My old heating pad was older then I am, but we just re-upped. Pretty sure I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005NZ66KU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_s_it/177-6930227-8809455?qid=1460108869&sr=1-1
I like the oversize and I usually don't push it past 3. My other pads I cranked it to max all the time.
For on the go I'm a believer in http://www.amazon.com/ThermaCare-Menstrual-Cramp-Relief-Wraps/dp/B002L24BDM
They just stick to your underwear, last about 12 hours.
I've from Minnesota, and I'm a freeze baby. This is my usual routine/suggestions:
*Chapstick is absolutely necessary to have on you at all times. The dry air will make them crack and bleed if you don't use it decently often. I keep a tube in my winter coat and another in my purse. I do carry lotion when I have a bag- my hands get really uncomfortably dry in the winter and lotion can be a life saver.
*If you like to wear leggings/tights, make sure to put lotion on your legs. I used to be in dance, and I would wear tights during class. In the winter, my legs got so itchy during class, it was hard to dance. Fleece-lined everything is your friend, especially when it comes to leggings/tights.
*Uggs get gross quickly if you go anywhere with salt. I just got a pair of ankle height hiking boots. LOVE THEM. They're waterproof, warm, cute, and tough.
*Moisturizer is helpful if you have dry skin.
*Your hair will get static-y with the dry air. Leave in conditioner usually helps avoid this, but it's totally normal for my hair to shock me and I'll have to go to a bathroom and wet it down a bit.
*LAYERS! Long sleeve shirts save my life. My high school was soooo cold. I would wear a cami, long sleeve shirt, tshirt, and then a sweatshirt everyday. And then jeans or yogas with knee high socks. Now, I wear a cami, long sleeve shirt, and a sweater usually. I've found that if my back shoulders aren't covered with a tshirt or long sleeve shirt, I'm a lot colder than usual. (Keep in mind that I'm a freeze baby so I'm never warm.) But remember that outside and inside temps are different- My college isn't nearly as cold as my high school. So I would bundle up to walk to class and then walking into class, get really hot and gross. So either make your layers cute enough that you can unbundle, or put deodorant on right before you leave. It's really only the going from really cold to warm point that bothers me, once I get used to it I'm fine.
*I have long, thick hair and I never can put my hair up during the winter unless I have a scarf on. The back of my neck is another place that really affects my overall temperature.
*On really cold days (-25F or lower), I layer my thick dance tights under my pants. This is pretty much like wearing long underwear or thermals.
*A good coat is necessary, and there are plenty of good coats that aren't necessarily "snow coats" (they make the swishy noise) so don't feel compelled to get one of those.
*Choppers are awesome mittens.
*I think infinity style scarves are the warmest, unless your regular scarf is thick and fluffy. I always put my scarf on before my coat and zip over it. Then I pull a bit of the scarf out and then it's at a point where I can bury my face a little.
*Even with long, thick hair. Some sort of hat helps. Mostly the ears- so I wear a crocheted headband to cover my ears. Some people wear it over their hair, but I didn't like it until I actually threaded my hair through and so the headband fit like this.
*Heat packs are awesome. There are hand warmers But there's kinds for cramps and injuries too. If you want less layers, but need to be warm, try wearing a heat pack underneath your clothes. They stay warm all day and worked great. (:
