City Girl Essentials

Sure, living in the city has a ton of perks but to truly enjoy those perks you need a few key items.

First and foremost, any true City Girl needs a puffy down jacket.  JO and I refer to mine as the "pufferator."  It can be downright frigid in the city during the winter but you don't want that stopping you from walking around the city!  A puffy jacket is the perfect defense against subzero temps.  Sure, they aren't super stylish, and you might feel a bit like a snowman, but if you're a true city dweller the puffy jacket must be part of your winter gear.  I purchased mine a few years ago and it has revolutionized my view on winter.  Bonus- if you're a teacher it's really helpful during winter outdoor recess!








Next up, a pair of real winter boots.  During my twenties I didn't have extra money to invest in anything but the very necessities so I never had a pair of winter boots.  Instead, I wore extra socks and hoped for the best.  A few years ago we decided to spend New Year's Eve out in Boston with friends.  I did not want to be freezing so I manned up and purchased a pair of Rubber Duck Snow Joggers and I've never looked back.  These boots are reasonably priced, last a long time (I had my last pair for four years), and keep your feet warm and dry.  The rubber soles are thick enough to keep your feet off the ground and the velcro makes for easy on/easy off.  I absolutely love these boots!  My dad got me a new pair for Christmas this year and I put them to good use during the blizzard.  Walking around the city in the winter will involve walking through snowbanks and slush.  A good pair of winter boots is a must!

The third, and final essential item, is a good pair of galoshes!  Back in 2010 we had two different "Biblical" rainstorms mere weeks apart.  After the first rainstorm I decided to spend the whopping $25 on a pair of galoshes from Target.  You know what?  That $25 has paid off big time.  They lasted me three years.  I only recently replaced them back in October in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy.  But galoshes aren't just good for walking in city puddles during spring rains.  Galoshes come in real handy in the days after a snowstorm when those snowbanks you were walking through in your winter boots turn all gross and slushy.  You don't want to ruin your snow boots (even though your feet will be dry because those boots are really good) so enter your galoshes.  Galoshes give you the easy cleaning necessary to tackle the huge, slushy puddles sure to be littering the city streets in the aftermath of a big storm.

Finally, there is one last optional item.  A carry all tote bag is essential for the City Girl on the go.  A large tote bag can accomodate such necessities as:

*umbrella
*cardigan (perfect for all day city outings when temps change from morning to night)
*book (perfect for passing time on the train or sitting in Columbus Park on a gorgeous spring day)
*change of shoes (flip flops for walking, cute sandals for restaurants)
*bottle of water (for keeping cool on a hot day)
*camera (for playing tourist)
*and so much more

I highly recommend the Longchamps Le Pliage medium.

The medium is more than big enough to fit all of the above and more (the other day I fit a fleece in there...I kid you not.)  The added bonus is that it is stylish but able to take the wear and tear of traversing the city because the canvas is really easy to clean.  Plus if it's good enough for the Duchess of Cambridge herself than it's good enough for you.

These City Girl Essentials really help you enjoy everything the city has to offer, no matter the weather or where you go!