High Gusts of Santa Ana Winds Blow Damage Across Los Angeles Area Including My Neighborhood

News

Thanks to some unusually blustery conditions brought to Southern California last night by a regional weather phenomena known as the Santa Ana Winds, parts of the L.A. metro area sustained both commercial and residential damage. Just in my immediate neighborhood alone we lost a medium sized tree on our own property, a neighbor's construction site was ravaged and a good friend's rooftop antenna toppled. Elsewhere in the surrounding streets where I live there were more downed trees -- including one that fell on a Beverly Drive house -- plus mangled power lines and even a newspaper vending stand ripped out of concrete.

Winds last night downed this tree formerly towering over our house

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Other sections of the city impacted by Wednesday's storm, as reported in today's L.A. Times, include Los Angeles International Airport LAX where no less than 20 flights were diverted elsewhere as winds were dangerously high at over 40 knots. Also, an entire freeway was temporarily shut down in one direction when a tree collapsed on the road. 

High winds are projected to persist through Friday with the National Weather Service NWS -- which says winds have reached 80 mph in Southland mountains and have been recorded as high as 140 mph at the Sierra Crest near Lake Tahoe  -- issuing red flag warnings in California. All residents and visitors affected can stay apprised of weather conditions via the NWS site as well as many L.A. TV station, newspaper, and online media sources as the events have been widely reported.

 Damaged rooftop antenna at a friend's home

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

For those of you here in the L.A. metro area, were you affected by the storm? Did you have any damage to your home or business last night? Feel free to share your stories to lessen the pain for us all. Also if you have photos of this storm's after effects, feel free to leave a link to them in your comments.

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FTC Disclosure: No compensation was received in connection with this story. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 

2011-12 Women's Ski Wear Review - Trend Setting Fashion, Quality, Sports Functionality At It's Best

Fashion

Okay. Having skied most of North America's greatest resorts in the West here in the U.S. and in Canada over the past 30 years, I admit it. I'm a mom that's addicted to snow skiing and if all goes well, I'll be able to ski every season as long as I live. Good thing my four teens (triplets + 1 more all born within a year) and hubbie are just as enthusiastic about this winter outdoor sport and living an active and healthy lifestyle as I am. I mean, our kids all learned how to navigate the ski runs when they were toddlers and are now advanced skiers and we're hopelessly hung up as a family on downhill skiing to the point where each of us dreams about our annual family ski week trip all year long. So, when I had the opportunity to check out some of Columbia Sportswear 's newest technologically advanced, on trend women's ski wear styles for this year I was understandably stoked.

Me at home wearing Columbia's New Triple Trail Shell
Can't wait to wear on my next family ski trip to give it a complete test drive
iPhone Photo by MommyBlogExpert.com

Columbia -- a brand that's been making sports wear for the great outdoors since 1938 -- ceases to amaze in that they continue rolling out some of the warmest, most stylish and practical ski apparel and accessories year after year. For sure, the Columbia Women's Triple Trail Shell that's new this year incorporates all the major 2011-2012 ski season fashion trends and is deservedly in the spotlight for this review because it lives up to the company's legacy of designing and manufacturing first class quality ski clothes for every member of the family. 

Sparkling silver hi tech jacket lining
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Upon arrival, it became apparent that this is one ski jacket that has to be seen, touched, and tried on to truly appreciate all its assets.  Not only does this light-weight shell fit perfectly, it integrates top-of-the-line fabric on the outer coat for lasting durability with Columbia's patented Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective fiber technology on the inside lining for maximum warmth without bulk. 

Columbia's patented Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective hi tech fiber tag
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

What's more: I couldn't have been happier to have received the sassy Leapfrog style featuring my favorite colors olive green and teal blue with a splash of bright red and royal blue to create a very edgy and chic look that even my 14 year-old daughters approve of. Busy moms have to hop through all kinds of hoops to keep up with our growing families so this was a good one to ask me to try. A side note: I'm a triplet mom so I'm totally in my element with this Triple Trail style, too. But if your style happens to be more sedate, you'll be happy to know the coat reviewed comes in two other color choices: Black or Imperial (a grey/blue combo).
  

The front zipper pocket seems to disappear into this jacket
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

The high performance Triple Trail Shell is really versatile too, so I can see wearing this both on and off the slopes this winter. Immaculately constructed with lots of pockets inside and out, I especially like the ample adjustable hood which slides over my helmet so I can ski stylishly and safely. I also adore the Invizzip™ pocket zippers which make for a particularly sleek profile, the stretch fabric at the shoulders designed to minimize chaffing from the Ugg backpack I always carry while skiing, and strategic venting to conserve body heat -- all without restricting full range of motion while skiing fast and challenging runs with my kids. 

Thankfully it's lightweight and packable, too. This makes this ski coat ideal to bring along on our next 6-member family ski trip where car cargo space is at a premium. 

Interior pockets so deep to carry your kids' stuff
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

With a suggested retail price of $300 this is not an inexpensive jacket, but it is definitely worth the cost. If you consider it an investment anchor piece for your ski wardrobe chances are you'll enjoy this during this winter as well as for many seasons to come.

Jacket Features

• Fabric: Shell: 100% nylon 3L Heat; 89% nylon/11% 3L Heat Cyberstretch
• Omni-Heat thermal reflective
• Omni-Tech waterproof/breathable fully seam sealed
• Vented with stretch panels that zip open and closed
• Attached, adjustable storm hood
• Drawcord adjustable hem
• Waterproof zipper
• Zip-closed side & breast pockets with Invizzip™
• 10" deep interior pockets inside
• Generous back length of 27.5”
• Imported
• Available in women's sizes XS, S, M, L, XL
• Price $300

Watch for another MBE review coming up soon about the luxe line of super warm, technologically advanced women's Columbia Baselayer tops and bottoms made with Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective material.

 

About Columbia Sportswear

Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, Columbia Sportswear Company is a leading innovator in the global outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment markets. The ski line includes a variety of items for women as well as men and kids. Columbia products are available online and in-store and in the U.S. and more than 100 countries around the world. Notably, the company has an international reputation for innovation, quality and performance making outdoor activities more enjoyable.

We'll be spending a week in Mammoth, California later in the season. How about your family? Where will you be skiing or snow boarding this winter? Please feel free to share all your own stories  and ideas for winter fun and what you like to do most with your kids outside this time of year.

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FTC Disclosure: Columbia provided the ski wear mentioned in this post to facilitate the review, however this did not influence my opinions in this blogpost in any way. No other compensation was received in connection with this story. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 

Top Hot Fashion Trends in Ski Wear for Active Women, Men, Kids & Families This Season

Fashion

Ski jackets, clothing and accessory options this season for men, women and children are  among the most refreshing ever. That's especially true for those of us in the 40-50 age range who learned to ski in the 1970s or 80s having survived a variety of ski fashion fads from funky croakies to those super brilliant fluorescent fabrics that were once all the rage. Luckily for every age group there is so much more to be excited about this year.

Mammoth Mountain, California in the Sierras
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Ski Apparel Trends for 2011-2012

• Sophisticated casual styling with simpler, cleaner lines 
• Sporty practical, functional design for wear on and off the slopes
• Designs that are as beautiful as they are comfortable
• Bright bursts of primary colors with lots of color blocking
• Contrasting zippers and trim
• Shell jackets working in concert with layered looks
• Longer, lighter weight jackets
• Ample pockets for small gear
• Larger detachable hoods to accommodate helmets
• Advanced fiber technology for warmth & staying dry

Coming up tomorrow, an exclusive MBE review on Columbia Sportswear ski jackets for Women that exemplifies all these and other qualities.

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FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation was received in association with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.