (or pancake makeup) began. Liquid foundation, imagine that! 

Elizabeth Arden and Revlon were also the go-to brands, but the range of colors and shades was limited early on: in the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s, red was all the rage. Classic, bright red lipstick and fingernail polish were pretty much the only options, and this is what women wore when they wanted to dress up and feel beautiful. Some of the vintage Revlon lipsticks that are still widely available include “Cherries in the Snow” (a pinkish red loved by Marilyn Monroe), “Fire and Ice” and, believe it or not, one of the early pinks worn by Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” called “Pink in the Afternoon.”

The glamour goddesses of stage and screen have always used false eyelashes and press-on fingernails (think of Marlene Dietrich), but today, these things are much more refined and available to the general public. Mascara has changed a lot, too. It used to come in a compact cake, and you’d have to wet it and apply it with a little brush. Now there are so many types of brushes, colors, and brands of mascara and false eyelashes can be purchased just about anywhere.

Paul McCartney said that he wrote “Eleanor Rigby” about his mother; he thought of her pot of Nivea cream (thus the lyric). This was the staple when it came to skincare: Nivea or, of course, cold cream. A jar of Pond’s Cold Cream immediately evokes a great sense of nostalgia! 

For a little bit of color or “bloom” (if rouge wasn’t readily available), women and girls pinched their cheeks. This is still a great secret if you’re out and about without your blush!

Skincare has gotten so much more sophisticated over the years: now we have exfoliants, toners, facial wash for every skin type, anti-aging serums, and masks…just about everything you can think of! Although, people have been using the bare basics (such as mud) for centuries on their skin. Rose water has also always been a beauty necessity—for cleansing and adding a hint of perfume.

Shapewear 

Long before Spanx and Skims, women had to rely on painful corsets, girdles, and control top pantyhose. Now it’s okay for bare legs to show beneath a skirt or dress, but it used to be thought of as unseemly! Still, stockings with seams held in place by garters are incredibly sexy and romantic. Today they are thought of as more of a novelty rather than a necessity. 

For everything you need to know about sustainable, organic, inclusive, and high-quality beauty products, check out Nabila K Cosmetics (for skincare and makeup)! 

There’s nothing that transports us like wonderful clothes—costumes, even—and getting all dolled up. Sometimes, getting ready for a party is the most fun of all. Even before you arrive, feeling like Cinderella at the ball is a truly whimsical experience. 

Always a fan of flamboyant fun, dressing up is something I’ve always loved, whether I’m actually going out or reading my favorite Fairy Tales from childhood.

Having a theme is always helpful because you have an idea of where to begin when planning your attire. Seeing the Met’s Costume exhibit each year is always an artistic highlight.

Some truly spectacular galas:

• The Rothschild’s 1972 “Surrealist Ball” was the ultimate in over-the-top glamour and definitely one of those moments where it’d be fascinating to be a fly on the wall, observing in absolute anonymity. 
• The Black and White Ball hosted by Truman Capote at the Plaza Hotel in 1966 was complete with guests Mia Farrow and Frank Sinatra wearing masks to resemble a black cat and white butterfly (other guests included Lee Radziwill, Ladybird Johnson, and Gloria Vanderbilt).

Bubble baths, oils, and organic salts (all rose-scented, of course) are must-have items for the most romantic day—and night—of the year. Even if you’re simply soaking by yourself and not coupled up, taking a hot bath is one of the most relaxing, practical forms of self-care in which to indulge. Fill the tub to the rim (but watch for overflow; your neighbors downstairs will complain when water drips ruin their V-Day plans), fill it with Nabila K Rose Garden bubble bath, organic rose bath salts (with actual rose petals), and just a tad of bath oil. What could be more luxurious? 

Candles are absolutely necessary for conjuring romance. If you’re not one who goes for a lot of frills, fake it till you make it: there’s nothing like a candle flame to ignite passion. If you’re on a budget, try Nabila K’s small soy-based candles (these are perfect for fitting onto the corners and edges of a bathtub). Take your bubble bath game to the next level with light emanating only from Nabila K Rose Garden candles. 

Perfume is necessary for evoking passion and is one of those things we always remember: long after memories have faded, a special scent remains. Fragrances even have the power to unlock memory.

Add some smooth jazz, jewelry, and lingerie and you’re all set for a perfect Valentine’s Day! Even if you’re sleeping alone, cozy pajamas are sometimes the cutest and, clearly, the most comfortable! As for jewelry, costume is just as fun as real gems; try something with a heart charm to feel exceptionally cute.

Indulge in food and drink (the Mediterranean diet): olives, olive oil (which is called “liquid gold” for a reason: it offers not only culinary greatness but is beneficial for silky, shiny skin and hair), freshly caught seafood, oranges, herbs and spices, whole grains, vegetables, paella, tapas, etc. Eat fresh! Go to the market every day and see what looks ripe and delicious (never eat processed food if you can help it, and everything in moderation). Take your time to really enjoy the flavors. Of course, France, Italy, Spain, and Greece are known for their little outdoor cafes that are so charming, and we all know more time spent outdoors is very good for our mental and physical health. Because the Mediterranean diet focuses heavily on fruits and vegetables and is low in saturated fats, it’s heart-healthy. It’s a way of life, not a fad diet.

Community and family are very important. People actually talk to each other in the streets; meeting friends for coffee seems easier in these parts of the world.