Monarch Tides

Since this week I’ve been talking a lot about self-love and taking time for yourself, I thought I’d share one of my favorite ways to unwind. Taking a little time to recharge helps me show up with more patience and energy as a mom, a partner, and a person. But we deserve that care for ourselves, too.

I’m a huge bath person. Once a week, after the kids go to bed, I love turning my bathroom into a little spa. I dim the lights, light a few candles, and give myself permission to slow down. For a little while, there’s nothing to fold, answer, or check off a list.

Face masks, fancy bath salts, and body scrubs make the evening feel extra special, but store-bought versions can get pricey! Making something simple at home can be a fun way to bring a little seasonal charm into your routine.

Here are three homemade recipes for a cozy October spa night. Choose one or enjoy them on different evenings! Relaxing doesn’t need to become another project!

Autumn Rose Bath Salts

Dried rose petals give these simple bath salts a romantic touch. Burgundy petals, a pretty jar, and a velvet ribbon would look beautiful beside your autumn decorations.

Makes: One bath

Ingredients

• ½ cup plain, unscented Epsom salt
• 1 tablespoon dried rose petals intended for cosmetic or culinary use
• Optional: 1 teaspoon dried calendula petals for a little golden autumn color
• A clean muslin drawstring bag or large disposable bath-tea bag

Directions

1. Combine the salt and completely dried petals in a clean, dry bowl.
2. Transfer to your bath-tea bag, leaving enough room for water to circulate, and close securely.
3. Place in comfortably warm bathwater and swish gently to help the salts dissolve. Follow any additional directions on the Epsom salt packaging.
4. After your bath, empty the cooled bag into the trash. Wash reusable bags and allow them to dry completely.

The bag keeps the petals contained, so you can enjoy your bath without chasing flowers around the tub or sending them down the drain. But you can definitely forgo the bag and let the petals float like a pretty river of flowers!

Storage: Keep the dry mixture in a clean, airtight container away from moisture. Follow the earliest ingredient expiration date.

A little care: Use petals without added perfume or dyes, and skip florist flowers and potpourri. Avoid botanicals you’re allergic to. The petals add beauty and may give a subtle scent rather than a strong rose fragrance.

Brown Sugar & Golden Oil Body Scrub

The warm brown color of this simple scrub fits right into an autumn spa night. It takes just two ingredients and a minute to mix together.

Makes: One small body-scrub portion

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons fine brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon plain sunflower oil
• 1 teaspoon of pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

Directions

1. Mix the sugar and oil and puree in a clean bowl immediately before using.
2. Gently massage a small amount onto damp arms or legs, using light circular motions for about 30 seconds.
3. Rinse well with lukewarm water and gently pat dry.

Storage: Make fresh for each use and discard leftovers.

A little care: This is a body scrub; keep it away from your face and intimate areas. Skip freshly shaved, irritated, sunburned, or broken skin. If your skin is sensitive or prone to eczema, skip the scrub. The oil can make your tub slippery, so rinse and clean the surface afterward.

Little Pumpkin Oat Face Mask

A little pumpkin color makes this mask feel festive without adding pumpkin-pie spices. Mix a tiny portion just before your spa night begins.

Makes: One application

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon plain pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 teaspoon plain colloidal oatmeal intended for skin use
• A few drops of water, if needed

Directions

1. Mix the pumpkin and colloidal oatmeal in a clean bowl.
2. Add water a few drops at a time, if needed, to create a spreadable paste.
3. Apply a thin layer to clean skin, avoiding your eyes and lips.
4. Leave on for up to five minutes, then rinse gently with lukewarm water without scrubbing.
5. Pat dry and apply your usual moisturizer.

Storage: Use immediately and discard all leftovers. This fresh mixture has no preservative system.

A little care: Skip this recipe if you have an oat or pumpkin allergy. Rinse off right away if you feel stinging, itching, or burning.

A Few Little Notes Before You Unwind

Homemade doesn’t automatically mean suitable for every skin type. Avoid ingredients you’re allergic to, and test unfamiliar mixtures on a small area before broader use. A small test cannot guarantee you won’t react. If your skin is already irritated, stick with products you know it tolerates.

Keep your bowls, utensils, and hands clean. Make the scrub and mask fresh each time, and keep moisture out of anything stored dry.

For these recipes, leave out cinnamon, pumpkin spice, essential oils, food coloring, and baking extracts. The autumn colors, pretty labels, and candlelight can bring all the seasonal charm you need.

These are simple DIY ideas for an enjoyable ritual, rather than professionally tested skin-care treatments.

A Little Time That Belongs to You

Once everything is ready, set out a fresh towel, put your phone aside, and enjoy a little quiet. Maybe play soft music or pick up the book you’ve been meaning to read.

Keep candles on stable surfaces away from towels and decorations, or use flameless candles for the same cozy glow.

Some weeks, self-care looks like getting out of the house and doing something just for you. Other weeks, it’s a warm bath after bedtime and a few minutes where nobody needs anything from you.

You don’t have to earn that time by finishing every chore first. Sometimes, taking care of yourself begins with letting the rest wait for a little while.