Hibernation of the Nation

About this time last year I wrote a blog post about Hunkering down in January… oh my days, if only we’d known. And now we’re in lockdown, again – a phrase we would not have even known existed at one level a year ago.

Not even a week in to this lockdown, it does feel different, perhaps because it’s January, it’s cold, not huge amounts of daylight, and just the ‘its-out-there-will-it-get-me-or-my-old-people’ fear about Covid that has just been relentless, and in London right now, it’s building. We all perhaps know someone who’s had it, got it… or worse. And I know as I still here and type I’m writing from a fortunate position of being well, my immediate team are well, and the old folk are OK too, if a little bored.

This week, the first week back to work and school (or home-schooling; ahhh) is always a tough one I think – no energy, the inability to type, remembering passwords or what it was that we were working on before Christmas that was sooo important, and tough also as it’s considered unprofessional to have a drink with lunch. (Maybe that’s a Brexit thing though?)

We are all at home in our household – and all scrambling over the WiFi for Google Classrooms, Roblox, Netflix, and imagine, perhaps some work emails as well. We’ve separated ourselves out as best we can… and whilst I’m furthest away from my nearest and dearest – I’m based in a bay window with a bit of a chill factor about it.

Layers are needed.

Mother always said wear a vest. I hear myself saying it to the 13 year old. She takes no notice. One day she’ll learn that her mother was right too.
M&S lace neck strappy vest with cool comfort £10

And whilst we’re at it; a sizeable pair of knickers won’t go a-miss right now. These will cover the small of your back (OK just with mesh). As I have mentioned countless times; no one likes a draught. These are pretty too.
Next High Rise lace & microfiber briefs £14

Gap have this bodysuit, in four different colours. Another great base layer.
Gap Henley Bodysuit £24.95

I always feel as if I don’t really want to be buying wintery things by now… I want to be looking ahead to spring… but in the current climate. Next week is a as far as I want to look really. It’s still going to be cold. So this might be useful…

Loving the buttons on this cardigan. Also available in a gorgeous oatmeal shade.
H&M Rib-knit cardigan £17.99

I’ve always quite fancied one of these. A slip over. Or, when I was growing up, a tank top. Useful now with a jumper underneath, later with a shirt as shown or tee, or nothing…
H&M Rib Slip Over £19.99

Mega fluffy, mega warm. This is light green (also available in dark grey and off white).
Uniqlo Fluffy Soft Mock Neck jumper £14.99

So clean, so pure, so lovely… how long would it stay this way? Who knows, but so useful. Other colours available obvs. A lockdown essential surely?
H&M Cotton Hoodie £19.99

A print! But a neutral, so it’s OK.
M&S Animal Print High Neck Long Sleeve top £19.50

A spring-like camo… pale and interesting.
Hush Oversized Camo Sweatshirt £59

If I had anywhere to go. I’d like this outfit please. The whole shebang.
Cos Cocoon fit hoodie inspired sweatshirt dress £69

We know comfort is key. If work-smart clothes aren’t required, from the waist down at least… these could be very appealing. Available in seven different colours (some colours have limited sizes left) – but these are pretty dang fabulous. Dress up (if we were going out – ha!) and dress down, if staying in.

I had a ‘Happy New Year, how are you’ Teams meeting with my work last Friday. I did make and effort and wash my hair for the meeting (I know)… but if you didn’t have time and needed to distract your colleagues eyes from grubby locks… these hair slides could be very useful.
Zara Pack of Metal Hair slides £5.99, were £9.99

Or you need some colour to distract from the sweatshirt you’ve worn for… how many days and sponged off some lunch five minutes before the meeting – these too could also be useful, and a bit spring like no?
Zara beaded hoop earrings £5.99, were £12.99

I digress, we were discussing layers to keep warm… we all know, one can never have enough scarves…
Next Navy Blanket Scarf £18

And finally, an all encompassing outer layer that can hide a multitude of layers and anything else for that matter.
Monsoon Fringe Trim Chunky Knit Poncho £50

Toasty.

Keep warm. Stay home. Stay safe.

xx

PS – main image from Pixabay