Full outfit details are linked in this post + my Winter Weather Essentials
We're officially in snow season here in Tennessee. We don't get a ton where I live, just enough for the city to be prepared and equipped to handle most of what comes our way. That means we don't see many snow days... womp womp womp. It's pretty rare to have everything shut down, however every once in awhile we get lucky! Anytime they call for snow, the kid in me still always wishes for a snow day. Is there anything better than waking up and getting to stay home? Not having work is the adult version of not having school! There's definitely a nostalgic excitement about it. In honor of what will *hopefully* be a future snow day for me, here are some of the best snow day activities for when you're stuck at home. PS- what's the most snow you've ever gotten? One time in college we had 14-16 inches! I was stuck for days!
+ PLAY IN THE SNOW - If you're brave enough to go out in the cold, playing in the snow is one of the best ways to spend the day. I use to love making snow angels and sledding as a kid! We had some crazy hills in our neighborhood growing up that were the hot spots for all of the kids on snow days. Nowadays I tend to stay indoors but the pups love to go out and play!
+ WATCH MOVIES - My favorite thing during a winter wonderland is cozying up inside. I love to watch the snow come down but stay comfy and warm. It's also the perfect excuse to relax and be lazy, no? My go-to on snow days is to binge watch movies or tv shows in bed or on the couch all day. I like to crank up my space heater, put on some fuzzy socks and snack on junk food. You get a free pass while stuck at home!
+ GAMES/PUZZLES - If you need some group activities, board games and puzzles are usually time consuming which is great when you're stuck inside for awhile. They also normally require more critical thinking and strategy if you're not down to Netflix and chill all day. My sister does a lot of game nights with her friends and I've heard they love playing this one + this one.
+ COOK + BAKE - If there's enough snow for a snow day, you can bet I'm not going anywhere. Because I'm always on the go and eat a lot of meals out, I love having the opportunity to cook or bake something yummy at home. Soup + grilled cheese is one of my favorite things to eat and make on a snow day. It's warm, homey and delicious! You just can't beat it IMO.
+ READ A BOOK - If you need a break from the game playing or marathoning (or let's be real-- from everyone else), cracking open a good book is always a great idea. You can still snuggle up in bed all day + relax which is a win win. Also making a hot cup of tea, a bubble bath or lighting a candle really sets the mood.
How's the weather right now where you live?
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I pretty much live in leggings 24/7/365, however I think we can all agree they're a fall + winter must have. I'm forever grateful to the '60s for blessing us with them, LOL! The fit + versatility they offer makes them a wardrobe staple, however IMO not all styles are created equal. After trying countless pairs and brands over the years, I've finally found my four favorite go-to pairs.
Full outfit details here: First look {wearing this pair, size small} | Second look {wearing this pair, size small} | Third look {wearing this pair, size small} | Fourth look {wearing this pair, size small}
A few things I look for in leggings are quality (great fabric + durability), fit, color (black needs to actually be black) and if possible, an affordable price point. I want to be able to keep + wear them for years, not be see-through, etc. Here are the ones I like best:
+ SPANX Look at Me Now Leggings - If you're looking for that perfect legging that will go with virtually anything, this pair from Spanx is a great option. They have this amazingly comfortable fabric that feels incredible on, is figure flattering + slimming and has a great size range. For me, this pair is basic enough to be worn casual, sporty or dressed up. They don't look "too fancy" or too much like athleisure-- they're just a great pair of leggings. They come in several patterns/colors as well as different lengths. I have both the regular and the cropped, however I prefer the cropped as it's more like a 7/8" length that hits just above the ankle. They are on the splurge side but worth it IMO-- they hold up, wash well and a pair should last you for years.
+ SPANX Faux Leather Leggings - Another Spanx gem is their faux leather leggings. These are a notch above a basic legging, however they're also extremely comfortable and figure flattering. I like how they look both dressed up or casual with a graphic tee + sneaks. Again, a little on the pricier side but amazing quality and machine washable!
+ Old Navy PowerSoft 7/8 Leggings - Out of every pair, these are the ones I wear the most throughout the year. They're an athletic style fabric + cut so they're perfect for day to day use. I do a lot of physical work at my job so I love that they're lightweight, flexible and have side pockets to keep my phone and car key. They also fit well, have the 7/8 length and the quality for the price is honestly incredible. When I first tried them I was skeptical, ya'll... normally I find super affordable leggings to be poor quality but I'm obsessed with these. Normally they're priced at $39, however Old Navy always runs promos so you can usually find them for $20-25. Definitely wait and snag them on sale!
+ Zella Live-in Leggings - I need to purchase new ones of these, all of my old pairs have finally worn out after years and years of wear! I'd classify these as another versatile pair that can be worn lots of ways-- I'd lean a little towards more casual/athleisure, however I think you can also get away with wearing them a little bit dressier with oversized sweaters, etc. I've always liked this pair because they're a stretchy, thick material that isn't see-through and the fit is great. Very comfy + high-waisted which makes them flattering on. They're also a thicker material compared to the Spanx, so I tend to wear these more during the cooler months. The price is more mid-range now (around $60) but you can sometimes snag them on sale for $30-40.
If you're on the hunt for some new leggings, hopefully you'll try + love these too. I'm always looking for the best of the best, especially when it comes to the basics. If you have any pairs that you love, let me know so I can try!
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So maybe we were a little pre-mature with our spring thinking? It's suppose to be 19 degrees here tomorrow! This weather is crazy crazy. I've been worrying and praying for everyone affected by this winter vortex in the south. Our weather hasn't been too bad here in Tennessee but my heart goes out to Texas + everyone who has lost power. I'm praying they get everything restored quickly + it starts to warm back up! Since we're still dealing with cold temps and having to bundle up, I thought I'd share some of my go-to winter weather essentials. I pull these out every year + pretty much live in them all winter long!
WINTER WEATHER ESSENTIALS
COATS + PULLOVERS
When it's freezing a good coat + pullovers are your best friend. I have one really good winter coat that I love-- this one from The North Face. It's definitely a splurge but is a classic style that will last you for years if you take good care of it. I'm partial to black because it goes with everything but it also comes in a few other colors here.
I get even more wear out of my pullovers. I have two styles I love- this one from Patagonia and these from Thread & Supply. Most of the time I can get away with throwing one of these on over my top as my outerwear/jacket. They are super warm but not as bulky as a coat. I like that I can wear them around indoors whereas I feel like I have to take my coat off once inside! The fabric of the Patagonia is a little bit lighter weight (but still super warm) whereas the Thread & Supply is a thicker sherpa.
LEGGINGS
I pretty much wear leggings exclusively during the fall + winter. I have several favorites but the two I think are best for when it's cold out is this Zella pair and this Spanx pair. I stay comfortable in both but the Zella pair is a little bit thicker + maybe a tad warmer. The Spanx pair mold to your skin + feel weightless.
BOOTS
I've honestly never had any other boots or shoes that keep my feet as warm as a pair of Uggs. They are the coziest boots ever! I've been wearing them for so long now that they're a winter staple at this point. I just bought this mini pair in black which are good for the cold but if it's snowy or freezing I always wear this tall style. They keep my legs warm + since I've had them for so long I don't care if they get wet from snow. Similar pair under $40 here!
*I always wear socks with mine + like these. They aren't too thick but keep my feet from sweating (sweat = stinky Uggs!).
We don't see tons of snow here but if I lived somewhere with a lot I would buy these snow boots. They're more heavy-duty for serious weather!
ACCESSORIES
These are must-haves when it's really cold + windy. My beanie is old but this style is identical! I love the color. I also have these ear muffs, gloves + an older version of this headband. These are pricey so keep an eye out for a sale. I bought all of mine during the off-season for a lot cheaper!
HOME ESSENTIALS
Okay let's talk about home essentials! These are game-changers + I wouldn't make it through the winter without them. My absolute favorite thing ever is my little space heater. Don't tell anyone but I actually keep it out all year, LOL. My boyfriend thinks I'm crazy but it's so so good. It's simple, affordable + keeps things toasty. My sister has a boujee Dyson one + I wouldn't trade mine for hers. I have this one.
The one downside to using my heater + heat in general is dry skin! I have dry skin to begin with but the winter air + heat can make it worst. I wrote a post on Products I'm Using for Dry Skin (you can read it here) but a humidifer also really helps. They have so many great benefits for your skin, breathing/congestion + can help if you get sick. I have this style but there are lots of different ones from the brand I have here.
I also like to be cozy at night so I swap out my regular sheets for these velour ones when it's freezing. They feel like sleeping in a blanket-- super soft + cozy. I also layer a blanket on top-- mine is old from Target but this one is very similar.
Fuzzy socks are a must too. My sock drawers are overflowing at this point so I think I have a problem, lol. If you want a boujee pair, these are great but I also love these seasonal ones from Target. They wash well + are usually around $3-5 each.
Looking forward to it warming up outside but hopefully these are helpful in the meantime! Does it snow where you live?
xx,
Kristen
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I love sharing my essentials with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)
