HOT 5 - 1/21/22
Hello HOT Friends,
How's everyone doing this third week of the new year? Personally, I've always struggled a bit the month of January which I guess is a combination of post-holiday doldrums and the awful weather. It's no secret that I've never loved winter and it's 15 degrees out as I write this! But this year it's even tougher than usual and given all the articles I've been seeing about the January Blues, I guess I'm not alone. Of course, continuing to be impacted by covid hasn't helped matters and there's so much more that's unsettled in our world-leading to increased anxiety and crankiness. So I thought I would dedicate this week's HOT 5 to 5 things to consider doing that could help alleviate some of the blues. Here we go:
1. Try Something New
2. Re-Connect with Old Friends
3. Let The Greens Chase The Blues
4. Try Traveling From Your Armchair!
5. A Little Retail Therapy Never Hurts
1. Try Something New
Maybe a great way of relieving stress and boredom this January is to give yourself a new challenge! This seems like the perfect time to try your hand at something new. Learning new things can make you feel more confident and less focused on daily dissatisfactions. For some inspiration check out 20 Things To Do Instead of Banging Your Head Against the Wall, from Messy Nessy, a really fun and unique website out of Paris. Some of the suggestions are a bit out there but read through the list for some great ideas I bet you haven't thought of. I'm considering learning to embroider something and collaging my bathroom wall, btw.
2. Re-Connect with Old Friends
Have you found that over the past couple of years you've lost touch with some of the people you previously really enjoyed having in your life? I admit that I have (yes, a few of you out there know who I'm talking about!). One of my Intentions for 2022 is to make an effort to reconnect with these old friends who I really miss. I'm genuinely interested in finding out what's going on in their lives and hearing how have they coped over the last couple of years. So pick up the phone, send an email or text. I bet they'll be so happy to hear from you and you'll be happier too.
3. Let The Greens Chase The Blues
Have you noticed the obsession with houseplants that's been going on for the last few years? I've watched this trend with real interest as I remember the same trend sweeping through the 1970s when I was in college. We filled our dorm rooms with exotic seeming plants like asparagus ferns and peperomia and I even remember naming them and talking to them! Ah, there's really nothing new under the sun. This time around the trend is driven by millennials (what trend hasn't been?) in their quest for wellness and Instagram-ready interiors. There are even plant influencers with massive social media followings, coffee table books, and how-to channels like the very engaging and flamboyant Christopher Griffen aka Plant Kween out of Brooklyn, and Hilton Carter a celebrity plant and interiors stylist. Perhaps tending to a green plant family could be a nice hedge against the January blues? Here's a fun article from Refinery 29 to find out which plant is for you based on your zodiac sign!
4. Try Traveling From Your Armchair!
I don't know about you but I haven't stepped foot on an airplane in 2 years! I was hoping to get away in February for a much-needed Island vacation but have decided to put that on hold for another month or so to hopefully get past the worry of contracting covid. Fingers crossed! In the meantime, I think this could be a nice opportunity to do a little armchair traveling. These 2 lists, one from Esquire Magazine and from Travel and Leisure provide plenty of inspiration for trips we're all at this point pretty desperate to take. Maybe you've read some of these travel classics, hopefully, they'll be a few that are new to you and they'll help take you on a new adventure until we can actually get on a plane, worry-free.
5. And Of Course, A Little Retail Therapy Never Hurts
Sometimes we just need to reward ourselves, am I right? During these tough winter days receiving a little something delightful can be just the thing to raise our spirits and make us smile. I'm not talking about a full-on shopping binge, that's not part of our 2022 intentions if I'm being honest but check out this fun list of Amazon's hidden gems I can personally recommend a few things on the list that I've actually re-purchased like the Lash Princess Mascara (amazing and $4.99!!) the Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel, and the Skyn Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels. You're bound to find something and if not why not check below for what's new from HOT? And remember all vintage is 30% off until Jan. 31.
Hang in There!
Terry xoxo
