For those experiencing winter right now, the key to survival is hibernating like a boss.

Whether it’s Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse, Bombogenesis, or some other really craptastic winter weather event, for those in the Midwest and the East Coast wintertime can be rough. While the latest named winter storm has just made its exit (don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Winter Storm Grayson), there is sure to be another one soon.  Now is the time to make your plans for hibernating through the next deep freeze–or until spring.

Need some inspiration for hibernating like a pro, read on.

Hibernating Inspiration

1. Binge-Watching

Wintertime is not the time to worry about how much screen time you are putting in. Consider that when spring returns! January and February are the months to do some good binge-watching. On Netflix, “The Crown” is trending right now (as if you didn’t know), or go for an oldy like “Weeds,” which has many seasons for your hibernating pleasure.

2. Warm Beverages

Do not underestimate the power of a nice cup of tea to make everything all better. Right now in our home, we are making regular pots of Golden Chrysanthemum tisane from Harney & Sons. Serve it with a little bit of honey or raw sugar for a delightful, and caffeine-free, warm beverage. Looking for something with a little more kick, try making some glogg.

3. Crafting

If cabin fever begins to set in, start crafting. Craft kits make the perfect hibernating activity. Buy one or two to keep on hand for the next winter storm and learn a new craft. I just bought a punch needle kit from Myra & Jean for myself!

4. Cool Tunes

While working on your craft, and drinking your tea, turn on some tunes. I have been listening to a surf rock station on Spotify. There is just something about single digit temperatures that makes me think fondly of surf music.

5. Hot Water Bottle

It might be super cold outside, but try to keep from clicking the thermostat upwards. Instead, turn to the trusty hot water bottle to help keep you warm. Tuck a filled hot water bottle underneath a cozy throw for added warmth.

6. Potluck

Hibernating doesn’t mean you can’t invite family and friends over for a tasty meal. Bribe friends and family with talk of a delicious homemade dessert and get them to bring comfort food dishes perfect for winter. It’s a win-win situation.

7. Treat Yourself Spa Day

Our skin and hair can really take a beating during the winter. Treat yourself to a self-care day at home and revive your winter-beleaguered skin and hair.

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Create a homey, comfy space this autumn by bringing cabin style to your home.

No matter where you live–the Northwest, the Northeast, below the Mason Dixon line–autumn is the time for getting away to appreciate the changing leaves. And the best way to do that is in a cabin in the woods. But what if you can get away? No worries, bring that cabin style home to your pad.

Get inspired to decorate your space like a cozy cabin this season and make it your own  refuge.

9 Cabin Style Decor Inspirations

1. Storage

One of the more charming aspects to cabin style are the quaint and clever vintage pieces. Create more storage with gorgeous vintage storage finds like this apothecary cabinet.

2. Wood Accents

Warm wood is de rigueur for reproducing cabin style in your space. Get creative with how you add wood. One idea, that is particularly ideal for those who are renters, is a wood paneled headboard.

3. Vintage Quilts

Every cabin I have ever visited has featured a stack of soft and worn quilts. Add some vintage cabin charm with your own vintage quilts. Estate sales and thrif shops are great sources.

4. Autumn Wreath

Bring some natural autumn color into your home with a wreath made from dried flowers and other natural elements.

5. Baskets

Whether for practical or decorative purposes, add some baskets for some easy cabin style this season.

6. Cozy Tables

No cabin is complete without functional, stylish, and cozy tables like this simple, rustic accent table that is just perfect as an end table, bedside table, plant stand, or entryway tray table choice.

7. Natural Rug

Add a natural jute rug for some cabin-like ambience. Jute is a natural fiber that is used to make burlap and it exudes an easy rustic style.

8. Natural Collections

Natural history collections are an obvious choice for recreating cabin style. Display pinecones, acorns, sprigs of dried leaves, dried flowers, river stones, and more on a hanging wood slice shelf like this cedar version.

9. Neutral Linens

Neutral natural linens complete the cabin style look. Add neutral accents made from natural fabrics like these cotton tobacco cloth fringed curtains.

Related on EcoSalon

11 Cabin Decor Ideas Perfect Enough to Recreate At Home
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Tea recipes so you can make your own unique blends.

If winter is good for one thing, it’s for curling up with a good book and a mug of tea. This is the season to embrace coziness. In Denmark, they have a word to describe this exact feeling: hygge. Creating a warm atmosphere to celebrate the good things in life. That’s exactly how you get through a long winter. And what better way to do it than by making your own tea recipes?

With a handful of dried herbs and spices and an assortment of tea leaves, you can make your own unique tea blends at home. And given all the benefits of tea, you should definitely be drinking more of it. Here are 10 recipes to get you started.

1. Chai

A dark and spicy tea always goes well with a cold evening, and chai seems to often be the tea recipe of choice. While many buy it pre-made, chai is simple to make at home. Stock up on cinnamon, peppercorns, fennel, coriander, cloves and cardamom and away you go.

2. Lavender Earl Grey

I discovered this in a cafe in Canada and have been in love ever since. It is as simple as adding lavender buds to Earl Grey tea and then brewing. The ratio will depend on your personal taste, and if you want to make an even cozier drink, you can add in milk for a tea latte.

3. Ginger Turmeric Tea

In the winter, it’s nice to have a tea recipe that will give you an extra boost, and this one is it. Ginger turmeric tea is especially good if you’re trying to beat off a winter cold or the flu. All you need is powdered ginger and turmeric.

4. Lemon Tisane

This tea recipe gives you a calming citrus drink, make with dried lemon grass and lemon peel.

5. Peppermint Tea

Maybe you were smart enough to dry some peppermint from your kitchen pots last summer. If not, get your hands on some dried peppermint and make this tea recipe that is sure to perk you up.

6. Ginger Honey Lemon Tonic

Here’s another recipe for anyone trying to beat off the winter cold. Using fresh ginger root and lemon, you’re even welcome to pour in some whiskey.

7. Tranquil Tea

With chamomile and rose petals, this tea is perfect if you need to wind down from a long day.

8. Vanilla Rooibos 

With a fresh vanilla bean and some loose rooibos tea, you can make this aromatic red blend, that also happens to be perfect for baking cookies with. Because the only thing cozier than a book and a mug of tea is a book, a mug of tea, and a cookie.

9. Rosemary Tea

Dried rosemary isn’t just good for roasted potatoes, it also makes a lovely tea. Pair with peppermint and sage in this tea recipe.

10. Detoxifying Mint Tea

With spices like coriander and cumin, this tea recipe is a combination of dry ingredients which you can make in advance and keep on hand, combined with fresh ginger, mint and lemon.

Related on EcoSalon

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Images: René Schäfer, mfcorwin

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With bedding this eco and luxe, you’re likely to spend more than a few weekends stationed in Cozy Town this fall.

During the cool autumn months, few spots on earth are as inviting as Cozy Town, USA. What and where is Cozy Town, exactly? It’s a mystical place located east of pajama junction, west of chamomile city, south of HBO heaven, and directly north of your mattress pad. It’s where you vacation after a long day interacting with the world – an increasingly cold world, filled with puffy coated people and their knitted accoutrements.

Lampooning yourself in Cozy Town when you could be leaf peeping in the Shenandoah Valley isn’t slothful or lazy, per se, it’s restorative and good for the planet, your way of reducing your footprint by kicking your feet up on eco-luxe pillows.

Pictured here, a woodsy bed inspired by autumn featuring a linen duvet atop a stitched sham, over honeycomb cotton, all from nature bedding company Coyuchi.

Also from Coyuchi, the chunky weave of this blanket is a textured and warm Jacquard woven of pure organic cotton.

Woven in alternating diamond and pointelle stripes, these double-layered blankets could turn the most seasoned bar hopper into a seasonal cuddle bunny.

Bamboo bedding is an environmentally friendly and sustainable material. Plus it’s ideal for anyone with skin sensitivities since the bamboo plant has natural antibacterial properties, which prevents bacterial growth and odors.

Silky-smooth sheets from VivaTerra and 250 thread count embroidered ones are NATURALS, respectively.

West Elm is big and boxy, fine. But they have a line of bedding that is both affordable and made from 100% organic cotton. Here, what they describe as their signature green product, hand stitched pintuck pleated shams and duvet covers.

The Euro pillow is made from 230-thread-count organic cotton shells. The interiors of these “Euro pillows” are treated with a 15-step cleaning process that makes the down hypoallergenic and ensures its purity. Also available with a down-alternative fill.

A cooperative of 50 artisans in northwest India hand-printed this bedding collection from VivaTerra. Created by carving patterns into wood blocks, dipping them into natural color and pressing them onto the fabric, the result is soft, pesticide-free, cotton comfort.

It’s also Fair Trade Certified, as demonstrated in this video made for your Cozy Town viewing pleasure.

Images: The 10 cent designer

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