In today’s world of mobiles, laptops, fast cars, airplanes, iPod’s and wireless internet, us nzgirl’s need time to stop and smell the flowers too.
Relaxing at home is now a luxury, but should be standard issue to balance our busy lives. Your home should be your sanctuary, a place for peace and quiet, a place to chill.
Here at nzgirl, we have devised a list of our ten favourite chill-out & de-stress things to do at home (by yourself or with select others)…
Play dress-ups:
Remember when you were a kid and raiding through Mum and Nana's wardrobes were the best thing to happen to you on a rainy day? Tip all the clothes out of your drawers (and get your flattie to do the same) and spend the day/evening trying on clothes and putting make-up on each other. At the end of it all, have an impromptu fashion show. Wackiest outfit wins.
Have a pyjama cocktail party: Forget the popcorn and girly DVDs. Throw a cocktail party…in your pyjamas. Julia Smith (www.juliasmith.co.nz) is an NZ designer who makes the most delicious little PJ’s. They’re so incredibly comfy; you'll wish they let you wear these babies into work! Grab a pair of her shortie boxers, combine it with a singlet and you're sorted for the coolest cocktail ‘night-in’ with your friends. Get a cocktail book, a shaker set and bring out the amateur bartender in you!
Listen to music:
Whether you're into Pantera, Eminem, Christina or the Beach Boys - listening to music is a great way to chill out. Put on some headphones and bop around your room in your jammies. Turn the lights off and listen to some soothing chick music - Jann Arden, Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Ani DiFranco and Bjork are the ultimate girly guilt-trips.
Call a friend:
Sit or lie down somewhere nice and ring a friend you haven't spoken to for ages. Ask them for all the goss. Have a glass of wine while you're talking. Debate about fashion, celebrities, politics, literature, business, relationships …anything that enters your head. Bring back memories of being a teenage talking until midnight!
Watch endless DVDs:
Get a variety of stuff - action, thriller, drama, horror, indie and comedy. Make some popcorn and settle down on the couch. Don't allow interruptions. Laugh, cry, scream - you're guaranteed to feel better afterwards.
Read, read, read: If you don't enjoy reading, learn to love it. It's a good form of escapism, and it will change the way you view the world. Reading is one of the best solitary activities around, just lock yourself in your room and don't get up till you've finished your novel.
Meditate:
Buy a meditation tape from a New Age store or book shop and surf the net for some tips. www.learningmeditation.com is a good place to visit for beginners. It even has short 5min meditation tapes you can listen to for free.
Have long naps:
Naps are an indulgence many of us can't afford. Having a siesta on a Sunday afternoon will not only refresh you, it will make you feel like royalty. Now all you need is a cabana boy and you'll be set…
Cooking/baking:
Buy or borrow a cookbook and get cookin'. If you're having Thai, roll out a bamboo mat outdoors and eat your green curry and rice from bowls with chopsticks. If it's Italian, match it with a peppery or bold red wine and break out and try new dishes like polenta, raddichio, arugula and parmigiano - be adventurous. Make some old-fashioned pavlova, lamb shanks and mash or corn fritters.
Homemade facial:
Boil some hot water and put it in a salad bowl. Add three drops of essential oil then cover your head with a towel (don't scald your skin though!). Wait about 3-5 minutes. Use a good exfoliant; if you're in a pinch, sea salt makes a good scrub. Slap on a face mask, add a slice of cucumber to each eye and doze. Rinse and then put on some heavy duty intensive moisturiser. Give your face a mini-massage with the tips of your fingers.
In today’s world of mobiles, laptops, fast cars, airplanes, iPod’s and wireless internet, us nzgirl’s need time to stop and smell the flowers too. 
happen to you on a rainy day? Tip all the clothes out of your drawers (and get your flattie to do the same) and spend the day/evening trying on clothes and putting make-up on each other. At the end of it all, have an impromptu fashion show. Wackiest outfit wins.
shortie boxers, combine it with a singlet and you're sorted for the coolest cocktail ‘night-in’ with your friends. Get a cocktail book, a shaker set and bring out the amateur bartender in you!
talking until midnight!
Read, read, read: If you don't enjoy reading, learn to love it. It's a good form of escapism, and it will change the way you view the world. Reading is one of the best solitary activities around, just lock yourself in your room and don't get up till you've finished your novel.
Having a siesta on a Sunday afternoon will not only refresh you, it will make you feel like royalty. Now all you need is a cabana boy and you'll be set…
Homemade facial: