January 7, 2009

How a California Girl Survives a New York Winter

Moving across the country from Sunny California to Snowy Upstate New York was quite an experience. I still recall my now husband teaching me to tie on a scarf that first snowy winter.

Well I’ve come a long way in the almost 8 years I’ve lived in New York. I’m sure you born and bred New Yorkers learned all of this from your mother’s milk. This is for the rest of us.


Layers

Probably the most important thing I ever learned: How to put on about 50 more layers than anyone would notice. Thin soft layers underneath all leading towards the big chunky ones on the outside.

These fingerless gloves are perfect for finding your metrocard or keys without talking off your mittens, from ShutterKate.

My natural proclivity is to wear dark melancholy colors to match the landscape and sky (especially here in NYC), but my mood suffers. I try to brighten my day with brightly colored scarves and hats.

Like this bright pink Cowl from SpattersandJayne.


Moisturizing

I hate high maintenance. I’m not awake enough in the mornings to do all that. But I never leave the house on a cold day without moisturizing, especially my face, hands, and lips.

I love that these lotion jars are the right size to fit in my purse to keep my hands nice all day, from Nordea’s Soaperie.


Staying Inside

While I spend all summer outdoors, I try to spend all winter (when I can) indoors. I invite friends over. I take naps with my cat. I read lots of books.

Reading made easy with these quirky bookmarks from Beacon Bookmarks.

I learned the hard way how dreary it gets all winter long without enough sun. I’ve finally understood why my husband has to turn all of the lights in the apartment on when he’s home. So brighten up your space with good colors, bright lights, and beautiful things.

Like this beautiful lamp from YoursTrulyxoxo.


If All Else Fails, Go On Vacation

Everyone else seems to do it too.




By a professed California Girl (even if I didn’t know it until I moved across the country)

Karen

http://karensmonsters.etsy.com
http://karensmonsters.blogspot.com

14 comments:

Turtle said...

lol, love the post! I'm a new england born and raised girl that was transplanted to hawaii for a dozen + years and now back in the thick of the pacific northwest....so i can in a way relate! (as can daughter raised in the islands) she has yet to learn to layer though!

Anonymous said...

This is a great post with some great suggestion, although a vacation right now would be awesome. :)

Iris said...

great post, I can relate, being from Israel....

Unknown said...

Thanks! Turtle: I lived in Hawaii for the first three years of my life. My older sisters thought California was cold!

MaryAnne LoVerme said...

I'm wearing my spratters and jayne cowl right now!

Anonymous said...

Hahaha love the post!

Iris said...

oooh and Karen, did you forget about hot baths? you can read all about that in tomorrow's post!

Jantar Handcrafted Jewelry said...

lol, for me it's not so bad, after all I'm from Poland, but as I was told I would not be able to handle winter there anymore... Love the post!

Jill K Davis said...

So cute! I love the cold, but my boyfriend insists that since he's West Indian he can't handle it and he whines alot ;). (Even though he was born and raised in Harlem and has never been to Grenada, let alone CA) I'll forward this to him!

Katy Reiser said...

I've lived in NJ my entire life and I only more recently learned how to dress properly for the cold weather more recently, partially out of necessity (I went from driving everywhere in wintertime to walking everywhere, the latter requiring a LOT more bundling), so I can relate. BTW, I LOVE that cowl, especially because of its giant buttons!

Anonymous said...

I second Nordea's body butter, I've been using it as an undereye cream since the Lyceum and love it.

Michelle said...

i'm from rochester, ny (cold cold snowy winters) but have always disliked the cold- i'd much rather be hot and take clothes off, than have to stay under a blanket to be warm..although when i can be lazy and stay under a blanket all day-- that is ideal as well ; )

waisze said...

I wear plenty of layers and I'm with you on the vacation idea! Haha.

May Luk Ceramics said...

I was in SF during Xmas and it felt colder over there. When the sun is down, it's all over. With that said, I remember my first few years in NY was difficult to adjust after living in SF 11 years.