9 Ways to survive the winter lockdown in Windsor-Essex

Here’s a little insight into 9 ways our Border City Living team has been surviving the winter lockdown (while supporting a few local businesses) in Windsor-Essex…

1. Drink less – and when you do drink, treat yourself to better booze

Skip the lines at the LCBO and bring your wallet to the Maiden Lane Wine & Spirits bottle shop. Reopening today with limited hours and an expansive list of rare wine, beer and cider… some would call it, “the good stuff”.

2. Take a restorative bath or shower

For those with a fancy, free-standing tub, think of this as your very own Marie Antoinette moment. Or, if your space is a little more Fight Club, Brad Pitt with a cigarette and a washcloth. Both versions are acceptable in these times.

3. Treat yourself to some rustic Windsor pizza

Once you’ve run out of groceries and are desperate for a dose of old-world flavour (and decor), order up a Caboto pizza or two. Their expansive building is perfect for keeping your distance while getting winked at by at cute Italian grandpas.

4. Give your home a signature fragrance

If you too are in home schooling mode, your house’s scent may have more in common with a glue stick than a ‘whispering pine forest’. Fix this funk immediately with locally made, pure beeswax candles from Aggregate.

5. Organize or deep clean something

With the halt on new renovation projects in full-effect, prep your space by de-cluttering, organizing and cleaning. Tackle the ‘catch-all’ drawer in your kitchen, sort your sweatpants by colour or take this rare opportunity to organize your giant collection of @nudiejeans (seriously we have enough to fill a small boutique 😬)

6. Start planning your summer garden

Spring is too late to dream of your very own veggie garden – start soon with a Pinterest board for inspiration. If you’re a newbie or are looking to seriously level-up, book a consultation with the green-thumbed ladies at Ground Culture for some practical help.

7. Sort out a great reading nook

After adding to your home library with a curbside pickup from Biblioasis, prep your space with ever-so dim lighting and a mountain of pillows. Our favourite spot is anywhere dangerously close to a wood-burning fireplace or open heat vent.

8. Get zen on Zoom

Stay committed to your practice or explore a new curiosity by joining others for virtual yoga. The Yoga House hosts live and on demand classes via the their online portal. Alie’s sparkly-yet-chill personality is likely to liven you up even on the greyest days.

9. Equip yourself with some Beatnik art supplies.

Whether you happen to find an odd sense of peace during this time or are at your wits’ end with it all, is there anything more cathartic than expressing on canvas? 🎨

We’re genuinely excited for the range of art made during this time, while forced to hunker down at home in our spaces.

Available via curbside and delivery, this wonderfully local shop is the perfect place to start any artistic endeavour!