Even after spending my entire life in the Northeast—growing up in Connecticut, college in Northern Vermont, and now living in NYC—I still haven’t gotten used to Winter. I dread the first hints of Fall—a season I would be able to enjoy significantly more, if not for the looming temperature drop about to unfold. My husband always says that I run colder than most, which is probably true, so the only way to make the cold a bit more bearable is to surround myself in all things cozy for maximum comfort.
I’ve learned a few tricks along the way to help ease into the season, and here are my favorite items in my arsenal to increase coziness.
Hot Water Bottle
Hot water bottles are extremely versatile and usually used to apply heat to a sore muscle or help with period cramps, but during the colder months, I love placing them in our bed about 15 minutes before we go to sleep to warm it up. In the winter, my husband and I tend to sleep with our windows open as we love nothing more than a warm bed in a chilly room. I bought this one from Amazon, which is extra cute since it looks like it’s wearing a turtleneck.
If you want to go the DIY route, you can also have the same effect by creating a makeshift version with a clean, long sock filled with rice and knotted or sewed shut at the top. Just heat it in the microwave for about two minutes and place it underneath your covers before hopping into bed.
Cozy Candles
I love Otherland candles for their complex fragrances and excellent throw, and their seasonal candle collections are always on-point. Their Manor House Weekend collection features six fragrances that were inspired by “countryside weekends where bonfires blaze, cider gets spiked, and friends become family” and includes fragrances like Dappled Wood, which combines sandalwood with toasted walnut and sweet hay, and Cardamom Milk, blending together frothy milk with cardamom and praline woods.
Ultra-Comfy Shoes
Whether I’m at home or strolling around the neighborhood, Birdies have been my go-to shoes. While they may look like an ordinary flat, the insides are ultra-padded and soft as a slipper so you’ll feel like you’re walking on a cloud. I’ve found that getting dressed and actually wearing shoes while working from home has significantly increased my productivity, and my Birdies are the perfect combination of style and comfort to boost my motivation.
Electric Shawl
My office tends to get a bit chilly in the winter, as it’s located in a converted warehouse building in Brooklyn with brick walls, so to get a bit of extra warmth, I bought an electric shawl a few years ago. It might seem a bit strange, but this is one of the best purchases I’ve made to keep warm in the Winter. Now that I’m working from home for the foreseeable future, I look forward to wrapping it around my shoulders while I work or when wanting to a get a bit more cozy while watching TV.
A Relaxing Craft Project
After years of encouragement from my mom, I finally started to learn to knit. As an ultra-beginner, I don’t have authority on the subject, but I can say that it is an extremely relaxing and gratifying activity, and I really look forward to cozy up on the couch this winter and work on knitting projects. My ultimate goal one day is to make a sweater.
The picture is a pair of socks my mom just knit me with yarn I brought home last winter from Amsterdam.
Handwarming Phone Charger
If you must venture outside, maintain maximum warmth with this portable hand warmer-phone charger combination. I carried this around on my trip last year to Germany in the winter, and it provided some much-needed warmth as we strolled around the Christmas Markets as well as extra battery life for my phone.
Cinnamon Broom
Cinnamon brooms add instant cozy vibes—it not only looks festive but it also makes your home smell like pure Fall heaven. They are seasonally available at Trader Joe’s, but you can also order one from Etsy.
Soup
$104 for a set of 4, Anthropologie
Prior to the quarantine, one of my favorite memories of 2020 was hosting Souper Sundays. Every Sunday in January, my husband and I would cook up two big batches of soup and opened our home for the afternoon. Every Sunday brought different friends and friends of friends. It was very cozy and “come as you are.” Crowd-favorite soups included: Creamy Zucchini Soup, Pickle Soup, Italian Wedding Soup, and an honorable mention goes to the Bacon, Egg and Cheese Soup, which wasn’t as great as I thought it would be but has potential to be perfected in the future. Hoping this can could possibly continue at some point in 2021 with our friends, but if not, Souper Sundays will happen on a smaller scale with just Ben and me.
Super-Soft Socks
Don’t underestimate the joy of a cozy sock in the Fall—especially when they’re from Barefoot Dreams, the holy grail of all things soft and cozy.
Weighted Blanket
One of the many tools to defeat my anxiety is also one of the most comfortable items I own. I’ve been using a weighted blanket to help me sleep better for the past few years. The weight makes you feel like you’re being wrapped up in a warm hug and drift off into a deeper sleep. This weighted blanket from Target ranges in weight up to 18lbs and also has a removable, washable cover.
What are your favorite ways to stay warm and cozy during Fall?
