**Note: I started drafting this post several days ago, breaking my 15 minutes per post self-guidelines. It's gotten warmer since but the thoughts still apply**
OMG it is so cold, SINGLE DIGIT temperatures here and across most of the country, if not negative temperatures!!
I'm going to make a huge reveal here- one of the things that inspired this blog was reading
an article at appeared in Elle magazine, where the writer was really conflicted about wearing a fur coat that her grandmother gave her back in the 80's. Eschewing fur is one of the easiest "no brainier" decisions for me, and whenever I see someone else wearing fur, I think how brutal that person looks. It's basically draping corpses around your body, and that's just too morbid for me (I don't like skull motif attire, or any of that kind of thing either). If you want something warm and soft to snuggle with, adopt a cat or a dog! Don't skin some poor creature that lived its entire life in a horrible cage (and PS, did you know that some
FUR SOLD IN STORES IS MADE OUT OF DOGS?).
Anyway, I read this article and on one hand, I was like, 'Ugh! Fur! How incredibly sad!" and on the other hand I heard a message loud and clear that I have identified with for most of my entire adult life: "I'M COLD." For me, a big part of the animal rights movement is about compassion, and I'm trying to also be compassionate to my fellow humans. So when I hear about this woman struggling to stay warm, like I used to, I just wanted to help her! Because the truth is, you don't have to wear animal bits to stay warm, and people just need to know about all the amazing warm (and cute and comfortable) things. I don't even buy down or woolen items anymore, because I have found all these great alternatives.
So when I read this article when it first came out, I wanted to write the author a very kind letter (I'm sure she's getting enough attack mail) helping her overcome the core problem that she has- she just wants to stay warm and doesn't know how!
Here are my tips and picks for ways to stay warm, even in a POLAR VORTEX!
1) Make sure you're healthy. Get your circulation checked out, find out if you're anemic, make sure your thyroid levels are where they should be, and everything else a doctor can do to help you figure out why you're always cold. Sensitivity to cold can definitely be a symptom of many things. I was diagnosed with anemia (and this is as an omnivore) a few years ago, and since then I take an iron supplement (accompanied by a vitamin C tablet, which is supposed to help it absorb better). My pick for iron supplement is NatureMade, because some of the other brands I tried coated their tablets in blue/green/black dye (I think to discourage kids from thinking it is candy). I don't have kids in my home, and the tablets were staining my tongue and teeth! These tablets are small, easy to swallow, and don't stain my mouth.
2) Wear layers. I personally am addicted to and compulsively hoard
UNIQLO Heattech clothing. These have been a game changer for me, I don't know how I would have survived this long without it. They are these amazingly thin, stretchy, smooth, lightweight, cute, and comfortable pieces that I wear underneath EVERYTHING, EVERY DAY. They use this weird techno material to make socks, pants, tops, accessories, and all kinds of things, and I have tons of them because I love them so much!
3) THIS COAT! In the past, I've worn down coats and mourned the birds that died to make the filling. I would look like a giant puffy marshmallow blob, the weight of the coat would make my shoulders hurt and my body tired, little feathery bits would eventually appear floating around me, and at the end of the day, I still wasn't warm. Then I found this amazing coat that now makes me feel invincible:
Arc'teryx Women's Sylva Parka
.
I have this coat in the this color (on mine the zipper color matches), which is a beautiful greyish purple that people compliment me on all the time! Seriously, random people tell me they love my coat! The coat is slim and flattering, and I actually have a defined waist when I wear it. I bought it online and when it arrived, I didn't think the package could possibly contain my coat because it was so small and light. But it was and I've been wearing it ever since. My friend who lives in Cleaveland (currently 20 deg F) bought one because she liked mine so much, and I myself bought an extra one for myself (both of ours are in "Royale" purple) just because I never want to be without this coat. My friend texted me to say, "got the coat and love it! I can't believe it's soooooooo light! Thx xxoo," then again later "loving the coat!"
This coat makes me feel invincible! Some of the features that make it extra warm are the cuffs, which adjust and can seal really tight, the really nice fitted hood, which I wear up often, the length, and the "Windstopper" fabric, and of course whatever miracle synthetic insulation they put inside.
Synthetic insulation is better than down because:
- It retains its insulating properties even when wet
- No feathery bits that escape and fly around and stick to things
- No allergy inducing feathery bits
- Easier to wash, dry, and maintain
- No birds suffered (do a google search if you want to see the horrible things that happen). I generally like the brand Patagonia, but the fact that they feel obligated to make statements like, "Patagonia Traceable Down Is Verified Non-Live-Plucked, Non-Force-Fed" makes me say "Yikes!" about the whole down industry. Kind of like blood diamonds vs being in the same market as "conflict-free diamonds." I prefer to just steer clear of that whole mess.
4) Insulate your extremities: As a great complement to the coat above, I also love the following:
Easy Spirit Knotme wedge boots (synthetic, not leather and ON SALE as I write this!) and EMS Women's Hyland Fleece Convertible Mittens. I have a previous season version of these boots (same minus the buckle) and they are SO COMFORTABLE (they come in wide sizes too!), they are light, hold up really well in the rain. I wear a pedometer sometimes so I'm not exaggerating when I say easily walk 5 miles in these boots on a daily basis, and my feet feel great. The mittens are wonderful, they are surprisingly warm (warmer than some ski gloves I wearing before) and so convenient how they fingers can be uncovered for phone calls, zippers, digging around in my bag, etc. I'm a big fan of hats too, but don't have one that I am obsessed with like all my other stuff, so let me know if you have a fave cruelty-free style in the comments!
5) Drink Tea! Hot tea is warming, obviously, but there are certain varieties that I find especially warming. Here are my favorites, all caffeine-free:
Yogi Egyptian licorice,
Mu 16
, Ginger, and Chamomile. Sometimes I just put a dash of cinnamon or a squeeze of fresh lemon in hot water and drink that. Yum! Sometimes I just drink hot water! Ahhh! One thing I do avoid when it comes to tea in winter is mint tea- it makes me feel cold.
6) Snuggle! My darling chihuahua loves to be zipped inside my hoodie while I'm wearing it, be on my lap, or under the covers with me. She's the perfect little hot water bottle and we sleep curled up together every night. My husband lets me put my cold feet on him too (somehow he's always hot) even though they can feel like ice daggers. He is also really good about putting his arms around me and lending me his sweater/coat/socks/whatever. Wannabegans gotta stick together to stay warm!
Patagonia Men's Nano Puff Hoody - It's usually cold around Valentine's day, and I usually project my own personal preferences when I give a gift, so there are a lot of warming-related V-day gifts. I've had my eye on this jacket for a long time because it is synthetic and super light (I'm always freezing and sometimes I like to look at insulating outerwear online and fantasize about wearing it all). I like that this is an insulating layer, which makes a perfect gift because it's cozy and you can wear it indoors or out, over several different seasons depending on what you wear it with. If you're not into these colors, you can usually find previous season colors (on sale!) and styles (vest, pullover, jacket) online. Even though Patagonia certifies its down as "non-live plucked" (jeesh!), I still prefer to stay away from down completely, so Nano Puff is the way to go. I would get this for my husband if he didn't already have a enough hoodies, but once those wear out he might end up with this!
Uniqlo Heat Tech Socks and Finger Socks - The socks in our home are pretty sad- most of them are from 12-packs bought years ago, and now there are holes under the ball of the foot and at the Achilles from being worn completely through. I get grouchy when I wear them because they droop down and bunch up under my foot, which is very uncomfortable (especially when wearing boots and it's hard to pull them up!). Some times when it's past time to do laundry, we wear them upside down so the hole (and the heel material) is on the top of the foot. So anyway, I bought these nice socks as a gift for my mother-in-law's boyfriend, who was really kind to us while we were staying at her apartment. He's a dancer, so I thought the toe socks would be good for him to stretch his feet in, and the Heat Tech socks were appropriate because it's been super freezing cold out. He said he really enjoys wearing them and that having nice socks totally makes a difference in his day! He's totally right, having comfortable feet makes a big difference. I know socks sound really boring and utilitarian, but NICE socks really do make your feet and by extension, the rest of your body feel better. A lot of people have told me to get wool socks because I'm always cold, but honestly I don't have time to separate them out of the laundry and wash them in cold and line dry them and all that so they don't shrink, plus I don't care if it's made out of unicorn wool, those things still get itchy. That's why we have TECHNOLOGY!! 
Bonavita Porcelain Immersion Coffee Dripper
- I got this for my husband because he looooves his coffee every morning. Sometimes in the evening he'll get a faraway look on his face with just the slightest hint of a smile, and I'll ask him,"What are you thinking about?" He'll snap out of his reverie and reply, "My first sip of coffee tomorrow morning." So anyway, about 2 years ago my mom gave him a lifetime supply of paper cone filters and a Clever Coffee Dripper, which he has used and loved every day since then. I am happy he loves it (PS the cheap part of me is glad that he's not paying $3+ for coffee every day) but I was worried about the plastic slowly disintegrating from from the repeated heating and cooling of having boiling water poured into it. I wanted to find something similar but made of glass, metal, or porcelain, and here it is! All the parts that touch the coffee are porcelain, except the little stopper which is silicone. A long time ago hubby used to drink coffee with milk and sugar, but now he drinks it black. So he veganized his drink!
Urban Decay Vintage Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner - Recently my husband and I stayed at my mother-in-law's home for over two weeks, and she showered us with loving kindness the whole time we were there. She loves makeup, so as a gift I bought her some of her favorite glitter eyeliners (her favorite colors are being retired, so they are on sale so you can stock up!!) 
Harry and David Succulent Wreath - I was obsessed with this wreath ever since the moment I saw it, but the price was straight up crazy, and that's before the taxes and shipping and handling. When it finally went on sale (50% off!) I thought it was still a bit pricy (don't forget about that S&H!) but I was so obsessed that I caved and gave it to my friend who loves plants for her birthday. She was quite pleased! Exact quote: "I GOT THE SUCCULENT WREATH!!!! I LOVE IT!!! It was such a nice surprise this morning!!!!" (That's eleven exclamation marks, for the record.) I was concerned that it wouldn't look quite as nice as in the photo because that often happens with mail-order, but she sent a photo (on the right) and in my opinion it looks even cooler with those tall succulents! She loved it so much, I ended up ordering one for myself, it just looks so cool I'm still obsessed.
4) Insulate your extremities: As a great complement to the coat above, I also love the following: Easy Spirit Knotme wedge boots (synthetic, not leather and ON SALE as I write this!) and EMS Women's Hyland Fleece Convertible Mittens. I have a previous season version of these boots (same minus the buckle) and they are SO COMFORTABLE (they come in wide sizes too!), they are light, hold up really well in the rain. I wear a pedometer sometimes so I'm not exaggerating when I say easily walk 5 miles in these boots on a daily basis, and my feet feel great. The mittens are wonderful, they are surprisingly warm (warmer than some ski gloves I wearing before) and so convenient how they fingers can be uncovered for phone calls, zippers, digging around in my bag, etc. I'm a big fan of hats too, but don't have one that I am obsessed with like all my other stuff, so let me know if you have a fave cruelty-free style in the comments! 