Vanity Affair

This past weekend, my husband and I had some friends over for a dinner party — I planned the perfect meal, selected a great wine and of course created a rockin' playlist. But while I was windexing the vanity mirror, I realized I had completely overlooked this all-important room. I wasted no time in transforming our boring bathroom into a little spa sanctuary — and it wasn't nearly as hard as you may think!

Step 1: Set the Mood

I am a fan of candle light over bright, utilitarian light anytime, anywhere — and the bathroom is no exception. Slatkin & Co. 3-Wick Candles burn beautifully; not only does the pool melt look great, it provides for maximum fragrance. I like Fresh Linen for its clean, crisp scent.

Step 2: Get Your Suds On

My guests love that I always provide a variety of hand soaps and lotions so they can choose a familiar fragrance; or, if they are feeling adventurous, discover a new favorite.

C.O. Bigelow Lemon Hand Wash — This lemon-y apothecary creation is an all-natural, all-around crowd pleaser. I like how it doesn't dry out your skin. My husband likes how it doesn't smell girly.

Signature Collection Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap — This is great for all of my germaphobic friends, and the fragrance options are practically unlimited. My current fragrance-of-choice is Warm Vanilla Sugar for it's sweet yet comforting scent.

CleanWell All-Natural Foaming Handsoap in Lavender — A great option for the nature lovers in your life, this gentle cleanser packs an amazingly fragrant punch.

True Blue Spa Just A Minute 60-Second Manicure Scrub — It's the next best thing to a manicure, and your friends will thank you for it.

True Blue Spa Look Ma, New Hands Softening Hand Lotion with Paraffin — Ultra-pampering, ultra-softening and ultra-necessary. Don't skimp — I have found the spa size to be completely worth it.

Step 3: Finishing Touches

Consider your guests needs; make all of your life-saving bathroom supplies available by neatly displaying items like cotton swabs, floss and nail files in glass jars. I like the new look of Ball's Contemporary pint-sized glass jars. Last but not least, top off the vanity with a stack of clean, fluffy hand towels — we recently received Williams-Sonoma Heritage Towels as a wedding gift, and even my manly-man husband commented on the ultra-luxurious feel.

{photo cred: bbw}