January Survival Guide

Surviving January by brennatheresa featuring black and white mugs

It happened again: winter came. 

These "-uary" months are just the longest. 

Which is why it is necessary for me to psych myself up a little. You know, focus on what is great about this time of year. So, brace yourselves, winter is here and so is my survival guide:

1. Have something on hand that smells like summer.  I have this Bobbi Brown Beach perfume (roller ball) and it 100% smells like Pacific Beach. It's the best thing that has happened to me since moving to Utah. I don't even wear it, I just have it to smell. Sometimes James' finds me laying in bed just inhaling deeply. Like a real weird Californian.  

For real, it's important. Because when the temps can't break 20 degrees, you can whip out this bad boy to be reminded that it's not this cold everywhere. The beach still exists. Beach memories come back to you: remember that one terrible sunburn you got in college that meant you couldn't sit down to take your finals without being in agonizing pain? WHO CARES YOU WERE WARM AND THERE WERE WAVES CRASHING AND LIFE IS AMAZING. Before I had this perfume I just straight up sniffed sunscreen. Hawaiian Tropic was my personal fave, so if you have sunscreen on hand that works as well.

2. Socks. It is very important to have lots of warm and comfy socks during January/February. It goes without saying. Thick leggings, knee high wool socks, sweater tights. Your legs should not see the light of day until March 15th. Sometimes I see women walking around Provo in sub-freezing temps in cute dresses with heels and NO TIGHTS ON. IT'S JANUARY 3RD, WHY CAN I SEE YOUR CALVES?! You must be freezing. Your bare legs are giving me anxiety. Get it together Utah ladies. 

3. Tea (or hot cocoa/cider). Obviously this is the most unoriginal post in the world. "In the winter you need warm socks and hot drinks" Ground-breaking. But seriously, you should have a lot of tea on hand. My favorite for this time of year is the spicy/sweet herbal tea from Good Earth with honey. And it's supes cheap. 

4. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. Also known as the greatest lotion of all the lotions in the history of the world. You need it, and you should use it. Sometimes, when I'm feeling real saucy, I add a little lavender essential oil to it. Also, the fact that I own lavender essential oil makes me feel like I really have my ish together.

**side-note: I have the most sensitive/allergic skin on the planet and I have never had any issues with this lotion. True story: I once lightly brushed my wrist on the side of a desk. A DESK. And I got a rash for two weeks. I blame the Irish. For obvious reasons. 

5. Colorful Lipstick. For me, this is red. Specifically NARS Infa-red. I'm not a big make-up in the summer person, it pretty much melts off my face within 10 minutes so I don't bother much. Winter always feels like go time as far as trying new colors/things and I reach for the red lipstick on the reg. 

6. Comfort food. Imma just say it, the holiday eating does not end new year's day in my house. I made my third batch of Christmas cookies...yesterday. Generally I don't worry much about what I eat anyway (anyone who has seen me butter popcorn can attest to this) but I really don't worry about it in the winter. I love winter food. Stews. Roasts. Soups. Anything with copious amounts of cream. Yes. please. How I spend most of my work day: https://foodgawker.com/. My favorite comfort food blogger: http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/.

7. Staying in and reading books. It's a great time to start a book club. Mine currently consists of me and one other lovely lady. (If you don't count the fact that I always know what book my sister is  reading and then I immediately read that book. It's called sister book club and it started the minute I heard her talking about Wuthering Heights with my mom and I was like, "I'm reading that." I was 9.) 

But it's so fun, it keeps me accountable and gets me reading new things. Plus, it's hibernation time. I say no to so many social things in the winter. I'm really good at making vague plans with no real commitment. I'm pretty go-getter for most of the year, so I love this time. When the groupme starts debating plans, I usually ghost it and put on my stretchy pants for a real housewives marathon. Lazy level: expert. 

In conclusion, happy January to you! And when it gets hard, remember, the best part about Winter is that Spring always follows.