Must Have Items To Survive Winter In Baltimore
I grew up in the part of North Carolina that gets snow maybe once a year. Then I moved to California. Imagine my shock during my first winter in Baltimore when I thought my years in N.C. had prepared me for the winter weather. I was so, so wrong. This year, I'm going about it all different. And here's how I'm going to do it:
(410) 296-7842
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday: noon – 6 p.m.
http://freepeople.com
Forget about trying to look cute during winter? No, thank you. I don't think you have to look like Where's Waldo and here's proof. In this fuzzy neutral, this beanie will match practically anything. It's so cute it almost makes me wish for snow…almost. Grab this sparkly number at Free People.
(410) 931-3207
http://ae.com
Nothing is worse than having to take off your gloves to use your touch screen phone. Well, except for dropping your phone because your fuzzy gloves are slippery. Fix that with texting gloves, like these from American Eagle. These are a great neutral and you're forced to expose nary a finger to get that twitter update into the world.
(410) 337 – 7494
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday: noon – 6 p.m.
www.macys.com
You all may mock me when you read this but I really thought I could survive a winter in Baltimore without snow boots. I learned my lesson the hard way: wet cold toes. I really like these Sperry boots, available at Macy's, for this winter because of the faux shearling collar and slight wedge. Most important is that they're waterproof. It doesn't hurt that they're fleece-lined. I can still be cute and keep my toes warm and dry!
(410) 337 – 7494
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday: noon – 6 p.m.
www.sephora.com
Must have items #4 & #5 are all about protecting your skin from the harsh weather conditions and both are totally unisex. I know it says "manly" in my description but how can a rich formula that is fragrance free, alcohol free and colorant free not be great for the ladies, too? And men, you need to wear lip balm. There's no getting around it. Healthy moisturized lips are always more kissable than chapped lips.
(410) 252-5920
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
www.rei.com
These little hand warmers are the perfect accessory to any outdoor event, especially one where gloves may or may not be an option (not that I can think of any reason not to wear gloves…oh, how about flag football game?). They're also great for camping and keeping in your car in case of an emergency. Find them at any REI store.
(410) 296- 5106
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday: noon – 6 p.m.
www.eddiebauer.com
Back when I grew up with my once-a-year snow, I'd scrape my car with a dinky little ice scraper that would get my hands wet if I wasn't wearing gloves…not to mention cold! This big sturdy GLOVED ice scraper is the scraper of my dreams. It will keep your hands dry and warm and even has an extender handle to make getting to the middle of the windshield a little easier.
(410) 740-4415
http://clarksusa.com
Both starting and finishing a winter day in Baltimore should involve some comfy warm slippers. These classics are available in three colors and have a rubber sole, if you absolutely must step outside to get the paper or walk the pooch. I much prefer them while cozied up by a fire sipping hot chocolate!
Elizabeth Eadie lives in downtown Baltimore. She is a Baltimore graphic designer, a maker of watercolor stationery and a design blogger.
