Winter is Coming! -A cold blooded creatures guide

How will we all survive this long journey through ice blasts, darkness, scaly lizard hands and covered cars that make you late? Yes, I am cold-blooded...I need the sun to heat me, so I stay cold and slow-moving all PA winter long. There are some days when I literally don't take off my Columbia winter jacket...even inside.

This morning I had to wear my coat; a winter coat with fur. I am sitting here cold in class even with a sweatshirt on (too absurd to put on my puffy winter coat today). My face feels dry because of the wind and every person in my class is sniffing up snot that they don't want to drip out their nose.

SO you may ask how Rayna do we survive this? I mean obviously we ALL watched and adored the Game of Thrones series and love the starks and their amazing moto BUT we are not in Westeros. I personally don't handle how cold I get and remain all winter long. I have a clearly comprehensive list of ways, products, and tasks to keep yourself warm (at least in your core) this winter.

Number 1:

Hot drinks- cider, coffee, tea, dark hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream with cinnamon sugar on top. There are many drink ideas and I'm sure some that I love but forgot but just make sure whatever you drink is so piping hot it heats you to your core.

Number 2:

Holiday music- I've been listening since November 1st BUT if you think that is a crime still keep reading don't hate me. It makes me feel very happy to listen to this music for at least 2 months but if it's not your jam listen to something that warms you from the inside out.

Number 3:

Slippers- This is an absolute must because how are you thinking you're gonna walk around with your bare piggies exposed?! I recommend Ikea puff slippers. My friends tell me they look like tea cozies for your feet but I love them regardless. I haven't been able to find them on the Ikea website but maybe they haven't come out for the season yet? My other winning option is my Ugg ones. Warm and versatile if you will be doing any outside walking or trash-taking-out etc.

Number 4:

Hand rescue- My hands get to that serious lizard, grandma of death state most winters. When I was young they would crack and bleed....not cute and so painful. This winter though I am already doing a million times better with my solution of Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Body Replenish. Moisturizer just traps moisture that's in your skin... but what if you have none?! GASP! You need this because its tech takes water from the air and puts it into your skin hydrating up to 200X. One jar also lasts months so the investment is well worth it. So happy I don't have to hide my scary hands in pockets and under my desk this year!

Number 5:

A coat that works- See this may seem silly but I honestly have been cold for so many winters in a row and only just last year bought myself a real coat. It is Columbia omi-tech warmth and all that jazz and it's great. I bought it off Sierra Trading Post which is amazing and I 10-out-of-10 recommend. I still think I have yet to find the perfect coat because when I go outside I am still cold in it and some days in the heart of last winter I wore the coat all day long INSIDE too. So I clearly need an even warmer one. Seriously though, get a coat that makes walking to your car, not a miserable journey.

Moral: These are just a few ways to keep your body warm inside and out this winter but it is not an exhaustive list. Find your own happy things and make sure you can survive the darkest time of the year! Though this was lighthearted I do need ways to coop so as not to feel miserable by letting the dark and cold get to me. Make sure you take care of your physical, but also mental and emotional states this winter.

Lots of love and hugs and warm drinks! -Rayna