Recipe for the Perfect Summer Afternoon

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ArtisanFlavors #CollectiveBias

I'm learning over and over again about the importance of taking some "me time" and recharging by putting myself first and my schedule last once in a while (more to come on that soon!). Because I'm an extrovert, I often find myself filling up my time surrounded by other people or scheduling every minute of my time doing something. But as I've realized the toll that that sort of lifestyle takes on my mental and physical health, it's become more and more apparent that stepping away from everything for an hour or two here and there is so important.

With summer here, one of my very favorite ways to grab some time to myself is in our backyard. We have a great hammock that we can move around, so I love putting it out in the sun and taking a nap or curling up in it with a good book!  We had a gorgeous weekend here in PA and I was able to grab not one, but two afternoons in our hammock, which is pretty much unheard of for me!  

Stepping away and resting on my own is incredibly refreshing.  With the stress of wedding planning, my parents' health issues, and just life in general, I know I need to schedule that time "away" more, and find the opportunities to have those "me moments" regularly.

Basically, my favorite way to enjoy a summer afternoon in the hammock consists of a few things:

+ a good book

+ some things to keep me comfortable like a pillow and a light blanket, for those early summer breezes

+ a magazine (if I'm wanting lighter reading)

+ my phone and headphones, for some music or a podcast

+ a glass of water

+ a great sweet treat, like the new New Nestlé® Häagen Dazs Artisan Collection ice creams

I think that it's important to be sure that your me-time isn't rushed or less than great.  At work, we strive to approach everything we do with a level of excellence.  I know that that leaks over into many other areas of my life, but it's easy to forget that mindset when I'm taking care of myself.  Often, we're the last thing on our own priority list, and that means that we often make concessions or don't approach that self-care time with excellence.  Choosing the right environment, reading materials, music or podcasts can obviously make your me-time a ton better, but it even goes for things like my glass of water...something as simple as chopping up a few strawberries in my glass just makes it feel a little bit more special!  I also love really treating myself and indulging in a really special sweet treat!

Now, if you follow me on Instagram, you might have realized by now that I have a severe love of ice cream. It's pretty much my favorite dessert, and I love to enjoy it all year round. And if you're an ice cream lover too, then you know that there is a difference between ice cream and ice cream.  Häagen Dazs has always been an indulgence, but their new Artisan Collection is nothing short of ah-mazing.  Featuring a variety of flavors (my favorite is the Tres Leches Brigadeiro), Häagen Dazs teamed up with six unique artisans to bring a passion for quality, the best ingredients, and the perfect bite of ice cream.  And none of the flavors in this collection fall short.  You can pretty much taste the excellence!  It makes it the perfect option for an afternoon of indulgence.

Häagen Dazs is also offering a few lucky winners Artisan Collection prize packs...including a KitchenAid Mixer (um, yes please!)  You can pick up any of the Häagen Dazs Artisan Collection ice creams at your local WalMart, but be sure to enter the contest below for your chance to win!  And don't forget to check out Häagen Dazs on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

Häagen Dazs #ArtisanFlavors Contest

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO TREAT YOURSELF?  WHAT DO YOU DO FOR "ME TIME"?