It's been a pretty magical mix of 20-40 degrees and snowy the past week, which is pretty much making all of my winter dreams come true. It's cold enough to bundle up (obviously), but it's not so cold that you can't run from your car to wherever you're going without leaving your jacket in the car. Outfit photos might be back, people. The winter might be winding down?

Sweater: Calvin Klein

Tanks: Victoria's Secret (this one), Everlane

Scarf (this one): c/o OohBabyInfinity

Hat: J.Crew | Pants: J.Crew

Boots: Sorel | Bag: Hobo 

I can't say enough good things about this cozy scarf. I received two of them (see the other here) and have been wearing them non-stop! They're warm and soft and I just love the flannel. And all OohBaby Infinity flannels are 20% off through February with the code WINTERPLAID20, so now is the time to get yourself one!

I poured iced coffee into a jar yesterday afternoon and thought about Virginia.

It was 40 degrees and sunny outside, and my apartment was clean and I had fresh tulips sitting on the table, still waiting to fully bloom. I love living in Minneapolis, I really do. There's something about the city and the people and the food that makes me feel extremely understood.

But I don't have anyone to run with here, no one to drop by for tea on a random afternoon. These past six and a half months with Rob have truly felt like a blessing--like a chance to make up for the time we might have lost over the year that we were so far from one another--but there are days where I think we both would love to just have one or two of our best friends around for drinks or a laid-back weekend brunch.

I know that at some point, I will have to stop fantasizing about the time I spent as a student, because there is never going to be another time where all of my friends can drop what they're doing to just hang out. Shawna and I won't always just have an hour or two in the middle of the afternoon to meet for coffee, or decide to drink a pitcher of mimosas on a porch, or go on a quick run down our favorite trail in Charlottesville. There isn't a realistic new version of the story where Tina and her sister and I go to lunch and then spend the rest of the afternoon all cuddled up together in my bed, watching some episode of Grey's Anatomy.

But these are my favorite memories--the ones where I meet my mom for lunch every day and hang out with my dad on the lake every weekend; where almost all of the people I love are just an arm's reach away. I carry them with me everywhere I go, to every place I'll ever call home. And maybe one day, I can return to that world for good and put them down on a mantle somewhere, where they will be safe and I can start to make new ones.

Minneapolis might understand me, but Virginia knows me.

This post is in response to the following prompt: "What's been on your mind? What have you carried and gnawed over?" (From Old Friend from Far Away, page 154.) If you've written a response of your own, please share it below in the comments! 

P.S. Visit this post for next week's prompt.

The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Reebok.

My biggest complaint about winter in Minnesota isn't necessarily the constant sub-zero temperatures, it's that the ice and snow on most sidewalks has completely hindered my running. I've found a few trails that seem pretty clear and not too slippery, but to be honest I'm just too scared to risk it. Running on a treadmill is not my favorite thing to do, so I've been spending my time jump roping or treadmill walking on an incline, which for some reason is less boring to me. But Reebok recently sent me a pair of Reebok ZQuicks, and they've got me excited about getting back out there.

The shoes are inspired by hi-performance, Z-rated tires--and the outsole delivers control, traction, and speed. They fit like a glove and are super light, with a no-sew upper and internal bootie that hugs your foot and makes you feel incredibly secure in the shoes. They're breathable and sleek while still being supportive. And they're bright and fun enough to remind me that winter won't last forever.