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We learned our lesson with flimsy knits and not-so-padded parkas in college — there's no fudging it when it comes to Winter essentials. Snowstorms and frost requires some seriously warm stuff to see you through, and since we can now see our breath in the cold outside air, it's about that time. On our must-shop list for the season, we're craving curl-up-by-the-fire essentials like a great new snood, knit beanie, and fingerless gloves. Swap your skinnies for a pair of leather leggings and your tired snow boots for a pair with shearling lining, and you've got the perfect mix of cold-weather gear to get you through the months in style. Click on for our complete guide to the new Winter essentials.

My Spring dresses and espadrilles are staring at me forlornly from the closet, while I get another sweater and jeans outfit together because it's rainy and cold. How to make rainy days more enjoyable? Or at least less depressing from a fashion standpoint? From the sunniest — and chicest — rain boots to perfect trenches and screw-the-rain-I'm-wearing-it-anyway yellow dress, here are 10 pick-me-up items to guarantee happiness on rainy days.

>> The Organic girl continues to grow up as John Patrick's collection matures, and this season, he says, “She’s a modern-day vagabond. She’s young but sophisticated, and wants an older, more romantic experience of dressing.”

True to the collection's name and conscious sensibility, there were coats of vegetable dyed wool, jackets from recycled cashmere, and trenches from recycled cotton or recycled PET bottles alongside the pretty floral dresses. Amanda Henderson, a knitwear consultant and recent FIT graduate, handknitted the cozy and covetable wool sweaters — in both cropped and knee lengths — with “needles the size of broomsticks.” And show stylist Lauren Goodman topped off the looks with lace-up, heeled Hunter welly boots — "[It's a] nice marriage between the brands — elegance for everyday life," she noted — and masai belts by Jack Spade.

As designers are wont to do, Patrick is already thinking of his next collection: "I'm considering now what my next move is, whether it's a beauty product, shoe, or intimate apparel."

Don't get me wrong, roses and chocolate are sweet on Valentine's Day, but I challenge you to dig deeper. How about gifting that special somebody with something that will really impress her? Show off your savvy fashion sense with some unique jewels, a white-hot dress, a flirty pouch, or something fashionably functional. See, all of these items are traditionally sweet, but each has its own unique spin. Feel free to forward this to your beau for some sweet gift ideas . . .