Apre Ski

I found this post from a while ago and since it is snowing here today I thought I'd finally post it!

Skiing is one of my favorite things to do. I've been skiing since I was very young and although I hated it at first, I've grown to love it. It has taken me to some of the prettiest mountains and to differnt countries as well as give me a fun cold weather activity. I am not a fan of the cold, (hand warmers are my saving grace!!) but finding something I like to in the winter makes the whole season much better.

Regardless of weather or not you enjoy skiing/snowboarding, at some point in time it's likely you will find yourself in a very cold place. Being cold is one thing I absoluetly cannot stand. The rest of my family always says they prefer to be cold, but I'm the total opposite. Unfortunately, skiing does require being outside in the wind and cold, so over the years I have found ways to deal with it. However, being warm doesn't necessairly mean you can't look good at the same time.

So here's my list of essentials to keep you warm and fashionable:

1. Gloves (and hand warmers)

My fingers are always the first thing that get really cold, so good gloves and hand warmers are a must for me. If you're going to work, party, etc. opt for a thinner glove. Odds are if you are going somewhere like the aforementioned you wont be outside all that long so there is no need for bulky winter gloves. Personally, I love leather gloves with some sort of insulation on the inside or SOMETHING the ones I wear on an everyday basis for running errands. They're still super warm and comfortable, and they can easily fit in my bag.

As I mentioned before, I absoluely love hand warmers! I can't even rememeber what I did without them, but I will never go back. They're sold most sporting goods stores, everywhere on a ski mountain, and online. I tend to buy them in fairly large packages at the beginning of winter.

2. Hats

I have to say the hat trend took me a while to warm up to, but now I'm hooked. My issue with them was every time I though about a winter hat I was reminded of the bright pink and purple ones with fringe that girls would wear in elementary school and to this day they make me cringe. However, a hat is one of those things that if you find the right one can definately add a stylish element to any winter outfit. Unfortunately, I do not have many store recommendations because most of the time I have found them in small stores or randomly. Last year, I bought one that I love from Kate Spade, but I checked and it was sold out. I have heard that Nordstrom had a few good ones this year so it is worth a look!

3. Scarves

Personally, scarves are one of my favorite accessories. I have so many in my closet including infinity scaves, blanket scarves, regular scarves, etc. that I barely have time to wear them all. On an extremely cold day, I usually opt for a blanket scarf just because they are so much bigger than a normal scarf that they keep you extremely warm. Plus, some also can double as a wrap which is good just in case it's cold inside as well.

Currently, favorite blanket scarf is from Nordstrom. They had a huge selection earlier in the year, but if they are sold out, I also found a few in The Loft and local stores.

4. Jackets/Vests

The real key to staying warm is a good jacket and/or vest. I think my favorite vests are the ones that I've found in J. Crew or Ralph Lauren. J. Crew's classic quilted vest is one I've had for years in red. It's great to layer over a sweater or a lighter jacket and it has deep pockets that are perfect for your phone, wallet, etc. Online they do not have many quilted vests left, but I did another one that caught my eye: the Mountain Puffer Vest. There are a ton of great colors including the red which is still my favorite because I tend to wear navy or white sweaters and the pop of color looks really nice. If you are looking for a coat, I absoltuely love this J. Crew parka I've seen. It comes in a few different colors but my favorite is the black. I love the brown fur next to the black wool and gold accents, and an added plus is that it is still warm while looking great on!

5. Sweaters

A good sweater is always a winter must have! I know I have a closet full of them because they're always good to wear no matter where you're going. Typically, I find really nice ones at J.Crew, Tuckernuck, or Revolve.

6. Boots & Boot Socks

Usually, when it is bitterly cold outside people complain the most about their fingers and toes, and I am no exception. You never want to go out in the snow without a good pair of boots because you will be wet, cold, and most likely have ruined the boots you were wearing. This happened to me while I was away and it was terrible! I made the mistake of wearing UGG boots in the snow. However, even those these boots are inredibly warm, they are not meant to walk through three feet of snow. When I got home, I ordered a pair of LL Bean Boots, and I am so happy I did. I ordered mine without the fur inside because I wanted to wear them in the fall. In the winter, I just pair them with either J. Crew or LL Bean Boot socks, and they look and feel great!

7. Post cold weather skin care

Cold weather can really have a damaging effect on your skin. If you're planning on being outside in the cold for a while I would recommend using a moisterizer with SPF before going outside because you can still get a bad sunburn. When I know I'm going to be outside for a while, I use a moisterizer with SPF before going outside, and then I make sure to use it again usually before going to bed.

XOXO

#winter #winterprep