Winter warmers special

11 cosy wins + three affordable accessories I'm loving

I hate being cold. I also hate spending money on central heating. While there’s much to celebrate about October - winter squash recipes, sunglasses with woolly hats, socks and sandals - shivering isn’t one of them. You never quite know what the weather’s going to do (I’ve been caught out by dodgy forecasts a few times this week!), so it’s always good to be prepared in case the wind blows in a storm or your coffee destination hasn’t yet had the chimney swept, leaving only the promise of the cosy log fire you’d hoped for.

That’s why this month on slowette.com, I’m sharing with you some easy wins to stay warm this winter, especially if, like me, you mostly work from home. Of course, all of my recommendations would transfer easily to a chilly workplace and a cold commute, too - I like a portable solution, and most of these are packable or can be layered into your look.

Think chic hot water bottles so good you should incorporate them into your daily outfits, recycled cashmere wrist warmers that still leave fingers free to type/operate machinery/hold pens, and useful knitted snoods that you can whip out of even the smallest bag during a sudden and unexpected gale.

READ: 11 REALLY USEFUL THINGS TO KEEP YOU WARM THIS WINTER

The Three Ps

Here are three things I’m loving this month that adhere to the Three Ps - they’re kind to people, the planet, and your purse. 

Nots lanyarding

Phone lanyard, £35 (shopnots.squarespace.com)

I’ve been after a phone lanyard for ages, but until last week, I hadn’t found one that wasn’t mass produced. So I was thrilled to discover - via the brilliant Leah from The Redirectory - Nots, an accessories brand that makes bags, jewellery and tech accessories to order, using paracord and glass beads.

I’ve been using it all week, and considering no-one started on this macrame loveliness until I’d placed my order, it arrived pretty quickly. With camera wrist straps, bracelets and coin purses also on offer, this is one to bookmark for lovely gifts.

Huggie love

Black gold Galaxy huggie earrings, £60 (clairehilldesigns.co.uk)

It’s only taken me 30 years of having pierced ears to realise that I am very much a huggies person. I really love how they straddle the territory of delicate earrings with a bit of statement chunk, but are also petite enough to leave in overnight if you’re the sort of person who never remembers to take their earrings out (me). 

Claire Hill Designs has some cracking huggies, all designed in Wales and made responsibly in Thailand using recycled precious metals. The brand also offers lifetime complimentary replating because its namesake founder believes everyone should wear affordable long-lasting luxury that makes them feel special and doesn’t cost that earth.

Toe for it

Japanese tabi socks, £6.50 (ukiuki.co.uk)

If you’re not a fan of my beloved Tabi Footwear boots, look away now! But for anyone who's into a split toe, you’ll be glad to hear that I’ve found a UK stockist of tabi socks (I’d previously bought some in Paris because I’d never seen them anywhere else!).

Uki Uki is a lovely Japanese stationery and gift shop, and the designs of the tabi socks are so good I stocked up on three pairs. Also head here for washi tape, stamps and ink pads, and cards and gift wrap.

Thanks as always for your support. This post was a free read, but if you upgrade to a paid subscription you’ll get two more useful features every month like this one, which offers advice on what to do with your old shoes.