(Untitled)

[andy_longwood]

HOLY CRAP GUYS I'M MOVING TO IOWA. I'm going to freeze to death.

I moved back in with my parents, and two days later got a phone call from an Americorps posting asking if I'd like to come and work for the Red Cross for a year. UM, YES.So now . . . I need staying-warm tips. Because I am from Florida. And my idea of a winter coat is flannel-

Comments

[a_is_for_amy]

Don't worry--I live in Arizona, and I have survived winter trips to Iowa. It's not as bad as it sounds! Just keep dry socks handy and bring an umbrella pretty much everywhere you go.

[andy_longwood]

Dry socks. Umbrella. Awesome.

I want one like this.

[magicnme]

YOU'LL BE OKAY A FEW MONTHS, IT WAS UPPER 90s HERE TODAY! \o/

[andy_longwood]

*cuddle*

I miss you super much! How are things?

[magicnme]

Things are ok. Working at an Irish pub and....right now watching VMAs for Lady Gaga, for great justice.

Miss you lots!

[andy_longwood]

Really? Omigosh what's she up for? I don't have a TV bawwwwwww

I have been talking to SO MANY PEOPLE. I just realized the other day I basically have the same job description as a hobo . . . fundraising is hard, yup yup.

[sparklemagpie]

CONGRATULATIONS, first of all! :D

Secondly, being warm is not that hard. You need a coat that it lined inside and which has wind breaking/wetness resistant on the outside. You need really good boots, and you'll need a scarf and gloves and a hat that covers your ears (I recommend one with a pom pom). That will pretty much get you through whatever you need to get through. Everything else is just long pants and long sleeved shirts.

But srsly, Iowa won't be so bad bb, and it won't be winter there all the tine. When summmer hits you can share your Floridian keeping cool tips with the locals and earn their admiration as such. XD

[deesarrachi]

Your best bet, coat-wise, is probably one of those three-in-one coats that has a removable inner liner (early spring/late fall) and a wind/water resistant outer shell (late spring/early fall) and then the two parts zip together, forming both a warm winter coat and a protective layer of warm air between them. Socks are a must, and shoes (if you're used to warm, you probably will need boots or boot-esque shoes. I usually just tromp through the snow in my canvas sneakers.). Scarf, a long one. The warmest way to wear it is to wrap it around your neck and the bottom of your face, then bring the ends back to the front and tuck them into your coat. A hat that covers your ears and, for extra delicate flowers, the top of your head, of course. For maximum awesome, get a toque.

Layers of clothes are warmest. A t-shirt under a sweatshirt will be warmer than just a long-sleeved shirt. Jeans get cold fast, so if you're really worried about cold, go for non-denim pants. You can also get long underwear and wear that under your pants (but you

[lolita_minako]

In Massachusetts, I would wear dancer's tights or knit tights under my jeans and that will do the trick! Even a pair of knee- or thigh-high socks do wonders against jeans!

[deesarrachi]

Yeah, my long underwear are basically knit tights. It's really just about getting that pocket of warm air between your layers! :D

Forgot to add!

[lolita_minako]

In Florida, we're used to ignoring the real temp and keeping an eye on that heat index! Easy transition!! <3

[solros]

Iowa is my birthplace! (Postville, that is!) I grew up in Monona!
You'll love it there - you can actually see the skyline and waving corn and soy fields... it's always so pretty! And seasons... oh man I'm jealous!
Just suck it up and get a cozy, fluffy coat. Think layers. (The air inbetween the layers holds in heat.)
But no need to worry about cold right now - it's hotter in Iowa now that it is in Florida!