Dressing warmly has me hot under the collar 😉

I haven’t had a proper winter in a long time. I lived in the land of perpetual sunshine for three and a half years (Western Australia) and then chased summer around the world for a year and a half. As a result I am totally embracing the cooler weather this year. The foggy mornings, endless cups of tea, the chilly sunsets (why is it the clouds go the most insane colours in winter?!), snuggling up under 3 layers atop an electric blanket. It’s magic.

Along with Canberra and Hobart, Melbourne is one of the colder capital cities in Australia. Our weather is famous for being changeable and people love to complain about the seemingly endless winter. Here’s how I’m embracing the cold season:

Starting the day right 

I love porridge and I feel like it gets a bad wrap! My mum calls it ‘wallpaper paste’. I’ve had porridge for breakfast every morning for about a month now, I either have it with banana, cinnamon, a drop of vanilla essence and some desiccated coconut or I grate a pink lady apple into it and add cinnamon. It’s like apple pie for breakfast. It keeps me full for ages and warms me up from the inside out.

Dressing the part 

When I lived in Kalgoorlie, which is slightly colder than the rest of Western Aus, my Perth friends would put on a synthetic jumper and a pleather jacket and complain about the cold. Haha! Investing in natural fibres like wool, down, leather and fur (if you’re into that) is the way to go. I bought three 100% Merino wool sweaters from Uniqlo for $40 each and have had them on high rotation. They are so soft and warm; I got two turtle necks in white and black plus a maroon crew neck. They go with everything. I also purchased this 100% wool coat from Sportsgirl in anticipation of single digit forecasts.

I don’t know who was it who said ‘there is no bad weather, only bad clothes’ but it’s so true! Having plenty of tights, thermals and decent socks makes getting dressed in winter so much easier.

My what a warm neck you have!

Soups, soups, soups (and maybe a slow cooker) 

Pumpkin and sweet potato soup

I haven’t hit the slow cooker yet but I’ve been making soups like a madwoman. I mostly just throw a load of veggies (onion, garlic, carrots, celery, sometimes sweet potato and spinach or whatever is in the crisper) into a huge pot and add liquid vegetable stock and maybe a tin of crushed tomatoes. Then I might add a tin of lentils and a bunch of Moroccan spices or a tin of kidney beans and Mexican spices. When the veggies are soft and the soup has cooled a bit I put it through the blender in batches. I’ve added chopped up cooked chicken and pork leftover from a roast to add in for protein. I now eat soup for most lunches and dinners and have a freezer full of it! So cheap, tasty, warm and healthy.

Winter mini breaks

I have two winter mini breaks planned over the next few months. One to Bright which is at the foot of the Victorian high country and a base for hitting the ski fields. And a second to Hobart, Tasmania. Seeing snow makes me feel very affectionately towards winter! Even a light dusting is cosy and romantic. I can’t wait for open fireplaces and snowy walks. Although, I’ll never forget the time I had to move house, on a tram, during a snow storm in Vienna… that was less romantic!

Is it cold where you live?