THE ART OF COSY
The ultimate guide to making the darker months brighter
Words
LISA NIVEN-PHILLIPS
I've always been a winter girl, even as a small child obsessed with Shirley Hughes books and their bright autumnal colour palettes. It’s a love affair that has lasted a lifetime. My first child was born just as the weather turned cold, and I loved wrapping us both up for early walks around the icy-cold park, the winter sun filtering through the bare branches of the trees and the frost crunching under the wheels of the pram. Give me a crisp winter morning over a heatwave summer any day. But, if the colder months fill you with dread, here’s my guide to getting the best out of them.
 Embrace sauna seasonThe feeling of stepping into a warm, pine-clad sauna is - for me - like that of settling into a hot bath at the end of a long day, and the relaxing effect on my muscles and joints makes me feel like I’ve just had a really great massage. Saunas have been growing in popularity over recent years, and you’ll now find them everywhere from Hackney rooftops to Northamptonshire lakesides. The purported health benefits are plentiful - think boosted cardiovascular health, reduced stress, and improved muscle pain - but on top of that, they’re gorgeously warm and, in the case of the newest crop, pretty chic places to hang out. Rebase Recovery in central London has the air of an ultra-fancy spa, while Beach Box in Brighton allows you to sweat it out as you gaze over the wild waves of the English Channel. |  Snuggle up with a "cosy" bookFor me, winter evenings mean scented candles, soft lighting - under no circumstances must the “big light” be turned on - and wool throws under which I can snuggle to read a book. Goodreads has reported a surge in popularity for “cosy” books, with searches for “fall romance” in particular rising over 400%. What is a “cosy book”? Well, according to TikTok, where it’s also a rising trend, it’s all about wholesome settings, upbeat plot lines and low-stakes drama, plus characters that you immediately want to become friends with. It doesn’t take a genius to recognise that, with the amount of real-life drama and horror in the news, we’re collectively looking for a bit of escapism when it comes to our fiction. Bestsellers in the genre include Richard Osman’s mysteries (his latest, The Impossible Fortune, has just been released), heartwarming romances like Great Big Beautiful Life, by Emily Henry, and anything at all by David Nicholls. Personally, I’ll be turning to the books (and films) of the OG queen of cosy, Nora Ephron. |
 Discover travel trend NocturismMuch is made of the downsides of the sky turning dark before 5pm, but perhaps what’s needed is a perspective shift. Noctourism is all about turning your travel plans on their head and embracing the wonders of the night-time world, whether that’s stargazing in the Namibian desert or bathing in thermal springs illuminated by the beguiling light show of the Aurora Borealis. Aside from the beauty the night sky has to offer, there are plenty of other nocturnal activities to seek out, whether that’s the night markets of Bangkok, an after-dark walk along the Great Wall of China, or nighttime truffle-hunting in Piedmont, Italy (apparently the soil aeration at night makes the truffles more fragrant). Holiday firms say nocturism is booming, and travel journalist Stephanie Vermillion’s recently-published book, 100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Adventures After Dark, provides ample inspiration on where to seek out your own adventure. |  Have you thought about hooded scarves?Part of the beauty of winter for me is snuggling up in cosy fabrics to enjoy a walk in the crisp air, and leaning into the oversized pieces that suit me better than summer’s floaty dresses. Jumpers-wise, you can’t go wrong with chunky cashmere, but this winter I’ll also look to lighter cotton and merino layers to offset the exaggerated silhouettes of the season’s barrel jeans. Hooded scarves - an unexpected but unarguable style hit - are another great way to add warmth without bulk, and ribbed wool socks are an absolute must for keeping toes cosy inside thick-soled boots. For AW25, cocoon coats provide an instant style upgrade, and are the sartorial equivalent of wearing a huge blanket. Heaven. |
 Comfort food revisitedHas there even been a greater cookbook published than Nigella Lawson’s How To Be A Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking? A book that’s as much about discovering joy in the process of cooking and sharing food as it is about the end product, Lawson’s most beloved book has just turned 25 years old - and what better way to celebrate than to cook from it all season long? Full of cosy, satisfying and warming meal ideas, it also contains the recipe for the pecan-dusted Autumnal Birthday Cake I crave every year for my November birthday. Alternatively, Anthony Bourdain’s Les Halles Cookbook has just been reissued, containing mouth-watering French bistro classics that feel just right for the colder weather. If you’re craving something new, look to social media hero Jon Watts, whose comfort-focused, 30-minute recipes frequently go viral on both TikTok and Instagram. Once you’ve watched him serving up fresh-out-of-the-oven chicken Alfredo lasagne, you won’t be able to rest until you’ve tasted it yourself. |
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Lisa Niven-Phillips is a freelance beauty and lifestyle writer. Follow her on Instagram at @lisanivenphillips. | |