The Beauty of Winter

I have always loved winter. The scarves, beanies and oversized coats. Cold cheeks. Hot drinks. Frosty mornings that make the countryside sparkle. It is a season that feels a little slower, a little quieter and one I find myself looking forward to every year.

My curly-haired friend Amber and I packed the car and headed for the hills, arriving at a charming little white weatherboard cottage tucked away on a peony flower farm in Stanley, Victoria. While the famous blooms were still asleep beneath the winter soil, the bare white birch trees stood tall around the property, giving the farm a completely different kind of beauty.

The cottage was simple, modern and thoughtfully styled. A cosy reading nook, a bookshelf waiting to be explored and the prettiest bathroom with dusky pink tiles, gold tapware and welcome soap that made it feel just that bit spesh! Fresh sourdough, butter, tea and coffee were waiting in the kitchenette, ready for a lazy girl breakfast.

But the real star of the stay was the bed.
Hands down, THE softest bed I have ever slept in. One morning Amber and I didn’t rush anywhere. We made cups of tea, climbed straight back under the covers and spent the morning reading our books while the frost slowly disappeared outside the windows. Sometimes the simplest moments become your favourite memories. And this was one of them.

Rugged up in scarves, beanies and enough layers to keep every snow man away! We drove down the hill to the Stanley Pub.
We settled in beside the crackling fireplace with coffees before deciding the atmosphere was too good to leave. Naturally, we found ourselves back there that evening for dinner and mugs of mulled wine. Was a total vibe. Bit like my friend.

The next day, Amber gave me a curly hair care lesson and did she rise for the challenge! (insert hair swish here!) Then these two newly well groomed girly pops drifted through Beechworth, popping into vintage jewellery stores, browsing op shops and discovering a tucked away laneway wine bar. The historic streets looked especially beautiful beneath soft winter sunshine, reminding us that every season brings its own kind of magic. Like us all hey!

This weekend was never about ticking off attractions or squeezing as much as we could into two days. It was about embracing winter exactly as it was. Good company, warm drinks, country towns and a bed so comfortable we requested a later check out JUST for a little while longer with our new found love! And indeed our request as granted!

Sometimes winter doesn’t need improving. It just needs someone to see her beauty and open to love it.