lili's rituals

  True comfort is allowing yourself to rest without guilt or reason In her book L'Art de la Simplicité ( How to Live More With Less,  English version), Dominique Loreau talks about her vanity case where she stores her medicines, beauty products, jewelry, toothbrush, sewing kit, nail care kit… and she uses it not only for trips but also every day at home; she carries it from room to room so that she always has everything on hand. She is a French essayist who has lived in Japan since the 1970s.  So she is deeply influenced by the lifestyle and living environment of her adopted country.  A lifestyle based on "less is more" philosophy, applied to all areas, from the material to the spiritual. At that time, I found it was a great idea but finally I really don't need all those things every time I change rooms. Since I am mostly at my desk, I just use a drawer where I put all the things I need.  What a surprise when Sarah Ban Breathnach introduced the idea of a comfo...

 A vegetable broth is a warming and nutritious drink Ingredients 1 cereal bowl (13 cm) of juice pulp (more or less, any leftover pulp / vegetables, if possible organic, otherwise peeled) from 4 apples, peeled and chopped 7 cm cucumber, peeled and chopped 1/2 zucchini, peeled and chopped 1 pomegranate, seeds 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 1 bunch herb (optional): Chinese chives, cilantro, mint, parsley (flat-leaf)... 2 cm piece peeled ginger (optional) 2 l cold water 1 oignon, peeled, cut in half 1 shallot, peeled, cut in half 2 garlic clove, peeled, cut in half 1 tsp salt 9 black peppercorns 1 star anise (optional) 1 clove (optional) 1 dried radish, washed (Chinese sweet-salty preserved radish) (optional) 2 cm piece fresh ginger, cut in half (optional) 7 fresh thyme sprigs (optional) 1 dried bay leaf (optional) 1 small rosemary sprig (optional) 1 bunch herb: chive, Chinese chive, coriander, parsley... (whatever's on hand, fresh or dried) (optional)   optional : whatever herbs/...

  A healthy outside starts from the inside If possible organic or rustic apples (otherwise fruits and vegetables need to be peeled; do not juice the peels of non organic fruits as it would be toxic due to the pesticides).   Vegetables I use: Fruits * superfoods   Apple * , my favourites: Golden from my parents' garden, Choupette/Dalinette, skyfresh, Gala... Kiwi Mango * Melon Nectarine Pineapple (organic or from French West Indies only) Pear * (conference) Pomegranate * Pomelo (large Asian citrus fruit closely related to grapefruit) Raspberry (only from the garden) Strawberry (only from the garden) Watermelon Vegetables Bean sprouts * Beet * Black radish * Carrot Cucumber Ginger * Pepper Tomato Spinach * Zucchini Herbs (ideally organic/herb garden) Asian basil * Chinese chive * Chive Mint Flat-leaf parsley * Homemade fresh juice with 60% fruits + 40% vegetables, every morning in summer Ingredients 4 small apples, peeled and chopped (or 2 small apples + 2 small pears) 7 ...

small handbag, weekend bag, tote bag, foldable shopping bag, reusable grocery bag A human being is so insignificant, at most, the contents of a suitcase - Isabel Kreitz My big obsession: try not to get things dirty or otherwise, to be able to clean them easily.  Cleaning up is good, not getting dirty is better! I choose washable items when possible: smooth PU (vegan), easy to clean and disinfect fabric or nylon bag, washable suitcase with a smooth and shiny aspect: easy to wash even with soapy water if necessary a suitcase protective cover (expandable fabric), also washable My 3-day packing list, not too far away from home (around 2-4 hours), by car, more comfortable than public transport, I can bring more "stuff" there and back, in Spring, Summer or Autumn => avoid hard shell suitcases; soft bags are better which are more flexible to store in the trunk (natural, organic, eco-friendly, biodegradable, vegan and cruelty-free products) In my handbag (tropical tote bag) My m...

some of my travel skincare essentials All in all, I realize that travel is mostly about annoying others once you're back! - Sacha Guitry Pre- and in-flight skin care routine Most of time, I don't have any beauty routine when travelling.  Sometimes, if I don't forget, I just spray my face and that's it. One of the reasons is that I have motion sickness, so I try not to move too much.  The 2nd reason, having a light OCD, I don't want to put my items anywhere where there is a crowd of people and need to wash my hands everytime I touch something... and the 3rd is laziness... (natural, organic, eco-friendly, biodegradable, vegan and cruelty-free products) But if I had to have a travel beauty routines The day before, apply a good night cream (as I don't use it all the time to let the skin breathe from time to time) Start packing early to avoid stress and rushing Going to bed earlier (before midgnight!) than usual several days before * And stick to regular sleep sche...

Cambodian traditional herbs, spices and rices Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live in - Jim Rohn I only do SPA treatments at hotels when travelling.   From time to time, I love the me time, especially, body treatments. SPA The last one I received was exactly last year in February the 2nd at 6 pm.  I choose a 55 mins Enzymatic pumpkin scrub, followed by a moisturizing cream and finished with a luxurious head massage. There were also Aromatic salt scrub Avocado body scrub Tropical mango scrub Natural rice scrub The Enzymatic pumpkin scrub stimulates circulation and soften skin with Khmer traditional recipes. The enzymes in pumpkin pump, combined with black sticky rice powder, help to dissolve dull and dead skin cells, reveal healthy, radiant skin underneath. This treatment aim to purity the skin and relax the mind. Ingredients: Pumpkin seeds and pulp, Cambodian black sticky rice, coconut cream and olive oil. Brushing The treatment should start wit...

my favourite necklaces inside a wardrobe door using a belt hanger Good memories are lost jewels - Paul Valéry (Bad thoughts and others) For work or on holiday I did used to wear jewellery for work an Amazonite oval ring a twisted bangle => and only on vacation, a coral colored ring (slightly heavier) or an Agate oval ring But not anymore have to clean/disinfect them when I got home (there are already a lot of stuffs to clean) don't love wearing a lot of jewellery because I don't like how it feels and they bother me avoid buying precious stones and metals because of - of "blood diamond": the trade in precious metals and stones has been linked to illicit financial flows, corruption, smuggling, drug trafficking, illicit arms trafficking, and the financing of terrorism... (those beautiful diamonds may look pure but source them back to their origins and you’ll find a tortured reality glazed in blood, conflict and abuse - any type of resource extraction is harmful to...

  In the girls'bag, some essential items for survival Ideally, I should put my own first aid kit but since I've never needed one... I am used to buying either Gilbert essential first aid kit 1 pair of red scissors 1 pair of tweezers 1 pair of vinyl gloves 5 100% cotton gauzes 5 x 5cm 3 regular plasters 19 x 72mm 3 regular plasters 25 x 72mm 2 blister plasters 34 x 54mm 2 blister plasters 20 x 65mm 1 stretchable band 3m x 7cm 1 adhesive medical tape 6 cleaning pads 5 single dose of saline solution 5ml or Hansaplast Red Cross first aid kit small round bag 14 x 12 cm, contains 8 products 1 box of plasters 5 sterile compresses 1 adhesive medical tape 1 elastic band 1 antiseptic spray 6 single dose of saline solution 5ml 1 pair of surgical gloves 1 pair of scissors + a reference pocket guide about 10 simple skills that saves lives designed by the French Red Cross and for each kit purchased 1,50 euros is donated to the Red Cross => both lightweight and compact for easy transportat...

my grab-and-go beauty bag   I'm trying to be awesome today, but I'm exhausted from being so freakin' awesome yesterday While travelling, a nice mini cosmetic bag perfect for popping a couple of small things in my handbag .  Not my makeup bag which is in my cabin bag (with things I don't use often... even hardly ever). I don't want to carry the entire cosmetics department as I wear very little makeup. My beauty bag purple transparent bag 16 x 8cm In this mini cosmetic bag 1 hair tie (another one in my just-in-case bag kyu kyu bukuro ) French barrette (brown or iridescent midnight blue tortoise shell celluloid style) => set off the detectors at the security check, so I remove it green mini wide tooth comb translucent compact powder (9g) travel size retractable makeup brush or short powder brush mini nail file (8cm) to take anywere => the big one is in my toiletry bag (professional nail files 100/180) 2 tissues 1 organic mini panty liner => misc items reall...

lightweight and easy to carry Skin care is so much more important than makeup.  Makeup is for when you're having fun and going out. But your skin is forever - Halima Aden I used to always wear makeup to work, very light makeup: after a lightweight moisturizer and/or sun cream to hydrate skin and create a smooth base, I just apply a little concealer, a powder, an eye shadow, an eye liner pencil, and according to my mood... if I have time... a touch of mascara and/or blush. * Separate makeup, skincare, and bodycare instead of using a giant bag to carry every single toiletry... My makeup bag purple and yellow giraffe print transparent bag lightweight, simple lines, compact and roomy easy to wipe off with side sturdy handle and side zipper closure comes with its purse 11 x 8 x 4,5cm => keep it on hand for a night out, holiday party, but never really use it, even on holiday, except the compact powder => in sunny climates, I always wear sun cream then the compact powder In this ba...

my upcycled toiletry bag, a compact, lightweight wash bag Healthy skin is not a luxury.  It's a necessity My Smateria * gray vanity case (small size) handmade in Cambodia from recycled fishing nets soft and resistant, washable YKK zipper closure exterior: double thickness of fishing nets very resistant interior: lined with black textile 6 interior compartments 21 x 17 x 13cm * Smateria is a self financed social enterprise owned by Italians who share a passion for creativity, business, and sustainability, certified Child Labour Free! The brand produces bags and accessories hand made from common and recycled materials.  All items are 100% ethically made in Cambodia with an Italian flair, using high quality and durable materials. Separate makeup, skincare, and bodycare instead of using a giant bag to carry every single toiletry... In this toiletry bag, (natural, organic, eco-friendly, biodegradable, vegan and cruelty-free products) Due to the airport security liquids rule, som...

my kyu kyu bukuro * (travel essentials kit) The women's handbag is a real toolbox, as the plumbers carry around. And all day long, whenever they have a moment, they repair * from Japan, a pouch with small useful items travel kits: adhesive plasters, travel-sized small scissors, safety pins, handy travel sewing kit, painkillers, tweezers... in order to be prepared for any eventuality => it's like a mix of a "just in case" bag - a mini medical bag - a small emergency kit - a mini-sized care items My just-in-case bag purple and green drawstring bag washable nylon lining 15 x 15cm more practical than other bags, no fastening, stand-up on its own, so easy to access In this pouch, (natural, organic, eco-friendly, biodegradable, vegan and cruelty-free products) just a little bit of everything needed motion sickness : Cocculine, before departure and during the trip against nausea, dizziness, vomiting related to motion sickness - 1 dose of granules the day before and 1 do...

  The perfect bag is like a best friend, always there for you and elevating your skin care rituals Airport security liquids rule Any liquids carried in hand luggage, such as drinks, aerosols, pastes, cosmetic creams or gels, must be in containers no larger than 100ml, transparent, resealable plastic bag, maximum capacity 1L, measures approximately 20 x 20cm, and only 1 plastic bag per passenger. Good news, some airports are now using advanced CT scanners, meaning liquids and laptops can stay in the traveller's bag. The liquid limit will be extended to 2 liters, already in force at some major airports like at UK airports Ireland The Netherlands Australia at Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat from 2024 France: the 3D scanners started being tested at the Orly-Paris airport at Terminal 3 in October 2023; the technology is still at the testing stage, will continue for 1 year in a real-life situation. My liquid bag transparent zipped TPU pouch from Muji 19,5x16cm So in this pouch (natu...

packing cubes and quilted makeup bags The journey is inevitable. Baggage- optional I love containers and storage, so I love travel organiser bags and also small bags of all kinds: packing cubes, pencil cases, pouch, vanity case... Travel organisers grey packing cubes 4-Piece Set medium cube dimensions: 35 x 25 x 8cm double zipper pulls make opening/closing simple and fast mesh top panel for easy identification of contents, and ventilation webbing handle for convenience when carried by itself => this size is great easy to use, to see what’s in them, and a great fit in my suitcases. There are smaller and bigger but the large one is too big and the small one too small. In each packing cube, I roll clothes up to create extra space.  It's is more effective and a great way to save luggage space. I collect clothes into the same category and store them all in the same bag: white cotton vests, underwear * , sanitary pads, nightdress => in a quilted makeup bag blouses, tunics capri pa...

my large suitcase "Just in case" is the curse of packing - Alexandra Potter International baggage rules Always check with the airline before travelling, how many and what size bags I can take, and to know whether they add any special restrictions. International flights varies among airlines and depends on the class of travel.  Generally, passengers are permitted to carry 1 piece of hand luggage and 1 small item (handbag, laptop) on board. The standard size limit for a check-in luggage is 158cm in total dimensions and the weight limit ranges from 15 to 30kg, depending on the class of travel. Checked baggage max size: 90 x 75 x 43cm My large suitcase is a metallic green, lite-locked spinner,  zipperless hard shell Exterior 69 x 45 x 29cm 3,3kg - 68L 4 multidirectional smooth and silent wheels multi-stage push button locking handle top, side & bottom handles fixed 3-digit combi lock with TSA Interior bottom compartment with ribbons and 1 zipped side pocket top compartment ...

my cabin bags Ah, the art of packing: trying to fit a week's worth of clothes into a suitcase meant for an overnight trip International baggage rules Always check with the airline before travelling, how many and what size bags I can take, and to know whether they add any special restrictions. International flights varies from airline to airline. Generally, passengers are permitted to carry 1 piece of hand luggage and 1 small item (handbag, laptop) on board. Hand carry luggage should not exceed 56 x 45 x 25cm (dimensions include wheels, handles, side pockets...), weight limit may range between 7-8kg, and to board with 1 personal item and 1 piece of carry-on. In general, the standard cabin baggage size for most airlines is around 56 x 36 x 23cm including wheels, handles, and any external pockets My cabin suitcase is Exterior metallic green, C-Lite hard-shell curv ultra-light suitcase carry-on 55 x 40 x 20cm 1,7kg - 36L a horizontal side handle a verticale side handle an elongated do...