killing the kold

Every year, millions of people suffer from a horrible condition. Symptoms such as mysterious bumps on skin that make hair stand straight up. Or the sudden exhalation of smoke for no apparent reason. Involuntary body shakes. Lips turning blue. Teeth chattering. I could go on, but it just gets uglier from here. If you--or a loved one--have every experienced these symptoms, you know how unsettling and gut-wrenching this condition can be. 

The good news is that this condition is seasonal and only temporary when treated quickly. The bad news is that it can kill you... and will, given the chance. A fascinating phenomenon is occurring on the coast of California. These shorts-wearing, flip-flop-loving, granola-eating hippies forget this condition ever existed the moment they are safe from its grasp, leaving them vulnerable the next time it rolls around. 

Many of the world's leading medical practitioner's have come to label this condition "Algere", Latin for "To Be Cold". 

So we thought it would be helpful to introduce these (and the world's) warm climate residents to some of the basics of keeping warm when (gasp!) the temperature drops below freezing.

1. Buy a jacket (it's like a Slanket - only shorter, nicer, and better in every way)

2. Wear the jacket - You can even wear it backwards like Kris Kross if you'd like.

3. Wear layers (an undershirt, a t-shirt, and a jacket does not constitute 'wearing layers)

4. Wear pants not shorts. Not doing so is like having a spoon with a large hole in it... pointless.

5. Call your dearest Russian or Canadian friend for encouragement through this difficult and trying season.

This list isn't meant to be exhaustive, it's more of a beginners guide---a warm-up if you will. More cold climate wisdom to come....

In the meantime, here's a pair of sleeping bag slipper booties by The North Face that WILL keep your feet warm once you pry your frosted flip-flops out from between your frozen blue toes.

--The Murse + Peacoat

Scowl and a Duster

So I'm chatting with a friend outside this coffee shop in a small town in Northern California and she introduces me to this dude.... and all I can say is something along the lines of: "That's some duster you got there".  Then, through a series of coincidences he ends up coming to stay at my place with a crew a few days later---what are the chances? Turns out he's a real bro, he's Canadian, and [of course] has a sick mustache!

Oh Canada !

As much as I hate to admit it, summer is over. Or what I should say is that up here in the jolly old land of winter, summer is over. Mountains are seeing far more regular dustings of snow and those damn leaves just keep reminding me that the coldness approaches closer everyday. Don’t get me wrong, I love some things about winter. Skiing, snowball fights, writing my name in the snow (gentleman you know whats up), hockey, northern lights, and of course Christmas. However, when I think of a Canadian winter, nothing, and I mean nothing gets my maple syrup blood pumping like a good ol’ flannel shirt. Long sleeve, button up, and without a doubt the most horrible pattern of plaid one can find is a must. This seemingly lumberjack style get-up has somehow found it’s way into being a staple of the Canadian fall/winter season and I for one enjoy nothing more than a nice warm rockin’ plaid tuxedo to kick of the start of the winter. What is it about the shirt that makes it so darn Canadian anyway ? I mean there are so many other things that convey the Canuck lifestyle embraced by a few other fellow bloggers and I that you would think would come faaaaar before a silly shirt. Things like the toque, poutine, hockey, igloos, our nice strong REAL beer, riding polar bears to work, watching Sidney Crosby score a semi-important goal in the Olympics...was that in overtime...? can’t quite remember...anyone...? And of course being able to pronounce words the fun way like abooooot instead of about (damn it).

I guess what I’m trying to say is that when I look for a way to start the winter on a happy note, I need look no further than the flannel section in my closet. I think that this year anyone who has not done so already should go to their local plaid dealer and pick up a little bit of sunshine in the form of a soft flannel hug and maybe, just maybe you’ll put a smile on your face to start of the winter months this year. Spoken like a true Canadian, just get ‘er done EH !!

Oh and by the way just to prove my point a little better, this picture was not set-up or planned, it was literally the way that six friends happened to show up to the same house one chilly winters eve. boo-ya.

peace,

Puffy Shirt.