January 22, 2016

5 Friday Favorites: 5 Snowed-In Must-Haves (or Blizzard Essentials)

I'm back with some Friday Favorites today. The news all week in the mid-Atlantic area has been about the impending wrath of Storm Jonas and possibly/probably the Snowmaggedon of 2016. People in the area have been freaking out, as usual. I mean look what one inch of snow did to the DC area Wednesday night. I worked at a grocery store in high school so I know what the words "snow coming" does to regular people who have common sense-it makes them crazy. Apparently my mom said the Walmart in the town I grew up in ran completely out of eggs yesterday at noon. 

Honestly, we're not going to be holed up in our homes more than a couple days so there's no need to stock up massive quantities of food. I'm also a little more lax now because in the city, I already know of liquor stores and restaurants vowing to stay open through it all.  Here's my list of must-haves that are all ready for Storm Jonas (and whatever brothers he brings, so cheesy I know). 


5 Friday Favorites: 5 Snowed-In Must-Haves (or Blizzard Essentials)


5 Friday Favorites: Snowed-in/Blizzard Must-Haves

1. Hot Cocoa

I'm totally all for having some hot cocoa year-round. The past week I've really gotten into the routine of having a big mug of hot chocolate  as I watch Netflix before bed because the combination of sweetness, chocolate, and warmth can't be beat. Sometimes I make my own with cacao powder but honestly I'm sometimes lazy and resort to instant hot chocolate packets. When it snows, it seems everybody jumps aboard the hot chocolate/hot cocoa train buying up packages of mini marshmallows or grabbing extra bottles of Baileys or Peppermint Schnapps to make it more of a party hot cocoa. It's the perfect snow day beverage. 

5 Friday Favorites: 5 Must-Haves When Snowed in (or When Expecting a Blizzard)-hot-cocoa

2. A Shovel 

This may seem obvious, but shovels break and winter sneaks up on you and suddenly the weather forecast calls for snow and you find yourself calling every Home Depot and Walmart hoping they still have bags of salt and shovels left.  Eventually after some snow has fallen you'll join your neighbors outside for hours shoveling your sidewalks and digging your cars out of a massive snow bank. 

5 Friday Favorites: 5 Must-Haves When Snowed in (or When Expecting a Blizzard)
A shot earlier on from a big snowstorm last winter. It only gets deeper. 
3.  Booze of choice 
(or other favorite non-adult beverage of choice, if that's how you roll)
Obviously. If you are going to be off work and school (despite Storm Jonas rolling in on a weekend-what a waste) and snowed indoors, you might as well make it a party. Have mimosas, wine, spiked hot cocoa or cider, or heck just have a couple beers with friends and family because you can. Also to point out that while people were wiping shelves clean at the grocery stores, I didn't hear of anyone complaining that they couldn't get all the beer and wine they wanted for the storm. Less stress shopping for alcohol, for the win. 

 If adult-beverages aren't your thing, at least snag some of your favorite beverage to enjoy while you spend the day being productive or snuggled up in your pajamas finally watching some of those things that have sitting unwatched, in your Netflix queue forever.  A snow day is the definitely the day to treat yourself and take the time to make some yummy food and have your favorite drink. 

5 Friday Favorites: 5 Snowed-In Must-Haves (or Blizzard Essentials)-mimosas

4.  Flashlight 

A flashlight with batteries that actually works is ALWAYS a good thing to have because you never know when there will be an emergency or the power will go out, as in during a blizzard or something. Also I read to make sure all your electronics are already charged up the night before the storm so that they will last if your power does go out. 

5.  Boots and Running Shoes (with good traction) 

Okay so maybe you aren't planning to bundle up, strap on some Yaktrax or spikes and hit the road for some miles in the storm. I have gotten crazy enough the past couple of years to go for a few snow runs. It's actually a little nice because things haven't gotten to icy yet before everything is plowed, melted, and re-frozen. If you are going to run, make sure you have some winter accessories like Yaktrax (which are these if you are wondering what the heck I'm talking about) or a pair of trail shoes or regular running shoes with lots of good traction. I have my pair of lightly-used Brooks Ravennas ready to go. I also finally invested in a really fabulous pair of Sorel winter boots which have survived the past couple of winters and keep my feet warm and dry when I need to venture out for shoveling. 

5 Friday Favorites: 5 Snowed-In Must-Haves (or Blizzard Essentials)


friday-five-dc-trifecta-linkup

Today I linked up with my fave Friday Linkup ladies Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia  as well as Nicole and Amanda .

What is your snow day essential item? If you live in a fabulously non-snowy place, what is your stuck-inside must-have item?

26 comments:

  1. I'm not sad at all about being snowed in. I could use the relaxation...lol. That is frightening that some restaurants will stay open. I hope the employees live super close so they can walk to work.

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    1. Oh don't worry-it's only if employees live in the neighborhood in the city and can safely walk to work!

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  2. I would love to be snowed in once each winter, but we moved away from NH because of soooo much snow. Now we rarely get any in NC, but then it's a disaster! I'm headed to Boston on Sunday so I probably will get my snow fix. Glad you have adult beverages to keep you hydrated!

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    1. Yep, I'm sure it's like MD where no one knows how to deal with snow!

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  3. We Got all the essentials earlier in the week so managed to miss most of the grocery store and gas station craziness :). We saw huge lines at all the gas stations yesterday. I did have one year when I was living in a group house that none of us had a shovel and we didn't realize until a foot of snow had fallen :(

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    1. That's good! I didn't even think of the gas stations being crazy.

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  4. I'm having so much blizzard envy. I wish we were getting your storm! I mean, I guess I kind of don't, since that would put a major damper on my half marathon tomorrow, but we haven't had any big snowstorms at all this year, just bone chilling cold, and given the choice between the two, I'd pick the snowstorm, because I think those are way more fun than 0 degrees. Haha. Good luck! If the storm turns out to be Joe Jonas, tell him I say hello and would still definitely be down to date him if he wants to swing by Chicago :P

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    1. I like one good snow storm-everything is kind of a mess now though!

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  5. I am SO excited for this weather!! I've grown up with 4 seasons so not afraid of the white stuff. I'm looking forward to some coziness inside as well. Yay! Great list. And I did have to buy a shovel yesterday because I realized I didn't have one, oops. But people do get a little nuts.

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    1. I enjoy being snowed in and not having to go anywhere too!

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  6. My biggest concern about this snowstorm was naturally how I would get my run in - we'll see what happens :)

    Worked out wonderfully that my friends and I had already planned on having a boozy board game potluck brunch on Saturday - hot cocoa and mimosas for the win! bring it on jonas!

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    1. Haha, that is the only thing I hate. I have a treadmill though so worst case I can get a few miles in!

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  7. I'm actually a bit sad the storm will be missing us. I love a snow day...as long as we don't lose power...mostly because I definitely don't have to worry about shovelling or digging my car out. No need to buy out Walmart, but having a bit of bread or pantry staples to eat if the power goes out is a must.

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    1. That's good. Fortunately I didn't lose power and also had minimal shovelling to do!

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  8. I'll be on the go-go-go this weekend and will be envious of your weekend date with Netflix.

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    1. Hope you enjoyed your weekend and maybe to get to relax a little this upcoming one!

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  9. I got my long run in today and am excited to just relax and catch up on sleep!

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  10. People really do go nuts with the food, huh? We're not going to be holed up for all eternity! haha - love your list! I'm all about warm drinks, cozy blankets, and charged laptop for movie watching in case the power goes out :)

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    1. People go crazy! Apparently the city's whole foods was wiped clean of avocados #priorities.

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  11. Good list. Important to be prepared but always makes need laugh the people who look like they're preparing for being holed up for weeks.

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  12. YES to the shovel!! I can't decide if I should start now (it's still snowing) or wait till it's all over. I think I'll be too antsy to wait until it's done!

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  13. Haha you're hysterical and I couldn't agree more, especially with booze of choice! I hope you are staying safe and warm out there!

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