Baby, it's cold outside
Friday, February 20, 2015
It's been a hard ol' winter on the east coast. I'm not sure if February is setting any snowfall records, but it's definitely been the craziest winter I've experienced since moving to Halifax eight years ago. I feel like we get at least one snow day every week, and our flight home from Montreal on Sunday was canceled because of a blizzard that dumped one to two feet of snow in the area. Everything was shut down: highways, trains, and planes. Plus, it's been crazy cold.
(Here are some ridiculous photos to give you an idea of how much snow is in our region. To be fair, most of these are in Prince Edward Island, about a three-hour drive from us. BUT STILL.)
I'm not a big fan of winter, but having grown up in Canada, I'm used to dealing with it. And this winter, mincing around on icy sidewalks in ballet flats and a wool peacoat just won't cut it. This is a straight-up old-fashioned Canadian winter and it's time to bring out the big guns. Here are the items that have been helping me to survive this frozen hellscape.
Sorel Tivoli high boots: I bought these a few years ago and they're still going strong. Sorels are a leeetle pricy but so worth it. They're warm, waterproof, have great traction - everything you need in a pair of winter boots.
A long, quilted winter coat: I got mine at RW&CO this year, but it's no longer available online so I can't find a picture. It looks really similar to this one: black, puffy, belted, with a fur-trimmed hood. It feels (and kind of looks) like a sleeping bag and it's kept me super warm this winter. I used to suffer through cold days in a wool coat for the sake of fashion - not anymore. IF IT DON'T PUFF IT'S NOT ENUFF.
Cable knit pom pom hat: Pom pom hats are having a bit of a moment and mine's been getting a lot of wear. Keeps my ears and head warm, and still fits under my ginormous furry hood on really cold days.
The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector: I slather this on my mitts before bed. It's one of my favourite products for keeping dry winter skin soft and moisturized. Really rub it into your nails and cuticles, then go to bed smelling like a stoned teenager - it's awesome.
Clinique Dramatically Different moisturizer: I use this all year round, but I apply a little extra in winter and spend a few extra seconds massaging it in to keep from getting crocodile face.
NutraSea+D omega-3: Fish oil can help fight depression, as can vitamin D. I'm not depressed! BUT - in winter I find myself acting a little more on edge and/or sluggish, which I've always attributed to the reduced amounts of sunshine we get during the colder months. Since I started taking fish oil with vitamin D, my mood through the winter has been noticeably better. Plus, fish oil helps moisturize your skin from the inside out (along with a whole host of amazing health benefits).
Are you also experiencing the wrath of Mother Nature this winter? Any tips, tricks, or products that are helping you survive? Spill it!
2 comments
My parents are in NB and I can barely believe some of the pictures they've sent - I don't remember ever seeing so much snow! We get weeks of incredible cold here - usually a couple of weeks in December, January, and February that are -30 or colder. I love my Sorels, and I agree with you on the long quilted coat! Other than that, I survive by staying inside as much as possible - if the kids want to play in the snow, I bring it inside in a bucket :)
ReplyDeleteNever thought to bring snow inside! We're currently getting 10 more glorious centimetres today, so spring seems like a magical mythical land.
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