Alphabet Dating: Winter Date Ideas From A-Z
If you aren’t a fan of winter, know that you are not alone. Don’t get me wrong having all four seasons in Michigan is fantastic, and while I do love snow – I absolutely hate driving in it. Not to mention, winter makes it hard for anyone to get motivated. Since winter has arrived I thought it was the perfect opportunity to share winter date ideas from A-Z. This list is jampacked with plenty of ideas from comedy shows, to quickies a progressive dinner and everything in between. Looking for more ideas? Check out A-Z Summer Date Ideas and A-Z Fall Date Ideas.
A – Arcade, Art Gallery, Airbnb
B – Bowling, Bookstore, Bed & Breakfast
C – Comedy Show,
D – Dance Class
E – Early Bird Specials
F – Fondu
G – Game Night, Go-Karts
H – Hockey Game
I – Ice Skate
J – Junk Food
K – Karaoke, Kickbox
L – Live Show, Laser Tag
M – Massage
N – Netflix, Nerf Gun War
O – Opera
P – Progressive Dinner
Q – Quickie
R – Random Acts of Kindness, Roller Skate
S – Staycation
T – Trivia
U – Use a new ingredient in a recipe
V – Vacation, Volunteer
W – Walking Tour
X – Xtreme Sports
Y – Yaktrax it up and go on an ice adventure
Z – Zoo
Winter Necessities: 11 things you need in your car this winter
It’s beginning to look a lot like winter weather, every single day. Let’s face it, no one plans to slide off the road, get stuck in a snowbank or on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck in subzero temperatures. However, the reality of it, is this could happen to anyone of us and it’s better to be prepared then not prepared at all. Do you have a winter emergency kit in your car? If you don’t I highly recommend creating one! If you already have one, good for you! Just make sure you have these 11 items in it. Trust me, you’re going to want to keep this emergency kit stashed in the trunk of your vehicle for those just in case unexpected moments that life may throw at you.
Jumper cables
Jumpers cables are a must. Keep them stashed in your truck, you never know when you or someone else may need them.
Flashlight with fresh batteries
You’ll want to make sure you have a working flashlight.
Pro Tip: Keep it in your glove box, center console or door compartment so you do not have to dig around for it.
Portable phone charger
When heading out into dicey road conditions – or any time really, you will want to make sure your phone has a full charge. Phones typically die quickly when it is cold outside. Having a portable phone charger that is fully charged as a backup is important, especially if your vehicle loses power and you cannot charge your phone.
First aid kit
You always hope that you will not need a first aid kit, however accidents do happen, so it’s best to have one in your car.
Pro Tip: Stock your first aid kit with bandages, gauze, pain reliever and disinfectant.
Emergency roadside flares
You make think this is overkill, however, it will be easier for drivers to see your vehicle pulled over on the side of the road when you have flares and reflective triangles out.
Extra mittens, hat, and warm clothing
Even though you may have your winter jacket with you, if you have to wait in a cold vehicle for any length of time you will be thankful for a little extra warmth. This will also be especially helpful if you have to walk to get help.
Blankets or a sleeping bag
Having an extra blanket or even a sleeping bag can provide extra warmth while you wait for help.
Kitty litter or sand
Keep roadside sand or a container of kitty litter in your trunk during this winter months. If you get stuck and need some traction simply sprinkle the sand or kitty litter around your wheels for instant traction. This inexpensive solution could be the difference between getting back on your way or calling a tow truck.
Snacks and water
Put small snacks such as granola bars, nuts, Snickers and more in a Ziploc bag for those just-in-case instances. Remember, water freezes so this is something that you want to bring with you on every trick. Especially if you are going on a long road trip.
Ice Scraper
Make sure to always keep an ice scraper in your car. Keeping it in your garage doesn’t do you any good when you’re away from home.
Shovel
Yes, shovels are typically for driveways – but it’s better to be safe than sorry. I used to keep one in my car just so I could shovel my car out at work.
Do you have any tips you’d like to share?
Coming to Detroit: Dear Evan Hansen
Individual tickets to see the Detroit premiere of Dear Evan Hansen will go on sale Friday, January 17 at 10:00 AM, and will start at just $39 each. Tickets to see Dear Evan Hansen can be purchased online at www.broadwayindetroit.com or www.ticketmaster.com. You can also purchase tickets to see Dear Evan Hansen by calling 800-982-2787 as well as at the Fisher Theatre box office.
- Tuesday – Saturday evening performances at 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday evening performances at 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
- Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m.
- Thursday, March 26 matinee at 1:00 p.m.
31 Things to Do in January
With the holidays behind us and the new age roaring 20’s ahead of us, I am sharing 31 ways to celebrate January. I am not a fan of resolutions, however, I am a big fan of lifestyle overhauls and simple changes. Let’s prioritize ourselves in 2020.
1. Create a vision board. I was recently told that when creating a vision board you should be very specific and keep it in a place that you can see. You don’t have to cut out pictures and words from a magazine, you can simply write sentences or words down onto a piece of paper.
2. Select one word or motto to focus on in 2020. This word should be something that will help keep you focused and your priorities in order throughout the year.
3. Grab some takeout or junk food, change into pajamas and put on a movie.
4. Shop post-holiday sales for major savings. This is the perfect time of the year, save some money, since stores are will be going through their inventory they will be dropping prices.
5. Get active and do some indoor rock climbing.
6. Head to a hotel for the weekend just so you can go swimming.
7. Try out a new recipe. Pinterest is a great place to find an abundance of new recipes.
8. Host a board game night.
9. Learn a new hobby. I really want to take a refresher crocheting class.
10. Go ice skating.
11. Visit a museum.
12. For many places, it is off-season, which means you can score some really get deal on a spontaneous weekend getaway.
13. Head to an arcade, bowling alley or play some indoor mini-golf.
14. Go to a candle-lit snowshoeing event.
15. Celebrate national hat day today. From Panama hats to beanies you’re sure to have one to live up the moment in.
16. Head to the hills and go tubing, sledding, skiing or snowboarding.
17. Have a spa day, after all, you work so hard you definitely deserve one.
18. Binge watch a new show on Netflix or see what Disney+ has added to its lineup.
19. It’s national popcorn day. I recommend adding some to your favorite bowl of soup.
20. Go through your closet and donate any clothes you did not wear in 2019.
21. Pick a room in your home to reorganize.
22. Visit a local art gallery.
23. For many places, it is off-season, which means you can score some really get deal on a spontaneous weekend getaway.
24. Refresh your look and try a new shade of nail polish.
25. Go for a snowy hike.
26. Head to the library and find a new book to read.
27. There’s no better time than now to book that vacation that you have always dreamed of – or start saving money for that dream vacation. What’s on my list? Iceland, Vancouver, and Scotland are high on my list currently.
28. Do something nice for a friend, family member or neighbor.
29. Get a house plant to lift your spirits during the dreary months.
30. Get up early and watch the sunrise.
31. Go hot tubbing.
My Favorite Memories From 2019
It’s as cliche as it comes, but I am shocked it’s the end of the year. 2019 is a year I will always remember. I feel like I experienced some amazing things, met some wonderful people and really discovered myself. Here is a month by month overview of some of my favorite moments from a year filled with early mornings, adventures, a move, challenges, loss and countless happy moments:
January:
In January I attended the North American International Auto Show and saw Hamilton for the first time!
During February I finally got to see Legally Blonde the Musical and went to a Galentine\’s party.
March:
I attended my first Red Wings game at Little Caesars Arena, went to Papa\’s woodcarving show and spent plenty of time in the snow with Jack during March.
April:
April was the game-changing month for me. Not only did I see Hamilton for the second time (it\’s really good), but I took my first solo road trip to not only a city I have never been to – but a state I have also never visited. I also fed a stingray and attended the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
May was a low key month, that was filled with bike rides, trips to nearby cities and seeing Waitress on Broadway for the first time.
June:
June was a month filled with first time experiences. I did barre on the field at Comerica Park, tried an aerial yoga class and attended the Grand Prix at Belle Isle.
July:
July was a busy month! I took another solo road trip, visited a butterfly house, did a Spartan workout, went to the Detroit Zoo a ton and went to Vinsetta Garage for burgers with Papa.
August:
August started off with a trip to the west side of the state to attend EMPOWER Summer Camp and of course, I celebrated Jack\’s 7th birthday.
September:
During September I gave rock climbing a try for the first time and fell in love. I also met up with my college roommate at the Detroit Zoo.
October:
October took me back to God\’s Country. I explored Marquette with friends, laughed so hard I cried, visited new places in the Upper Peninsula, ate moose pancakes and never wanted to come home. I also got over my fear of clowns and dressed as one of three blind mice.
November:
November brought on another first, I went with a friend and her family to America\’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Downtown Detroit. I also went on plenty of adventures with another friend who runs at the same sense of wander that I do.
December:
In December I got to try out my Kurgo dog backpack with Jack and go on hikes, took the best Christmas card pictures ever and visited the Zoo Lights at the Detroit Zoo.
Fashion meets Food 