It might just be time to buy some new winter weather accessories to punch up your wardrobe.

Whether you pick up one for yourself as you race around the mall to do your Christmas shopping, or include them in your wish list to Santa, there are a lot of cute and cozy options to choose from. And with options like these, there’s no need to look like a giant marshmallow all winter long. In fact, these are so cute, you might even come to kinda, sorta miss them come spring.

[Click on the images for all the shopping info!]

You don't have to look like this all winter long!

Winter is here.

Blah.

Sure with winter comes snow angels and holidays (and holiday presents!) and hot chocolate by the fireplace and winter break…

But with the snow comes slush, boots, puffy jackets and that ridiculously long walk to class where your fingers freeze and your nose runs and your eyes tear and then the tears freeze. And it’s a wonder how you become such a hot mess given how damn cold it is.

But on the upside, at least for fashion-lovin’ ladies like myself, winter brings a whole new crop of accessories. And cute accessories to boot! Scarves, pom-pon hats, earmuffs, mittens, berets and the like. So if you have to freeze your ass off… you might as well look damn good doing it!

Here are my favorite chic and cheap winter accessories. Scarves, hats and gloves are a great way to bring some color to the dreary snow ridden streets of your campus and an affordable way to play with trends.

Headwear.

Clockwise from top: Sparkly Beret – Gap, $24.50; Oversized Flower Earwarmer - Urban Outfitters, $28; Knitted Rose Earmuffs – Forever 21, $5.80; Bow Beret – Top Shop, $16; Faux Fur Trapper Hat – Forever 21, $12.80; Fair Isle Pom Pom Knitted Trapper Hat – Top Shop, $32.

Handwear.

Clockwise from top: Charcoal Lace Embellished Knitted Gloves – $36; Olive Green Gloves – Lulus, $27; Popcorn Knit Gloves – Target, $10.99; Pins and Needles Starburst Crochet Convertible Gloves – Urban Outfitters, $14,99; Studded Motorcycle Gloves - Express, $29.92; Jojo Skull Glove – Delia’s, $12.50.

Neckwear.

Clockwise from top: Leopard Print Caterpillar Scarf - KMart, $12.60; Soft Frilled Circle Scarf – Forever 21, $6.80; Cozy Plaid Scarf – Gap, $29.50; Blue Infinity Scarf – Lulus, $21; Chunky Knit Pom Pom Scarf – Old Navy, $7; Colorful Knitted Scarf - Forever 21, $14.80.

Want more fashion on a college budget? Jill’s got your back.

In the meantime, though, this week has given me a lot to think about. Here’s what’s been on your favorite CC writers’ minds over the past seven days:

- Even though getting old might mean that Halloween gets a little less fun, it doesn’t mean that you have to get any less awesome. Unless you join the National Parents Council.

- Hot men covered in cheese? Sounds surprisingly delicious.

- We hope our girl Rihanna isn’t opening up now for less-than-noble reasons. Either way, we’ll still listen to her music—even if there is more ridiculous stuff out there.

- There’s no better time than now to get over your lipstick-phobia, put on a pair of heels (or not), make the first move on the first hottie you see, and take him back to your place for a little one-on-one that’s sure to please. Just don’t be that girl. Please.

But gloves are. Designers have really pulled out all the stops on gloves/mittens this year. They’ve incorporated all the latest trends (studs, ruffles, animal print, color) and made them fully functional for women of the 21st century. Meaning, fingerless/thumbless options so you don’t have to risk frostbite to check your News Feed.

And the best part: you can get them for cheap. You don’t need to spend $30 on something that you know you’re gonna lose (because you will and you know it).  Just stock up on the cheapies or, even better, grab a pair with strings. It worked in pre-school, so why not now? While your friends may mock you, you’ll be the one laughing when they tear off a mitten to return a text and lose it somewhere between here and that lecture hall across campus.

Here are some of the best of the best in hand and wrist warmers. Click on them for more info. Stay warm out there!

This fall weather is quickly beginning to feel a lot like winter. Sweaters and tights are being traded in for winter fleeces and long-johns. You may think you’re good to go with your new crochet Uggs and long, puffy North Face jacket, but there’s a lot more out there this winter when it comes to accessories. Things that will not only make that walk to class a little more cozy and a little less frozen-snotsicles-dangling-over-your-upper-lip, but accessories that will make your life a whole lot easier.

And more fun.
And festive.
Basically, winter might be somewhat bearable this time around.

iPod-Capable Earmuffs:

If you need a little Miley Cyrus “Party in the USA” to amp yourself up before class, this one’s for you. With these iPod earmuffs, you don’t have to sacrifice your sphere of musical privacy on your morning trek in order to keep your ears from freezing and falling off. And you won’t get the hat hair/annoying fly-aways that come with winter hats when you eventually make it to lecture. Score!

Mittenberry Mittens: Anyone with an iPhone or any touchscreen phone knows the hell that is using it during the winter. It doesn’t work with gloves on so you are forced to risk losing your fingers to frostbite just to text the girls to tell them how effing cold it is outside. Not anymore! Vivien and Edward Weng have come together and created adorable, warm (100% wool so they’re not bulky) mittens with removable thumbs (they can be buttoned back for ease) so you can keep your hands warm and still answer the phone when your mom calls for the 4th time on your walk to the library. Genius, I tell you. Absolutely genius.

Fur-lined flats: For those of us who don’t like Uggs (slash would rather die than spend $160 on a truly atrocious pair of cankle-causing boots), there are limited options in the winter months to look cute and keep our tootsies toasty. Yeah, we could invest in a pair of fleece-lined Crocs, but, wait a minute, those aren’t cute. At all. Not even on a 3-year-old. Well, Target to the rescue, because they now offer up a basic pair of flats….lined with warm and cozy faux fur. Now you don’t have to choose cute skinny jeans or warmth this winter; you can have it all.

Heated Scarves and Vests: These are perfect for athletic events. Now there’s no excuse to stay in on a cold day instead of cheering on your school’s team. Battery-powered electric heated vests and air-activated heated scarves are perfect for any outdoor activities you may want to take on. Or perhaps just a romp in the snow with a loved one.

Collegiate Snuggie: The ever-popular Snuggie has now become a little more school spirited, making them more acceptable to be worn around the dorm. Who can deny a college-themed blanket with arm mobility?

Ok, so Delia*s may not seem like the best place to find some threads once you’re out of high school, but if you look in the right places, it’s a wardrobe gold mine. They have some great basics, even better accessories, and a lot of their stuff is trendy on the cheap (especially if you check out their seasonal clearance/sale). There really is a lot to choose from, but here are some of my absolute faves, all for under $20!

Love the feminine lace on this cardi and the ivory means it’ll go with any color.  It can be paired with a cami and jeans, or a simple dress for two totally different looks.

This sweatshirt’s boatneck, stripes and color combo make it a lot more stylin’ than your everyday hoodie and is a great option for those morning-afters when you have no energy to put effort into your look.

Show that you’re down with 2 turntables and a microphone with this tee; it’s one of several under $10 at Delia’s site right now.

The loose fitting v-neck is my wardrobe. It can be thrown on for just about any look. Pair it with a cami underneath for class, leave your chest bare and accessorize with a bib necklace for going out, wear it with sweats, wear it with a high waisted skirt. Sigh. It’s the perfect wardrobe addition.

This dress is perf for a night on the town, but can also be dressed down with a cropped blazer/jacket, a pair of tights and flats.

These mittens are not only adorable, they’re a great way to keep your hands warm in these upcoming colder months, while still maintaining use of your fingers when absolutely necessary (like when you run into an ex and need to text your girls ASAP).

Cords are another great option for keeping warm this winter and the bootcut and low-rise of these makes ‘em modern enough that you won’t feel like you stepped back into the 70′s for the day.

Scarves not only do a body good in the warmth department, they do a wardrobe good as a simple statement piece.  Delia’s has lots of options for all different styles, so pick one out that fits your personal look and rock it with anything from a deep v t-shirt (see, another way to work it!) to a simple black skirt/white shirt combo.

A warm fashionista is a happy fashionista!

Every Monday I will be back to teach you how to do something useful, even if it also happens to be completely random. Because, hey, you never know when you just might need to know how to change a tire…or mix a perfect martini.]

Even though winter will not even START for another two weeks (I know… I’m crying on the inside), those of us who don’t live in Hawaii are already freezing each time we step outside. As the proud owner of a circulation disorder that sucks all the blood out of my digits and basically never lets me be warm, I’ve collected some good tips over the years for staying toasty (like eating soup). And as it’s not always possible to have Mom looking over your shoulder telling you to put on a jacket, I’m happy to step into that role for now.

Tip 1: Hats and Mittens

You probably already know this from elementary school, but the vast majority of body heat is lost through the head. If it’s cold where you live, get yourself a cute hat and wear it often. It can be difficult to avoid the pitfalls of hat hair, but fudges such as earmuffs or thick headbands that cover the ears can help with that. One good thing about hats is that they’re generally small—you can stick it into your purse or bag and just take it out when you start to get chilly.

Also, wear mittens rather than gloves. Gloves are fine for weather that’s only brisk, but they won’t cut it in the deep freezes. Mittens keep your hands warmer because they group your fingers together, which allows them to retain more heat.

Tip 2: Layering

There’s an art to layering in a non-fashion way. You want to strike a balance between wearing clothes that are a) comfortable, so you won’t end up trying to fix a wedgie that is three layers down, and b) practical, so your clothes will actually keep you warm. How do you do that?

Make sure your innermost layers are breathable, otherwise you’ll end up swimming in sweat and getting all sticky. Middle layers should be insular to keep your heat near your body, and they should be thin and lightweight if possible. Bring on the bulkiness for your outer layers, but make sure they’re relatively easy to take off if necessary. And remember—layering can be good for extremities, too. Wearing two or three pairs of socks in really cold weather is a great way to keep your feet both dry and warm.

Tip 3: Be Prepared

The Scout motto can help you out in winter. If you think there’s a chance you might get wet while out and about, bring a change of clothes or a spare pair of socks. Grab some hand warmers the next time you’re at a place that sells them, and keep them with you just in case. And don’t forget that jacket!

[Image courtesy of bearsinboston.wordpress.com.]

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