Baby, It's Cold Outside! [My Winter Essentials]

The cold weather is ushering itself into the Southeast and 'tis the season for bundling up so no better time than the present for my Winter Essentials! These are the clothing, accessories, beauty items, and miscellaneous things that I just cannot live without during the colder months!

Belk//Belk//Target//Target

1) BOOTS! I am a boot loverrr so of course, boots must be on the list! I live in Southeastern U.S. of A., right smack dab in the middle of the state so I don't have much need for some intense winter boots. 

• The first two pairs are examples of what I consider to be everyday boots [and I mean every single day]. I like structured, tall boots with a teeny tiny bit of heel. So comfortable and great to dress up or down.
• Like I said, I don't really need intense winter/snow boots where I live so a nice pair of rain boots with a fleece lining and some thick socks are all I really need to survive any slush we happen to get. I love the idea of fun pattern or a bright color because rain boots can be a great opportunity to have a little fun with color and you don't have to wear them all day so they don't have to match your outfit.
• I call the last pair "Warm and Snugglies" and honestly, they're not even the most attractive pair of boots, but they are warm and comfy on those casual winter days. Heck... I wear mine first thing in the morning to take my dog out :)

2) SCARVES! Anyone that knows me knows that I have a serious addiction to scarves. In fact, I use them as a decoration on one of my bedroom walls because I have no way to store them all and I want more. Scarves are the perfect way to accessorize an outfit and for me, they are a great way to add a pop of color if I'm wearing a more neutral look. Winter is a season when people can fall into those darker winter clothing colors and a scarf can spice it up a bit. I want all of these scarves pictured above... so adorable! BTW, I googled these scarves so I don't know where they're from...oops! 

[Ohhhh and for those who don't know what to do with a scarf *cough* mom *cough*... here is a bunch of different ways :) ]

J.Crew//Old Navy//Belk//Old Navy

3) Puffer/Quilted Vests! Disclaimer: The first vest is from J.Crew and the only time I shop at J.Crew is when it's from the factory store and it's marked waaaaay down. However, kudos to J.Crew because they really know how to make a good quilted vest! Anyways, these vest are great to just throw on with a long sleeve tee, jeans, a scarf, and boots. Insert my "I don't want to get all girly-ed up outfit" now: 

Forever21//Google//Forever21

4) Tights and Leggings! Can I get an AMEN?! Tights allow me to continue wearing my large collection of dresses [that I get off the clearance rack at the end of the season...yeayah!] throughout the chilly months. And leggings [if worn correctly... say it with me... LEGGINGS ARE NOT PANTS] can be comfy and slimming. Just make sure we are keeping what mama gave us covered up... please and thank you :)

Now for beauty essentials!

1) A Berry Lip: Winter is a time where you can mix it up a bit and have fun with some darker lip colors. A berry lip can be subtle or dramatic! My favorite berry lip color right now: LA Colors Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Orchid.

2) Dark Red Nails: Winter is also a time where you can rock some darker nail colors without looking too vampy. This color is "Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ" by OPI. I think this is a perfect dark red nail polish and if you're not into those OPI prices, some great alternatives are: "Wined Up" by Sally Hansen Insta-Dri and "Vixen" by Revlon.

3) Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer: I am battling some dry skin! With the weather changing and Mother Nature not being able to make her mind, my skin has been doing some freaking out! This moisturizer was actually my mom's so I tried it out/took it off her hands and it is really the only moisturizer that has been working for me lately. SPF 50 is a little higher than I would normally go, but during the winter, I'll deal if the moisturizer does its job.

4) For the more neutral nail folks out there, a taupe-y colored nail may be for you. I tend to lean towards a more neutral color on my fingernails and a bolder color on my toes unless I'm feeling a little saucy. Taupe-y nail colors are great way to stay on trend without going dark. This color is "Glamour Purse" by Essie and some other great alternatives are: "Slick Slate" by Sally Hansen Insta-Dri and "Gray Suede" by Revlon.

5) Aussie 3-Minute Miracle: Winter for me = Dry Skin AND Dry Hair so about once a week I like to give my hair a little extra pampering with a deeeeep conditioner. It helps replenish my dry hair and it smells AWESOME! [Sidenote: If you're ever without your shaving lotion/cream, it also makes a great shaving cream. Just saying haha]

6) Red Nails: 'Tis the season, my friends and who doesn't love a festive nail color. It's bold, darker, and adds a little spice to those cold winter days. What woman paints her nails red and doesn't feel fierce?! This color is "Red Hot Glam" by OPI and a great alternative is "Rapid Red" by Sally Hansen Insta-Dri.

7) Bath and Body Works Winter Candy Apple: I'm a weirdo... Everyone seems to really love Fall and Winter scents from BBW, but I am a Spring-y, Summer-y, and Clean-y smell person. But I do have a weakness that tends to emerge during the colder months... I looooove the smell of apples! My boss got me this lotion for Christmas and I am obsessed with this smell! Right up my alley and mixes nicely with my DKNY Be Delicious perfume which also smells like apples... a trend appears. Mmm... apples :)

 8) Dryness is a winter trend so to accompany my dry skin and hair, I give you my dry lips. Nobody likes chapped lips...eww and ouch. Maybelline Baby Lips are my holy grail lip product. They are so moisturizing, give you a splash of color, and they smell amazing! I probably have every color and I like to have them with me at all times. If you have never tried these, I would definitely give them a go!

9) And last but certainly not least, my Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. This baby was definitely pricey and they just came out with a 3rd one, but for me, this palette is perfect. I am a neutral eye make-up person and these are really great colors. A great dupe [and I wish I had gotten it before I shelled out the moola for this baby] is the Coastal Scents "Revealed" Palette which you can get here [It's currently sold out, but you can get notified when it's back in stock.]

I hope you enjoyed my Winter Essentials... I know it was long, but I'm a talker... thanks for sticking it out with me! BTW, it's a wedding weekend so stay tuned for some OOTDs from this weekend :)