Treat Yourself—You Time 2.0

Sometimes you just need to treat yourself. All work and no play… well, we know how that ends up. It’s important to “get away from it all,” even for a little bit. Maybe you're just escaping the weekly rush with family and work. Maybe it’s rainy out, you had a bad day at the office and your check engine light came on during your morning commute. Self-care is important, and one of life's greatest pleasures is enjoying fine food and drink.

This experience goes beyond just taste. Part of the reason we love dining out is the entirety of the experience. Cloth napkins, alluring decor, having the opportunity to be waited on and not having to do the work—the collective sense gives us a taste of royalty and indulgence. When you’re looking to elevate your in-home dining experience, the platter you use, the music you play and the mood you create matter as much as the food that you serve.

True appreciation can only happen in the moment, and to do this, one must slow down. Cultures across the globe have often set aside specific times of day to do just that. Whether it's afternoon tea in Britain or a siesta in Spain, people have always placed value on taking a break. Take a tip from history—and a few from us—to carve out some “you” time and take a much-needed pause from the everyday.

Pick a Time 

To really appreciate a retreat from the daily grind, you need to find a time that works. You won’t want interruptions. Schedule around your responsibilities, and avoid having any pressing appointments afterward. By clearing time for you, and reducing the external stress around your special break, you’ll be able to savor the moment with serenity and refinement.

Set It and Forget It

Vacations, dinners out and weekend movies all have one thing in common: We revel in them because we “have nowhere else to be.” To really treat yourself, you’ll need to create this same feeling on purpose. If you can, put your phone on silent and place it on the other side of the room. Unplug and enjoy the moment!

Pick a Theme

Tea time or happy hour. Sweet or savory. When you set aside time to indulge, it doesn’t have to be for a full meal. Think about all the foods and drinks you love, and which ones you might like to pull together as a treat. For some, it will be rich cheeses and an aged red wine. Others might prefer a selection of sweets and finger sandwiches with a cup of Lady Grey tea. No matter what food you choose, you can create gorgeous presentations again and again with serveware from the Luigi Bormioli Michelangelo Collection. The Michelangelo 3-Tier Server is as elegant as it is functional. Create an eye-catching tower of assorted goodies. Use each tier to separate out flavors and colors for a bountiful display of food that looks great and isn’t crowded onto a platter. The Michelangelo Platter with Removable Handle is perfect for all cheese, fruit, charcuterie and pastries. With these two pieces, you can entertain with style and versatility (not to mention that cleanup is a breeze). This server and platter combination looks great together and is dishwasher-safe to boot. Made in Italy and lead free, these artful pieces are a go-to for creating something special—offering clean, modern styling over elaborate and ornate designs.

Share the Moment (or Not)

Invite others to join you or nosh in solitude so you can reflect and renew. Whether it’s cheese and wine with friends, or cucumber sandwiches alone on the patio, make sure that the moment is exactly what you need to enjoy it thoroughly. Set the scene with a favored outfit, music and activity (a good book perhaps?). Once you’ve picked the right surroundings, all you have to do is indulge!

 

Luigi Bormioli, the designer label of glassmaking, is synonymous with Italian Lifestyle. Our proprietary glassware formulas allow for an exciting fusion of elegance and technology.  Designed to enhance the tabletop and elevate the entertaining experience, these machine blown glasses are made in Italy, lead-free, durable, have laser cut fine rims, and will maintain their clarity after thousands of dishwashing cycles. You will enjoy their quality, brilliance, and strength for many years to come.