Anji’s Picks: Cold Weather Comforts
As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, it can be easy to feel a little down, mourning those warm Summer days. Whilst I would always take a sunny day over a grey one, I like to look for the silver linings in this change of weather. Maybe you have an excellent Winter coat collection to look forward to whipping out, or if you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace or wood-burner in your home, tis the season!
If Summer is for play and outdoor activities, then Autumn/Winter are definitely the cosy seasons and I find it much more comforting to embrace it and lean into some of the cold weather comforts that make the week a little more enjoyable. Here are some of my favourite cold weather treats to bring some joy to your days…
Eat
(Image: Todd Eyre)
There’s nothing more comforting on a chilly night than a tasty home cooked meal. I will admit that whipping up a meal at the end of the day isn’t always what I feel like doing, but that delayed gratification is always worth it. As we head into Winter, it can be a great time to dust off the recipe books on your shelves or explore the endless amounts of fabulous recipes on Pinterest and add some new dishes to your repertoire.
One of our favourite cosy dinners to tuck into is the baked orange and rosemary chicken by Nici Wickes, which I spotted on The NZ Herald site. Not only is this meal tasty, nutritious and well-rounded, but it’s super simple and a lot of the prep work can be done ahead of time, leaving you with only a few simple steps when you arrive home in the evening. We pair the chicken with roasted potatoes or kumara and a simple lettuce, lemon juice & parmesan salad!
See Recipe Here
Drink
Like most of us, as the weather gets colder I’m often reaching for a warmer beverage. I’m a big fan of peppermint tea before bed and of course a green tea for that little hit of caffeine throughout the day, but there’s a plethora of interesting flavours and brews on the market these days. T2 has an incredible selection of very intriguing flavours such as Turmeric Ginger, Sticky Date Delight and Jasmine Pear! Investing in a beautiful teapot can also be a great way to enhance this daily ritual.
Through visiting cafes with James and Bella for our support local team meetings, we also discovered the addition of honey to our morning coffees. This simple ingredient can make your everyday coffee a little more special and a little goes a long way. Getting creative with your morning coffee or even adding a matcha into your routine here and there can be a great way to bring a little joy to your day. It’s the simple things!
Activity
Although it can be tempting to hunker down at home in the evenings and cosy up on the couch, I still love getting out on the occasional night and prioritizing quality time with a date night! The ultimate cold weather date night would have to be a movie at the cinema, something that we’re much less inclined to do when the sun is shining outside.
I’m very excited about the upcoming Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival and have already spotted several films that are absolute must-sees for us…
Scent
If you’re a regular reader of this journal, it will come as no surprise that one of my favourite ways to unwind in the evening is through scented candles! Lighting a candle, especially one that smells delicious can help create that cosy vibe that we’re all craving when it’s cold outside.
One of my all-time favourite candles that will forever be in my rotation is A Tahaaa Affair by Glasshouse. The gorgeous blend of caramel and coconut is an absolute treat.
Shop A Tahaa Affair
Treat
One of the ultimate comforts and something I don’t indulge in regularly is a little retail therapy. We all deserve to treat ourselves from time to time and what better treat than a cosy sweater to really help you embrace those chilly days.
Autumn/Winter are of course the seasons for layering and if we’re looking for silver linings, this can be a great time to pick up some wardrobe essentials that if we’re honest-can be worn all year round here in Wellington! Here are some of my favourite spots for quality Australasian knitwear…