I'm going to have to re-name this feature, because there's no way I can make it to ten most days!Winter has come to the UK. By 'winter', I mean the temperature has fallen below 10 degrees C and there's plenty of rain and wind, along with general gloom. Having grown up in Canada with snow and such, there's no excuse for me to complain of cold. But really, the cold in England gets into your bones and takes up a clammy residence, spreading mould and damp... well, you get the picture.
It doesn't help that I sit in front of an old sash window, which oozes cold air right onto me. Brr. So, in honour of the season, today's not-so-ten for Tuesday is all about staying warm. Here are my top tips!
1. Fingerless gloves. Yeah, baby! Not so sexy, but they keep your hands toasty warm and your fingers free for munching. And typing.
2. Under-desk heater. I shove a heater right up under my desk (not an euphemism for anything, I assure you) and then press my legs against it. Ohhhh ssooooo satisfying.
3. Chocolate-scented blanket. What's this, you ask? So easy to create. Simply choose a plain blanket, melt some chocolate in strategic (or accidental) locations, then wrap yourself up tightly.
4. The sock layering organisational system. If you're like me and you can never keep track of your socks, why not wear them all at once? Your feet will be warm and you'll never lose them again.
5. Mulled wine. Hey, it's almost Christmas! Get in the spirit early and keep your insides cheery by having a cup of mulled wine. You deserve it!
How do you keep warm? Happy Tuesday!
Tea! Lots of. I gave up caffeine last year (apart from the incidental caffeine in chocolate, ahem) so I brew up some Twining's Orange, Mango and Cinnamon or Camomile and Spiced Apple and hug the mug :)
ReplyDeleteHot chocolate also works for this. With marshmallows. Big, proper, fat, sugary, pink and white Princesses, none of these mini-marshmallows. Two white and one pink per mug. Bliss. . .
#s 1 and 2 i also follow.
ReplyDeleteAnd #3 made me LMAO
We had wood sash windows and no loft insolationn, and walking into our bedroom was like entering a haunted room. So, I know how you feel. Now we have doublw-glazed sash windows and about three feet of insolation. LOL.
ReplyDeleteA heater is a must, though!
Could I have made anymore spelling mistakes? LOL.
ReplyDelete1)Coffee - always coffee. Doc says I need to cut back;0)
ReplyDelete2)Big, fuzzy, ratty old sweater
3)The rabbit fur lined slippers my mommy made me:-)
Toe socks and hot herbal tea work for me. My big old dog lying on my feet doesn't hurt either.
ReplyDeletehahha! Great! I just mope around in my robe all day ...
ReplyDeleteChocolate-scented blanket? Creative!
ReplyDeleteI think the heater and the extra socks are really important for you & for any1 suffering from the cold.
Sometimes I use a shea butter lotion to keep hands soft & circulation going. But if it's really cold & clammy then I can see where fingerless gloves would help.
I wear socks almost all the time along w/ warm slippers. Warm feet are good to have!
I would take a London winter any day over Chicago weather. My uncle used to live in London for like 10 years and said he hadn’t seen snow in like forever (I hate driving through snow and ice). We get snow, we drop in temperature way below 0 F, and Chicago is known for its wind. One year, the wind was so bad the temp dropped to negative 40 F with wind chill. Businesses were closed, schools were closed, and people were afraid to leave their homes. It was reported to be colder then Alaska. Every time it gets cold out, I remember that winter and realize it’s not that bad.
ReplyDeleteHot cocoa! I also love a grilled cheese with tomato soup. For clothing, a hooded sweatshirt, sweatpants, and thick socks are the way to go!
ReplyDeleteCheers to keeping warm!
didn't Madonna/Madge make fingerless gloves sexy in the 80s? And aren't the 80s back??? :D lol!
ReplyDeleteI'm so with you on the ALL the socks. And chocolate blanket? Mulled wine??? I'd never get anything done... lol! :D
Chocolate scented blanket?! I am SO doing that! Winter has set in here too. For us that means temperatures barely about 30 (F) and windy enough to bring the wind chill down in the single digits (F!). Snow is soon to follow I'm sure. But you know, I'd rather the cold than the wet. I feel for you!
ReplyDeleteEllen, Spiced apple tea sounds delicious! I must try that!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'd love to have a put to perch on my toes... sigh.
You must all try the chocolate blanket! It's so easy to make... :)
You just need to think of another T word instead of Ten and you'll be good to go *brainstorming*
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in Iowa and having six months of bitter cold and snow I shouldn't complain either about Texas weather, but I do when it gets cold... however I do enjoy the cold because with it comes the holidays, my favorite time of year!
Fact: I love those gloves you speak of!
Fact: I have a heater under my desk when it's in the 100 degree weather here in houston because the office is THAT cold.
Curled up by a radiator with a hot laptop on my knees is great for the writing muse - but those coffee and muffin breaks are lethal on the waistline. My excuse is - I'm editing - it must be done or my publisher will complain.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is soooo cold. I've broke out the gloves, scarf and hat. I don't care if my friend's say it makes me look like a female Harry Potter, I'm warm!
ReplyDeleteNow I need to go create a chocolate scented blanket!
okay. I kinda think fingerless gloves ARE sexy looking! I need to get a new pair too. And a new space heater for under my desk. My coworker quit over a year ago and took the space heater with her :( LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteThe chocolate blanket cracked me up. I thought it was a thing I could(and would) go buy.
Ahahaha I was all excited to see this chocolate scented blanket. I love it.
ReplyDeleteYep im a tights and sock layering kind of girl in winter :) and i love my blanket over my knees :)
ReplyDeleteScarves, any kind of fashion scarves. They work wonders for warmth!
ReplyDeleteFour and Five are my favorite picks from your list.
ReplyDeleteFor myself I drink tea when chilled and soak in hot lavender baths and then hug multiple hot water bottles and the fire.
I have all those things apart from the chocolate scented blanket and for a moment there I thought I'd missed something. I can now go and make my own...
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't truly get cold here until January, but we've had some chilly days already. I love my hoodies and sweat pants, plus knee-length knit slipper-socks. Very warm. And of course, my 32-oz mug of tea. :)
ReplyDeleteSee, this post made me long for winter. We don't really get one here in Cali. We're lucky if we even get rain. Though...I'm horrible in the cold, so I'd probably complain endlessly if I lived in it.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I am SO stealing the chocolate scented blankie idea. ;)
Mmm, I like the chocolate-scented blanket. Works for all occasions, even when you're not cold, but just need some cozies.
ReplyDeleteLovely post!
Oh love your ten. Your right about the "British" cold, it gets into your bones.
ReplyDeleteChocolate flavored blanket? Is that real? LOL. You should make a chocolate flavored snuggie.
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't mind the cold, or rather at least I prefer it to being hot.
I'm a guy - we have internal heaters. My wife spends half the winter clinging to my body. Which isn't a bad thing!
ReplyDeleteFriction. And wearing all the clothes I possess (well, this is Yorkshire). Of course, wearing all the clothes makes the friction a little tricky, but you know what they say about anticipation...
ReplyDeleteWe're going into SUMMER here in NZ
ReplyDeleteWOOOOHOOOOO *doinghappydance* Weee no more frozen feet! Weee I can have salads! Weeee STRAWBERRIES!
www.damselinadirtydress.com
Mmm...fingerless gloves...
ReplyDeleteI'm writing by the fireplace this week (with fire blazing of course)! Also, cats make nice lap-heaters.
We just had our first cold snap this weekend. Hot chocolate with a splash of brandy, Spanish-style, does it for me.
ReplyDeleteAs a thought, "Eight for Tuesday" kind of works because of the "T" sounds being relatively close together. So if ten is too much, but seven too little -- and nine is just out of the question altogether -- there you have it!
ReplyDeleteOf course, if you are ever really struggling, "Two for Tuesday" works, too. :)
Cheers!
Love the chocolate scented blanket and the glass of wine! I'll clang my wine glass with yours. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Love the chocolate blanket idea. Thanks for sharing, Talli!
ReplyDelete#4 is genius! I'm going to have to try that out for winter. :)
ReplyDeleteHmm, I've worn fingerless gloves before but they actually always end up making my fingers freezing cold! D:
And thanks for the comment on my blog. Hmm, you definitely should read the HP series if you have the time and if you'd like. :) And you can still participate in my upcoming contest even though you haven't read the books!
~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
A chocolate scented blankegt??? WHAT!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE my heater. I'd freeze without it.
laced hot chocolate all the way. Easy to make, too - just add a slug of irish cream to your hot choc of choice and you're good to go.
ReplyDeleteOr you can make it the way hubby and I make it, which is pretty much just hot baileys :-)
Ha ha ha! fantastic! I've listened to people at work all day today talking about how cold it is, and I've agreed and then I think, hang on, it's still 9.5 degrees!!! However, I am definately doing the sock thing!
ReplyDeleteI like bundling up in a sweater to keep cozy, or a soft and oversized sweatshirt.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried fingerless gloves. Not because they're not sexy (which I'm sure they can be) . . . I've just never had the chance!
I think I might have one of those chocolate blankies, too! Good to see them finally acknowledged on the Official Winter Writer's Kit. Um, woolly socks are my must-have, a pussy cat is a very good heater when I'm sitting reading, lots of tea - and getting up from my desk and having a good bop every so often when it gets really cold.
ReplyDeleteIf I ever ever ever ever do melt chocolate on my blankies it's because I was very careless with the lighter, some kindle and some candlewax. Ahem.
ReplyDeleteWhen socks are no longer an option - I wear my fluffy thermal booties. Warm feet equals a very happy Old Kitty indeed.
Mulled wine. I love mulled wine but ALL. THAT. COOKING.
:-) Take care
x
As you say winter has indeed come to the UK. I enjoy a hot chocolate before going to bed but don't drink tea or coffee. I drink mainly water. Hope it warms up abit for a while.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Lovely ideas! I have been SO freezing and dread leaving the house due to the weather!
ReplyDeleteBut the under the desk heater is SUCH a good idea :)
www.clashingtime.blogspot.com <3
nearly ten for Tuesday - as for staying warm - wear a cap!
ReplyDeleteI love your sock idea! Winter hasn't hit us yet but I'm ready with my fingered mittens and fleece touques.
ReplyDeleteI have the BEST fuzzy blanket and the world's greatest fuzzy boot slippers! It's awesome :)
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking you could really market some form of number three . . .
ReplyDeleteHere's to staying warm! Which I don't have a problem with, since I'm in Florida.
*hides*
Coffee and fingerless gloves. Sounds like a great idea!
ReplyDeleteCD
Great list! Especially the mulled wine. We live on the stuff in winter. How do you make yours?
ReplyDeleteI hate the cold. hate it.love your sock idea! so funny!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Especially the chocolate-scented blanket one. Except then I might try to eat the blanket. :)
ReplyDeleteFor some reason it's incredibly stuffy in my apartment and always feels like it's 90 degrees in here. So I keep my window open during the winter to make my apartment cold, and people passing by outside always give me weird looks when they see me open my windows.
Great ideas! The chocolate scented blanket is one I hadn't heard before, but since I: (a) love chocolate, and (b) am notorious for dropping things on myself, I'm thinking it won't be hard to have a chocolate scented blanket of my own.
ReplyDeleteMy most prolonged writing stints are done at weekends, in bed as it's the only kid free room in the house; I literally wake at 7 and get typing. In the winter I'm snuggled under a quilt (also my laptop is faulty so it heats my legs a tad too enthusiastically) and loads of cups of tea keep me snuggly. I get very cold very easily. It's coming into summer now though and I'm usually flaking by mid afternoon when the sun comes round to fry me.
ReplyDeleteLove the fingerless gloves tip!
ooh mulled wine sounds nice!
ReplyDeleteI love the chocolate-scented blanket idea - I'm going to have to get one of those!
ReplyDeleteI keep warm by taking a hot bath before a nap or going to bed at night. I can't possibly sleep with cold feet, and a hot bath is the only thing that warms them up.
I love the idea of a chocolate scented blanket. You could go one step further and have a chocolate scented slanket (blanket with sleeves).
ReplyDeleteThen you would be free to type without the blanket getting in the way + the chocolate scented goodness, best of both worlds :)
How about Tips for Tuesday?
ReplyDeleteI'm onboard for all of them but #3. Sounds like a potential mess.
I used to have an apartment that only heated to about 60-degrees. I wrote my graduate school papers in my winter coat.
I so need a chocolate-scented blanket!
ReplyDeleteI rely on the dogs - one asleep on each foot keeps me lovely and warm.
This totally cracked me up. I don't miss English winter, I must admit. It's the cold rain, I think. Feel like I need a cuppa tea just thinking about it!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm good with the colder weather unless my nose gets cold...that's unbearable so sometimes I'll be at my desk with my nose inside my jumper!
Herbal tea and blankets knitted by my mom-in-law (but they don't have any chocolate on them).
ReplyDelete*snort* Oh, the chocolate scented blanket is good! I've stolen my son's slippers (I did ASK actually, and he said he didn't really wear them). They are cozy fleecy, mid calf, with leather on the bottom and they keep my feet HAPPY. I do need some of those gloves though... and a good mulled wine recipe...
ReplyDeleteHi Talli .. good five tips .. choccy blanket .. sounds enticing - warming air from below .. not bad, fingerless gloves - getting a little serious now - mulled wine - excellent idea .. socks - go for it ..
ReplyDeleteIt sure has got kinda chilly! & sash windows are wonderful .. your house or flat is healthier .. but sitting underneath one - not such a good idea ..
Keep warm(ish) .. cheers Hilary
I'm with Heather and the others. Why had I never thought of making a chocolate scented blanket before. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteOoh, it never occurred to me that I could start drinking mulled wine already! I don't particularly like the taste of the stuff, but I do love the warm holiday feelings it conjures. :)
ReplyDeleteI have one of those little heaters for my office, and it looks like it's time to get it out of the closet and plug it in. It's cold in Colorado today.
ReplyDeleteTea, Earl Grey or Irish Breakfast, with an obscene amount of sugar.
ReplyDeleteWhoo! UK winter! I can sympathise, the Welsh winters are what we'd call 'character building' hehe.
ReplyDeleteFingerless gloves are the way forward. A ton of coffee is also the way to go about doing things. Plus I've got a large dressing gown I'd potter around the house with, keeps me nice and toasty :)