1-Umbrella (rain): I think I can safely say that it rains here more than there is sunshine. Not that I'm complaining, it gives me a reason to splurge on wonderful Wellies and get an all around stylish look for rainy times. Therefore I will be better looking than most other women in the States when it is raining there. Keep in mind, there are many different types of rain, and all of which require an umbrella. Luckily if you find yourself without one, most street venders and every single shop sells some by their doors for a few pounds. Personally I love the "I love rain" umbrellas that I see everywhere. Because in Cardiff, it rains every day. Even if it's only for 10 minutes. Therefore I recommend that you carry an umbrella at ALL times.
2-Hairbrush/comb (wind): As Cardiff is on the water, there is a lot of wind. Anyone who has ever been to a beach (especially the OBX) knows that it can get mighty windy! Well just imagine that, but all over. You will see many people walking out of their houses looking amazing to go to work, class, a date, a meal, pub times, concert, rugby match, etc., but within 5 minutes their hair is in disarray, clothes not in the proper place, and worst of all... their cheeks are red from the wind. I refer to this as windswept. It never fails to make someone go from looking great to looking crap. And now that I have a fringe (bangs), I realize how horrible wind can be. I have taken it upon my self to carry a hair tie with me at all times, because I have curly hair. But for those that don't, or maybe straightened it, get a hairbrush and keep it in your bag, you'll need it.
3-Rain coat (rain with wind): Are you looking like a hot mess in Cardiff because of the crap weather? Do you have your umbrella and hairbrush? Oh crap...well, how else can we fix it??? Mostly because your umbrella is bound to turn inside out and then what use will a hairbrush be when you're soaked to the bone. By then all you need is a towel or a dryer of sorts. May I recommend a sturdy rain coat. This keeps out the inevitable rain that is bound to happen whenever you're NOT expecting it. But it must have, and I will not budge on this insistance, a hood. If you don't have a hood, there goes the hair! I spent a good $50 on a Northface rain jacket before I moved to Cardiff last year, and I have to say, hands down, that it is the best investment I made while being here.
4-High Boots (so much rain there are puddles bigger than a car): Ashely and I were walking to a cheese and wine (aka a wine and cheese, I have no idea why it's flipped) and it was a bit drizzly. Enough that we could handle it without an umbrella (although there was one in my bag) and no rain jackets. But we did just miss a nice steady rain, and now there were puddles. Boo, I say, boo. Now, I learned very early in life to watch where I'm walking, or else I run into things and fall over (at which point I always say: awww maaaaaaan). Ashley, I know, does this too. But due to the black sidewalk (aka pavement), and it was night, we couldn't see the huge puddle that Ash stepped in. She was wearing cute fabric flats and skinny jeans, looked great when we walked out of the house 5 minutes ago, but now (still looking good) she had wet feet and a sad look on her face. :( That is why I always try to wear high boots if there is even a threat of rain. High boots keep out the rain, if they are leather, not only around your feet, but also most of your leg! This means us girly girls can cross our legs without wetting most of the other leg because of a soggy bottom half of your jeans.
5-Red things (sporting events and all around Welsh love): If you ever plan on leaving wherever you are on a Welsh sporting event day, don't you dare where anything but red. I love my red cardigan, my red dress, my red shoes (that I haven't bought yet), and my recently acquired red Wales scarf. This is how you show your love. Unless it's St. David's day, then you where a daffodil pinned onto you somewhere. Even better, really want to show your Welsh pride? Get a daffodil hat (yes, they are real) and throw on a Welsh rugby jersey, then make up your own language... I'm sure it'll sound similar to Welsh.
6-Good Socks (cold): Maybe this is because, as my sister said once in an airport: "Our people are a tropical people." Then I quickly reminded her we were Polish... where it's cold. But I did grow up in Virginia, which is roughly about the same latitude as Italy. I guess that means we do have all our proper seasons, including a full blown summer. But as I'm sitting here on my bed in a Snuggie, I think that is proof enough that I'm cold. Heck, my mom would know that because I'm wearing socks. That's right Mom, Dad, Steph, and anyone else who ever let me jump into their bed when I was a child and complained about ice cold toes, I'm wearing socks. And often! I still wear my flip flops out and about, but man... in my house... it's cold. I remedy this by putting on socks. I wear wooly socks, slipper socks, knee high socks, athletic socks, holiday themed socks, the list goes on. When I'm out of socks, it makes me sad. In fact, yesterday, I wore two pairs of socks because my feet were cold. Although I still, and I don't think ever will, wear them to bed.
7-Mug (cold, rain, wind): We've covered the cold, the rain, and the wind. And honestly what is better to warm you up than a nice warm cuppa?? It's amazing!!! Travel mugs tend to be, well, non-existant here. I mean there are entire aisle's of them in Target. Why do I have to pay an absurd amount just to get a silly one from the Wales Touristy shop?? Well thank god for my birthday and for Catherine... she got me this great mug. It says: Men have feelings too, but who really cares! It cracks me up every time I read it. And it makes me happy because I know there is something delicious inside waiting for me.
