1. Clean your room. Before you freak out, this will actually make a huge difference in your peace of mind this season! I am notorious for never doing laundry, which means my laundry basket overflows onto my floor in all directions. I'd rather fork over my minumum wage paycheck and buy new clothes than do a load of laundry. Do I have a problem? Yes, but acceptance is the first step. Actually cleaning my room is the second. You can't get cozy in a messy room.
Cleanliness is next to godliness, and having an organized space where you can study, chill, and sleep will actually reduce stress in your life. (And you'll possibly end up with clean clothes you never knew you had.) Set a day where you are going to clean your room -- no exceptions, no excuses. Turn up some good music, grab a trash can and a laundry basket, and get to it. Section off your room -- start with getting things off your floor, then move to your desk, or your shelves, and get a load of laundry going. Take a break to get a snack, but don't have a major chill-out session until you're all done. Once your room is clean, you can dance or do cartwheels or Instagram that floor or just sleep -- now you're free to enjoy your room.
2. Buy a new fragrance. Look for something that gets you in the holiday spirit -- perhaps a warm vanilla body spray or peppermint lotion. Bath and Body Works has some great mid-price scents and Victoria Secret has some higher priced (but really awesome-smelling!) perfumes. If holiday fragrances don't tickle your fancy, try a coconut scent -- it's warm but doesn't scream Christmas cheer.
Some of my favorites:
- Secret Wonderland, Bath & Body Works
- Warm Vanilla Sugar, Bath & Body Works
- Vanilla Bean Noel, Bath & Body Works
- Ginger Sparkle, The Body Shop
- Warm & Cozy, Pink
3. Wear big chunky sweaters. Oversized knits are so cozy and stylish at the same time -- they really do give you the best of both worlds. You can find them almost anywhere, or head to a local thrift store to score some cheap (and vintage) finds none of your friends will have. To avoid looking like your grandpa, pair big sweaters with skinny jeans and some ankle boots. Stay away from the bright red and green Christmas sweaters while you're at it -- I know I personally am not cute enough to pull that off.
4. Use lamps for light. Get a lamp and use that instead of overhead lighting, especially when you're curled up with a good book or getting ready for bed. It will make your whole room feel cozier and warmer, when in reality your toes are getting frostbite. It's like magic.
5. Cook dinner for your family. Help your parents out by preparing tomorrow night's meal. Spicy marinara pasta, potato soup, hot chili...the cold-weather food possibilites are endless. For ideas and recipes, check out my Pinterest.
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| click here for 1,342 other ideas for dinner |
6. Be your own barista. Instead of braving the freezing cold to get overpriced coffee, make your own caffiene conconctions, like this homemade pumpkin spice latte that won't leave you broke. Not a coffee person? Curling up by the fire with a hot cup of tea is oh so poetic.
7. Design your own coffee mug. I tend to give up on DIY crafts if they take more than two minutes to complete, but this one is definitely a keeper. I made it for my favorite teacher, and it was so cute it was almost painful to give away. Get a plain coffee mug and some jumbo Sharpies and unleash your inner artist. Pop it in the oven at 400 degrees F for 45 minutes, and voila! Cheap, easy, and cute. Did I mention it holds coffee?
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| click here for more diy ideas |
8. Revamp your iPod. It wouldn't be Christmas without a Christmas playlist, would it? I'm not a huge fan of Christmas music, but if you don't listen to "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" at least five times this year, you're doing it all wrong.
9. Get something done. Yes, you already cleaned your room and made a coffee mug, but this is the season of enjoying life and getting things done! Take up a new hobby -- I'm learning guitar and French, both of which are blowing my mind. Start a project you've always wanted to finish. I cleaned out and organized all my makeup -- which was a huge feat -- so I think I'm done being productive for the year.
10. Spend some time with the Lord. You knew it was coming. I can't let you forget the Creator, can I? Devote this time to improving your relationship with God. How? Simply spend time reading His Word and talking to Him (and don't forget to listen). If you're struggling with certain issues, turn to the beautiful ladies who read this blog. Ask a question in the chat box, and you are sure to get helpful advice from girls who have been there.
Some posts to help you along:11. BONUS! Read the GFG blog. Because there's nothing cozier than snuggling up with a quilt, a latte, and a good read. ;)
Thank you so much for this post, Melissa! I live in South Africa, so we're also still enjoying summer here, but I love your ideas :)
ReplyDeleteI live in Texas, so I'm almost always enjoying summer here. Haha
DeleteI love all these ideas! Fall is coming to a close here in Canada, in fact some places had traces of snow!
ReplyDeleteI think I've seen real snow five times in my life.
Delete*gasp* only five times?! Wow, I have seen snow every winter of my life! So that 17 years of snow!
DeleteThat's crazy! I'm jealous. Although I only like the idea of snow, or looking at it through a window. Once I'm outside, I hate it.
DeleteOh yes! I totally understand what you mean! Snow is fun to admire when you are all cozy and warm!
DeleteRebekah
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