We woke up to a dusting of snow this morning. Mazen has new snow boots (we got these neoprene Cat & Jack ones from Target), 5T snow pants and a sled ready to go, but it looks like there’s only about half an inch on the ground. Of course school is closed at the first flurry.
The past few years I have gone somewhere warm in the dead of winter. It’s amazing how much a few days of warm sunshine lifts the spirit. This time last year we were gearing up for St. Lucia, but this year we took our tropical vacation in October before the weather was even cold here, and so this this winter I will be landlocked. What I have noticed over the past few days is that even thinking about being in a warm, tropical place lifts me up a bit. My BFF is in Mexico and her videos and photos make me feel like I am there too. My Coastal Living magazine came this week, and even browsing the pages puts me in a better mood.
So, I thought, if I can’t go to the Caribbean, I will bring the Caribbean to me!
Here are 10 ways to channel the tropics:
- Put on beach music. The Beach Boys. Reggae. Red, Red, Wine.
- Follow resort Instagram accounts. Watch a Story with the sound of the waves.
- Go to the sauna, an indoor pool, a hot tub or hot yoga. Make your body feel like it’s summer. Splash around.
- Watch Moana, or your favorite beach movie.
- Make a tropical drink. Embrace the pineapple with Julie’s Pineapple Mint Sangria, Tina’s list of 7 summery cocktails (I want to try the Cotton Candy!), or this Summery Rose Cocktail, which looks right up my alley!
- Chew gum from Trident’s tropical line. I recently found the pineapple flavor and love it!
- Shop for a new bathing suit. This LOFT ruffled top is so cute. Off-the-shoulder suits seem to be on trend this year, but I can’t imagine swimming in one! I am most comfortable in a sportier strappy halter style.
- Have a summery dinner like burgers or skewers with pineapple.
- Read a good island novel. I love anything by Elin Hilderbrand. (Of course, I have never read any of her winter books – only the Nantucket summery ones!)
- Wear coconut scented things. Or better yet, put on a little sunscreen! Nothing screams summer quite like the scent of sunscreen.
I made a Thai Crunch Salad this week after reading about it on Julie’s blog. It was SO good! 100% Peanuty.
And while citrus is a winter fruit, it sure makes me feel tropical!
Pancake with butter and raspberry jam + orange.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Hah, I love your tips! A lil’ bit of summer is exactly what I need right now, beginning with the Caribbean music 😉
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Krissy says
We go to Nantucket often. My brother got married there and we love it. The Winter Stroll is a big deal. I love Elin Hildebrand too. Def pick up her winter books – they’re just as good!!
KathEats says
Ok!
Anna says
Thank you for this! I live in Chicago and we just got 6+ inches of snow and in the low 20s the past few days. Around this time of year I usually hit a winter slump. I take vitamin D daily and it reallllllyyyy helps. I try to get outside when I can too, even just for a quick walk. It’s amazing how your body adjusts and all of a sudden 35 degrees feels like a summer day ?!
Linda @ the Fitty says
Lucky you! I love snow.
Amanda says
Come visit me! 🙂 Vitamin D supplements and a daily dose of sunshine during the winter doldrums really do make a difference. I find that staying activity and being outdoors (even if it’s only 10 minutes here and there) helps keep the blahs away. Also walking helps — even if it’s just a few laps around the house after you’ve been sitting for a while.
KathEats says
I actually love walking in winter so long as the wind isn’t too bad
beth grossman says
There is a kids book Moe the Dog in Tropical Paradise that is so great; I once had a party for some GF in winter based on the ideas in this book and tropical menu to match.
Linda @ the Fitty says
I’ll be channeling winter in the summer since I never want it to end! Will you do a post on that?
Bri says
This is completely off topic, but I made your corn dip last night and it was delicious!! So simple and the flavors were perfect. This will be on repeat for us 🙂
KathEats says
Yay!!
Pat Kilmain says
So, I live in Alaska where this morning it is 40*! Our snow is nearly gone because in addition to the warm(ish) temperature it has been raining. Yuck. I am going to Arizona for 4 days which will remind me that summer is still out there.
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
Lol no summer for me it will be ungodly hot here soon! But the tropics are always slightly breezy right?