It's beginning to look a lot like winter.

I despise winter.

A lot.

I think everyone should. It's cold, dark, depressing. it rains a lot which ruins your hair and make up, it makes your jeans stick to you therefore making you wet all day and the dye comes out onto your skin when you're trying to wiggle out of them (which is such an effort in itself) It's windy so your hair sticks to your face and makes you look like you're a sister of 'Cousin Itt.' then snow starts to fall and you have to brave leaving your fairy lit, warm, cosy bedroom to go out into the rain, wind and snow just to land on your bottom unattractively. The humiliation is more bitter than the freezing wind.
I've started to try and look for the beauty in winter so I can refer back to it when the rain is pouring down my window and wind is howling through the letterbox and mascara is running down my cheeks since my eyes are watering off the freezing air. I've managed to pull together this list so far but if you find any more beauty in ugly winter comment below.

 1. Hot chocolate.

I never drink hot chocolate any other time of the year apart from late autumn and throughout winter. It's not a drink I could drink just for the sake of it, I have to be freezing and feeling like rubbish before I snuggle into a fluffy onesie and sip hot chocolate topped with cream, mini marshmallows and chocolate shavings.

2. Fashion.

Mmm, thick-knit sweaters, chunky-knit scarves, big coats lined with soft fur, faux of course. Those comfy jeans you love wearing day in - day out but would never admit to it, the fluffy bed socks you can wear underneath those faux fur lined boots you've dug out from the back of the closet because winter has crept over the windowsill once again. I love how you can layer things and really dress up causally. Painting your nails dark colours is always exciting for me, usually setting for a burgundy colour because it subtly hints Christmas too.

3. Snow days.

Even though I despise snow, I like watching it fall and lay especially when no one has walked through it and ruined how pretty it is. I don't mind snow as long as I don't have to go out in it. Those days where you snuggle on the couch watching soppy love movies you'd never admit to actually liking with hot chocolate, a big duvet and food are made even more perfect when you can see the snow falling outside and you're nice and warm inside. I'd say pyjama days also fall into this category because no one gets dressed on days like this.

4. Christmas.

As soon as the dark nights come in it starts to look a lot like Christmas which makes me get a little buzz. Things start become cosy and you don't want to stay out with friends you just want to be home being cosy and warm. Christmas tree's start going up in shops and Christmas decorations too. The thought of Christmas presents also begin to creep to the front of your mind as you think about your loved ones. Christmas carols start to appear on the radio and television interrupting your usual programmes as well as the Christmas early sale adverts.

5. Home-made soup.

I'm not too sure about anyone else but grandma's are definitely the best cooks around, especially when it comes to home-made soup. Its so delicious, its hot, filling and she always fills us right up, bless her. The smell of the soup lingers while it cooks making your mouth water and your tummy grumble. The water also makes the weight drop right off quickly and easily which makes it even better.

6. sledging.

I don't personally go sledging any more I'm a little too old now but watching children race down snowy hills definitely brings back memories that make me smile. Its nice to see them out and about having fun instead of shooting zombies on games in stuffy bedrooms.

7. Rosy cheeks and crisp, cool air.

The novelty of rosy cheeks and noses is cute, the pale faces with pink cheeks and noses pressed up against the windows make me laugh, although the cold air can make us poorly and flu-ish it helps our immune system and it makes us feel more healthier although colder. It definitely motivates me to move faster and get things done quicker so I don't have to stay in the cold as long.

8. Snow ball fights.

Ugh, cold and wet. I hate it. However watching others have snow ball fights is much better, you laugh at someone else getting cold and wet its funny, its perfect.

9. Bubble Baths.

Mmmm bubble baths. I have at least three bubbles baths a week with one of Lush Cosmetics bath bombs or melts but in winter i find myself having one almost every day because of how cold it is, the shower doesn't do any justice, being able to sit in the bath with a good book or DVD is perfect after a long, cold day it also does wonders for my skin and hydrates it. Oh, its also incredibly relaxing! also at Christmas Lush release their Christmas range which smells a lot like Christmas with things like cinnamon scents and beautiful Christmas colours.

10. Decorating.

I adore decorating the house at Christmas time, putting the tree up and dressing it in white and red is the best thing to do, ever. Especially when the family gather in your house for a catch up and family time. It definitely beats any other time of the year.

11. "Winters Coming"

The drama of saying "Winters coming" makes me quite excited. It has high impact and everything, try saying it out loud right now, wherever you are. It sounds good, doesn't it? unlike if you say "Spring is coming" you just sound like someone off a gardening show or if you say "Summers coming" you sound like someone off the boots adverts whose about to tell you to stock up on their offers or if you say "Autumns coming" you sound a little creepy it just doesn't sound right but if you say "Winters coming" its sexy, its dramatic. Its powerful.

12. Sunrises.

A few weeks ago the only people that saw sunrise was people who work night-shift and people with insomnia, no one was ever up that early. But now, time we're getting ready to go to work or while we're walking or driving somewhere we get to see sunrise and its beautiful. the yellow sun in the distance starting to show through the darkness that's fading is perfect.