Bath or shower? I’m usually a shower person. Perennially chasing my tail and worrying about everything, the protracted process of taking a bath stresses me out more than it relaxes me. That’s probably also got something to do with the hideous, mildew-y bathrooms that seem to be de rigueur in rented East Village apartments.
So on the occasion that I do draw a bath I want it to be the most glorious, self-indulgent experience with so much loveliness around me that I forget about all the things I should be doing instead. I need a deep bath, preferably set on feet in a divine bathroom, candles, a good book, sliced fruit, a big glass of iced water to hand, music in the background and, above all, some really, really good oil or bubble bath.
Since I arrived back in England I’ve been wallowing in my mother’s glorious bathroom, testing out various bath potions that I’ve been sent for possible review, ignoring both my laptop and my mother shrieking at me that she can’t work her computer.
Most impressive line so far, in terms of scent and my skin afterwards, is Abahna. Set up by owner Claire Croft in 2006, the inspiration behind the brand is the long and varied history of bathing rituals. There are four fragrances (my favourite is the White Grapefruit & May Chang which has just the right amount of citrus to uplift, rather than overpower), and the range contains everything necessary for indulgent bathing from bath oils to salt scrubs.
The packaging is absolutely ravishing, far, far nicer than Jo Malone, I think, with a pretty floral pattern and lovely casings. Wonderful for presents.
Since I was so impressed with the range, Abahna then very kindly offered three of their wonderful Foam blending sets which retail for £40.00 each for my readers. The set speaks to the rituals that inspired the line as the bather creates their own bathing addition.
I do rather lust after one of these: the set contains three Abahna essential oil blends and a flacon of unscented bath foam. Pour a little bath foam into the ceramic bowl and use the coconut and mother of pearl spoon to mix together your bathing potion. (The bath foam contains gentle coconut-based cleansers with skin conditioning organic honey, aloe vera and chamomile, and is free from parabens, SLS & SLES & artificial colourings.)
The three 100% essential oil blends are: White Grapefruit & May Chang, Frankincense & Sweet Orange, and Himalayan Cedarwood & Rose Otto.
So to enter for a chance to receive one of THREE of these sets just in time for de-stressing over Christmas (ha!), simply leave a comment below to tell me what essential thing you need to take a a bath. Loofah? Roberts Radio? — no — by not in, real sponge, waterproof pillow?
Keep it clean: no smut please!
www.abahna.co.uk
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My bathing essentials? A healthy stack of magazines, a mug of hot chocolate and a lock for the door!
Embarrassingly, the only things I need are a tub of water (not fussy about temperature) and a book I don’t mind getting wet. So this set would be pure utter luxury.
I like a candle and a good book (preferably not something hardback and irreplaceable, just in case). I am also a fan of epsom salts for after a long day, they add a little something to the soak.
Hmmm… I definitely need my radiators on!;) I can’t stand getting out of the deliciously warm bath only to start shivering on the cold tiled floor! So:
- radiators on,
- fluffy bath mat I can stand on
- a pile of fluffy towels, preferably hung on the mentioned radiators
- the latest issues of Marie Claire, Elle and Glamour!
And, of course, lots and lots of great bath products…
A perfect bathing experience requires preparation — I do not want to have to get out of the bath mid-experience. So in that case I need a clean clutter-free environment, books, magazines, drinks, music, extra towels within near reach. A bathroom other than my own is always lovely too. Mine is part bathroom/part laundry so not very “soothing”. A definite are some candles, and either beer or wine.
Rowena Bracic.
Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet in the background, large glass of Rioja and a couple of drops of rose or lavender oil. Blissful!
In the bath, I need silence and an excellent book, oh and a towel to hand, as I always end up getting my book wet!
Nothing more!
Three things:
1. A Japanese bath, so I can sit in the water up to my neck instead of performing the ‘dunk my legs/now dunk my shoulder’ dance.
2. Quiet.
3. Lots of scented bath oil so I come out of the water feeling renewed rather than dehydrated.
Okies. I really want one of the sets so lately I’ve been finding myself taking my phone into the bath with me so I can Tweet.
Extremely sad some may say, but I find Tweeting relaxing and therapeutic…
I always have either bath oil or some essential oil and a book, and in winter, warmed towels.
lush bath bubble a book and some candles..essentiall… generally be in the country to get the experience!! odd but the essential experience!
A cold drink (probably Scotch on the rocks, which is a transgression but much too hard to drink neat!), relaxing music and a good book. And a locked door so I am not interrupted!
Enter me please! I’d be very overexciting, not so much in the luxurious bath ranges to be found over here.
As for bath necesseties? Well with 2 small boys on the go all the time, I really need to be on my own. For the entire duration of the bath. Now that would be bliss indeed.
I absolutely need some Strauss or Tchaikovsky when taking a bath. I find that I am too clumsy to read when surrounded by so much water, and since I do not own any waterproof books, some lovely classical music is more than an adequate subsititute.
essentials– radio or book and ideally a glass of champagne!
red wine!
red wine!
red wine!
red wine!
red wine!
Scaldingly hot water, and plenty of it, is the only true essential. A bonus of course if it smells pretty too, but really all I want to do is close my eyes and in the dark silence feel the stress seeping out into the searing hot water.
i love very few things more than taking a bath. i always need a magazine or a book, and a nice hair treatment. and it’s not bad when you have company either.
I love to color my bath with muji bath salt! there are so many flavors and colors to suit my changing mood!
A large glass of wine, soft music, twinkling tea lights, a good read and soothing bath products are a recipe for relaxation and pure escapism.
A classic wooden bath tray is a must.… it allows me somewhere to rest my book or magazine, a place to hold my drink within easy reach, as well as candles and gorgeous bath products specifically selected for the moment. Couldn’t live without one now.
A good book, a proper bath that i can actually soak in and masses of hot water!
A proper bath (my mother has the most amazing cast iron victorian one with views out of the window across Morecambe bay) masses of hot water and a trashy novel or two!
A magazine, or a book (both usually too big to not be wrestled with with little damp corners by the end) and just myself (usually one of my three little girls trying to clamber in with me …
Amanda
Time and whatever is in my mind at that moment… An excellent way to sort through the mental clutter.
Essentials for bathing: lots of hot water & my husband sitting by the bath talking to me. And holding a large white towel for me.
The Abahna bath oil & foam sounds wonderful
Bubbles. A glass of proseco. A well-thumbed chick-lit paperback (library books are too risky, as I’m likely to drop them in said bubbles as a result of said bubbly). Quiet. Time to enjoy such luxury.
I love this set!
Silence silence silence..and any of EF Benson’s Lucia books.… and never ending hot water.… Bliss
All I need is peace, perfect peace, with no interruptions from small people who see bath time as the perfect excuse to ambush mummy!
Hot water, Jo Malone Amber & Lavender bath oil, and the Sunday Times Style magazine.
I’m a bath person all the way. I indulge about once a week. Beforehand I wash my face, put a face mask on.
Then bathtime.
Need: Loofah. Creamy soap. razor. Candles.
Voila!
I’m not sure if this is a UK-only giveaway but in case not…
I have one of those moldy bathrooms de rigeur in old apt. bldgs in DC-area. BUT, years of lobbying for a redo is on its way.
I need: the knowledge that I am not expected anywhere for hours (I always worry about being late), some water, the radio on classical station, rolled up small towel under my neck, & as someone else said, apparently I need Abahna Bathing Foam. (I also take the flower(s) or pretty grasses (whatever I can scrounge) in small vase on window sill & put within view. Since I’ve been in major budget crisis for some time, I bought some small memorial votive candles & took off the labels. 2 for 99 cents. As long as it gives a glow, I feel actually quite fortunate. Through half-shut eyes, it matters not. It’s all in how I think about it.
I force myself to leave the cell phone off or in another room turned down. A friend likes to talk on phone when she’s in the bath but even if I wanted to, I’m sure it would go directly into the water.
Oh, and one more thing. Though I don’t need Julie the Cat to be there, she seems to think so. Somehow she is able to stretch out on the edge of the tub, dipping a desultory paw pad into the bubbles now & again. And her tail. All without falling into the tub or onto the floor.
Very much enjoying the posts from your holiday. I do hope things are going well. With everything.
xoxo
Like you, I’m too stressed most days to enjoy the time it takes for a bath. Sadly, I usually don’t endulge until I am ill. Last Saturday, I returned from a long run and was freezing, I couldn’t even feel my fingers, so I ran a hot bath, adding millions of bubbles (a must!). My bath tub is huge,it is 6 feet and I’m only 5’2″, so I love that I have my little in-tub tray to sort of hold on to so I don’t slip. On this tray I have candles (a must!), I can prop a magazine, a wonderful facial masque to apply and lovely lemon-ginger water to sip. Afterwards, warm fluffy towels are another must. I used to own a huge french Lop rabbit would dutifully sit by my bath an guard me from all evil; of all the ‘musts’ I wish for my precious Paige more than anything.
The Smiths and hot chocolate!
Oh my — how I would LOVE to win one of those sets! I have 2 jobs, so I don’t often have time for a bath, but if I had the set you described, I believe I would make time!
Therefore, the only thing I need for a bath is one of those sets!
(That was sneaky of me.)
A good book is absolutely essential for a relaxing bath preferably one that I have no problem getting wet, as I have been known to relax to the point of dozing off and dropping the book into the tub.
I love:
- candle light — not just one, but at least half a dozen
–a glass of wine
- a great book
- an extremely fluffy white towel waiting
- bach cello concertos playing
Candles, a glass of wine, and someone lovely cooking you something warming for when you emerge. Yummy. x
a Cadbury’s Flake!
a magazine and an occupied two year old.
For a luxurious bath? I need a bigger tub! Mine is a glorified shower. But lovely bath oil might, if I close my eyes, make me believe I was in a tub as nice as the scent.
The most essential item for me — would have to be a sense of humour, as there is absolutely no way my children would let me take a bath alone!
A book. I’ve been known to spend 4 hours in the bath with a great book — mastered toe tap control years ago
For a proper soak: The Economist, a good book, Pint of water (don’t want to over heat in the violently hot suds), glass of very cold Sauvignon Blanc or deliciously warm Chilean pinot noir. If in for the long haul — something to nibble: caramelised pecan nuts or, if feeling devil-may-care, prawn crackers.
A locked door, scented candle (a high quality one such as Jo Malone, Natural Magic, Angela Flanders), chilled out music, bubbles (bath, of course but something sparkling in my hand would also be nice!) and a big, soft, warm towel to wrap up in afterwards.
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