Wanderlust: Top 5.

If you're anything like me, you're always planning your next adventure. I constantly have a list of a few places I'm planning to go at some point in the future, whether a month from now or a few years. Here are my top 5.

1. Bruges, Belgium. And Europe in general. When Todd and I went to Europe after I graduated from college, we naively promised we'd return every year. Then the reality of 10 vacation days per year and $1000 plane tickets hit, making us choose vacations closer to home. We're definitely due for a return trip.

2. New Orleans. I've always been obsessed with this city despite never having been there. I even wanted to move there, but chose Charleston instead. Dixieland jazz, Gulf shrimp, and drinking French 75s in the bar where they were invented... sounds pretty perfect to me.

3. Montreal. Another French-flavored city, Montreal is now a very doable six-hour-drive away. I'll wait until the ground thaws, but then I can't wait to head up there and pretend I'm in Paris.

4. New York. I've driven past NYC several times already on trips south, but I have yet to visit the city since I moved to Boston. Only four hours away, it's perfect for a weekend trip, but I have to admit to being completely overwhelmed by all of the possibilities. I hardly know where to begin planning.

5. Mexico. Yes, I went less than a year ago. But between our oceanfront room, infinity pools, unlimited rum runners, Mayan ruins, and fish tacos, it was hands down the best, most relaxing vacation of my life. And though I wouldn't mind checking out some other Caribbean islands, you just can't beat Mexico for value.

What's on your top 5 list?

Gown Envy.

Isn't it a bit tragic that a girl only gets to wear something as fabulous as a wedding dress once in her lifetime? That is, if she even chooses to have a wedding. Here's to making wedding gowns acceptable as everyday attire.

*This post inspired by a very exciting new bridal project I'm working on. Stay tuned.

Weathering Winter.

I may still be a New England newbie, but I've already picked up a thing or two about surviving frigid temperatures. I've got a 15-minute walk from the bus stop to my office each morning, and I've learned that with the proper attire, even single-digit temperatures can be bearable. It's funny how we adapt, isn't it? 

1. I live in leggings lately, wearing them under my jeans on cold days then sleeping in them at night. The fleece-lined ones are the absolute best, and they even make wearing skirts an option (though my rule is it has to be above freezing for skirts).

2. Socks, duh. But they've got to be good, thick socks. 

3. In Charleston, I wore cardigans all winter (often without a coat), but here they just don't feel warm enough. On the coldest days, I wear a chunky crew-neck with a thermal underneath.

4. Thick, touchscreen-friendly gloves are a must. I've heard that it works to double up with mittens. I haven't gone that far yet. 

5. Leather boots just don't cut it in the snow and slush. My rubber-soled, shearling-lined Sperrys were the best gift I got this Christmas (I got the red). 

6. I always wore scarves as decoration, but here they'll protect your face from the cold, not to mention sick people on public transportation. I prefer super long, chunky scarves — if you don't look like you're wearing a neck brace, you're doing something wrong.