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THE ULTIMATE WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE
It’s that time of year when night stirs at sea and the fire draws a crowd inside. Although this winter it’s a smaller crowd than usual. But take heart we are here to inspire you with more imaginative ways to hibernate stylishly indoors this festive season.
WRITE THROUGH WINTER
We are a nation of storytellers and with everything that’s going on in the world right now, it might be just the time to record it for posterity. That’s why it’s the perfect time to start journaling, if you haven’t already. Select a beautiful notebook from Notem or Moleskin and a beautiful pen from Mont Blanc and let your thoughts and ideas flow.
BE CREATIVE WITH FLOWERS
Gone are the days of fuddy-duddy flower arrangements, with so many modern-day florists showing us on Instagram new ways to add flowers and displays to our homes, we think being creative with flowers in your home will be just the thing to uplift you. A new vase can set the tone, try architectural designs from MoMA to encourage you to display festive blooms in unusual ways or try creating a flower shrine with single buds in a selection of different size vases from Rebecca Killen and Waterford Crystal arranged on your mantelpiece or on your table. Get snipping...
BECOME A BETTER COOK
While now is not the time to put yourself under pressure to be the next celebrity chef, a few new gadgets in the kitchen can make the whole process a whole lot more enjoyable, and maybe even freeing up some time to try out some new recipes. Joseph Joseph’s Bamboo chopping boards are beautiful and practical, or a Wusthof knife set will make you king of the kitchen not to mention Le Creuset's beautiful meringue hued cast iron casserole dish which will set off any recipe with style.
MAKE TEA-TIME A TREAT
4pm was traditionally the hour to take Afternoon Tea and who doesn’t love a good cuppa with a little treat? Why not introduce this lovely custom into your everyday. A novel way to try out new tea flavours is with a Tea Advent Calendar from Whittard or Fortnum & Mason, that way you sample something different every day. Make a ritual out of it and lay out on a beautiful tray, use your best tea-pot and china as if you are expecting visitors and serve up with a treat or two just for you - its an instant mood enhancer.
GIVE IN TO A NIGHT CAP
We think getting to the end of a long week is reason enough for a tasty tipple, not to mention the upcoming festive season. Now is the moment to invest in beautiful glassware and classic spirits; and embrace your inner mixologist while whipping up Gimlets, Negronis, and a Martini or two.
START A CLEANSING RITUAL
With extra time on your hands in the evenings why not treat your evening skincare routine like a mini facial. Neom’s Perfect Night Sleep Cleansing Balm is a soothing cleanser balm which removes make-up while nourishing your skin. The trick is to really spend time on the application and enjoy massaging the balm into your skin and enjoying the calming and relaxing blend of fourteen essential oils, lavender, patchouli and chamomile among them, which results in a heavenly, dream-inducing effect.
MAKE IT A CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS
There is something so beautiful about candles at Christmas and as the days are shorter and longer darker nights draw in a scented candle’s warm, aroma-filled flicker can be both meditative and escapist. Take Fornasetti’s white rose and candle set in a stunning ceramic vessel, dressed with intricate flowers and a peek-a-boo female face, which transports you to an Italian garden, or Skandinavisk’s scented candle, a sustainably produced candle whose gentle fragrance offers the true meaning of Hygge.
SLIDE INTO SLEEP
Now is the time to stock up on that beautiful bed linen and silk pillowcases you have always wanted. Did you know that soft breathable cotton can contribute to an amazing night sleep and silk pillowcases are a must for keeping wrinkles at bay. With great bed linen on your bed, a soft atmosphere with a diffuser, a little magic from calming essential oils.
MORE TO READ
Self-care nights in call for a warm fire and a stack of unputdownable books. Cosy up with our selection of Winter Reads and Listens.