Let's just say that winter comes in fourth place for my favorite season. Yes, that means very. last. place. While I love the holiday cheer, snowy scenery, and fireplace coziness that winter brings, the fewer hours of sunlight, frigid temps, and the lack of greenery zaps my spirits super quickly. It takes a lot more work to have the bright, positive, and inspired outlook that comes more naturally to me in the warmer months.
So, here is a list of nine tangible things helping me to romanticize my life this winter. This post is not sponsored by any brands mentioned below - these are just the things I am genuinely loving!
1. Candlelit Evenings
As simple as this may sound, candlelight changes the entire atmosphere of my home in the evenings. The gentle glow and flickering flames have a grounding and relaxing effect, helping me savor the darker evenings. The simple act of lighting candles tangibly shifts the mood from winter dread to romantic coziness - the perfect atmosphere to curl up with a book, a show, or my laptop if I am needing to squeeze in a bit more work for the day.
2. Capturing Everyday Memories with Polaroids
My husband and I purchased a retro Polaroid camera for the guests to use in our wedding reception guest book, and ever since we have fallen in love with this medium. We've started taking polaroids sporadically throughout our week to capture everyday moments - us making dinner, the kittens sniffing my latest floral arrangement, our Christmas tree all lit up - the simple things. It's fun to have a collection of everyday memories, unedited, slightly out of focus, capturing the beauty of the ordinary.
3. Merit Lipgloss
I believe Mindy Kahling said it best: "Sometimes you just have to put on lip gloss and pretend to be psyched." During a holiday wander through Sephora I came across Merit tinted lip oils that promised shine without stickiness, and they do just that! This lip gloss is icing on the cake as I get ready in the mornings.
4. Hygge Mornings in Matching Loungewear Sets
Matching loungewear sets are the best of two fashion worlds: comfortable and put together. As someone whose style hinges upon feeling tailored and put together, I feel like I could take on the world from my couch in one of these sets.
5. The Superhuman App
As someone who has tried what feels like every meditation app under the sun, the Superhuman App is one that has risen above the rest. These guided meditations remind me of the affirmations spoken over you at the end of a Barre3 class - blissful sentiments that make you feel a bit lighter, a bit more hopeful, and bit more expectant about what is yet to come.
Superhuman's meditations are created for just about every time of day or occasion - so whether you're wanting a morning pep talk, a mid-day reset, or evening wind down - they have every meditation-worthy occasion covered. Also, a ton of their tracks are for active meditations, meaning no sitting on the ground with your eyes closed while trying to push away your to do list. If you're looking for meditations designed to be listened to on the go - while getting ready, working out, running errands, or journaling - this app has what you're looking for!
These mediations help me refocus on the person I want to show up as, the energy I want to embody, and the mindset I want to have about the future. I cannot say enough good things and am so grateful for the creators!
6. Picking my Go-To Seasonal Drink
Having a drink of the season gives you something to look forward to for that *limited* time. The fact that you only get to enjoy it for a few months out of the year creates excitement and really helps you savor every sip.
My personal winter drink of choice Highlander Grogg. With notes of maple, butterscotch, and all the autumn goodness, Highlander Grogg is my go-to coffee blend October through February. I've tried a number of roasters and Camacho is hands down my favorite - smooth and flavorful.
7. Jamming to my Winter Playlists
Those who know me well know that I have been *obsessed* with crafting playlists since middle school. I was the girl burning CD's for my friends before the days of Pandora and Spotify. As the digital music world grew, that has evolved into me curating playlists on Spotify to capture the perfect mood for every occasion.
If you're on the hunt for something upbeat, check out my January: Beats for the Winter Blues playlist! If you're craving more of a jazzy, morning vibe, check out my Cream in My Coffee playlist.
8. Joining a Bookclub
Warmer months provide more natural opportunities to mix and mingle and meet new friends. After dinner walks, wandering the farmer's market, outdoor concerts - the options are seemingly endless. So, with winter temps and early sunsets bringing everyone indoors at the turn of the seasons, a monthly bookclub felt like just the thing to meet new friends, have intentional discussion, and to be exposed to new perspectives I wouldn't come across on my own.
If you're on the hunt for an in-person bookclub in your city, reach out to local bookstores! They likely host or know of some. The Literary League also has local club chapters in cities across the US, so head on over to their site and see if there is one available near you! If none of these options are panning out, consider starting your own book gathering. You never know how many people may be looking for one themselves.
9. Affordable Winter Fashion
Every January I hit the "I am so over these winter clothes, but it's too cold to wear spring clothes" slump. Anyone else experience this?!
When I discovered Nuuly last year, it felt like the world of fashion embraced me with open arms, without stealing my wallet. If you're wanting to mix up your wardrobe, without purchasing a whole new slew of items, Nuuly is an amazing option. For less than $100 a month you get to rent six new or gently worn items, and I can say from personal experience their coat options are stellar. If you're looking to dabble in some seasonal trends and get out of the post-holiday fashion slump, I cannot recommend Nuuly enough!
Thoughts on this list? Or have some favorite ways that you're romanticizing your life this winter? Drop a note in the comments below - I would love to know!
xo - j
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