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Like the song, “Let It Snow” mentions, “the weather outside is frightful.” And, while there hasn’t been much snow as of late, the air outside is still rather frigid. This chilly weather keeps some of us in our apartments, and a good number of us stay tucked away in our beds, even during waking hours. This lack of motivation to get up and do things keeps us from being productive, making it easy for us to be anti-social and keeping us from enjoying the many events and attractions that the world around us has to offer. So it’s time for us to strap on some boots, put on some layers, and put the anti-social and anti-active behavior to bed.

Incentives: Steering clear of friends is one thing when its cold outside, but steering clear of other important responsibilities like going to the gym is simply that much easier. And we all know that when you miss one trip to the gym, it’s easy to fall off the wagon. The key here is bating yourself out the house, and this can be done by making yourself small promises. If you go to the gym or go far to visit a good friend, then you should reward yourself with a micro-shopping spree or a treat from your favorite bakery or confectionery spot.

Search: Don’t settle for places to go. Do some Internet research and find somewhere you’d REALLY like to be –otherwise you will bail and stay home. Check to see who has upcoming performances at big venues or smaller concert halls, search Groupon or similar sites for deals on events, and find out where folks are going and hitch your wagon onto the most interesting plans for the evening. Try to make a game out of seeing how many fun places you find to enjoy.

Small Soiree or House Party: You’re sick of not seeing people because you don’t want to leave your house? Natural solution: invite people over. It’s simple nowadays, you just send out a quick Facebook message or a text, and you can plan an evening in with friends. It must be kept in mind, however, there are a few downfalls to having people in your home, mainly that as the host you’re normally the one footing the bill for food and libations and cleaning things up. But well-planned potlucks and BYOB invitations are always a good idea as well. And if you want to avoid too much noise or mess, simple movie nights with a bowl of popcorn, some other small snacks and wine will do too.

Loiter: There are plenty of warm, interesting public places where you can visit for free and hang around for hours while being entertained or mentally stimulated. These places include, but are not limited to art galleries, museums, libraries, coffee shops (take a friend and catch up!) and more. In fact, you can often find free classes, free attractions, free club nights, free museums and free festivals that are available to all, especially if you’re living in a big city like New York.

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Even though I’m a winter baby, and my birthday is on the universal “Get Turnt Up” day (New Year’s Eve), something about the winter time is straight booty to me. The sky is the color of gruel, it’s cold, it’s rainy, it’s snowy, everyone is sick. Walkways must be salted. Ugly boots wit da fur must be worn to keep away frost bite. In short, winter is the worst.

A trip to Brazil last year may have corrupted my mind because before then I didn’t really know any better. I never thought about the fact that winter is not the same everywhere. While all my friends were freezing their fannies off in DC with snow storms, I was sipping mango juice out of a coconut and slathering my body with sunscreen.  After I came back my mind was completely blown by the beauty of the place, how everyone carried on like it was normal to be 81 degrees at Christmastime. Ever since then I’ve loathed even a hint of chilliness. Summer is my lover, winter is my foe, and so here are my laments against the coldest months of the year:

• Dry Skin is the name of the game – no amount of essential oils, shea butters, or Vaseline can keep me moist enough during the dry winter months. It’s like clockwork: put on protective layer of oil on all exposed skin, step outside, look like an ash zombie from “The Walking Dead.”  Not a good look, especially since I am trying to serve ‘Robin-Givens-in-Boomerang’ young professional realness.
• Dry Hair will have you looking like a Dr. Miracle commercial – See above. I have locs, so they tend to look dusty in the side-long glint of winter light.  And it takes too long and is too cold for my hair to dry when I wash them, so I don’t get to bake them in them in the sun like in the summertime. So no interesting hair dos, no bouncin’ and behavin’ locs. Just straightbacks that have me looking like Bob Marley.
• IT’S FRIGGIN’ COLD – I’ve lived in the bitter heart of cold country – Pittsburgh, so I know what that snow shoveling life is about. Who wants to go outside when it’s colder than a witch tit? Not moi. And it takes longer to get around. And your car needs servicing. And heat and gas bills. Bleh
• Post Holiday Blues – After the joy of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays have passed, there are really no breaks until the beginning of spring (with the exception of MLK Jr. Weekend). People are usually bunkered down after the new year, trying to pay off those credit card bills that financed Christmas and batten down the hatches against blizzards. Miss me with allllll of that.
• The clothes are atrocious – in the wintertime the imperative becomes survival and warmth over supple and sexay.  So nobody can tell that underneath that bubble goose down and hiking boots is a beautiful bombshell. Dressing for holiday parties are a hassle too, because unless you have a floor length mink coat to cover your teeny weeny New Year’s Eve dress, your timbers will be shivered from the time you step out of your car until the time you get into the party. No bueno.

The only positive thing I can think to say about winter time is that it gives the earth (and people) a time to rest from the constant growth of spring, summer and fall. That’s poetic. But if it was up to me, I’d take all of the sunshine/light clothing/sweet drinks/heat of summertime over the cold of winter any day.

There are many reasons to love fall: cool, crisp weather, lovely fall foliage, pumpkin spice lattes, the list goes on and on. Now this change in seasons may be a drag for some, especially those of you who loved to be as naked as possible during the summer months. However, for those of us who won’t miss the skin-baring summer, fall is the return of a more sophisticated swag. Fall fashion marks the return of bangin’ boots, cuddly sweaters and best of all, cute fall jackets. Finding a jacket that is warm enough for the cooler autumn air yet light and stylish can be tricky. Here are some suggestions to help you find the perfect on-trend fall jacket. 

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