Essentials for a Cosy Autumn

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Last year, in the leadup to my proper first winter, I found a few things that I collected during autumn made the change of season so much easier to bear. That and eating soup like, every day.

I hope they help make your nest super-cosy this season – lord knows I’m addicted to those Queen B candles. And evening socks! I’m all about comfort. And food.

 

I read Peppermint Magazine religiously, and I love the tips they have for living seasonally. Wouldn’t miss it!

I love candles on cold dark nights (hell I love them at any time) but a scented candle in closed quarters make me feel sick and gives me a headache. I save those for summer. In cooler times, I have an (embarrassingly large) collection of Queen B candles (no palm oil, no fragrance except natural honey and 100% Australian beeswax) – a  mix of narrow solid 15cm ones and and these squat pillars, with 40 hours of burn time, and I’m still making my way through These little Jam Jar Tealights.

I do still like smells, especially when fresh air is icy and I’ve shut every door and window known to man. I burn essential oils because they’re nice and they won’t make me puke. We have this Lavender one when we’re chilling out and this Peppermint one when I am working or need to concentrate. Or if everything just smells stuffy. I also use this Organic Tea Tree Oil and the Organic Eucalyptus for cleaning year-round. I’m pretty keen on this Organic Sweet Orange – have popped it on my shopping list! I wish they had lemon, also.

I’ve also just added This oil burner to that shopping list because the oil burner I have is from the $2 shop and has seen better days. Have you ever tried an electric one? I think I might upgrade.

Cooler weather calls for blankets, and I like to make my own. I’m currently using some Bendigo Woollen Mills pure wool with this pattern, but next stop is this Organic Australian Merino Wool and this pattern. I started it but quickly realised my stash wouldn’t be enough so I pulled it apart and started the new one. I’m using a beautiful handcrafted crochet hook, much like these ones.

My skin gets super dry what with the cold weather in general coupled with home heating. Last year I went nuts with lotions and potions, but by the end of it, I realised simple was best. I stock up on delicious raw vegan vanilla lip balm, almond oil and coconut oil for my skin, Cosima Organics for my ageing visage, and argan oil for the locks.

I’m also fully in favour of treats and hand warmers, so my fridge is full of Loving Earth Raw Vegan Crunchy Mint Dark Chocolate (and the new mandarin and cardamom one, have you tried that? And the lemon salted caramel and the new hazelnut mylk one because I’m a piggie pie) to make hot chocolates from, and a frightful amount of tea. This season I’m downing endless cups of Yorkshire Tea, Dilmah Green Tea (it is really smooth and doesn’t have that weird bitter aftertaste), Sleep Tight from T2, and my ever-dwindling stash of Wedgwood Earl Grey.

All in all, they make for a cosy transition from sticky summer days to frosty nights just that little bit more bearable. Please remind me of this when it’s dark at 5pm and I can’t feel my toes.

What do you like to do to get ready for the seasons? Unless you’re in Queensland and you don’t bloody get any!