Essentials For Winter: my tips to keep warm

Even though I love Summer and warm temperatures, I have been itching to get my beloved Nowles boots back out for a while now. Well, looks like the weather gods granted my wish with -2°C on the thermometer and a few first snowflakes last night. While I am happy to be wearing my favorite cozy boots again, I have to admit that the transition could have been a bit more subtle. One day we’re running around town in a shirt with 20°C, the next we wake up to digits below zero. How about the good old saying of taking things slow? While I am trying my best to adjust my wardrobe to the outdoor setting, I does take some getting used to all the layers and not leaving home without a scarf and gloves again. That’s why I did the work for you, and put together my essentials for Winter today. Aka “my tips to keep warm”!

It is all about the right drinks, clothes and little extras, which may require some shopping … just sayin’

• Ginger Tea: This is not only something to warm you up from the inside, but also a great helper for the immune system, which tends to suffer a bit under the first few super cold days. I’ve been keeping a fresh ginger root in the fridge and drinking delicious ginger tea before heading to bed. Simply slice the ginger and boil with hot water. Those who find that version too spicy can add a black or green tea bag and some honey to the mix, which also tastes great for breakfast!

• Cashmere, Baby! Nothing makes Winter quite as cozy as cashmere. That’s why it is high time to treat yourself to a cashmere sweater. Consider it an investment piece, because if you go for quality versus quantity it should last you the next 5 years. The good news? Shopbop is currently having their “buy more, save more” sale (I like the sound of that!) and you can save up to 25% on your order with the code “GOBIG15” – which is valid on both full-price and sale items ♥ I’ve done the work for you and picked out my favorite cashmere sweaters:
  
  

• Porridge: Starting the day with a good breakfast will give your body enough fuel to crank up the heat. My current combination of choice is a quick oatmeal cooked with water and added sliced banana as well as 2 medjool dates, cut into small pieces. Another close runner up is this delicious bowl of goodness. Filling and warming!

• Lots of Layers: The key to dressing these days is working with layers. Going from the cozy home into the freezing cold, comfortable warmth in the car and back outside. Shopping in crowded stuffy places and straight on to mulled wine at the Christmas market requires an outfit that is both incredibly warm, but also flexible so you don’t feel like you’ve just entered a sauna when you’re inside. One of my favorite versatile pieces for layering is my Isabel Marant Étoile tunic, which I love in the Summer as a cover-up, but am currently wearing underneath all sorts of sweaters to beat the cold. This year’s version looks strikingly similar to mine and is definitely just as versatile!
  
  

• Moisturize! This one may not be a common tipp/essential, but take it from someone who knows dry skin better than most others. The season of freezing temperatures and dry air from all the heating definitely makes it tough on my skin. However, as long as I drink enough water and keep the moisturizer glued to my hand, I am ok. I am not sure if it is just my personal take on things, but I feel colder when my skin is dry and cracking. The answer: A hot shower, foot scrub, thick lotion and warm socks before bed. It always works wonders!