We are here/it is here...winter that is (we have been having highs of 0 degrees...). I have kind of been anxious about this winter since the chilly weather started to settle in last fall. I was worried that winter would feel like last spring, and I think no one wants to revisit those feelings. But honestly, winter hasn't been as bad as I thought it was going to be, but it is also not great haha. I have definitely tried to adopt a more hygge mindset about embracing winter weather and all that you cozy indoor space can offer you.
So today, I am sharing my tips on how we are surviving this winter *indoors edition.*
Theme Dinner Nights- We started doing this to have something to look forward to every couple of weeks. Our theme is pick a travel destination, and make dinner from the destination. It has been fun! The other night we had Greek/Mediterranean, and it was incredible making everything at home. It could also be fun to try to make a recipe from a favorite restaurant from traveling!
Game Nights- I. Love. Game. Night. Card games, board games, you name it, I am in! It is good to break up that at night TV/screen time routine with actual human interaction, and game night is just the thing. I think I ask my family if they want to play a game, every night hah.
Cozy Attire- I do love getting dressed and "ready" everyday, but have been wearing a lot of cozy outfits lately. I think the right cozy clothing pieces can really elevate your everyday at home winter experience. I realllly love my Dudley Stephens fleeces, as you may know. The fleeces are cozy, but I always feel a bit more put together because the cut and silhouettes of the fleeces are so chic! You can use this link for $25 off your first fleece and shop my faves down below! [they just released a double fleece turtleneck and I need that with the weather we have been having in MN!!]
Letting Natural Light In- Natural light coming into your home is so good for the mood and to stimulate some natural vitamin D production. Part of my morning routine, is opening my blinds right when I get out of bed. Even when I am up before the sun, starting the day like that feels so refreshing and energizing, and just the thing you need to survive days indoors.
Baking- I am not the biggest baker, partly because gluten free baking can be complicated, but have found some surprisingly easy and healthy-ish recipes. I have made these Levain style gf/df chocolate chip cookies that I saw from @dadaeats on Instagram, and they are amazing! Baking can be a fun activity to involve the whole family in, and serve a good distraction when it is too cold to enjoy some outdoor time. It also warms your house and makes it smell fantastic.
Puzzle Table- I have been a puzzle fan well before the quarantine craze. They are so good to take a break to. I love having one going for heavy study times, as doing something mindless with your hands is a good mental break. I think same goes for this winter season. It is good to exercise your mind (and body) and puzzles do just this.
Lots of Soup- I love soup. I think that there is something so comforting about soup that makes it an extra good choice for winter and this winter in particular. I have made soup several times this winter and it never disappoints, and just makes the cozy vibes even better!
My more positive mindset, rather than the doom and gloom one I had last fall, has really helped make this winter a tad more enjoyable. I think we all wished this season looked a little differently, but we have to just make the most of what we've currently got!
Stay tuned for part 2 of my winter survival where I show all of my favorite winter gear to wear.
I am SO excited to be back on the East Coast for a bit. Today, we are driving to Rhode Island to spend the long weekend and celebrate my cousin's 30th birthday (thirty, flirting and thriving, right?!). I have only been to Rhode Island on one other occasion, and that was a marching band trip where we marched in the oldest Fourth of July celebration in the country. Thinking back on that, it was a very surreal experience that I am grateful for, and I am even more excited to get to go back to that state and explore as an adult. As soon as I knew we would be going to Rhode Island, I thought about the outfits for the trip. It invoked a sense of the classic East Coast prep style that I already love so much, and so I took that as my packing inspiration! The Kiel James Patrick store/brand is based out of Newport, RI, so I will definitely be visiting and I had to leave room in my suitcase for some new KJP pieces. I haven't had to pack for travel in awhile, so I decided to take a new ap
So today, I got the happiest email from Kiel James Patrick , featuring some super cute new pieces, and that they have a 4th of July sale!! The sale is 20% off any thing with the code America . I would definitely take advantage of this! Here are my favorite new things from KJP. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!! Striped shirt dress // I had all the feels when I saw this dress. First, it is striped AND a shirt dress! Second, it is actually named "Bristol Parade." That is the oldest 4th of July Parade in the country, and I had the privilege of marching in it during my high school marching band trip to New England in 2010 (omg that was 9 years ago?!?). That day it was about 110 degrees, and we wore all black uniforms....if you are familiar with the parade, it is a LONG LONG LONG route, and I somehow, barely survived. So, I think I need this dress for (just about) surviving that day, ahah! Flag sweater // What a cute little flag sweater! I normally am not one
I love your cozy at home winter tips! Truly a great little self care list :)
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Emily
awe thanks Emily! It is a nice little self care list! I did not even think about that, love it!!
Deletexx Libby