Reasons to ❤️ Winter

PHOTO @SWfashion_

Guys, it's official: winter is here and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. While we could all sit here and bemoan the lack of sunshine and the inability to go bare-legged on a daily basis, resistance is futile. Winter is here, whether you like it or not, and guess what? Christmas is about six weeks away... Gross, isn't it?

So, bid adieu to daydreams of chilled rosé on the No. 32 terrace – now is the time to wrap up and wholeheartedly embrace winter 2015...

IF YOU LOVED: Terrace-hopping

YOU'LL LOVE: The new Below & Hidden clubroom at the B&H Buildings in Clerkenwell

Small but perfectly formed, Below & Hidden is an elegant, intimate alternative to the extravagance usually associated with London nightlife (no Champers'n'sparklers here, sweetie). The man behind the intriguing drinks list is Jim Wrigley, who has curated a menu of creative bottled cocktails inspired by monthly themes and seasonal ingredients. Complete with a DJ and dancefloor, the clubroom will be open until 2am every Friday and Saturday so you can shake off your winter blues with the best of them.

IF YOU LOVED: Your bikini bod (admit it...)

YOU'LL LOVE: Psycle

A tenuous link, agreed, but just stick with me on this one.

If you find yourself scrolling Instagram, looking longingly at your toned, trim summer body, while tucking into your third mac'n'cheese of the week, I feel you. It's all too easy to fall into a fitness rut when winter sets in, but try your best not to. Of course, it's hard to muster the motivation to keep fit when cosiness is the priority, but if you give up on your regime you'll feel so much worse for it. My tip is to switch the gym for Psycle. With locations in Soho and Canary Wharf, Psycle is best described as a full-body workout on a bike. I used to be quite apprehensive of spinning, but Psycle has totally changed that – now I am, quite frankly, addicted to the high-octane, high-energy, 45 minute workout. Once you've experienced the endorphin rush after the first session, you'll be hooked.

IF YOU LOVED: Teeny-weeny mini skirts

YOU'LL LOVE: Over-the-knee boots

Just because it's cold out doesn't mean you need to start layering up like there's no tomorrow. Yes, you may have to put some proper clothes on, but you needn't pack up your summer dresses just yet – all you really need is a pair of thigh-high suede boots. Choose a neutral tone, ensuring they aren't too baggy around the legs, and wear with swishy mini skirts and dresses for a low-key, bohemian vibe. Easy peasy lemon squeeze. Obviously these Aquazurra ones are the ultimate, but these ones by Kurt Geiger are (almost) as lovely, as are these by Public Desire (a snip at £39.99).