How To Prep Your Home (and Yourself) for Fall/Winter
This time of year is all about adding more… more layers, more moisturizer, and more love. Take extra steps to ensure that your body and environment are taken care of. It’s not just feeling comfortable in your home; you (and your skin) should feel great and thrive in it too. Here are some tips on how to make this your best fall/winter yet!
How to prep for fall and winter
LAYER LIKE A BOSS
One of my favorite parts about fall is all the layering. If you live in NC like we do, then you’ll understand the struggle (okay not a real struggle I know) of leaving the house in a jacket just to break a sweat when walking to your car after work. Layering is great because you’re prepared for all types of weather. I try to keep an extra jacket or sweater in my car so that I’m always ready for a new adventure… or a cold restaurant.
INVEST IN QUALITY OUTERWEAR
If you’ve been putting off buying a new winter jacket because you want to squeeze oneeeee more year out of your old one… this is your sign to treat yourself to a quality jacket that’ll keep you warmer than you’ve ever been.
REFLECTIVE ACCESSORIES
Since it gets dark earlier and stays dark longer, it might be a good idea to invest in some reflective accessories. Whether it’s in the morning or at night, it’s safer to have/wear something reflective when exercising outside so that drivers can see you.
POCKET WARMERS
Fingers and toes are more sensitive to temperature variations because they receive less stimulation than the rest of the body. To keep your hands nice and toasty on the go, try putting some pocket warmers in your pockets to hold onto.
OH SO FUZZY SLIPPERS
Feet are usually the first body part to get cold because they’re farthest from the heart. If you suffer from cold feet, wearing fluffy slippers can help keep your feet warm at home + it's so cozy to walk around in them!
TOWEL WARMER
The colder it gets outside, the harder it is to shut off that steaming hot shower. A towel warmer is perfect for this dilemma because it preheats a towel while you shower so that you have a warm towel to dry off with.
BYE-BYE CRACKED LIPS
When it comes to the lips, we should be taking extra good care of them in the winter. Dry lips often get overlooked because people think a quick fix is to lick them. However, licking lips only makes them more dry and painful. Be sure to exfoliate your lips a few times a week (you can't bring dead skin back to life), and keep a V2 lip balm close by so your lips are getting regular moisturization.
BODY
The second my skin is exposed to colder temperatures, the dryness begins. Start applying moisturizer more often during the day to prevent dry skin. The best time to apply moisturizer is right after you wash your hands and right after a shower because it locks in the moisture in your skin.
FACE
A dry face is never a comfortable face. I usually apply a face cream before putting on the rest of my makeup, but in the fall and winter, it’s favorable to keep that skin moist with something thicker like a face balm or face cream + face oil.
KEEP THOSE LOCKS LUSCIOUS
As nice as it is to have the heat blasting, warm air loves to dry out hair and make it staticky. Don’t skip that crucial step in the shower and take the time to deeply condition your hair (maybe even twice) to make sure it stays silky smooth.
VITAMIN D
Darker days also mean that most of our bodies will probably be lacking Vitamin D. We need Vitamin D to keep a healthy immune system so we don’t get sick during these colder months. Vitamin D supplements are an excellent way of making sure your levels stay optimal during these colder seasons.
HUMIDITY IS YOUR FRIEND
A humidifier is an essential winter addiction to the house because it adds the perfect amount of moisture back into the air. Plus, it might just be me, but I find the soft humming of a humidifier oddly soothing.
INSULATE THE HOUSE
Optimize your heat (and money) by making sure all windows and doors are sealed. You can install removable magnetic window insulation to cover any cracks near windows and doors or use caulk for a longer-term solution.
REVERSE THE FAN/BLADE DIRECTION
I was today years old when I learned that fans should be turning clockwise in the winter. Warm air rises so fan blades turning counterclockwise will only push cold air down towards floor level. Switch your fans to rotate clockwise so that the blades can push the warm air down to you.
BACKUP PORTABLE HEATER
A backup portable heater is important to have in the winter, just in case your heater were to stop working (especially for those living in very cold climates, such as New York and Minnesota). It’s also great for cold feet that do not get warm no matter how many layers of socks you have on.
BLANKETS
Let’s get one thing straight: You can never ever have too many throw blankets… especially in the winter. Fill that couch up with plenty of warm, soft blankets for you and your guests to enjoy.
LET THERE BE [CANDLE]LIGHT
Blankets definitely make the house feel more homey but if you want an extra level of coziness, buy some nontoxic candles (and a lighter) and enjoy the softest and most intimate form of lighting.
STOCK UP ON THE GOOD STUFF
Stocking up on some cozy winter beverages will be the best thing you decide to do. Have extra coffee, tea, hot chocolate and/or wine in the house for when you want to snuggle up on the couch with a peaceful drink.
EXTRA FOOD
It’s crucial to keep extra, non-perishable food in your pantry for emergencies all year long, but especially in the winter. It’s also great backup food for those cold, lazy days when you don’t feel like leaving the house and getting groceries.
BOARD GAMES
Cold weather means finding more things to do indoors. This can be a wonderful time for some bonding activities such as playing your favorite board games or finishing your favorite puzzles.
SHOVEL
Depending on where you live, you may or may not need a shovel. If it snows, even a little bit in your area, it may be helpful to leave a shovel in the garage. If it snows a lot, you might want to consider also getting a snowblower.
ICE SCRAPER
Any impatient driver knows how difficult it is to wait for a windshield to defrost when in a rush to get somewhere. An ice scraper can be a handy tool to keep in the car for those frosty mornings.
SALT
Most cities salt the roads when it gets really cold so that cars don’t skid on any ice that may have formed. It could be worthwhile to keep some salt bags in your trunk in case you get stuck in any ice patches. As an alternative, kitty litter will also do the trick!
How to prep for fall and winter
LAYER LIKE A BOSS
One of my favorite parts about fall is all the layering. If you live in NC like we do, then you’ll understand the struggle (okay not a real struggle I know) of leaving the house in a jacket just to break a sweat when walking to your car after work. Layering is great because you’re prepared for all types of weather. I try to keep an extra jacket or sweater in my car so that I’m always ready for a new adventure… or a cold restaurant.
INVEST IN QUALITY OUTERWEAR
If you’ve been putting off buying a new winter jacket because you want to squeeze oneeeee more year out of your old one… this is your sign to treat yourself to a quality jacket that’ll keep you warmer than you’ve ever been.
REFLECTIVE ACCESSORIES
Since it gets dark earlier and stays dark longer, it might be a good idea to invest in some reflective accessories. Whether it’s in the morning or at night, it’s safer to have/wear something reflective when exercising outside so that drivers can see you.
POCKET WARMERS
Fingers and toes are more sensitive to temperature variations because they receive less stimulation than the rest of the body. To keep your hands nice and toasty on the go, try putting some pocket warmers in your pockets to hold onto.
OH SO FUZZY SLIPPERS
Feet are usually the first body part to get cold because they’re farthest from the heart. If you suffer from cold feet, wearing fluffy slippers can help keep your feet warm at home + it's so cozy to walk around in them!
TOWEL WARMER
The colder it gets outside, the harder it is to shut off that steaming hot shower. A towel warmer is perfect for this dilemma because it preheats a towel while you shower so that you have a warm towel to dry off with.
BYE-BYE CRACKED LIPS
When it comes to the lips, we should be taking extra good care of them in the winter. Dry lips often get overlooked because people think a quick fix is to lick them. However, licking lips only makes them more dry and painful. Be sure to exfoliate your lips a few times a week (you can't bring dead skin back to life), and keep a V2 lip balm close by so your lips are getting regular moisturization.
BODY
The second my skin is exposed to colder temperatures, the dryness begins. Start applying moisturizer more often during the day to prevent dry skin. The best time to apply moisturizer is right after you wash your hands and right after a shower because it locks in the moisture in your skin.
FACE
A dry face is never a comfortable face. I usually apply a face cream before putting on the rest of my makeup, but in the fall and winter, it’s favorable to keep that skin moist with something thicker like a face balm or face cream + face oil.
KEEP THOSE LOCKS LUSCIOUS
As nice as it is to have the heat blasting, warm air loves to dry out hair and make it staticky. Don’t skip that crucial step in the shower and take the time to deeply condition your hair (maybe even twice) to make sure it stays silky smooth.
VITAMIN D
Darker days also mean that most of our bodies will probably be lacking Vitamin D. We need Vitamin D to keep a healthy immune system so we don’t get sick during these colder months. Vitamin D supplements are an excellent way of making sure your levels stay optimal during these colder seasons.
HUMIDITY IS YOUR FRIEND
A humidifier is an essential winter addiction to the house because it adds the perfect amount of moisture back into the air. Plus, it might just be me, but I find the soft humming of a humidifier oddly soothing.
INSULATE THE HOUSE
Optimize your heat (and money) by making sure all windows and doors are sealed. You can install removable magnetic window insulation to cover any cracks near windows and doors or use caulk for a longer-term solution.
REVERSE THE FAN/BLADE DIRECTION
I was today years old when I learned that fans should be turning clockwise in the winter. Warm air rises so fan blades turning counterclockwise will only push cold air down towards floor level. Switch your fans to rotate clockwise so that the blades can push the warm air down to you.
BACKUP PORTABLE HEATER
A backup portable heater is important to have in the winter, just in case your heater were to stop working (especially for those living in very cold climates, such as New York and Minnesota). It’s also great for cold feet that do not get warm no matter how many layers of socks you have on.
BLANKETS
Let’s get one thing straight: You can never ever have too many throw blankets… especially in the winter. Fill that couch up with plenty of warm, soft blankets for you and your guests to enjoy.
LET THERE BE [CANDLE]LIGHT
Blankets definitely make the house feel more homey but if you want an extra level of coziness, buy some nontoxic candles (and a lighter) and enjoy the softest and most intimate form of lighting.
STOCK UP ON THE GOOD STUFF
Stocking up on some cozy winter beverages will be the best thing you decide to do. Have extra coffee, tea, hot chocolate and/or wine in the house for when you want to snuggle up on the couch with a peaceful drink.
EXTRA FOOD
It’s crucial to keep extra, non-perishable food in your pantry for emergencies all year long, but especially in the winter. It’s also great backup food for those cold, lazy days when you don’t feel like leaving the house and getting groceries.
BOARD GAMES
Cold weather means finding more things to do indoors. This can be a wonderful time for some bonding activities such as playing your favorite board games or finishing your favorite puzzles.
SHOVEL
Depending on where you live, you may or may not need a shovel. If it snows, even a little bit in your area, it may be helpful to leave a shovel in the garage. If it snows a lot, you might want to consider also getting a snowblower.
ICE SCRAPER
Any impatient driver knows how difficult it is to wait for a windshield to defrost when in a rush to get somewhere. An ice scraper can be a handy tool to keep in the car for those frosty mornings.
SALT
Most cities salt the roads when it gets really cold so that cars don’t skid on any ice that may have formed. It could be worthwhile to keep some salt bags in your trunk in case you get stuck in any ice patches. As an alternative, kitty litter will also do the trick!
