I grew up in a warm environment, and as the years pass, I find myself increasingly unhappy with the reality that I now live in a cold one. Not unhappy enough to move, but unhappy enough to bitch and complain to anyone who will listen, all winter long. So I do my best to stay warm and dry and well, and frequently clomp about in my cozy No. 6 shearling boots, which I got in grey even though it seemed like a risk stain-wise, and they’ve actually stood up very well.
Those No 6 boots are suede and have no treads, so are no good when it’s snowing; for that eventuality, I put on my Incredible boots from Penelope Chilvers. They’re shearling-lined too, and deeply comfortable.
I am such a wuss about the cold that as soon as the temperatures hit the 30s, I don’t leave the house without wearing Uniqlo’s Heattech long johns under my jeans. They’re micro-thin, super-warm, and nicely priced.
I save my Patagonia Capilene Air long underwear for when temperatures hover near the single digits (here are the bottoms). Super-toasty, and almost as thin as the Uniqlo ones. And they’re made with merino wool, but aren’t the least bit itchy.
My crusade against the common cold starts the moment I begin to sneeze a lot, which is always the first sign I’m coming down with something. So I take ginger shots daily, and while I can’t prove that they do anything, I’m pretty sure they do something.
If I do get a cold, I put a few drops of oil of oregano under my tongue (you can also add some to a glass of water) for a few seconds then swallow. It tastes like hell, but I’m certain it shortens the duration of my sickness.
Lipstick is too drying this time of year, so I go for this fancy tinted lip balm from By Terry, which provides a nice pop of color, doesn’t taste like candy the way so many other lip balms do, and really works.
A few years ago, caught outside on a day in which the temperature dropped precipitously, I ducked into the nearest store and acquired a cozy and cute Mischa Lampert hat, which is weirdly, magically warm.
Take the oregano oil capsules! Same result but no awful gargled with gasoline taste. You are brave.
And that hat is the greatest thing ever.
i love 2 tone jeans in the clog photo! Are those available?
The jeans are cute but the photo looks like a dead body – it is freaking me out!!
Love the hat!
The pompom on the hat is fox….do we really need to do that?
I agree.
The online product description says it’s fox fur from Finland, which is known for breeding unnatural monster sized (44 pounds is the average for a Finnish farmed fox while a wild arctic fox is up to 11 pounds), loose-skinned arctic foxes (more skin means more pelt means more money). These foxes have chronic and painful eye infections because of the loose skin as well as twisted legs that get caught in the wire floor of their tiny cages (they are not encouraged to move, farmers want them overweight).
Agree with these commenters. Hate to be negative and know not everyone is veggie, but its almost 2019, and a fur decoration on a piece of clothing needs to be a thing of the past. On the other hand, I recall a lot of hate for Sundance – lol!
I have to agree too! And I never comment but please, please no to fur. It is so easy! There are so many other beautiful things to wear!
seconded, thirded, fourthed, and fifthed. Real fur is gross and cruel.
I once left a mink pompom hat on Metro North and it was not turned in.
I replaced the hat. New one has a yarn pompom.
I get over colds and sore throats very quickly – lots of tea and gargling with sea salt.
Ha. Complaints? Come sit by me. ; )
Where I live, it is often too warm. Family refuse to move! The nerve.
Just shoot me, but I love the cold and snow. Here’s a suggestion for early morning dog walks and any time when it’s super frigid: Costco sells boxes of little hand warmers you put inside your gloves or mittens. Tap them a few times when you first put them on. They’ll heat up fast and stay warm for as long as 9 hours. Ski and sport shops sell them too, of course.
https://www.costco.ca/Little-Hotties-Hand-Warmers-80-Pairs.product.100384259.html
Me too! I hate to be hot, hate summer clothes, and hate the sun haha
Best preventive: elderberry syrup. Expensive but worth it. I teach and the students are all sick all the time, so I begin taking elderberry in Sept and continue until March or so. Maine Medicinals makes a good one and it’s at Whole Foods. I’ve tried everything and this actually works.
I also LOVE elderberry, but take the capsules for less sugar so I can eat dessert!!
I love this blog but there’s no evidence oil of oregano or anything else can shorten the duration of a cold.
Actually, zinc has been shown to lessen the intensity and possibly shorten the duration of a cold.
Like Mouse, I rely on Elderberry syrup. Works for me every time. Had to laugh about when you don your long johns, Kim. I put on my silks when it hits 50 (and I have to walk Betty) then on to my hot chilis when it hits 30 and if it gets colder I have some heavy duty fleece long underwear (which goes to explain why, in part, I live in Texas in the winter!).
The photo and links posted for the Patagonia Capilene Air are of the Capilene Midweight base layers, which are 100% synthetic. Still warm but not as cozy as the Capilene Air, made with a merino wool blend.
“I love the winter, with its imprisonment and its cold, for it compels the prisoner to try new fields and resources.”
—Thoreau, journal, Dec. 5, 1856
That lip gloss is kind of an ugly shade shade, plus it’s so expensive, and i don’t think it has sunscreen. We love Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment, which come in lots of shades, like: http://www.fresh.com/US/lip-treatment/sugar-berry-tinted-lip-treatment-sunscreen-spf-15/h00002481.html/H00002481.html#prevPage=menu&gclid=CjwKCAiAx4fhBRB6EiwA3cV4Kvg0p_EXcZDD-OqoZJaX9Lomue0vP0qbbnbd5QjiTZX-cI7LIK9TehoCAiQQAvD_BwE&start=27&cgid=all%2520treat
hi Kim! i’m a reader since a few years but i haven’t commented before. I just wanted to write you that I love reading your posts, in particular the personal words and the selection links. Anyway I hope you’re having a good time, I miss your voice but of course I hope you’re enjoying your break from posting as long as you wish!