As we near the harshest months of winter, all we want to do is to stay inside with our warm blankets and hibernate. Unfortunately, with classes or work, we’re forced to go out into the brutal conditions and deal with it. To help you get through the cold days, our staff compiled a list of useful tips for surviving the winter days.

Photo Courtesy Steph Wu

Photo Courtesy Christine Wei

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Photo Courtesy Neeta Lind, Flickr.

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Headed to: Northeast and Midwest

Meet winter—a beast with which you will become intimately acquainted. To the uninitiated, it can be intimidating, especially since there’s so much new gear to buy.

In the Northeast, winter sets in gradually. It may be sweltering when you move in (many buildings don’t have air conditioning, so pack accordingly!), but by October, the weather cools off considerably. Be prepared to bundle up to walk to class every morning for several months during the dead of winter. To counter the elements outside, buildings may be very warm, so be sure to layer.

The same applies to the Midwest, with some unpredictability thrown in. The region is known for its occasionally erratic weather, so be sure to check the weather and pack for a variety of climate possibilities.

Pieces you’ll need:

• A winter coat: Wool is a stylish option, but a sportier North Face may provide more warmth and keep you dry. Check out a ski shop or an outdoors retailer like REI for a range of options.
• Snow boots: Cold, wet feet are no fun. Slogging through slush is more tolerable with a pair of sturdy boots. While snow boots will keep you warm, a pair of rain boots with thick socks is a great alternative. Brands like Sorel are known for their snow boots, but if you’re looking for more stylish options, try Hunter’s Wellies or even Target for classic and cute options.
• Gloves and hat: Keep your extremities insulated. Look for fabric that will block the wind. Again, outdoors stores are great places to find performance gear.
• Scarves: Functional and stylish, these are a great way to add variety to your winter gear. Stock up in different colors, patterns and textures. Stores like Marshalls carry many affordable options.
• Tights and leggings: Great for extending the life of your warm weather wardrobe with layering. For super-cold days, they can also do double duty as an extra layer if you wear them under your pants. Target carries affordable options while American Apparel is great for trendier fabrics like velvet.

Image by Keila Fong

Headed to: South and West

Welcome to paradise, at least compared to the more wintry regions. During the school year, you may be lucky enough to experience relatively temperate weather.

In the South, be prepared for oppressive heat and humidity at the beginning and end of the school year. The upside of this deal is that you get mild winters—cold, but with a smaller chance of snow.

Out west, the proximity to water helps moderate the temperature. Nights may be cool, but you won’t have to worry about blizzards. Particularly in the southern parts of the region, beware of heat and humidity.

Pieces you’ll need:

• Mid-weight jacket: No need for puffy ski jackets or performance outerwear here, but you’ll still want to stay warm. Choose from a wide assortment of stylish options. Uniqlo and Gap are just a few stores that carry lightweight blazers and trench coats.
• Cardigans or light hoodies: For those days when the weather can’t decide, throw on a light layer or stash it in your bag just in case. You can find a variety of styles available at stores like Gap and J. Crew.
• Layering shirts: Thin, long-sleeved thermals under a T-shirt are great for adding extra warmth. You can find performance versions at outdoors retailers like REI or Sports Authority, but any long-sleeved shirt will do the job.
• Tights and leggings: Perfect for squeezing more use out of warm weather clothes on cooler days. American Apparel is the best place to find a variety of colorful, durable options.

Image by Keila Fong

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by Jeffrey Zhang for MochiMag.com

Name: Chris P.

Age: 22

Hometown: Burlingame, CA

Ethnicity: Half Chinese, half Korean

Current City: New York, NY

College: Harvard University

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy cooking, photography, breakdancing, and collecting sneakers.

What is your dream job?

I’d love to be an entrepreneur/inventor who makes the world a better place.

What is your favorite part of your body?

My height. I take it for granted sometimes, but it’s definitely my favorite thing about my body and incredibly useful at concerts.

Since this is our body issue, how do you stay in shape?

I work out as often as I can, usually three to four times per week.  I find that swimming is the best way for me to stay fit, but I don’t do it nearly as often as I should.

What is your favorite song to sing in the shower?

I don’t have a favorite shower song. It’s usually just what has been stuck in my head at the time. Currently, it’s “Party in the U.S.A”… Yes, I know.

What is on the top of your Christmas wish list this year?

The heading: “My Christmas Wishlist.”

What qualities do you look for in a girl?

All the standard things: intelligence, a sense of humor, beauty. But beyond that, she has to be unique, and really passionate about something.

What is the corniest pick-up line you’ve used

by Jeffrey Zhang for MochiMag.com

When I was really young, maybe four or five years old, I was at a playground and there was this girl my age nearby. Our exchange went like this:

Me: What’s your name?

Her: Stephanie

Me: That’s a really pretty name, Stephanie.

Not until I was much older did I realize how precociously corny I was.

Did it work?

I never got her number or anything, so no. But then again, I don’t think I knew what a phone was at the time.

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The 26-year-old singer wasn’t always so confident on stage.  Her first attempts at singing included auditioning for school musicals, where she was repeatedly rejected. “I thought I didn’t have a promising future as a singer,” she said. She quickly proved herself wrong when as a high school senior, the self-proclaimed jock and nerd took the stage for the first time to sing an original song at the school talent show. “The reaction was so moving,” she remembers. “Everyone stood up and gave a standing ovation.” Even while she went to college to study philosophy, she knew, from that moment on, that she wanted to pursue music more than anything.

It seems her gut feeling was right—Marié got her first guitar when she was 17, and although she took the free lesson that came with the purchase, she’s been self-taught ever since. Which is a pretty big accomplishment for a girl who went from a high school auditorium to a popular YouTube channel to performance venues across the world.

Her meteoric rise is due, in large part, to her ability to take matters into her own hands. After completing her first album, which her label deemed unready for release, Marié  decided to promote the album herself by covering current radio hits in simple, self-filmed videos. After posting an acoustic cover of Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” for which she is perhaps best known, her YouTube page gained millions of views. “YouTube has given me a really amazing, direct way of communicating with my fans,” Marié said. “I feel like I can say whatever I want, with no filters.” In fact, she believes she owes her success to the video-sharing website. “Without YouTube, I don’t know that I would have had this opportunity at all. I’m not the type of artist to spend years working the same album. I wanted to fast track everything, so without the internet, without a computer, I’d be in a very different situation.”

A different situation indeed. Since the Rihanna cover was posted two and a half years ago, the video has received almost 15 million views and her version was featured on MTV show “The Hills.” Driven by the online popularity, her first album, Unfold, enjoyed a successful run with song placements in “Greek,” “One Tree Hill,” and “ER.” She then released a CD of Japanese songs, and is currently on tour promoting Breathing Underwater, her most recent album that was released in September. “Breathing Underwater is a lot bolder,” she said “Unfold is a quiet, beautiful record, while Breathing Underwater takes more of a stand. I’m not afraid to voice what I feel. It feels like the natural evolution to me.”

In her moments of spare time, she continues doing what her fans love best —uploading her pared-down covers of beloved songs. Surprisingly, Marié doesn’t spend much time practicing these covers. “It’s embarrassing how little preparation there is,” she said. “I either pick the guitar or piano, look up the songs on iTunes and YouTube, play it, figure out chords, Google the lyrics, and just do it until I get it right,” she says. The 200,000 subscribers to her YouTube page can’t seem to get enough of her covers, like Beyoncé’s “Sweet Dreams” or “Fireflies” by the indie group Owl City. And unsurprisingly, Marié’s original songs are slowly becoming more popular than her covers, proving that she is a capable songwriter and artist in her own right.

Marié has no plans to stop any time soon. She recently wrapped a movie based on the recording process of Breathing Underwater, which will feature songs from the album.  And she’s already thinking about her next CD. “I want to play around with beats,” she said. “I’m interested in sounds that are unusual, with instruments from different parts of the world.” This is in part inspired by her recent tour of Asia, where she performed in cities like Manila, Singapore and Tokyo. “When I went into music, I never thought about how my ethnicity would play a role in it,” she said. “But as I got deeper and deeper into it, I got asked all the time: ‘What’s your background?’ ” (For the record, Marié is half-Japanese and half-Irish.) “I’ve become more in touch with my Asian side because I realized there are so few Asian artists who have found any kind of success here in the States,” she said. “It’s given me the added motivation to show the world that there are so many Asians with abundant amounts of musical talent. I hope I can be one of the people to open that door.”

This coming from someone who still sees herself as “that dorky kid in middle school who so badly wanted to be known for something great.” If the confident charmer performing on stage in New York is any indication, Marié is well on her way to opening doors for dorky kids everywhere.

Photos Courtesy of Mary Rozzi

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Our tried-and-true solutions to help you alleviate five winter beauty concerns.

Dry Skin:

by Mandy Yeh for MochiMag.com

Itchy, dry skin is never in season.  It’s a condition that is downright uncomfortable and the complete opposite of pretty.  Make sure you protect your epidermis from harsh environmental conditions with products infused with hydrating ingredients such as oatmeal, shea butter, avocado oil and vitamin E. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($8.47) is one way to win the battle of dry skin – plus it never clogs pores with its SPF ingredient, so it is safe for facial application as well.  If you have intense dry skin, Sephora BODY Super Supreme Body Butter ($15) instantly saturates dry skin, making it supple and smooth.

Acne:

Acne, like dry skin, can affect anyone at any time. Hormones, genetics and stress are key triggers, so relax and keep your skin free from oil and dirt by controlling it with Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit ($18.48) or ProActiv Solutions Kit ($39.95). The three-piece kit is ideal for those who want to test the products for themselves. Perk alert: with a free renewal mask, which is excellent as an overnight blemish treatment, comes with every purchase. Which every purchase? The Clean & Clear or ProActiv? Also, I don’t know which ProActiv Solutions Kit this is. They are all called this. The only kit I found worth $39.95 is the 3 piece 60 day system . The link below is faulty.

Post-Acne Marks:

We all agree that acne is a nuisance and the lingering scars can be embarrassing reminders of its nasty presence. Solution: Try Clinique Acne Solutions Post Blemish formula ($13.50), an oil-free treatment that gently fades scars and discolorations left by acne.

Under-eye baggage:

Got some extra baggage under your eyes from studying for finals? We’ve got just the right solution to handle them: Bliss Baggage Handler Eye Gel ($28). This light-weight cooling gel will help diminish the look of fatigue and puffiness thanks to its calming ingredients such as cucumber and cornflower extracts.

Achieving flawless, natural-looking tan:

To get a sun-kissed look without the skin damage, try Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Sunless Tanner ($22). Its light-weight and non-clogging formula delivers a hydrating, natural tan in just 3 hours!

Maintaining porcelain perfection:

Twilight fans know that pale is the new tan! For those who want to maintain and enhance their porcelain features, give skin a brightening boost with Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam ($34).

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Dear Readers,

How do you feel about Mochi’s new look? For our winter body-themed issue, we’ve given ourselves a makeover as well. This season, with the cold weather making us sluggish and a little lazier than usual, we’ve turned our minds to all things body- and health-related. We talked to a range of celebrities to weigh in on body image—singer-songwriter Marie Digby, “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant Karla Garcia and “Fame” actress Anna Maria Perez de Tagle.

We wanted to bring attention to issues close to our hearts: one Mochi staffer shares her own struggle with anorexia while another explores why Asian Americans seem largely ignored in the conversation about eating disorders. We’ve gotten the low-down on cosmetic surgeries popular among Asians, such as eyelid or nose surgery. And we met a pair of young women who are making strides in the battle against sex trafficking by employing and empowering former sex workers.

On a lighter note, we found four up-and-coming Asian American models to star in our fashion shoot, which features tips for dressing four different body shapes in this season’s hottest styles. Of course, we can’t ever talk about body issues without mentioning one of my favorite topics: food. We’ve looked into whether the typical “Asian diet” can really be more healthful, and found some dorm-friendly recipes for chili noodles and veggie fried rice that you can make in any kitchenette.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed producing it. Sit back with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and browse through our new website. And as usual, if you happen to have any questions, comments or suggestions along the way, you can always reach me at steph@mochimag.com.

Happy holidays,

Steph

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Yes, the weather outside is frightful—so you’re looking for all types of excuses not to go out in the cold. You start to hibernate and before you know it, it’s already spring! But don’t panic. Keep some of these useful tips in mind to burn off those winter-blues.

Warm up

Start by warming up, which is essential if you want to prevent an injury. Whether you’re working indoors or outdoors, cold temperatures makes the muscles tighten. Start slow, don’t overdo it, and don’t forget to stretch!

Running

Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you can’t leave your house. Get your iPod ready and relieve some of that post-shopping, post-family time stress from the holidays with a brisk jog around your neighborhood or a local park. Be sure to dress warmly, wear comfy shoes, and have plenty of liquids at hand as sweating during winter can cause you to become especially dehydrated. If you don’t want to run outside, treadmills are also a perfect alternative.

Work out indoors

If the thought of an outdoor workout is too much to bear, why not buy a couple of fitness DVDs and dumbbells to get fit in your own living room? Pilates and yoga are a great way to strengthen your core and keep in shape. If you don’t want to waste money on equipment, use household items like laundry detergent or two-liter water bottles. You’ll be amazed at how everyday household items can easily transform into useful exercise tools.

Dance till you drop

Blast your favorite tunes, don’t forget to stretch, and prepare to get your crunk on while burning some serious calories. Hint: The more people, the merrier it’ll be.

Go shopping

Attention, shopaholics! If you don’t feel motivated enough for a full workout, go out and have fun shopping. Walking around the mall and trying on pretty clothes won’t only boost your energy; it will also burn 135 calories per hour. Now, that’s a great deal.

It’s important to stay active during the winter. Don’t let the cold weather get in the way of your workout routine. With these simple tips, working out amidst frightfully cold weather has never been so easy.

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This time of the year, thicker balms and butters are in – they will last longer and act as a shield against freezing temperatures. You should also look for rich, natural ingredients, such as shea and coconut butter, but be wary of products like petroleum that may dry your skin out even more.

The top scents to hit the shelves include dreamy vanilla notes and warm woody scents. Think of a luscious soufflé over a blazing fire—this year is when mellow and earthy meets sugary sweet. Here are some of the most sumptuous creams on the market that will keep your skin soft, smooth, and smelling delicious.

Vanilla

Who doesn’t love the warm, fragrant aroma of cookies in the oven?  For that sweet, reminiscent smell of baked goods, make sure to pick up Warm Vanilla Sugar Body Cream from Bath and Body Works ($12.00)—now it’s possible to indulge without the risk of packing on extra calories. For something more refined, pure bliss is bottled in Vanilla Blanc Body Cream at Crabtree and Evelyn ($14.50), with creamy vanilla combined with a touch of fragrant jasmine. On the other side of the spectrum is Vanilla Noir Body Lotion ($12.00), the latest addition to the Bath and Body Works collection. This is a deeper, sultrier take on the classic scent, blending dark vanilla bean, black amber, and spices—perfect for that late night get-together.

Firewood

The nostalgic, fragrant crackle of an open flame can now be yours in a bottle. Nothing is more comforting than the liquid warmth of these fireplace-inspired scents after a cold day of hitting the slopes. Many moisturizers have recreated the warmth of wood through the use of amber, so you get all the luxurious scent and feel of a fire without smelling like a log. For a straight up shot of amber in a tub, look for Warm Amber Body Butter from the Body Shop ($20.00)—thick, comforting, and oh-so-luxurious. If you’re looking for a more subtle, flowery version of the scent, try Sensual Amber Body Cream from Bath and Body Works ($12.00), which combines golden amber with lotus, plum and sandalwood.

And who needs a real fireplace with the fabulous wood diffusers on the market anyway? For that extra crackle for your room, diffusers simulate the scent of a fireplace without the hassle of the real thing. Try the Firewood ($26.00, Bath and Body Works), or Hearth ($34.50, Crabtree and Evelyn).

Keeping your skin soft and supple has never been easier. Simply get ready to say hello to freezing, drying weather without compromising your skin’s softness, all with a hint of this season’s smash scents!

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