I find that nothing relieves stress better than a hot bath, and was so happy to move into my new apartment because the old one didn't have a tub! We had a gorgeous multi-jet shower (we nicknamed it the "Porn Shower"), but oh, how I longed to soak my weary self on many an occasion.

Back in the day when I could afford massages regularly, my darling of a masseur used to recommend that I take a hot bath with lavender oil, epsom salts and buttermilk afterward to help soothe the aftermath of lactic acid. I'm not sure what exactly the combination does, but it always left me feeling rejuvenated, and I rarely suffered from the soreness typical of deep-tissue massages. And though I now have to skip the massage part of that joyful experience (boo!), I am still a huge fan of the bath combo.

Simply take a few teaspoons of buttermilk (you can also used powdered milk for this -- it works just as well), 1/2 cup of epsom salts and a drizzle of lavender essential oil. Fill that tub with hot water, close your eyes, and let the stress disappear.

P.S. I've now also seen lavender epsom salts available in drug stores, so if you can't find or afford the real essential oil, this does work as a decent substitute, but will not afford you the true benefits of the essential oil. You can find the oil at Sun's Eye, where I get mine.

I spoke a little bit about it the other day, but let’s discuss the dynamic of afternoon tea in greater detail, for it is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

The Brits and Scots have mastered the introduction of sweets and a bit of caffeinated refreshment to the afternoon, and for that I thank them. To make a perfect cuppa, however, certain rules must be followed. I’ve been scolded by my mother for not letting my tea infuse, so please don’t be foolish like me, or she might feel it in the air and come find you.

Three minutes. Do not steep for less or your tea will be watery. She gets really mental about this. Milk comes after, unless you are serving a pot of tea, in which case you can add sugar and milk to the cup first, then pour the properly-steeped tea over the combo, which helps to stir it all together. Hey, they’re nothing if not uptightly efficient in the UK.

If you are not a baker, or have no access to lovely baked goods that are decorated with swirls of whipped cream and what not, at least treat yourself to a little biscuit of some kind. In the UK that means a cookie, and surely you can find a good cookie.

So create a sweet afternoon for yourself. Invite a friend over and take a moment to share a cuppa and a biscuit. Life will taste just a little nicer that day, and it won’t cost you but a quid or two.

If you are inclined to bake something yourself, I suggest some of the following biscuits:

Lavender Biscotti with Almonds
Chestnut Caramel Pound Cake
Hazelnut & Fig Linzer Cookies

P.S. If your tea preferences lean more toward spicy goodness, see my Honeyed Chai Tea recipe. In that case, it needs to steep for at least 15 minutes, or I’ll slap you.

Though I would love to be indulgently pampering myself with a spa day right now, the very thought of such a luxury seems sadly far off. Having said that, my soul and skin need a little rejuvenation every now and then to keep the stress at bay.

For me, there's nothing more sensually satisfying than baby-soft skin, and there are lots of ways to achieve this right at home. Here's a little secret: Chefs swear by olive oil and kosher salt for exfoliating hands.

In the same vein, but a bit more delicate, is a scrub I use for my face: olive oil and table sugar. You only need a little of each to make a paste, and after delicately scrubbing your face with the mixture you'll be left with silky smooth cheeks. And as a moisturizer it can't be beaten.

Since I only use good olive oil in the kitchen, my face is treated to some extra-virgin goodness. What could be bad about that? :)

I've been experimenting with various home treatments, so I'd love to hear about your successes with them. Do you have any favorites?

It's that glorious time of year when farm stands are beginning to overflow with the season's finest. Given my tactile nature, I always find myself drawn to the piles of gently fuzzed peaches, seemingly awaiting my greedy touch. My favorites are the elbow-drippers -- once you've tasted such decadence, it's practically impossible to eat any other kind of peach.

And though peaches are wonderful on their own, there is something to be said for the allure of caramelization. I've grown quite fond of grilled fruits in the past couple of years, and this recipe has become a favorite: Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Sugar

Simple and lustful, this recipe is ideal for using up that last bit of heat from the grill. You can substitute regular milk (or cream) for the coconut milk if you like. The peaches are a perfect foil for quality vanilla ice cream (look for the specks of vanilla!), and capture what is, for me, the essence of summer.

With all that's happening around us, I find that my decadent and frugal sides are like rival angels on my shoulders. The stress of keeping so many balls in the air to keep things moving forward -- seemingly without a minute to breathe -- leaves me utterly worn out, and there are times when I simply want to indulge myself. Of course, I also want to do this without making my wallet cry.

If you've read or heard me wax poetic on basil leaves, you know that I can find indulgence in seemingly ordinary places and things, so I've decided to share my favorite everyday ones with you. Let's face it: We could all use a little pick-me-up. Some indulgences will be food, some non-food, but all will relate to engaging the senses without adding the stress of a big expense.

I hope you'll share yours, too, because I might run out of ideas and will need to pilfer. Oh, stop, I'll give you credit for it.

As you might imagine, for me, self-indulgence begins with scents, and I like nothing more than smelling deliciously edible. I've given up on synthetic-smelling perfumes and instead turned to essential oils to soothe my soul. It's no secret that aromatherapy can have a profound effect on one's state of being, and I can think of no better atomizer than the neck. Hair also smells gorgeous with a little drop combed through the ends. Yum.

I discovered the joy of citrus oils after a massage in Los Angeles (back when massages were actually part of my decadent life), so I knew the scent of oranges would send me to my happy place. I found a combination that took it to a whole new level, however.

So if you're wondering what I smell like, here's your chance to be a voyeur (sniffeur?). For the past few months I've slathered myself with Vanilla Orange Oil from Sun's Eye. I love that there are tiny slivers of orange peel soaking right in the oil, so you get the full power of both scents. The only drawback is that it needs to be reapplied several times a day, but at $6.75 a bottle, how could I possibly complain about that?

I have other scents that I use for other moods and occasions, but I'll share those as we go. ;) Did I mention that vanilla is reputed to have an aphrodisiacal effect on the senses? Try it and let me know what happens.