Warm thoughts, cold ideas

by Sandra Miller
Back Bay Sun
In this cold cruel world, which is going to get colder verrrrrrry soon, we all could use some reminders about how to stay warm in the next few months.
Warm your buns:
The private dining room at Bina Osteria has heated seats, despite being an indoor restaurant.
Stephanie’s on Newbury may be the place to lounge outside in the summer with an iced tea, but wintertime, lounge with a chicken pot pie for comfort food by the fire.
On a diet? Climb the stairs to Emerge’s fourth floor hearth. “It’s as attractive to many people as the spa,” says Emerge owner Joyce Hampers.
Of course, Emerge and almost every spa along Newbury Street and Boylston features sauna, hot rocks, and other heat treatments that go skin-deep. Also be sure to sign up your muscles for a little yoga at one of the many fine Back Bay studios.

Warm your soul:
Bring some canned food to your church’s food pantry, and ask how you can help other families hit hard by the economy.

Warm your heart:
o Whole Foods, at Cambridge Street and Symphony, have a number of items that give back: buying one FEED 100 bag provides food to a Rwandan child for 100 days.

Warm your brain: Head over to Borders in-between bar hopping. Perhaps a guide to the Bahamas will help you to think warm. Also try something heartwarming, such as former Bostonian Dolley Carlson’s happy little “Christmas Gifts from the Heart,” which overflows with thoughtful, joyful, heartfelt ideas for Christmas giving.

Warm your body: at home, wrap yourself in a luxury hotel robe from Frette (at the Mandarin Orientale), made of cotton velour with two two-side pockets. Best of Scotland Cashmere Outlet on Newbury Street will also insulate your wallet with dollars. Want to be warm but not bulky? Think layers at Patagonia, 346 Newbury Street, with Capilene and Wool Baselayers for toasty tops and bottoms. Top it with an Anthropologie bright red Idra Count-The-Stars Jacket, a cinched-waist wool melton jacket lined with polka dots and topped with a detachable hood.
$178.00
Warm Your Toes: Yes, there are always Uggs, but for style that meets warm AND comfy, try the boots with Nike Air soles at Cole Haan, at109 Newbury St. Don’t forget the socks. Nothing beats Smartwool socks, which can be picked up at Eastern Mountain Sports, 855 Boylston St.
A warm bed:
Down To Basics at 249 Newbury St. swears by “Our Very Best Siberian Down Comforter in a Swiss Batiste shell” featuring a Winter Diagon Patented Design.

Drink and Bowl:
Follow a round of bowling with the spiked Butterscotch Eggnog at Kings Lanes.
Warm liquids:
Check out Bauer Wines and spirits at 330 Newbury Street, for an 18-year-old Macallan Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, or a Warre’s Vintage Port. Feeling a bit pinched? Pop in Saturday for a free wine tasting.
Since childhood, we’ve known the magic that only hot cocoa can conjure. At Aroma, try a sake bottleful of Vosges “haut chocolate,” made from milk chocolate and vanilla bean. Its rich, thick liquid tastes like a candy bar, down to the tasty dregs at the bottom of your cup. Aroma manager Emily Fortin also recommends the white chocolate with lavender flowers and the red-fire ancho chile chocolate, although she prefers the unsweetened Perengotti dutched cocoa, to which she adds peppermint and sugar. Try to get in early, because the café has a lot of seats that get filled quickly.
Or travel up to the third floor and take home a box of Winter Spice Chai from Timeless Teas, which buys its black tea from Sri Lanka, where the business’ family is from.
Warm your dog: Oftentimes, a dog's natural coat just isn't enough to keep warm in Boston's below-zero temperatures. Pawsh Dog Boutique at 31 Gloucester Street carries fleece, shearling, and faux fur-trimmed hooded parkas to keep Fido toasty warm.