The 2015 Blizzard is bearing down on us. The snow is swirling and the trees have started blowing. Since I love the snow and I spent many years doing live news reports out in several feet of snow for hours on end in my previous career, I figured I'd share some of my winter must-have items! Read more below.
Winter Favorites:
North Face Parka: Mine is about 5 years old now and I still absolutely love it. After reporting in sub-zero conditions (think -15, windchill of -25) and covering the Valentine's Day Blizzard in February 2007, I invested in a serious parka and this one has kept me warm and dry time after time. Sadly, I am at my parents' house right now and I didn't bring this with me :( To keep seriously warm, I also wear lots of layers: long underwear, jeans, a wool sweater, snow pants and hand and foot warmers.
Warm Boots: My husband bought me the North Face's Nuptse Purna Boots for Christmas and I love them. I wanted a warm and rugged - yet stylish - boot. My husband knows me well! I fell in love with the faux fur detail and they're perfect because they are waterproof and well insulated. I love playing in the snow with Charlotte and that demands a warm, rugged boot. I also need a good grip if it's icy out!
Cashmere Scarf: I always wear a scarf in the snow. I absolutely hate getting snow down my neck! I also use the scarf over my face if the snow is blowing. And nothing beats cashmere for softness.
Cashmere Socks: One of my biggest pet peeves is having cold feet (literally and figuratively)! To eliminate that, I wear heavy cashmere socks (usually two pair) and I also put foot warmers in my boots. Because I used to stand out in the snow for long intervals during television storm coverage, I had to make sure my feet were warm and this worked well!
Hand Care: I swear by the Satin Hands Pampering Set set by Mary Kay. I use the set weekly (sometimes more) and for me, it quickly eliminates painful dry skin and redness. I use the moisturizer that comes in the set daily. Having chapped hands is one of my big pet peeves. I also love that this set comes as fragrance-free. I also use their Satin Lips set to exfoliate and moisturize my lips.
Lips: When I am out in harsh conditions, I constantly swipe on Burt's Bees natural beeswax lip balm. I also use it on Charlotte because it's natural.
Hat and Gloves: These go without saying. I can't go without a warm yet stylish hat in the snow. I often carry a couple with me. Gloves are an absolute must. Not wearing them is the quickest way to chap your hands, as most of you probably know all too well. I wear heavy-duty gloves when I am playing in the snow. Day-to-day, I wear either leather/cashmere-lined gloves or my favorite Isotoner spandex gloves.
Sunglasses: I don't like blowing snow getting into my eyes. I did not wear sunglasses when I was a reporter on the air. But now, I won't leave the house without my sunglasses in the snow (especially since I wear contacts).
Hope you weather the storm if you're in the path of this blizzard. Or, if you're in 70 degree weather - enjoy that too!!
Hope you weather the storm if you're in the path of this blizzard. Or, if you're in 70 degree weather - enjoy that too!!