You know when you’re not physically ill but, for whatever reason, you’re just not feeling so hot?   My mom’s response to complaints of these sorts of general feelings of malaise is always the same:  ”Take a shower – you’ll feel better!”  I like to think of it as her version of Gus Portokalos‘ “put some Windex on it!”

Anyhoo, I used to roll my eyes at this suggestion, but – as with many things in life – mom’s advice works nearly every time.  There’s something about literally washing away all the dirt and grime that figuratively makes me feel renewed.   Its amazing what a little hot water can do…

… hot water and my favorite bath goodies, that is!

St. Ives Energizing Citrus Body Wash (around $3.00)

Fruity and invigorating… This body wash by St. Ives not only gets me going in the morning but is mega-easy on the wallet.  Its also one of the more moisturizing gel body washes I’ve tried.  Added bonus?  All natural ingredients and no animal testing!

Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave (about $4.00)

My beef with normal shaving cream is that it’s too “poofy” and slippery – I always feel like I get too much and then it either clogs my razor or ends up as a slip-n-fall hazard on my shower floor.  This cream spreads on in a thin, ultra-moisturizing layer and clings to your skin as you shave.  No fuss, no mess!

Toca Boxed Candles ($36.00)

I know, I know… a $36 candle???  The price tag is eyebrow raising, but I’ve had the one in my bathroom since my first quarter of law school four years ago!  The official word is that Tocca candles burn at least 60 hours… so, 60 cents an hour?  A luxury in every sense of the word, these look gorgeous perched on your bathtub or shelf and smell like a slice of heaven (Cleopatra and Stella are my favorite scents!).

GAP Stretch Jersey Short Robe ($39.50)

This super, super soft jersey cotton robe is ideal for slipping on straight out of the shower.  Warm enough to ward off the chills but light enough to allow for comfortable blowdrying, its the Goldilocks of bathrobes!  And the price is just right, too!

Aveda Foot Relie f($19.00)

I’m not a foot cream kinda-gal.  I like me feet to feel dry, and I really hate sleeping in socks… so slathering lotion on my feet and then encasing them in socks overnight is pretty much a beauty regimen nightmare.  But this minty concoction shimmied its way into my stocking this year and I decided to give it a go – night-time socks and all!  Ummmmm, A-MAZ-ING!  It smells delicious, has a lovely little tingle to it, and makes your footsies totally touchable.  It also soaks in really quickly so feel free to slather it on after your morning shower and throw on some socks while you execute the rest your morning routine.  By the time you’re ready to slip on shoes, the cream is absorbed and you’re off with a spring in your step!

Scrub-a-dub-dub!