WELL, I suppose it’s finally here (on and off). Winter, that is. My favourite season (and I really don’t know what I’m doing here). Cyprus is not quite as cold as other parts of Europe at this time of year, but nonetheless it still gets chilly in the evenings … and there’s no denying the excitement of winter dressing. Colours, textures, layers and shapes are in abundance. Knitwear symbolises the arrival of the winter months like nothing else, from blanket-like wrap cardigans to ultra-long woolly scarves.
This winter, knits are in your face; everyday knitwear is chunky, tactile and preferably stripy. French Connection (available in Nicosia at the end of November and currently available in Ayia Napa and Limassol) and Oasis (available in Avenue Nicosia and Woolworths Olympia, Limassol) have picked oranges, pinks and corals for a more feminine look.
Knitwear also goes glam this season with tactile mohair and angora proving a hit for evenings. The 1950s retro thing (one of my favourite all-time looks) is very popular and doing particularly well on the high street at the moment. For Bardot sex-kitten chic, the golden rule is to go for a snug fit and team with butt-hugging jeans or pencil skirts to keep things sexy.
Cardigans
The cardi of the season is loose and slouchy with super-sized buttons (again, try FCUK, Oasis and MaxMara), to be layered over a slim-fit tee or jersey top. The baggy 80s top of the summer translates to winter-wear in the shape of sleeveless sweaters thrown over bright-coloured stretch polo-necks. For outerwear, the poncho makes a tentative return, especially welcomed by the pregnant and round-tummied.
The Sweater Dress
Still chic but less vampy is the sweater dress. Worn with high-heeled boots and smoky eyes, this is a versatile buy that crosses from day to low-key evening while keeping you toasty.
Gloves
Leather gloves are a must this season — every colour and style, from fingerless to driving gloves. Wear with your square-cut Sixties jacket for retro style or with a sleek funnel-neck coat for a more elegant look. My personal favourites are Toast’s (www.toastbypost.co.uk) — elegant, supple leather gloves available in four stunning colours. They may sound expensive at £95, but they will last you a lifetime. Definitely one of the hints I will drop to fill my Christmas stocking next month!
Wraps and Accessories
The preppie look is a perennial winter favourite, but this season the rainbow-stripe scarf has all but vanished in favour of Dennis The Menace two-tone stripes. Topshop and Zara are the places to head for these, while Miss Selfridge do a nice line in pink or red mile-long chunky scarves to team with your skinny blazer and jeans tucked in boots.
Over at Mango they’re bucking the trend with an array of spotty or stripy skinny mini-scarves and matching legwarmers, hats and earmuffs. Adorable.
Lastly, the knit beret is a fab, trendy-but-sensible look to try. Worn with a poncho or preppie scarf and rosy cheeks, it will take 10 years off you — so get down to Makarios Avenue (Nicosia and Limassol) and start damaging that Mastercard!
Winter Warming Sex Tips For Him
Kiss Her
Sounds obvious, but the biggest complaint from women about sex is that men forget to kiss them and just hone in on sex zones. So unless you want to make her feel like someone you’ve just picked off the street, make amends pronto.
Practice Sexual Etiquette
Jumping into the shower straight after sex isn’t complimentary – neither is getting her name wrong, falling asleep on her or suggesting she goes into the kitchen to make you a cuppa.
Winter without soup?
Tomato and rocket soup
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 1/2 hours
It takes a lot of tomatoes to make a good soup, and this will help use up a seasonal glut.
1 kilo plum or vine tomatoes, roughly chopped
3 red onions, roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves
3 tbsp olive oil for drizzling
250ml water
2 tsp sugar
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
100g wild rocket, chopped
Preheat the oven to 140C/275F / gas mark 1. Put the tomatoes and onions in a large roasting dish with the garlic cloves and a drizzle of olive oil. Place in the oven and roast for 90 minutes. Stir half way through cooking. Remove and blend until smooth, add the water and blend again. Strain using a fine sieve, working the mixture through with a large metal spoon. This takes effort but it’s worth it for the smoother texture. Add the sugar, balsamic vinegar, seasoning and wild rocket. Mix well and serve either hot or chilled. Drizzle with a little olive oil when serving. Naughty but nice.
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