Weathering The Winter Blues

With some winter pinks, yellows, and greens, plus 9 other ideas to keep you patiently awaiting Spring.

Can it be Spring already? Do I even have a right to complain? This has been the warmest US winter on record which means the number of NYC blizzards I’ve had to trek through this season remain at a resounding zero, and my one-size-too-big-for-me snow boots have yet to come out of their cozy nest in the back of my closet. And yet, I’m still daydreaming of seeing leaves on the trees out my window again– mostly because their presence makes it harder for the neighbors to peek into my bedroom. But also, because green stuff is cool, and my winter tights all have holes in the toes.

I’m getting stir-crazy all up in my apartment, and I’m ready for the day when I can sit in a sunny park, eating a cool sandwich, wearing merely a light jacket, and crafting one of these here articles on my phone (working outside is the best), but until that day comes– and it will– here are 10 tried and true ways I’ve found to make a long winter more tolerable, from me– a winter expert (I’ve lived through 33 of them now and I think that at least qualifies me for a seat on the board).

Dress up every day– especially if you’re not planning to leave the house

As a chronic freelancer, I can go days without setting foot out the front door, and that’s when shit gets real dark. Pants are the first to go (who needs ‘em?), then I stop brushing my hair. On a particularly stress-heavy day, I might forego showering completely which means I have a Groundhog Day-esque afternoon where I am doomed to perpetually look and smell, like I just rolled out of bed. Enough! Day drag might not be necessary, but block out time on those dark winter mornings to brush out your bedhead before pulling on your beanie. Swipe on a bold shade of lipstick– it’s revolutionary. Layer your favorite dress under your coat even if nobody’s gonna see it but you. Simply knowing you’re not hiding dirty sweats under your outerwear is gonna boost your mood, and help jumpstart your creativity. Remember, the only person you should be dressing to impress is YOU, and you are so worth looking extra fine for.

Invest in an array of colorful coats

Winter is coat season and when it’s coat season, nothing else you put on your body seems to matter much because it’s all getting stuffed underneath your massive COAT. The truth is, it all matters– it’s just that your coat matters a little bit more. It makes the look. And if you only have one coat, then it turns out, you also only have one look. To keep from getting bored, I suggest making some bold moves and reaching for some less conventional winter coats, and when I say some I mean like 3-5. Actually, scratch that. There’s no limit on the amount of beautiful coats a person should own. But as a resident of NYC, I have to put a cap on it somewhere or my tiny closet door may bust. Look, coats are expensive, but end of the season sales are your friend, and they make a more practical investment than probably half the other material items you’re currently pining over. Also, don’t knock the vintage racks. Pre-1970’s coats are generally of a high quality that mimic many designer coats of today making a $100 - $300 price tag nothing to balk at. My tip for choosing the right coat? Avoid of-the-moment trends, and instead go for colors and materials that work well with your winter separates. Always default to silhouettes you know are most flattering to your body type. For me, all this means boxy mid-length styles in warm tones. What does it look like for you?

Build an arsenal of coat, boot, and hat combos

I’ve never been one for a uniform after a year-long 6th grade stint of starchy navy blue school pants with a parade of hideous white polo shirts. While I love my favorite winter coat and accessories, I’m still gonna be dead sick of them after a whole winter of wear, rinse, and repeat. Mix and match yourself a winter wardrobe of coats, warm hats, and boot styles to keep things interesting, and you won’t weep when the groundhog says there’s six more weeks of winter ahead (side note: our rodent friend predicted an early Spring this year which NEVER happens, so you better enjoy your knit beanie collection before it’s sweatin’ weather). My capsule collection? 1 each of the following: A faux fur coat in a fun color, a wool coat in a dark color, a chunky knit beanie in your favorite color, 1 pastel beret, 1 black beret, 1 pair of black knee-high boots, and 1 pair of ankle boots in a shade that matches your beanie.

Paint your nails– even your toes.

Sure, it’s not pedicure season and your hands might be hidden somewhere under mittens, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to have a little fun! There’s something about painted nails that always makes me feel more put together. Plus, having my toes done makes things like yoga class, the doctors office, the airport, and shoes-off policies at friend’s houses waaaay less anxiety-inducing. Also, nail polish dries out weirdly fast– use that shit up!

sweat it out at the gym, or at home

The hibernation game is REAL when temperatures drop, and if I could squirrel away in a fort with one of those electric blankets for a week and not wake up broke and hungry, I’d be on it like pepperoni on pizza. But I’m a big complicated human and so are you, and it turns out the real key to our happiness and health is exercise! Because this time of the year we are so much more likely to Netflix and Chill instead of get out of the house on our off hours, it’s extra important to get those cardio sessions in. Exercise is a verified mood booster and has been proven to calm stress, temper anxiety, and it makes you stronger too. Plus, a lot of insurance policies are now reimbursing people for gym memberships, which is what got me in the door this past January. Not into co-working out? Throw down a yoga mat and schedule in a 30 minute daily home routine. I used to use Fitness Blender for this and I really enjoyed it.

host cozy get togethers

Are you a wintertime recluse? I have a real talent for skipping social events when it’s frigid outside, which is great until I realize the only human I’ve spoken to in the past 5 days is the mail man. Plan a small hang at your place and invite an intimate group of pals. Host a dinner, have a movie night, or start a craft circle. Your bestest buds will brave bad weather for a cute hangout with you, and you’ll all walk away feeling bubbly after a pressure-free evening or afternoon.

wear rose colored glasses

I know this sounds dumb, but stay with me here– there’s a reason that an entire overused saying has been built around wearing pink sunglasses. The pink-tinted lenses make all the colors around you appear brighter! They even make the sky look bluer (trust me, I grew up in the Pacific North West). Not only are pink-lens sunglasses super kawaii, they’re a stylish way to quite literally brighten your outlook. Also, I’m pretty sure your winter wardrobe could use another pop of color.

make the bathtub your second home

There’s no better way to warm up quick than with a hot bath. Purchase a plant for your bathroom, pour yourself a tall glass of coconut water, and pretend it’s a hot tub. Set up a movie on your laptop and have a candlelight screening till your toes start to wrinkle. Catch up on all your emails while you bath bomb the fuck outta the afternoon. Eat a bowl of ice cream while you sweat the day away. Share the tub with a sexy friend and then make them scrub that part of your back that you can never reach. When it comes to bath time, if you can dream it, you can do it. Just make sure to stay hydrated while it’s all happening.

buRn scented candles

Keeping your windows shut all season makes for a stuffy home. Nuff said. Being a stinky cat owner has lead me down a delightful path of home fragrance products, and I’ve now joined the ranks of hundreds of moms and middle-aged gay men who cannot live without at least 2 scented candles in my home. Plus, you can look for scents like “sea breeze” or “country garden” and make your dreary wintery living room SMELL like it’s summertime (though as a New Yorker, I can verify the trash-heavy scent of summertime is not something I ever want to be replicated in candle form). Look for naturally scented candles with high quality ingredients for a safer burn.

Take advantage of avocado season

Most people do not know the avocado is a fruit, much less, that it’s a winter fruit. Though US avocados are now grown year-round, the Mexican originated fruit is a November to April staple, which means you’ll find better deals on Avo’s come wintertime. Weird! Since avocados generally mean hot weather foods to me, crank up your thermostat and play with the idea– gorg on guac, avocado toast, and hearty salads while you make believe that you’re wintering in LA. And for those of you who call LA home, send the rest of us some dang sunshine already!