They’re not the same 5 things every week but I feel like, this week, these were the five things I couldn’t live without and so here is a shoutout to them.

5. Neutrogena Body Oil: I think this stuff costs about $8 at any pharmacy or retailer and it’s fantastic. When you live in cold weather climates (i.e., the frozen butt crack of the Midwest that is Chicago) your skin gets dry, fast and this stuff really helps. I use it when I come out of the shower and sometimes even on my hair to try and tame the wild beast. Unlike baby oil, it doesn’t leave your skin feeling oily and if you hate the smell, (I don’t); there’s an unscented version.

4. The Boots With The Fur: Ok, confession time here: I hate pants. I’m the new Lindsay-Lohan-“Mel, leggings-are-not-pants”-fashion-train-wreck but here’s the thing, I don’t care because leggings are just freaking comfy. Granted, I don’t wear them with short shirts like the famous DUI princess so it’s more acceptable although there is one flaw – leggings are as warm as say, thick trousers or jeans. Enter the “boots with the fur”. These are the warmest things I have ever put my feet into. Aldo had them on sale and even though I didn’t like salesgirl’s comment that “they looked way better on me because my legs aren’t as skinny as hers” [read: fat!] I plan on living in them for the rest of winter. (They’re the Aldo “Chirdon” boot ps!)

3. My “Snow Leopard” Hood: Bar the “furry” jokes and comments about anime conventions or dressing like a 5-year old…this is one of my most favourite pieces of clothing ever. Top reason: its warm. Close contender: it has secret pockets/hand pockets so if you forget your gloves a lot, which I do, its perfect and most importantly: it is easily the most attention grabbing and recognizable thing ever. In Chicago, where everyone looks the same in winter, I’ve been shouted at from across the street because a buddy recognized my headwear and let’s not forget all the people who have asked to touch my ears at bars. (If they’re cute, I let them).

2. North Face Parka: When I first moved to Chicago in 2009 as a naïve Florida girl who hadn’t owned winter gear since her emigration from Montréal in 1994, everyone I asked told me to buy a North Face coat and I did. I bought the Metropolis parka in cherry red (no longer available) because I wanted to stand out in the sea of black coats. The coat’s pretty good but it didn’t stand up to the wind that my city is known for and this year I decided to walk into the North Face and buy their “warmest coat ever” – the “Arctic” parka. Needless to say, someone swiped the shopping bag with my coat in it on the El…$300 down the tubes…which brings me to my next “can’t live without”.

1. American Express: Amex, I love you. Even though you’ve charged me a ridiculous fee every year for the past 6 years, I will happily keep paying it because you are the best credit card company ever (and no, this does not refer to my most recent discovery of my concierge service, through which I am in the process of acquiring a GIGANTIC bottle of wine, thank you!) This refers to the countless times you have bailed me out of otherwise awful situations, for example:

-       That time I flew to Montreal from London for New Year’s Eve and British Airways lost my bags for 48 hours (the entire trip was only 3 days) and when they finally brought back my bag it was SOAKING wet (including all its contents) and you, my trusty CC, gave me $500 to cover replacement clothing for the trip and the dry cleaning costs.

-       That time my BRAND NEW North Face coat was stolen from the El and you promptly refunded me the cost of it (plus the other items in the bag) and I was able to get another one! (This was two weeks ago)

-       That when I wanted to buy Blackhawks tickets last year, I got a discount because of you guys.

-       Your new “Get Currency” website – can I write for you? E-mail me!

Since I’ll be in the tropical, beautiful weather of Florida, et al starting tomorrow, I’m thinking next week’s “5 items” post will consist of bikinis and sunscreen (here’s hoping!)

Happy holidays!

Xox,

Mel

**This post is in no way sponsored or endorsed by any of the products I mentioned. These are just the words of a very very happy customer!