The excitement of the holidays has long worn off, and the thrill of new snow is gone. Even my closet is depressed—salt stains have begun to creep onto my favorite pair of suede knee-high boots; the chic, oversized Zara sweater I bought last fall has begun to pill with wear; and my stilettos are gathering dust in the closet.
Let’s face it—the winter doldrums have set in.
That being said, there’s no better time to enjoy the comforts of home. Here are some tips—accompanied by some Minnesota-made products—to get you through the rest of the winter in one calm and well-put-together piece.
Give your bubble bath an upgrade. A steamy bath is one of the best ways to confront the cold. Instead of grabbing the Mr. Bubble, opt for a handmade bath bomb—a mixture of skin-soothing essential oils and other natural ingredients, packed into a ball that fizzes when it hits the water. Try a bath bomb by Da Bomb Fizzers made by teenage sisters Isabel and Caroline Bercaw in their parents’ Edina basement. Natural bath bombs by local skincare brand Bodylish offer pain and tension relief, while a pretty “flower bomb” by Kiyi Kiyi Cosmetics comes embedded with organic cornflower and rose petals.
Go for the glow. Candles lend a relaxing vibe to a room, and they can also be soothing to the mind and body. Scents such as sandalwood, frankincense, and vetiver are said to be calming to the mind, while lavender, jasmine, orange, and chamomile ease physical tension and anxiety. I suggest the Tonka Noir candle—a blend of mandarin, rose essence, jasmine, tonka bean, sandalwood, and smoky Madagascar vanilla—by Minneapolis company Illume.
Get cozy with a Minnesota-made blanket. Faribault Woolen Mill Co.’s iconic wool throws have practically cornered the market for locally crafted blankets, but there are other homegrown options. New brand Up North Market features products inspired by northern Minnesota, including a cuddly faux-fur blanket lined with preppy gingham fabric.
Up your slipper game. Toss the grungy slippers you got for Christmas five years ago and trade up with a pair by Minnetonka Moccasin. The 70-year-old brand offers its suede and sheepskin-lined moccasins in a variety of colors and styles for the whole family.
Get a massage—without leaving the house. These days, we order everything from groceries to a taxi via an app. So why not a masseuse? That’s the concept behind Soothe, a same-day, on-demand massage service that just launched in the Twin Cities. With as little as 60 minutes notice, the app sends a licensed massage therapist to your home, office, or hotel room.
Hmm. … With so many stylish ways to stay cozy indoors this winter, I may just want to hibernate until April.
PHOTO BY 2ND TRUTH PHOTOGRAPHY
Jahna’s February Style Picks
Hat Trick
The classic wide-brimmed hat gets a quirky twist in this fox-fur-trimmed, hand-blocked wool chapeau by Minneapolis milliner Hat Make. $350 @ hatmake.co
Knock on Wood
These shearling-lined leather clog boots by Chisago City manufacturer Sven Original are chic and cozy, indoors and out. $370 @ svensclogs.com
Hot Fuzz
A faux-fur pillow by Minnesota brand Up North Market adds a touch of rustic luxury to your sofa. $42 @ upnorthmarket.com
