winter #2

Today's been one of those full gear kind of days...a real-feel of -6 doesn't really leave you a lot of options.

It's funny how my winter "getup" has changed since last year, and I had put an awful lot of thought into last year's prep. I felt like I made it through just fine with what I had, yet looking back I realize I've changed literally every part of my winter strategy since then...maybe I've wised up a bit?

• Mittens. Last year, I mostly wore thin wool gloves. Now, I have mittens (key to preserving warmth) that are lined with fleece and have a wool outer. Plus the tops fold back so you can play with your phone on the train without releasing all of your heat in the process. If I ever find the person who made these gloves, I will kiss them on the mouth.
• Commuter boots. Last year, I tried to wear one pair of shoes to/at work every day. Normally this led to me either being cold during the commute (if I wore non-fuzzy boots) or hot/silly-looking at work (if I wore fuzzy boots). I wasted countless minutes every morning trying to figure out which part of my day I was willing to forego. Now, I've given up the delusion of efficiency - I wear fuzzy warm boots every day and take a separate pair to change into at work, no questions asked. Because hauling a big-ass bag around for 80 minutes per day is totally worth every blessed warm step.
• North Face coat. Last year, I wore a short puffy coat made of polyester. At the time I convinced myself that I was warm enough. Ha. Ha. Now, I've invested in a knee-length, down-filled North Face coat..because there's a difference between cold and effen cold.
• Moisturizer. Last year, I watched as my skin transformed into a reptilianflaking mess. Hello, dry air! Now, me and my oily skin moisturize twice a day. Ladies with similar skin, you've gotta understand how crazy this is - it seems so wrong! But it feels so right. Okay that's enough about that.
• Vitamin D. Did you know that Chicago gets an hour less of sun each day than Austin gets? ONE HOUR EVERY DAY???????? Last year, I didn't start taking Vitamin D until probably March or so. Now, I'm already back on the wagon. Or off the wagon. Whatever. Wherever the pills are, that's where I am.

I think I'm on the right track to achieving maximum warmth, but that's mostly because I can't fathom adding one more item to cover my body. That being said, I'll probably laugh at myself this time next year after I've figured out more ways to make things a little more bearable. Can't wait!