After Oklahoma’s first snowfall on November 16, I think it’s safe to say that winter is finally here! We know that along with Christmas music, magical snow and peppermint-scented candles, winter also brings freezing cold temperatures. If you are like me, you may not be fond of the ice-cold wind chill of 10 degrees. If you often find yourself shivering outside or having a hard time staying warm, look no further! Here are five ways to keep yourself nice and snug this winter!
- Layer up: it’s amazing what a long sleeve shirt, a button up and a scarf can do! For girls, if you’re tired of always wearing heavy, itchy sweaters, you could never go wrong with a t-shirt and a cardigan. For guys, throw over a nice-sweater jacket over any old shirt, and you’re good to go! Don’t be afraid to play around with colors and patterns. A good rule of thumb is to use a solid color to compliment a pattern and vise versa. Complete with a winter coat or jacket, and you’ll be able to brave the cold in a breeze (no pun intended).
- Treat yourself with some cozy blankets: sometimes the right kind of blanket is all you need to feel warm. Any blanket that has the words “microfiber” or “micromink” tend to do a better job saving heat and keeping out the cold than your typical, thin throw blanket. I once purchased a Sonoma micromink blanket, and it was worth the investment! The price might be a little intimidating, but these blankets are incredibly soft and last for years, as long as you take care of it properly. If you don’t have extra cash to spend, perhaps adding a micromink blanket would be a good idea! Believe me, they are the perfect blankets for snuggling in during winter! Here is a blanket similar to mine online for 19.99
- Bake some cookies: One of the best ways to stay warm during winter is to bake a batch of gooey, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Here is a fool-proof, three-ingredient recipe for peanut butter cookies! (I just made these recently. So easy and so delicious!) Bonus: They’re gluten free
- Make hot chocolate: there is nothing I love more than a piping hot mug of creamy hot chocolate in my hands. Why not try out this recipe to go with your peanut-butter cookies? With a hint of irish cream and toasted marshmallows, this recipe is reminiscent of campfire smores! Try it out, and see for yourself.
- Visit a warm cafe/diner: sometimes, it’s nice to cozy up in a place other than your room, especially since some dorms sometimes have a problem keeping up with the cold… (Asbury, I’m looking at you!) If the weather permits, driving down to a local cafe or diner might be a good way to get away, buy yourself a cup of hot chocolate (if you’re not feeling up to trying out the above recipe) and escape in a book or maybe watch a show on netflix! If you would like, bring your friends along for some good laughs and warm fun. Here are some places for you try out:
Maggie’s Cafe (6315 NW 39th Expy)
Cool Beans (8005 NW 39th Expy)
Runaway Cafe (5915 Philip J. Rhoads Ave)
Even in the blustering cold winds of Oklahoma, there are fun ways to stay warm! Remember to bundle up, enjoy good company and have a safe winter!
[author image=”http://echo.snu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Celeste-Forrest-Bio-Pic.jpg” ]Celeste Forrest, Staff Contributor
Celeste is an English Education major with a passion for writing. She dreams of becoming a high-school English teacher and author. She enjoys sleeping, reading while its raining, spending time with her amazing friends, and drinking Puerto Rican coffee. [/author]