Newcomers to the area might be surprised at the lack of sunlight that comes as we move through fall to winter. The months of short days, long nights, and frigid temperatures are coming again. But with some preparation, this season will be much more enjoyable. As they say, “There is no bad weather, just bad clothing”. With this motto in mind, we’ve compiled a list of tips and items to enjoy this season. 

*Time Outdoors: When you’re struggling to stay warm, spending time outside may seem like the last thing you should do. But getting fresh air, exercise, and soaking up whatever sunlight there is in the winter months really helps elevate your mood plus appreciate the beauty of it all. Here are some practical tips for making time outside doable: 

*Socks: merino wool and for extra cold days, battery operated, get some good quality socks. You will be miserable outside if your feet are freezing in 5 minutes! Smartwool and Darn Tough are good options.

*Boots: similar to socks, without good boots your time outside will be awful. Brands that blend function with fashion, try Blondo, Hunter, Ugg, Thursday Boot Company, Barbour, Sorrel, Paul Green, Frye, Portland Leather, and on the higher end price wise - Crockett and Jones. Good footwear is never cheap, but you can search for secondhand items if you like hunting for bargains. And this is a place you want to invest in quality, you’ll use them year after year. Yak Tracks are a good option to have ready for those slippery days when walking outside requires more traction! And boot dryers are fantastic to get things quickly dryed out!

*Sweaters: wearing a sweater may seem like a no brainer but the type of sweater you wear makes a big difference. Natural fibers are the very best in quality and comfort. Merino wool, cashmere, alpaca, silk, yak - all of these are warmer and more breathable than synthetic fibers; they will keep you warm in cooler temperatures. Plus, since they’re breathable, they will not make you sweat if you walk into a warm place out of the cold. They are also very easy to care for. I know a lot of people think these sweaters are a pain because of the whole “hand wash only” bit on the tag, but wool products have oils in them that make them naturally antimicrobial. Meaning unless you’re dropping food on them they will only need to be washed once at the end of the season before you box them away for next year. And if you do have a food spill, try a little woolite mixed with water and spot clean using a microfiber cloth. Just be gentle because the microfiber works very well and you don’t want to create pilling. Another complaint about natural sweaters is the price tag. But you can find them for greatly reduced prices if you look for them on Ebay, Poshmark,, or your local secondhand store. If you find a vintage one with a musty smell, just put 100 proof vodka in a spray bottle, spray the sweater all over and let dry. The smell is usually gone after one application but repeat the process if necessary. You can also turn the sweater inside out and spray the insides. Itchiness is another common concern with all types of wool. But simply put, if it’s itchy it’s not high quality. Make sure you buy sweaters that were originally very expensive; the finest quality cashmere sweaters won’t retail for much less than $400. Which is why you should look at discount places! You can buy a decent quality sweater with a cheaper retail price, but if you have super sensitive skin, try the really expensive stuff. If you don’t mind doing a bit of searching you can find $400 sweaters for $20-$40, which is the average price of a sweater at Marshalls. 

Brands to look for: Vince (not Vince Camuto), Theory, Reiss, Equipment, Rails, Babaton, Luca Faloni, Naked Cashmere, Reformation, Rag and Bone, Barbour, White & Warren, Leret Leret, Brooks Brothers, Ted Baker London, Sezane, Harris Tweed, N. Peal, and way at the top of expensive - Loro Piana. 

Experience the difference for yourself, I dare you to wear only natural fibers for a week or two, then put on a synthetic one. You will be amazed at the difference. 

*Base Layer: What you wear under your sweater is just as important as the sweater itself. Merino wool is probably the best option here. You can get it in all styles - tee shirts both long and short sleeves, tanks, and pants. To be truly warm when you’re outside, get yourself a good base layer. And find a quality one to avoid itchiness. 

*Coats: Just like with all the above, the more natural your coat material is, the warmer you will be. If you want Arctic Expedition level warmth, buy a Canada Goose coat. Renowned as the “warmest coat on earth”, it comes with a hefty price tag (even secondhand), but will do the job of keeping you warm. 

Brands to look for: Barbour, Filson, Babaton, The House Of Bruar, Cotes of London, Pendleton, Brooks Brothers, Ted Baker London, Emerson Fry, and for the very expensive - Norwegian Wool, Canada Goose.

And for tips to get the home cozy:

*Hot Drinks: a very practical way to warm you up! A simmering pot of mulled wine, mugs of hot cocoa, a steaming hot toddy, comforting gingerbread lattes... with so many great options, this idea needs a spot of its own. We’ve got a bunch of drinks for you to try out! Here’s the link. 

*Bring The Outside In: plants brighten up any space and make your home feel relaxed and fresh. They also help clean the air - extra great in the winter when windows are closed for months! 

*Candles: nothing brings that sense of cozy warmth better than candlelight. They don’t need to be scented to be magical, so if you have sensitivities go for unscented varieties. Group a whole bunch of candles of different heights on a tray and put them on the dining table, coffee table, or bedside table and enjoy the ambiance. And with candles, more is better. Just remember to blow them out before you leave! 

*Baked Goods: Keep a bunch of cookie dough balls in the freezer for a super quick grab, thaw, and bake. It’s a fun treat on busy school evenings. 

*Soups: Lean into seasonal cooking. Is there anything cozier than a big pot of soup bubbling away on the stove? Get a few favorites under your belt!

*Throws: put one or more in every sitting area of your home, so wherever you sit there’s one ready to grab. Go for a variety of textures and warmth levels. They also provide a fun way to match the decor with the season. 

*Lights: Cafe lights, fairy lights, twinkle lights, string lights, or anything else -these are an amazing winter tool, despite their silly names. Put some up outdoors and set them on a timer so they’re already on when you get up for that first cup of coffee or when you arrive home at the end of the day. The battery operated, copper wire ones bundled together in a mason jar, vase, or lantern brings that glow indoors without feeling “Christmasy” too soon!

*Sunrise Alarm Clocks: available at many stores, these make getting up in the winter so much easier. They gradually lighten the room before the alarm goes off so you wake up to light instead of a very black room. 

*Learn To Knit Or Crochet: There seems to be extra sitting around during winter so learning a fun craft like knitting or crocheting is a great time filler. You can still chat and interact with everyone around you (or help with that writing assignment). You can also take it with you in the car if you spend time waiting for your kids at school pick up, ballet lessons, etc. 

There are many other little things you can do to brighten the season but the basic goal here is to lean in. Embrace the weather; the cold, the snow, and learn to enjoy it by taking advantage of every cozy thing you can come up with!

-JENNIFER BUNCH