While the U.S. is getting pounded with endless blizzards (yes I’m jealous), my little corner of France is getting drenched with one rainy day after another (although it was gorgeous yesterday!). This seemingly endless winter loop of rain, clouds, more rain, maybe an hour of sun and more rain, gets really tiring when you’re someone who loves cold winter days with sprinklings of snow. And when you have a furry dog that has to be dried with a hair dryer every time she goes out, rain gets old real fast. Mid-40s-50s F is NOT winter. Ya hear that, France weather gods? Anyway, let’s not give up hope. To survive the rainiest of days, here’s what you need…
Read on for my rainy day essentials!
France rainy day essentials
Damp and dreary describes my winter so far and although Tom says it’s not typical to have 10 rainy days back to back, it doesn’t make being in the moment any easier. But here are a few things that will make surviving the rain a tad more bearable. And you’ll look good while doing it! That’s a win-win! So let’s embrace the rain. Lemons make lemonade, right?
1. Hunter rain boots
Excellent quality and available in a variety of fun styles and colors (including pink!), Hunter Rain Boots are the quintessential rainy weather must-have that will keep your feet dry and looking chic. Pop on a pair of the Original Tall Gloss Rain Boots with skinny jeans and rest easy knowing you’re not ruining your new leather boots. These are a necessity if you’re visiting the Brittany region. ($140)
2. A cute towel to dry off with (or dry your dog off with as the case may be)
French brand Le Phare de la Baleine has some of the cutest towels around, so dry off with a beach towel complete with little whales. I couldn’t resist this little investment in rainy day happiness. No boring white here! (32.50 €)
3. A hair dryer that gets the job done
No one wants to stand there drying their dog (or themselves) for 30 minutes with a weak hair dryer. Waste of time. So invest in a heavy duty dryer that will have everyone dry in a flash like the ghd air line complete with a professional motor that guarantees a quick dry. You’ll be bone dry just in time for the next rain storm. (149 €)
4. A mug of something delicious to help warm up
I recently discovered Keith Brymer Jones’ ceramics and love his French Range. Minimalist with just a single word, this chocolat mug might just become your new favorite morning accessory. Grab a steaming mug of hot chocolate and snuggle up on the couch until your heart’s content. ($15)
5. A chic umbrella
When rain comes out of nowhere like it usually does, be prepared with a stylish umbrella to keep from getting soaked. Kate Spade’s black and white umbrella with a touch of pink gets the job done with eye-catching ease. ($38)
6. A raincoat that means business
Nothing’s worse than being pelted with rain that soaks right through your coat, so be prepared with a rain coat that means business. Rain will ball up and slide off the insulated Girl on the Go Trench Coat from Eddie Bauer that’s available in seven colors. Your clothes will stay dry and you’ll look chic from point A to B. ($160)
It’s wet and rainy here too! I’m eyeing those rubber boots…
Aren’t they great? The American in me wants bright pink or purple but the French influence says go with a dark color… are you feeling the pink?
Hunters are classic! French style will only accept black rain boots unless you’re gardening/farming. A high-quality but cheaper option (with lots of cool patterns!) is Kamik : http://www.kamik.com/
Will definitely check Kamik out. Thanks for the recommendation!
I had always read about ALL the rainy winters in France,… but didn’t realize until finally moving to Paris that’s it’s absolutely true! I love your rainy day essentials list, especially the Hunter boots. Makes me impatient for Spring 🙂
Did you officially move or you’re still in DC? I will have to finally meet you one day. You were one of the first blogs I discovered after I moved. And yes, the Hunter boots sure are pretty. I know the French like the darker colors but I might have to rock a pink pair…
I’m (almost) officially a French resident Diane! Will be moving into a permanent apt in a couple weeks, but still working on my Visa docs… yes, we’ll have to meet one day! You have such a great blog here – much useful information, I love it! btw, thank you for the haircut tips 🙂
I would add one cool jazzy music, one warm “Tatin” pie with its sour cream spoon, and if you have the chance to have some children/friends around, one great game like “La crique des Pirates”, or “Colons de catanes”….
Than you will start really really loving those rainy days, and understand those French who conplain after 2 or 3 days without a rain.
Sounds interesting. I’ll have to do some research on the games. Never heard of ’em!
http://www.daysofwonder.com/piratescove/fr/
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Colons_de_Catane
But most of it, you need 2 or 3 good friends, …
or children…
Sorry, I’ve missed some of your major points in my rude response.
You miss your good friends from the US. But than those kind of games could be a way to find some.
True that one of the most powerful path to create new firends when grown up is to have children of the same age (nothing like a child to entertain another child), and to have newcomers in the town just-like-we-are.
Of course old established friends have not even time to build up new friendships.
Besides, I see you now moderate the comments. That’s the drawback of having a popular blog: bad visitors find their way too… Hope that does not bring you too hard time.
Comments have always been moderated but I’ve posted every last one (unless it was spam) and that won’t change. Not here to paint a different picture at all. But it’s not something specific to you — wordpress decides based on IP address and I approve the rest. Just how blog is set up. And I’m really not that popular. 🙂
I’ll check those sites. I have a dog… she likes games.