Do you know today is a special day?

Light the candles, use the new bedding, wear that gorgeous lingerie, and do it now. Don’t save all those little joys for special occasions, because that special occasion you’ve been waiting for is today. When the summer comes knocking so loudly at your door, you have no other option, but to open it. And what’s standing in front of you is something so marvellous and perfect you just can’t say no. I’m going to take five minutes of your time today, which is about how long it will take you to read this post, because I would like to slow you down a bit. I hope you’re happy at home and live in an apartment or a house that inspires you. I also hope you’re surrounded by all the right people and have dealt with all your emotional vampires a long time ago. Because you know very well they’re no good. What I hope most of all is that you’re able to turn off every electronic device after 8 p.m. and enjoy the company of crickets or a neighbour listening to some soft music, which you can hear on the terrace, or maybe you simply lean back on your balcony, staring at the moon, like I do every single night.

Photo and make-up Biljana Babic

Photo: Lost Production

It’s the little things that keep me company and ensure that I start out the warm season with the right energy. My favourite magazine, always full of ideas, advice and those wonderful moments, caught on paper; a treasure and a world that literally sucks me in. I realise again and again that I only ever have the time to read during the summer. Same goes for some real soul searching and untangling my thoughts, which are so wild at the moment, I have a hard time following. I love these moments, when everything around me shuts down, like right now, while I’m writing this in the soft light of the computer screen with Sofia gently snoring beside me, every window wide open so the wind can play with the sheets, move the curtains and the air, which was so heavy during the day. Although I love the heat and it’s not that hard for me to endure it, I actually get the feeling that life becomes clearer in a way, and a bit lazy, because everybody slows down, and a glass of ice-cold lemonade is all the company I wish for in the evening.

Photo and make-up Biljana Babic

Photo: Lost Production

It happens all too often that we keep things in our house only for “special occasions”. It’s the same with clothes: we never put on the nicest pieces, because we consider that’s only for “special occasions”. I discovered years ago that my special occasion is every day, so I use all the candles, bath salts, home scents and body butters, because I don’t know what’s waiting for me tomorrow, so I’d rather enjoy these small moments of happiness today. And the summer is just the perfect time to pull out a quirky accessory like big hoop earrings or a hair-band and get ready for a day at the beach with a frilled bikini, lace, a hat and a pair of sunglasses. We need a new bathing suit, of course, because we’re getting kind of tired of the old one, plus good models won’t cost you a fortune, you only need to find the right model to suit your body type.

Photo and make-up Biljana Babic

Photo: Lost Production

These days, I swear by going barefaced‒no powder: a bit of highlighter and bronzer will do the trick and the rest is all about eyelashes and some quality primer to keep the skin nice and uniform. I do love the femininity of the rituals in front of a mirror, but I can also stop and opt for something healthy. I happened to stumble upon a perfectly plain almond oil yesterday, with a scent that reminded me of my pregnancy (because I had used to prevent stretch marks and it worked beautifully), and I was more than happy to apply it over my entire body. Another moment just for me, just enough time for me to whisper to myself: I love you! Endlessly and unconditionally. I take time at least once a week to take care of my feet, because they hold me up 24 hours a day and I am eternally grateful to them; so I soak them in tepid water with some salt and a bit of soap, and then I file and exfoliate, polish, and pamper them with cream.

Photo and make-up Biljana Babic

Photo: Lost Production

I like to switch out my perfume every once in a while, even though I ultimately remain a faithful devotee to a few products that I adore. Aerin Lauder’s perfume is one of them, it smells of delicious vanilla and it’s a real balm for my soul. Women have a great advantage to be able to take hours to care for our beauty, which easily translates into hours of taking care of our souls. It’s something no one else, not even our partner or family members can do instead of us; it’s up to us to tell ourselves how much we mean to ourselves and how important our wellbeing is. I love to pick up a motivational book and read a couple thoughts, advice, stories that lift the spirit and lets you know we’re all connected no matter where we live or what we do. We are all part of one big unit, each of us so important and so incredibly special.

Photo and make-up Biljana Babic

Photo: Lost Production

I began to understand how beauty is related to the intricacies of our inner world years ago. Happiness, hydration, exercise, and nourishment all play their part, of course, as well as the organs changing with time, which increases the need body’s requirement for some additional help. That is why I swear by various food and health supplements, from collagen to vitamins, which make me feel better, more vital, and more beautiful. I like these rituals, because they’re moments I take for myself; when I have breakfast in the morning and the apartment is still so quiet, certain things happen in a specific order: lemonade, a croissant, some coffee, my favourite magazine, Instagram (which I’m trying to take off the list, so far unsuccessfully), and then take all my supplements so the day can start with full steam. And it’s not just “a day”, it’s a “special day”, which deserves all of these particular rituals. I’m not a fan of saving up for when good things start knocking on my door, because I believe with all my heart that they knock every single day, so we should just open it with open arms.

Photo and make-up Biljana Babic

Photo: Lost Production

So, knock-knock, my beautiful readers, are you home?