winter

In Danish, a hygge is one of those untranslatable words with a beautiful meaning; it roughly translates to the feeling of cosiness and joy you experience when sharing happy moments with good friends and family, in a warm, intimate atmosphere. It’s common in Scandinavia during the colder months, and since we share a similar climate in Canada, I think we should adopt this feeling to brighten up this dark time of year.

Here are some essential elements for feeling hygge in my home:
1) Plants
I don’t know about you guys, but I go through a major chlorophyl withdrawl around this time of year. As much as I miss the sun, I miss the greenery outside even more. To make up for the lack of grass and leaves, I filled my house with plants this winter, which makes any space feel more happy and bright. Bonus: they help clean the indoor air when it’s too cold to open the windows.

2) MusicI like playing records during the winter because the sound just feels warmer. The occasional crackle is reminiscent of a fireplace, and I love the ritual of picking out a record rather than just mindlessly selecting a playlist on my computer. Above: some of my favorites.

3) Ambient lighting:

I love natural light best, but when it gets dark so early in the day, a table lamp makes for perfect cozy lighting. Just please, no overhead neon lights! Home should not feel like the office or a department store. Above: Birch tree lamp from Montreal Machin. Thrifted curtains from Value Village.

4) Blankets, cushions, comfort

Extra slippers for guests, soft places to sit, maybe a blanket or a throw… anything that’s the opposite of cold hard surfaces.

5) Tea (or wine or cider!)

Tea is my beverage of choice lately, but some wine in a mug could be a nice option if it’s an evening thing. What are your musts for spending cosy time with loved ones?

Alright northerners, we’ve reached the homestretch of winter. If you’re like most people I talk to, your skin has taken a beating from the evil tag team known as cold wind and dry indoor air. As someone who’s skin is both sensitive and dry, winter just turns me into one giant pasty flake. Going outside is sometimes so painful on my face that I’m tempted to get one of those full-coverage ski masks, or bank robber masks if you prefer. But after living through so many winters, I’ve finally nailed down a routine formula that keeps things under control: I’ve embraced oils. There’s still a few cold weeks ahead, so here are my top all-natural favourite oils that might help your skin survive the rest of the season:

Rose-hip oil: This one is my new favourite face oil. I love how it quickly absorbs into my skin, plus it helps beat eczema or any type of dermatitis. If my face is feeling particularly dry, I’ll spray some Avene Thermal Water spray first and follow with some rose-hip oil. I like doing this especially before I leave the house (it’s like Chapstick for my face!) and before bed. It is on the pricy side, but a little goes a long way.

Jojoba oil: this oil is known to have the same PH level as our skin. I prefer in on my legs after shaving. Also helps prevent frostbite and doesn’t get too greasy.

Coconut oil: I know, you’ve heard so much about it. But here’s a trick to avoid drying makeup removers: coconut oil moisturizes while cleaning and removing makeup. I also put it on my eyelashes at night because it’s supposed to strengthen them help them grow. Not sure if this works, but after years of abusing my eyelashes with heavy mascaras and eyelash curlers, I’ll give it a try.

Do you have any tricks to help with dry skin?

Tag: winter

Let’s have a Hygge

Winter Skin Saviours