Me Time with Pepperidge Farm® Milano®

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Alison Gary of Wardrobe Oxygen eating Pepperidge Farm milano cookies

Since Karl and I were dating, a treat for us has been Pepperidge Farm® Milano® cookies. It’s one dessert that both he and I equally enjoy. I remember back when he worked nights and I worked the crazy hours of a retail manager. I’d come home at 2 in the morning to a silent, empty house and open the pantry to find something to eat and would often find a bag of Milano cookies with a post-it note message on it from Karl.

When my arm broke, Karl went to pick up my prescriptions and with it a bag of Milano cookies. And any time we have a party and I ask Karl to pick up snacks at the grocery, he always comes home with a bag of these cookies and we're all happy when there's leftovers. When Pepperidge Farm® Milano® cookies reached out and asked if I’d like to share how I take a moment for myself in my busy life, it felt like a good fit.

Weekends can be pretty crazy in the Gary household. Emerson’s social life has gotten busy now that she’s in school, Karl teaches yoga, we have Girl Scouts and dance class, and weekends are when I do most of the work for Wardrobe Oxygen. I’ve learned to schedule Me Time just as I do all of the other weekend activities. Without it, Monday comes around and I’m too mentally drained to be my best at the office.

milano cookies

My favorite place in the house is our bedroom. When we did the home remodel in 2008, Karl made sure that our room was a haven. With vaulted ceilings, plenty of natural light, and the best views of the woods behind our home, spending time in our room feels like a vacation at a fancy resort. Karl understands my need for Me Time and will take Emerson on a hike or to a playground so I can get an hour or so where I can sit back and relax.

I often come up here with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and maybe a snack. I sometimes choose Milano cookies for a snack because they're a favorite, but also because it feels like such a decadent treat even if I only have one or two cookies. Sometimes I read a book during this Me Time, but more often than not I just look out the window, let my mind wander, and slow down. In this day and age of constant stimulation, there’s something so delicious about doing absolutely positively nothing.

I know I say this often on the blog but I can’t stress it enough. You can’t take care of others if you don’t first take care of yourself. Life is busy, life can be stressful, and it’s hard to be your best if you don’t take any time to decompress, de-stress, and center yourself. For me, it's a mini escape with a big cup of java and a couple of Milano cookies, for you it could be something completely different. But such an act is not selfish, it’s an investment in yourself and the relationships you have with others.

Me Time doesn’t have to be at a fancy day spa or a restaurant, you can make Me Time almost anywhere. Take the time for yourself, you deserve it!

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171 Comments

  10. I curl up on the couch once everyone is down for bed, read and enjoy mini snickers.

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  14. After the kids are in bed I like to relax with a hot bath, a good book, and a glass of sweet iced tea.

    eswright18 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  16. I am actually a homemaker with no children (just three cats 😀 ), so finding time to myself is not a challenge at all. 😀

    Angie

    14earth at gmail dot com

    Reply

  24. I enjoy “me time” with a cup of coffee sitting out on our patio enjoying the birds in the mornings.

    Reply

  25. I like to soak in the tub and read for a little while to get some me time. thank you!
    crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  26. I am my dad’s caretaker and my grandbaby’s part time babysitter. I’ll sit back with a caramel latte when they are both napping.

    Reply

  32. About the only way I find time for myself these days is to bring a good book along while my son has tennis lessons.

    dmarie824 at aol dot com

    Reply

  49. I like me time that I can read a book – sometimes I play hide and seek with the kids and find a few moments of peace since I’m such a good hider. truckredford(at)Gmail(Dot)com

    Reply

  54. My me time is sitting on my balcony reading a good book and drinking a glass of wine.
    s2s2 at cox dot net

    Reply

  56. I make time for myself while reading a good book. That time would be even better with Milano cookies. 🙂
    westiemks5 at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  64. Going to the gym {when the kids get to go to the kids place} or hiding in the bathroom to read for a while… so fun. I LOVE your room and happy to find you via blogher! 😉

    Reply

  67. I unplug from my phone, tablet, laptop, and iPod and pick up a book and read. Nothing more satisfying than turning a real paper page and highlighting my favorite passages.

    Reply

  69. I get up in the morning before anyone to have my coffee and read my e-mails and listen to the rapid talk of the Today show. Rosanne

    Reply

  76. I get up a bit earlier than everyone and go for a run in the mornings. It helps me be “me”

    addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com

    Ashley C

    Reply

  77. Love something in quiet – like a facial, massage or steam. Been years but a tired, working mom can dream! tvollowitz at aol dot com

    Reply

  80. I find a few minutes to grab a cold glass of tea, a good book, and maybe a cookie. My family knows to leave me alone for a bit!

    Reply

  87. I enjoy a glass of wine or cup of hot tea while reading a good book. Thanks so much. rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply

  89. One of my favorites is my ‘lazy days’; I spend a whole day doing nothing productive. I read, listen to music, take a walk, watch old movies, take a long bubble bath, sip some wine or eat some dark chocolate…..and sometimes just daydream the day away. This is a rare treat for me.

    Reply

  90. I like to take time out to take a hot bath and relax afterwards with hot chocolate and cookies.

    Reply

  95. Whenever the kids are at school, or housework is done, I love to curl up with a treat, something to drink and catch up on the tv shows or movies I’ve been wanting to watch 🙂
    [email protected]

    Reply

  97. I love to go out running and follow a schedule daily so I have time for it. It helps me clear my mind and I like getting lost in the music.

    prettyinhotpink6 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  98. Pingback: No Apologies - Wardrobe Oxygen

  104. I found time for myself whenever possible. You are so right, we need to take a break every now and then to freshen our minds. I usually take a moments when my hubby watch the kids. Even just for 5 minutes. 🙂 A cup of tea and a few cookies to go along is the best.

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

    Reply

  105. Often I dont find time for myself. If I do, its when I sit outside watching the hummingbird & oriole feeders. neyabenz(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  109. I like to sit out on my patio with a cup of iced coffee.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com

    Reply

  111. I get my “me time” when I get the kids off the school. I blog and set aside a lunch hour for myself where I relax with Netflix!

    Reply

  115. I find time for myself by getting outside and running everyday. Whether it’s a fast day or a slow day, it’s always good to get out there!

    Reply

  120. I like to make a cup of coffee, grab a good book, and read a bit in the quiet of my bedroom.

    Reply

  121. I’ve always been a book reader. When I find myself feeling out of sorts for no reason, I take stock and often realize I haven’t read a book in too long. I fire up a fun book and bam, bad mood gone!

    Reply

  122. You must take a few minutes out of each day to relax and do something just for yourself. Whether it be a short nap or just a cup of tea, it’s only for you.

    Reply

  129. Me time is definitely reading a book, taking a bath or even just catching up on all the shows I love that my husband won’t watch.

    Reply

  131. I find time for myself by getting up in the morning before everyone else and I sit out on the patio with a hot cup of coffee and listen to the birds sing.

    Reply

  132. I <3 Pepperidge farms Milano cookies! I spend time for me by going for a walk with our dog before sunrise.

    Reply

  134. The original are my favorite as well!! For my me time, I either surf pinterest or spend time reading my favorite blogs. Cheers to Me Time!

    Reply

  137. I spend “me” moments early in the morning before everyone wakes up. I catch up on emails and just enjoy the silence.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

    Reply

  139. I usually create something – sewing, quilting, and knitting are my favorites, but I also like most crafts. I also try and give myself a nice manicure every week or two.

    Reply

  140. I can’t even win this competition (I live in New Zealand) but I just have to express my love for Milano cookies. For some reason Milanos are NOT AVAILALBLE in New Zealand – Pepperidge Farm doesn’t import – so I have to find my me-time in calorie-free hot baths. Which would be better with a saucerful of Milanos at hand.

    Reply

  143. My me time is a snack and a bit of binge watching on Netflix. Mad Men. Orange is the New Black. House of Cards.

    Reply

  146. I find time for myself because it is important. I get up one hour early and do yoga and meditate for an hour before the day begins. It really helps me stay focused during the day!

    my email jewelwood55(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  149. I started doing guided meditations during my commute. I find it takes what is otherwise sort of lost time into a time to improve my focus and lower my stress on the way to work, then unwind and decompress on the way home.

    Reply

  155. My favorite “me time” is my Saturday yoga class, when I am able to go. But sometimes I have to settle for the beautiful, brief drive from the daycare to work with no kids in the car, listening to NPR without interruption.

    Reply

  156. Having 13 year old twins, me time is rare but I love having a glass of wine while I read or watch tv.

    Reply

  158. My nest just emptied after 32 years! Lots of me time these days, but I sure remember how scarce it was. I was diligent in protecting nap time for “me” time back then, even when my kids outgrew naps LOL…I told them Mom needed a rest and they had to be quiet for an hour.

    Reply

  163. Time alone is a must for me. I travel almost every week, so my “me time” once I’m home straight from the airport is a nice hot bath and a magazine (something entertaining that doesn’t require heavy thinking). I like the idea of adding cookies! Mint Milanos have always been my favorite.

    Reply

  164. Milk Chocolate Milanos are my favorite too. Every six weeks I take the dogs to the groomer. This means that I drop my son off at school around 7:15 and have an hour before I can load up the dogs for the groomer. I used to think about what I could do in that time; things like housework, homework (I’m back in school part time), check work email, or other tasks that I felt needed my attention. Now, I think about how I want to spend that time for me…I may color (thank you for introducing that back into my life, Allie), watch some guilty pleasure television, or some other personal activity that is truly all about me. I steal other moments here and there but that one hour every six weeks is something I look forward to as a standing date with myself.

    Reply

  165. Right now, with an 8-month-old? I take guilty pleasure in the fact that she goes down for a nap jut after I get her home from daycare – giving me a good hour to just breathe before I have to start on dinner. I do absolutely nothing for that hour. I just breathe, and sometimes play a video game or water the flowers or play with the dog in the backyard.

    Because if I’m not going to get any sleep, I may as well enjoy the afternoons.

    Reply

  166. Totally unrelated to me time but… Emerson is six?!?!? When did that happen?!?! Also that bedspread is gorgeous and very you.

    Reply

    1. I know, right? I live with her and am blown away by the fact she is 6 (and is mid-ribcage height!). And thank you, got it from Nordstrom of all places, it makes me happy every time I look at it!

      Reply

  167. I leave for work 15 minutes early, then spend 10 minutes before I go into my office. I work on a beautiful college campus, so finding a quiet space is ideal

    Reply

  169. I love cookies. My “me time” is quilting, usually after my two little kids are in bed or during wonderful Sunday nap times.

    Reply

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