winter |

23 warm-weather activities that sure beat shoveling

March 19, 2013

We’re ready for warm weather. We’re ready to leave the gloves behind. We’re ready to be outside without the risk of frost bite, slush-covered pants, and an ever-flowing runny nose. It’s be grand, winter. But we’re breaking up.

Spotted in the Street: Meet Mainely Mara (say that five times fast)

February 28, 2013

I ran into Mara, founder of Mainely Mara, as she was headed to source out some new deals (lucky us) fresh from a haircut at Head Games. Mara is one of those women that looks put together whenever you see her. I’ve bumped into her everywhere from downtown Portland to the aisles at Target and trust me, girl always looks good.

Spotted in the street: lady in red

February 25, 2013

There are two distinct coat-wearer categories among Portland residents. The “function first” folks who gravitate towards a down hooded parka (I fall into this category) and then there’s the “fashion first” category (which I should fall into, but do not) for ladies and gents that know the best investment they can make for Maine winters is a chic topper.

13 things to do this winter that don’t require snow

February 19, 2013

“It starts snowing in November and we don’t see the ground again until May.” An old roommate once described a Maine winter that way. And while it may historically be true, the winters of recent memory – and, like, right now – don’t seem keen on abiding by the six-months-of-snow-covered-ground rule. It’s been warm-ish in Maine’s southern parts. The snow has melted. And the snowshoeing? Not great at the moment, unless you head farther west or north. So what does one do to keep occupied in Winter when the snow is being elusive? This stuff:

Spotted in the street: a perfect puffer

February 15, 2013

Do you all know how hard it is to look good in a puffy down coat? Though they’re a style staple when it comes to winter in Maine, it’s hard to make them look chic. This lovely Salt student and former New Yorker has it figured out.

Spotted in the street: a little Yankee ingenuity

February 12, 2013

Who needs a zipper on your coat when you can use a little Yankee ingenuity? This Augusta native and MECA graduate kept herself warm with a faux fur hat, Bean Boots and binder clips. Yes. You heard that right.

5 ways to weather the storm (unless we don’t! Wait, what?!?)

February 07, 2013

A French Toast Alerts System might prove handy here in Maine, too. Or a Ryan’s Irish Cream Alert System. Both are swell on a snow day. But weather forecasters are helpful to listen to, too. And they’re projecting quite the storm for Friday into Saturday. Events are being canceled. Driving anxiety is beginning to build. And people are starting to despair. I mean, it’s a storm! What are we gonna do!?!?

Hike up to the hut with Maine Huts and Trails

January 30, 2013

Maine Huts and Trails offers 80 miles of trail in Maine’s western mountains, with four huts along the way for respite and warming up (or cooling down, if you overdo your layering and sweat most of the way there). The hut and trail system gives hikers access to the mountains, lakes, and woods – and the huts are models of sustainability. And the views along the way? Well, they won’t bother you.

Mush! Hike! Haw! Bridgton Mushers Bowl

January 24, 2013

The dogsledding opportunity comes every year during Mushers Bowl and Winter Carnival in Bridgton, which takes place this weekend. Dogsled rides are offered on Highland Lake throughout the weekend, while the competitive dogsled and skijoring races took place at nearby Five Fields Farm.

Do This: Learn to XC ski

January 17, 2013

For folks who’ve never cross-country skied before, it’s painful to dish out a load of cash for equipment only to find out two days later you hate the sport, so you curse fate and chuck the skis into the basement where they’ll rot for three years until you sell them at a garage sale for $10, which is barely enough money to buy a decent turkey sandwich.

Tagged: winter