When it comes to enduring the cold, I like to tell people that Minnesotans are built differently. Now, I’m no doctor, but I’m inclined to think there’s some sort of physiological uniqueness that helps Midwesterners withstand the chilly temps, blizzard conditions and minimal daylight. While that may or not be true, there’s certainly an edge to those of us from the Land of 10,000 Lakes that keeps us well-equipped to brave the elements. In a similar spirit, Prince once explained to Oprah Winfrey the reason he chose to stay in Minnesota: “It’s so cold, it keeps the bad people out.” Clearly, our ability to endure winter year after year is a badge we wear with honor.
That said, even the most devoted cold-weather enthusiasts can fall into a seasonal slump. Luckily, our feature, “The Ultimate Winter Survival Guide” by Ashlea Halpern, is chock-full of tips and tricks to help you romanticize these notoriously gloomy months — winter-maxxing, if you will. Optimizing your wardrobe selections, home design approach, wellness routines and travel itineraries just may be the key to — gasp — loving winter.
Photography by Ben Colvin/Spacecrafting
Elsewhere in the issue, in “Best Guest,” David Coggins teaches us how not to be an absolute nightmare of a houseguest. On the flip side, in “Holiday Inn,” Chris Plantan offers her expertise for curating a thoughtful and stylish guest room for visitors. In “Well Worth It,” Anne Roderique-Jones digs into the extreme home wellness trends appearing in ultraluxe abodes. In “Après Our Way,” Laura Schara explains how the ski slope became the latest fashion runway. And in “Caribbean Christmas,” British tastemaker India Hicks gives us a glimpse into her family’s tradition of celebrating the holidays in the Bahamas.
While our annual holiday issue unfortunately does not come complete with an impeccably tailored, ankle-length, double-breasted wool coat (Santa, take note) for bundling up, we do hope these stories provide a bit of intellectual warmth this season. Now that you’ve cracked open the issue, cue the blazing Yule log, a little Bing Crosby, perhaps a silky pinot noir, and you’ve got yourself a nice little holiday evening!
Warm wishes (literally),
Lexi Sunberg, Executive Editor
