Brrr! Winter Essentials

Well it is officially winter weather here in the Great White North. The last few days have brought on frigid temperatures and lots of the white stuff. Commute times have increased exponentially (did I mention how grateful I am to be able to walk to work), much of the world is now blanketed in snow, and bundled up folks are braving the streets red cup* in hand. Brrr!

So I thought I’d share a list of some of my Winter Essentials.

Coloplast Atrac-Tain Moisturizing Cream

This stuff is intense, like medical grade intense, and boy do I need it. It gets so dry here in winter that my hands often crack due to the lack of moisture…and perhaps because I wash them incessantly. I’m a tad germophobic at times.

Burt's Bees Beeswax lip balm

Staying in line with the hydration theme, this stuff keeps my lips protected and hydrated even in the bitter wind. Tub or tube, they both work for me.

A chunky knit scarf… or any scarf for that matter

I’ve got a closet full of them and they’re one of my best defense mechanisms against the cold. Plus, they brighten up my often drab winter wardrobe. Some of my favourite scarves are souvenirs from places I’ve travelled so it always brings back happy memories when I put them on.

Kleenex

Let’s face it, this is basically a must have whenever coming inside from a frosty jaunt. They especially come in handy during cold/flu season. I don’t know about you, but I always realize that I’m outta the stuff when I need it most. 

Books

I don’t like venturing outside when it is this cold unless I have to. So what to do indoors? I wasn’t much of a reader as a kid but have found that reading is one of my preferred past times now. It’s fun to curl up on the couch and get lost in the pages of whatever I’m reading.

Hot Chocolate

Need I say more?

We’ve got a long season ahead but with the help of these items, I hope it is a bit more manageable. How about you. Any winter must-haves?

*Starbucks introduces their traditional red cups in place of their regular ones during the holiday season. I rarely drink coffee so I don’t really know why I included this – literary effect perhaps?