Busy, Yet Pretty - Cozy Girl Winter: How to Start the Holidays Now

Episode Date: November 10, 2025

Jadyn Hailey leans into cozy-girl winter: seasonal decor, feel-good rituals, holiday baking, warming drinks, thrifting tips, and a gentle reminder to feed your inner child. Pour a matcha or peppermint latte, put on your favorite PJs, and get actionable ideas to make this holiday season feel intentional, joyful, and wholly yours.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hello, welcome back to the Busy at Pretty Podcast. I'm your host, Jaden Haley. If you were new, I talk all about how to become the best version of you and ultimately live your dream life, as well as mental health, beauty, lifestyle, routines, honestly anything self-care, girly, feminine, just talking about how to make yourself feel good. And I'm just so happy to have you here today. And I hope you had a wonderful weekend if you're just listening on Monday. I'm very excited about today's episode because today we're going to get into that cozy girl winter. I feel like we're slowly all over fall right now, even though it technically is still fall, I feel like we're transitioning out of fall and just excited about the winter weather. I definitely am. It's actually not the winter weather where I'm at.

It's literally in the 80s still, but I am ready for that winter cozy feel, getting in bed and just getting cozy and we'll talk all about that today. So this is a little winter recap episode, and I'm really excited to share it with you. But in the meantime, let's do a little recap of the week. Lately, I have been so obsessed with banana lattes. So I get this like banana milk. And what I do is I add either espresso into it or macha and it makes the best latte. Please try it.

And then you can add some cinnamon or vanilla bean. So good. Lately, I've been doing so many puzzles. I love puzzles, especially seasonal ones. I feel like it just gets you perfectly in the mood for the season. So I did a Halloween puzzle and I'm now going to do a Christmas puzzle, like a holiday puzzle, because I'm not going to lie, November 1st to me is like the start of the holidays and Christmas. Love like Thanksgiving. The Macy's Day parade.

Love that. You can only have one day of Thanksgiving, in my opinion, like celebrating fall in November. And to me, that's Thanksgiving Day. Other than that, any day before Thanksgiving in November counts as. winter and Christmas and the day after is still winter and Christmas. Like that to me, November and December is the month of Christmas. I just love it and I feel like you need to start earlier in the months just so you can get the max amount of time as possible. But I'm just so excited about this time of season. Lately I've been posting lots of Christmas and holiday wishless gift guides. So if you

don't know what to ask for for Christmas or don't know what to give to people for Christmas. I got you. I have like a mom, a dad, a sister, a brother, basically any gift list that you need I have for you. And these are things that I know that they will love. So if you need those, maybe we'll do an episode on that soon as well for the perfect gift guide. But I do have some over my socials right now. But anyways, let's get into today's episode and I hope you enjoy. It is time to chat all about cozy girl winter from holiday inspo to baking sweet treats and of course decking the halls it is officially time that we are in the winter season even though it's not technically winter for all of us it is basically winter because the day after Halloween let's be real october 31st is

Halloween. The minute it strikes 12, it's a winter wonderland. Cue the Moray Carey, it's time. This is going to be the best winter yet, and I'm so excited for you. So we're going to set ourselves up to prioritize and enjoy the holiday, schedule out time to do those Christmas activities, and most importantly, touch base with our inner child. So many of us say that we wish we had the feeling that we used to get about Christmas when we were younger. Remember when you were younger and you were just so excited to see your stockings in the morning when you woke up or you were so excited for the Christmas and holiday gatherings. You just had that, you know, exciting feeling that was unmatched. And a lot of times we think, well, we don't have that anymore. Christmas doesn't feel the same.

But let me remind you that there is nothing stopping you from living that. Yes, of course, we have task when we get older that we didn't have when we were younger. We have chores. We have jobs. We have careers. We have kids. we have husbands, we have things to focus on. But if you have time to wish that you had that same feeling as you did when you were younger, if you had time to wish, then you have time to make the season special for you. It's time you show up for yourself and actually celebrate and decorate and put that extra step into embracing the season. Let's chat about all things winter and getting into the winter spirit.

First off, this is very a little random thing, but I was just thinking of it. so I just had to tell you, but something I really recommend for the holiday season when it comes to holiday decor is to use vintage cookbooks as decor. Sometimes your grandma or your mom may have old cookbooks that they didn't want that is from maybe quite a bit of years ago that is really cute and can be used as decor. Something that I do and that you can do as well is go to local thrift stores and find vintage cookbooks there or vintage coffee table books. A lot of times there will be vintage Christmas ones and they just look perfect on the countertop and it's actually a great way to actually find some great recipes for the holidays. I know we're so tied into going on safari or just

searching something up to find a recipe. Don't get me wrong. We are all guilty of it and I do it all the time. But there's truly nothing like just opening a cookbook being off your phone and baking and reading from that. When it comes to holiday styles, I feel like we're all really leaning into the Lauren Christmas. I just love nothing more than the Ralph Lauren's style, especially in the 80s and 90s, and a Ralph Lauren Christmas with the dark red and the dark green is truly so classy and classic. Deep red and deep green decor with neutrals are truly superior. And let me make this clear, do not be shy to lean into the classic Christmas holiday colors. Also, just a food for thought, literally, that is just a random thought that I had. right now is not necessarily style inspo, but actually, you know what, it is in style because this is in style. But my food for thought literally is eating yummy desserts throughout the holidays without any guilt. When it comes to the holidays, I understand, and I think I'm going to make an episode on this, but I understand it can be hard to not feel guilty, you know, eating all those

yummy desserts or, you know, eating things that you don't usually eat. Let me tell you, there is nothing you should feel guilty for. You deserve it. You deserve every single treat, every single dessert, every single holiday food without any guilt. It is so important that you nourish and provide for yourself. Enjoy the holiday food and be grateful you have the opportunity to eat this holiday food. Many people, unfortunately, cannot even see their families during the holidays, let alone have food on their plate. So you should not feel guilty whatsoever if you have your holiday treats. Eat all of them. Eat all that makes you happy. Because life is too short to stress about what you're eating,

especially when it's taking up space in your mind during the holidays. Don't waste any headspace thinking that, oh, I eat too many sugar cookies or gingerbread man. Or I had too many mashed potatoes. Because those are just wasted thoughts. That could be filled with something positive and exciting. And there's nothing to worry about, okay? So be kind to yourself.

The biggest gift that you can give yourself this year is being kind to yourself. Anyways, my little food for thought, no pun intended. But now let's get back to talking about decor. Like I said, we're leaning into the Ralph Lauren classy Christmas. This year as we deck the house, apartment, room of yours. Like I said, for your challenge of the week, make it a day to embrace that. You could make a fun little party for yourself. I spent two nights so far decorating my place and let me just say, I am so happy with how it's coming out and I've already got some gifts wrapped under the tree. and that is something that you should be thinking of also is when it comes to gifts, try doing your

Christmas shopping early so you're not waiting last second having a lot of stress that doesn't need to be there. But most importantly, why I'm saying you should do some Christmas shopping now is so you can wrap some gifts under the tree because those gifts are going to work as decor. I'm telling you, when you wrap a few gifts under the tree and make cute big bows on it and cute wrapping paper, it is going to make the tree look so beautiful and honestly gifts work as their own decor so it just looks so so cute when you begin breaking out the christmas stuff take a day to go to home goods home sense target tj max walmart world market and get a holiday drink to sip on maybe a chestnut preline latte or a peppermint mantra for you to sip on as you go shopping something you could also do is get your

headphones and listen to some christmas music while you shop when you comes to winter fashion it's time that you get some cozy sweaters and cozy socks because i feel like every year we need at least one new pair of cozy socks and a cute holiday sweater but most importantly you need a holiday PJ set whether it's a dark red a deep dark green or a cute Christmas tree pajamas anything you need a new PJ set that's going to make you cute cozy and perfect for the holidays because let's be honest, there is nothing better than having a holiday PJ set to look forward to every evening. And let me just preface, as I always say, no matter the holiday, you can always do things on a budget. Perfect Christmas decor outfits and perfect home decor for Christmas. And honestly,

perfect Christmas gifts can be found at thrift stores, Facebook marketplace, and a new favor of mind is liquidation stores. No one really knows what liquidation stores are. And I just found about this a few months ago. Since then, I have been obsessed, but liquidation stores are basically like stores that are any returns get sent to these type of stores, and it's basically new items, but some things that were returned maybe. And let me tell you, you will find things for 99% off than what the usual price was. You will find things for the best price there, and I just am obsessed. I found the cutest Christmas decor. But anyways, if you haven't our already gone to one, you should check one out because I literally have been obsessed with them.

And let's be real, I don't care how rich I will ever get in life. You will always find me out of thrift store because, and I will swear by this for my entire life, but guys, if you are just, you know, looking past thrift stores and saying, eh, they don't have good things, let me tell you, you will find some of the best pieces for such good deal, of course, but the best pieces that are unique, classy, and gorgeous. 99% of my cloths, and you, I'm is thrifted because I just love thrifting more than shopping at you know regular places. But back to what I was saying about your cozy day decorating. Go turn on some cozy Christmas music as you get home and decorate as you set up your tree.

And after you do that, it is now time to get started on baking. The definitions of the holidays is not about the gifts or the family gatherings. Babe, it's about the damn baking, okay? We love baking during the holidays. I know I do. I feel like every single time around early fall, I get back into my baking era, and it usually ends after winter.

But no, we are going to be in our baking era starting now until forever, because baking is just a great way to get off your phone, be present with yourself, and it's also a great way to learn new recipes and have new recipes on hand. Like I said, the most important part of the holidays is not the family gatherings, but it's what you are bringing to the family gatherings.

Get your Christmas PJs on as you roll out your dough for your cinnamon rolls. Or have your cute apron on as you frost the snowflake sugar cookies while Christmas music is playing in the background. And begin now starting to try to master your favorite Christmas and holiday baking items. So that by the time the gatherings are ready and you are invited to your cookie parties or your family gatherings, you know exactly what you're bringing and you're so confident about it. And also, let's just be real. There should be no excuse to having to bake. We should always just have some fresh baked goods in our kitchen at all times during the holidays. Plus, baking is going to make

your house smell so good and cozy. Some things that you can bake for this winter is cinnamon rolls. That's a classic for breakfast, biscuits, bun cakes, sugar cookies. And while those are in the oven, go light a snickerdoodle candle and go put on your favorite Christmas movie as you start doing a Christmas puzzle. It just looks so classy to have a puzzle on a table. I feel like having a just a puzzle on a table at all times achieves that gorgeous, classy, Ralph Lauren, old style, old money look. And let's be real, it's fun to do the puzzle during the day. I can't be the only one who has this like dream item of theirs that they always see whether it's a bag,

a sweater, a top, and you're like, I just need that, but it's like sold out everywhere. That's me with this one, vintage, Duny, and Burke bag. I literally was looking everywhere for it, and I somehow found one on a Poshmark. But not just one. I found multiple of them at such a good price, and I was like, wait, this is just too good to be true. So if you know me, you know I am a Poshmark girl. Poshmark is a marketplace where you can list and sell, as well as buy. New items, vintage pieces, gently used, luxury pieces.

They really just have it all. And I feel like there's no better time to go on Poshmark now. Everyone's cleaning out their closet and listing good things. Get in bed, get cozy, and go in Poshmark. To add to your new spring wardrobe. New deals and sales are listed every day, so don't wait. Download the Poshmark app and use Code Busy when you sign up to get $10 off your first purchase. Or shop now at Poshmark.com slash busy and get $10 off your first purchase.

That's P-O-S-H-M-A-R-K.com slash busy. I can't be the only one who has this like dream item of theirs that they always see whether it's a bag, a sweater, a top, and you're like, I just need that, but it's like sold out everywhere. That's me with this one vintage, Duny and Burke bag. I literally was looking everywhere for it and I somehow found one on a Poshmark. But not just one. I found multiple of them at such a good price and I was like, wait, this is just too good to be true. So if you know me, you know I am a Poshmark girl. Poshmark is a marketplace where you can list and sell. as well as buy new items vintage pieces gently used luxury pieces they really just have it all and i feel

like there's no better time to go on poshmark now everyone's cleaning out their closet and listing good things get in bed get cozy and go in poshmark to add to your new spring wardrobe new deals and sales are listed every day so don't wait download the poshmark app and use code busy when you sign up to get $10 off your first purchase or shop now at poshmark.com slash busy and get $10 off your first purchase that's P-O-S-H-M-A-R-K dot com slash busy. Also, of course, begin to plan your Christmas wish list. I really recommend doing your wish list over, of course, notes app is super easy to do,

but try doing it over Google slides. I always do my Christmas list over Google slides, and I love it. It's like a fun little activity, but you can add photos to it, and then you can customize the font and the background, and it looks really cute. It looks like a little catalog that you can show people,

to your family or whoever you're giving your list to, but it's a perfect way to just do something fun and get ready for the holidays. And as much as we love planning our lists, most importantly, start planning your gifting list. What are you going to be getting for your parents, your friends, your family, your coworkers, anything? Start trying to plan out a little gift guide. And don't worry if you need help on good gift guide ideas and wish lists.

I'm going to do an episode soon for wishlist ideas and gift guides because sometimes we just need that extra inspo to see what we should be getting someone. But it's now time to go get cozy and when it comes to your pajamas and scarves and decor and honestly anything than a classic, classy deep red and deep green Christmas plaid. Plaid just looks so beautiful for the Christmas time and also for my girlies who love bows, do not. be ashamed to boify everything, okay? I'm someone who shamelessly loves bows, and if you want bows on your Christmas tree, go put bows. I don't have a star on my Christmas tree. Instead, I have a big fat bow, and I love it, and there's nothing to be ashamed of if your style of Christmas isn't the traditional Christmas style, or if what you like isn't what your friends like, or your parents like. Decorate it to how you want it, okay? Feed your inner

child and feeding your inner child means doing what you truly want. Something that is also so classy to have during the holidays is candles just burning. And if you don't like burning candles because, you know, sometimes they're toxic or not the best for your health, I understand. But you can do essential oils to also do that to give that amazing, gorgeous, cozy scent. Or peppermint essential oils also make it smell so good in your house, literally like a candy cane. But if you don't mind burning candles, I really recommend getting the long, gorgeous candles that you can just put up around anywhere in your house that just looks so gorgeous. And it just gives that vintage traditional Christmas look.

And something that is so important that I cannot skip over is holiday drinks. We all get the feeling of wanting a drink every day. I sure do. I literally, I find my daily drink a highlight of my day. And I feel like that's everyone, but I don't think anyone understands. like my afternoon macha brings me a type of joy that nobody can bring me. It is literally that matcha, that drink in that glass, that green drink brings me a joy like nothing else.

Same with a coffee that can do the same thing or a tea. But let's talk about the best holiday drinks that you can try making at home or getting somewhere. Okay, a peppermint mocha. We love a peppermint mocha to really feel that holiday spirit, a peppermint coffee, something that I love doing that I really recommend is if you want kind of like a healthy peppermint coffee is you can do your coffee and then add peppermint oil. It's like a food grade oil. It's almost like essential oils but for food. And peppermint oil and your coffee just tastes so good and gives it a minty fresh taste. Another really good thing is of course peppermint tea. You can have your little tea and biscuits. And then apple cider. Why is apple cider so sweet? slept on. When I was in Maine, and honestly anywhere in the East Coast, I think really just specializes in apple cider, but start having apple cider again. It is the perfect way to get

that holiday spirit in a drink and apple cider. It can be sparkling apple cider. Personally, my favorite is the mulled apple cider. I really, really recommend it. You can even make all these drinks at home, even the apple cider. I just bought the mules or mold. I'm not sure how to say it, apple cider cloves to put into the cider and it'll also work as a simmer pot. And speaking of that, another way to get your home smelling so perfect, literally like it popped out of a Ralph Lauren catalog is simmer pots. Simmer pots, specifically holiday simmer pots, are going to make your home to smell like you're walking around an apple orchard and it just makes your home smell good for hours long. So if you have guests coming over or just want something.

to smell good during the day. I really recommend you just search up how to do one. It is so easy. All you do is pop in some oranges, some cloves, some apples, and you can put apple cider, spices, anything. And it just smells so good. Okay, another good drink is, of course, a crumb roulette coffee. So good. Try to just get fancy with your drinks and try new things and put other people on your good holiday favorites. And it is time now for you to sit down. in your comfy PJs with your peppermint tea and sugar cookies while you watch a Christmas movie. There are so many good classic Christmas movies and holiday movies, but some that are great that just give them a nostalgic traditional Christmas feel is the Polar Express,

elf, the Grinch, the holiday, holiday, love actually 12 days of Christmas and a Christmas story. Something also that is so perfect to do to get into that Christmas spirit. and overall just tap into the holidays is go to a Christmas tree lot and just browse trees. It just is so nice to have a peppermint latte or a hot chocolate with your ugg boots on and picking out a tree or even if you just are not needing to buy a tree but just want to go walk around. It's a perfect thing to do. And also a really thing that I recommend is go to cute hotels. Hotels often totally decorate for the holidays, okay?

and you can just go walk around with a cute latte and it just feels so cozy and nice. You can go ice skating. And a personal favorite is, of course, walk around streets that are decorated and decor. Walking around with your latte and just looking at all the Christmas lights can be the perfect self-date.

It just feels so nice and cozy. And remember, no one's going to make you have the best Christmas or holiday as you would. You need to do this for yourself. Of course, people are going to want you to have a good time and a good Christmas, but don't wait for someone to make that for you. Do it for yourself. Make it for yourself because you need to feed your inner child and enjoy those activities. If there's a Christmas Polar Express train nearby, go take yourself on a little train date.

If you have the space and are able to host a little cookie party for your friends and your loved ones, go have a little holiday dinner and be a hostess, or go have a little holiday dinner. and be a hostess or go have a little hot chocolate bar at your place. Don't let the season fly by and take time to schedule out that time for you to enjoy the season and make the season count and embrace it. Remember, there's no rules or specific styles or anything for how the holidays should be. The holidays are not about gifts. It's not about anything.

Then being thankful, being grateful, loving one another, spending time with your loved ones, and enjoying your time. The holidays are supposed to be special, not stressful. Don't get me wrong. It catches up to us. We get stressed out sometimes and it's totally normal, but really just try to embrace this and make this special holiday for you. I love you so much and I hope you enjoyed this episode

as much as I did recording this because I have been waiting to talk about the holidays with you guys and I have been getting so many requests on episodes and trust me, the episodes from here on are going to be a lot of holiday episodes. So stay tuned. I want to hear all your episode requests, so if you have a request, feel free to leave it over any of my comments sections. And please, please leave a rating over Apple if you want to hear more holiday episodes and rate over Spotify. It helps the show so much. And most importantly, please share over socials and tag me so I can reposts. And also show me how you listen to the episode. I want to see

your beautiful house decor. I want to see your cute, cozy PJs, I want to see your peppermint latte, I want to see it all. I love you guys so much. You truly make my world go round and I hope you guys have the best Christmas holiday start and we have just an exciting month ahead of us. I love you so much and do not forget to stay busy at pretty.