How To Be An Expert Hibernator

Growing up in upstate New York, I experienced all the different aspects of winter: building snowmen, shoveling, sleeping with my pajamas inside out and a spoon under my pillow for good luck in the hope of having school closed (results varied), driving in a snowstorm for the first time, having flights cancelled… you get the picture. I know, winter. It’s different now, living in New York City, because while it definitely gets super cold here, snow is almost strictly something despised for the huge slush puddles it creates on corners; puddles that look more like melting dirt than anything else. Other than occasionally sledding in one of the city’s parks, snow is just something to avoid and winter is a complete and total inconvenience.

But maybe that’s not just New York City. Maybe that’s just growing up and wanting to take this time of year to hide from the world and enjoy it for the season of hibernation that it’s meant to be—which is all the more reason, really, to make the best of it and ensure that we’re comfortable, entertained, and glowing all winter long. Done right, we might even be sad when spring comes and we have to return to our old habits. Read on for tips on how to embrace winter by rarely experiencing it.

Curate a Great Winter Movie Playlist

Movies can be a beautiful escape from just about everything—including winter. Here are a few films that will take you through a variety of snow-filled landscapes from the comfort of your couch. Live vicariously through these while you sit cozily on your couch.

• Curate a Great Winter Movie Playlist
• Movies can be a beautiful escape from just about everything—including winter. Here are a few films that will take you through a variety of snow-filled landscapes from the comfort of your couch. Live vicariously through these while you sit cozily on your couch. The Holiday Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet swap homes for the holidays in the days before Airbnb and find romance along the way. They also wear some A+ sweaters.
• Curate a Great Winter Movie Playlist
• Movies can be a beautiful escape from just about everything—including winter. Here are a few films that will take you through a variety of snow-filled landscapes from the comfort of your couch. Live vicariously through these while you sit cozily on your couch. The Shining This iconic horror film features an isolated hotel, evil spirits, psychic visions, winter storms, and some of the most quotable lines in cinematic history. Red Rum! Red Rum!
• Curate a Great Winter Movie Playlist
• Movies can be a beautiful escape from just about everything—including winter. Here are a few films that will take you through a variety of snow-filled landscapes from the comfort of your couch. Live vicariously through these while you sit cozily on your couch. The Ice Storm A family on edge spirals out of control until a storm intervenes in this ‘70s-set masterwork of interpersonal drama. Come for the great disco-era clothes and key parties, stay for a young Christina Ricci using a Richard Nixon mask as part of her art of seduction.
• Curate a Great Winter Movie Playlist
• Movies can be a beautiful escape from just about everything—including winter. Here are a few films that will take you through a variety of snow-filled landscapes from the comfort of your couch. Live vicariously through these while you sit cozily on your couch. The Gold Rush (1925) This silent film finds Charlie Chaplin pursuing the Gold Rush only to have a blizzard trap him in a cabin. Never watched a silent film before? Start with this and quickly understand why the moving pictures quickly became all the rage.
• Curate a Great Winter Movie Playlist
• Movies can be a beautiful escape from just about everything—including winter. Here are a few films that will take you through a variety of snow-filled landscapes from the comfort of your couch. Live vicariously through these while you sit cozily on your couch. Edward Scissorhands Following a science experiment gone wrong, this movie inspires viewers to see beyond appearances and also to maybe get a waterbed! No, really. That’s the lesson here.

Readers, This Is Your Time

A great book is the literary equivalent of a nice cup of hot cocoa. Both fill you with warmth, are perfect for a relaxing day in, and can be devoured right up. Ensure a busy and interesting hibernation by tearing into this diverse list of books that range from well-known classics to books which will soon be known as classics.

• Readers, This Is Your Time
• A great book is the literary equivalent of a nice cup of hot cocoa. Both fill you with warmth, are perfect for a relaxing day in, and can be devoured right up. Ensure a busy and interesting hibernation by tearing into this diverse list of books that range from well-known classics to books which will soon be known as classics. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Maybe you read this in high school, but maybe you didn’t? If so, read it now. Especially because soon you can catch Amazon Prime’s series about Zelda Fitzgerald, wife to F. Scott and tortured artist in her own right.
• Readers, This Is Your Time
• A great book is the literary equivalent of a nice cup of hot cocoa. Both fill you with warmth, are perfect for a relaxing day in, and can be devoured right up. Ensure a busy and interesting hibernation by tearing into this diverse list of books that range from well-known classics to books which will soon be known as classics. How Should A Person Be by Sheila Heti Flip-flopping between novel and self-help book, this story celebrates female friendships while reflecting on who we are and why it’s alright to just be ourselves.
• Readers, This Is Your Time
• A great book is the literary equivalent of a nice cup of hot cocoa. Both fill you with warmth, are perfect for a relaxing day in, and can be devoured right up. Ensure a busy and interesting hibernation by tearing into this diverse list of books that range from well-known classics to books which will soon be known as classics. What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt Following a New York art historian, this novel follows the friendship of two men and the bonds that build and break us.
• Readers, This Is Your Time
• A great book is the literary equivalent of a nice cup of hot cocoa. Both fill you with warmth, are perfect for a relaxing day in, and can be devoured right up. Ensure a busy and interesting hibernation by tearing into this diverse list of books that range from well-known classics to books which will soon be known as classics. I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley A series of essays that follow one woman through the blessings and pitfalls of modern, urban life, this book is smart and witty and perfect for the ultimate young woman living in New York.
• Readers, This Is Your Time
• A great book is the literary equivalent of a nice cup of hot cocoa. Both fill you with warmth, are perfect for a relaxing day in, and can be devoured right up. Ensure a busy and interesting hibernation by tearing into this diverse list of books that range from well-known classics to books which will soon be known as classics. The Princess Bride by William Goldman You’ve probably seen the movie (if not, get on that), but you should still read the book because it’s super weird and smart and funny and, like, doesn’t buy into the whole “fairy tales should have happy endings” trope.
• Readers, This Is Your Time
• A great book is the literary equivalent of a nice cup of hot cocoa. Both fill you with warmth, are perfect for a relaxing day in, and can be devoured right up. Ensure a busy and interesting hibernation by tearing into this diverse list of books that range from well-known classics to books which will soon be known as classics. The Woman I Wanted To Be by Diane von Furstenberg The brutally honest tale of how a daughter of a Holocaust survivor became a princess and a world famous fashion designer. DVF is a true inspiration to every woman, so every woman should read this.

What to Wear While Staying In

Remaining indoors is, arguably, the most important part of hibernation, but a close second is what you wear while doing it. If you’re not wearing a virtual cloud, then something is wrong. This means that jeans are banned from the land of hibernation, to be replaced by soft joggers. Enjoy the seclusion and stay cozy.

Monopoko, Nap All Day Sleep All Night, $24.99, available at Etsy.

When anyone asks what your winter mantra is. 

Gear From Last Night, Braless Sweater, $39, available at NYLONshop.

You’re inside in a sweatshirt, so of course.

Topshop, Poppy Print Loungewear Sweatshirt, $40, available at Topshop.

For looking pretty in the million Snapchats you’re guaranteed to take a day.

Topshop, Poppy Print Loungewear Jogger, $45, available at Topshop.

Sets are an automatic mood brightener.

Ziztar, Snow Mountain Pants, $74, available at NYLONshop.

In case you want it to look like you just rolled in the snow. 

Kate Spade New York, Bonnie-Bunny Velvet Slipper, $78, available at Nordstrom.

A super cozy reminder that spring, and bunny sightings, will come soon. 

Glow-Up While You Stay In

Winter is, undeniably, a beauty nightmare. Your skin dries out, your hair dries out, your face dries… well, you get it. Moisture seems to go into its own hibernation, not to be seen until sometime in March. This year, feel free to lock moisture up and have a blast while doing it. We have every part of your body covered with great smelling and affordable products.

Lush, Let The Good Times Roll Face and Body Cleanser, from $12.95, available at Lush.

Made up of ingredients including polenta and cinnamon, this butter-caramel smelling body cleanser will keep you glowing all season. 

Shea Moisture, Shea Moisture Oil Intensive Hair Masque, $10.79, available at Target.

Don’t forget to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate your hair. Especially if you don’t want to have to run out for a cut.

The Body Shop, British Rose Instant Glow Body Butter, $21, available at The Body Shop.

This vegan body butter is a must-have to protect your skin from drying out under your heater.

SNP, Animal Lion Revitalizing Mask Sheet, $5, available at Ulta.

Invite your friends over and have a laugh while keeping your skin silky soft.

Kiehl’s, Olive Fruit Oil Repairing Hair Masque, $25, available at Nordstrom.

Perfect for over-styled hair that needs a boost of revitalization.

Burt’s Bees, Moisture Rich Lipstick, $9, available at Burt's Bees.

This lipstick gives eight hours of moisture while looking fierce even if the only way people will see you is by your Snaps.