Lifestyle | Beat the winter blues

If the cold days and and frosty mornings have got you feeling the winter blues - you are not alone! We've been feeling a bit 'blah' as well. To spark some joy back into our day-to-day we've created a short guide to help inspire and embrace this season with colour and simple comforts. We hope you find something to take away with you! 

Pick up a book 

Loosing yourself in a book is the ultimate way to relax. It could be a girly drama, gripping mystery, heartfelt biography or even a beautiful magazine. The physical nature of flipping pages and feeling your imagination or creativity come alive is just magic. Grace is an avid reader and has shared her top book picks for the month. Take a look and see if anything takes your interest. 

 Forest Floral Otama Dress

1. Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

For Elle it was love at first sight. For Darcy the date couldn’t have been worse. 

Now, after their disastrous first date, Elle is hoping she never has to see Darcy again. She definitely isn’t prepared to find herself caught in a fake relationship with her dream woman that is feeling more real with each passing day…

This queer romcom about a free-spirited social media astrologer and an uptight actuary is 110% worth the read!

2. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

For Elle it was love at first sight. For Darcy the date couldn’t have been worse. 

Now, after their disastrous first date, Elle is hoping she never has to see Darcy again. She definitely isn’t prepared to find herself caught in a fake relationship with her dream woman that is feeling more real with each passing day…

3. Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly

From their Auckland apartment, Greta and Valdin, brother and sister, are trying navigate the intricate paths of modern romance as well as weather the small storms of their eccentric Māori–Russian–Catalonian family.

I’m currently half-way through this book and loving Reilly’s writing style. Greta and Valdin is both familiar and surprising, and highlights the importance of the small moments in life as much as the big ones. 

Get crafty

The WT team are big fans of a mood-board and some old-school cut and paste.  The tactile craft of arranging images and seeing your vision come together is so satisfying. Creating a mood-board helps tell a visual story and boosts motivation. Try creating your own, it could be anything from fashion, interior decor, summer holiday planning or goal-setting. Take a look at our tips on how to get started. We encourage you to have a look at what equipment you have lying around in the cupboards or even checking out the charity shops.

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1. Pick a theme and start collecting images. Try using old magazines if you get stuck - Pinterest is always a go-to for endless imagery! 

2. Gather the essentials like scissors, glue or pins and a base, this could be either an old exercise book, a board of some sort (cork, cardboard or a canvas board). 

3. Gather some fun decorations like washi tape, coloured pens/felts, stickers, paper and anything else that excites you. 

4. Start playing around and layering images, use a combination of different sizes and see what you come up with. 

5. Lastly and most importantly have FUN! Don't overthink it and embrace your creation. 

Making and baking

Craving something cozy and comforting to get you through the frost? SAME! There is nothing better than coming home, chucking on your slippers and comfies and jumping on the couch with a bowl of yummy goodness. Here are some of our favourite winter dessert recipes. 

 Pink Daisy Otama Dress

1. Chocolate and rhubarb mouse 

2. Sticky date, chocolate and ginger pudding 

3. Salted caramel poached pears with yogurt and almonds

Treat yourself this winter 

No matter the season find the joy in dressing up and making yourself feel your best! Shop selected winter styles in our Mid-Year Sale here.