the. cold weather essentials. list.

Well, it was fun while it lasted.  It's cold in the Panhandle again.  This turn in the weather inspired me to create a list with my top three cold weather essentials.

For the record, I am not a cold weather girl.  I owned exactly two sweaters when I moved to Lubbock.  That being said I have had to adapt.

This little list is are three of the things that I hold near and dear when the weather takes a turn for the chilly.

1. L.L. Bean boots

I had been wanting a pair of Bean boots for a while and thought that I would buy the more traditional pair.  That was until I locked eyes on these beauties.  They are the perfect blend of function and fashion.  A practical snow boot mixed with a motorcycle boot.  Plus they are lined.  I love them.

2. Hot chocolate

Source

I am a creature of habit.  I am not kidding when I say that I ate the exact same thing for breakfast every morning of high school.  It was a frosted Pop Tart with hot chocolate (in case you were wondering).    While I have ditched the Pop Tarts, I have not ditched the hot chocolate.  I have been drinking it every morning and on cold days I drink it all day.  The good news is that Nestle's Fat Free version is zero Weight Watchers points.  Victory!

3. A car with heated seats

Source

If I absolutely have to go out in the cold weather, it better be in a vehicle with heated seats.  I never knew the glory that was a heated seat until I moved to Dalhart and now I will never go back.  Our garage is not insulated, we're not that fancy, so it is either stone cold or a sauna.  Thankfully my vehicle has seats that heat and cool.  They are the only thing that make it possible for me to leave my house on days like today.

So that's my list.  What cold-weather items do you consider a necessity?

the. favorite Christmas gifts. list

For this week's list, I thought I would spotlight my favorite Christmas gifts that Beckett and I received.  We got lots of great gifts but these three are my current favorites.

1. Beaba Babycook

There are things that I will do for Beckett and there are things that I absolutely won't do.  Cloth-diapering falls into the "no way in hell" category.  One thing I will do is make baby food.  It's cheaper to make it myself and I can make lots ahead of time and freeze it.  Plus, I will know exactly what he is eating and I think it will help him develop a more eclectic palette as he gets older.  This house does not need another picky eater.  The Babycook allows you to steam and blend food.  Then when you are ready to serve it, you can use it to defrost and heat the food.  I feel like we will be best friends.

2. Apple Macbook Air

Daniel gave me an Apple desktop computer two years ago and I have been an Apple convert ever since.  I had mentioned that a laptop would be nice since I very rarely have both hands free these days and sitting at the computer pretty much never happens but I never expected to get one.  I am in love with this computer.  It is light, fast, and allows me to browse and blog while I am holding a baby.  

3. The Jesus Storybook Bible

This was my favorite gift that Beckett received and it is my new go-to gift (sorry to ruin the surprise for any of my friends).  It is the perfect Bible for him.  It features different stories from the Bible and it really turns them into stories and breaks them down so children can understand.  Plus it has lots of bright, fun pictures that Beckett seems to enjoy.  He is getting a real Bible for his baptism but I know that we will get lots of use out of this one as well.    

the. i need to start working out again. list.

One of the blogs I read has started a feature that is simply a list.  This idea really spoke to me.  As you know, I love lists.  I thought I would put my own spin on it.

For my first list, I am listing the items I am currently wanting to get me back on track in the workout department.  I started Weight Watchers and have been doing pretty good.  I have lost three pounds but I know I am going to have to incorporate working out to get the results I want.  I just need to find the time.

Anyway, I know if I had these three items I would be working out all the time.  Maybe not, but I can pretend.

1. Garmin Forerunner 10 GPS Watch

I actually like running.  Let me clarify that, I hate running initially but after a while I really start to like it.  This watch would make me love running even more because it gives you the information you want.  It tells you your time, pace, calories burnt, and distance ran.  And it is super cute.

2. Anything lulelemon

I have a serious case of lust when it comes to lululemon clothing.  I am not the cutest when I work out but I like to pretend and who doesn't love fun workout clothes?  These are the Inspire Crop II and I love them.  I think I would be able to run even faster if I had a new collection of running tights.  Seriously.

3. Asics GEL-Nimbus 14

My running shoes are on their last leg so these are more of a need than a want.  I love Road Runner Sports because they have a questionnaire you can fill out and match you to the right shoes for you.  I have high arches and my ankles tend to roll in, so running in the wrong shoes is very uncomfortable.  These shoes meet my needs plus they are recommended by the editors at Runner's World.

Hopefully I will get back into running and working out without making any huge purchases but Valentine's Day is coming up and I would not mind receiving any of these items as gifts.