Hans and I recently spent a couple of weeks in Australia to celebrate his sister’s 80th birthday. We had fun reconnecting with our Down-Under relatives, but two weeks is a long time, and we started the long trip home thinking about all the things we’d missed while we were away.
With Thanksgiving coming up, I started making a list of the things I’m thankful for, while Hans decided to make a Misgiving list–all the things he missed while we were away. Being away from home can sure help you appreciate all the things you love about it.
Of course we missed the humans and critters that stayed behind, that goes without saying. I also missed our balmy weather, our aerial yoga classes, our regular dog-walks along the cliffs, and the daily yard work I use to feel good about ignoring the less-fun things on my to-do list.
But when it comes to the creature comforts I missed during our travels, our bed was at the top of my list. Our bed is a work of art, a carefully curated experience that starts with the perfect mattress (which I hope you already have, because I have no idea where to find another one like it, so I hope it lasts forever).
I can point you to the best pillows on the planet, but first I need to explain why I need three different kinds of feather pillows: I’m a nest-builder who needs to be surrounded in comfort. (I don’t just sleep, I wallow.) Here’s the breakdown:
I sleep on my side and my stomach, so I need a super-soft squishy pillow that will smush up or flatten out and stay that way. (Also, I can smash the pillow into a carryon when I travel.)
I want a thicker, more substantial pillow behind me when I sit up in bed to read or work on my laptop.
I need a body-length pillow for snuggling down to sleep, one that’s fat enough to wrap my arms around, and long enough to keep my knees and ankles from knocking together.
Here are those links:
The long-enough puffy-soft pillow for snuggling:
Then there’s the bedding. My skin has to BREATHE while I sleep, so 100% cotton everything is a must-have. Our Egyptian cotton sheets and Matelasse bedspread are old–and getting softer and more comfy with each washing–so I couldn’t find the exact item links. But these have the qualities I’d be looking for: 100% cotton, high thread count (1,000+), and certified free of harmful chemicals (OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100).
I can do without a lot of things, but these are non-negotiable, along with hot-running water and a high-pressure shower-head that shoots the water out like little needles.
A high-back soaker tub is right on up there but negotiable: (I still don’t have one, but hopefully soon–it’s sitting on the lanai waiting for Hans to agree to my terms for bathroom renovation and then figure out how to install it.)
I can’t think of anything else to add to my list of imperatives…. I guess I’m easy to please!
