One of the top contributing factors to more intense SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is the slim pickings in the women's boot department. The overly produced vinyl snakeskin boots with skinny do-me heels are sharing too much retail shelf space with their omnipresent counterpart Miu Miu rubber sole knock-offs . If we are all very, very good maybe Santa will ask Timberland to produce some sexed-up knee high boots for women next year. You can however, pull up your socks and brace yourself for some surprisingly good deals and right-on aesthetic fake-outs in men's departments. Look like a winter Prada girl for a fraction - and have a joyful season yet. Chances are your feminine feet will be small enough to find some men's sizes left to fit - that are probably even marked down by now. Birkenstock clogs and tights are still a cool shoe option - made even sensible by mass market versions appearing at pocket friendly places like Sears. Beware of even "more affordable" knock-offs appearing at Payless. If you're opting for more bang for your buck - spring for the road tested leather Sears version - that has blazed through snow and urban trekking and is still kicking hard.

As the fashion tide always flows away from looks with too much staying power - expect to be jonsing for subtle embellishments by February. "Where will I go for my fix?", you may wonder aloud. The kit you will need to rehabilitate your increasingly monochromatic closets is back on the shelves - and readily available. The Original Bedazzler, the most adorable crafting tool ever, attaches the rhinestones of your desires and other studly decoratives that you may want to punch up your wardrobe. Revisit the 70s - (or think back to that revisited moment of fall 1999 by the Gucci/Versace/Chloe denim embellishment craze) and let your inner glam rocker speak out. When the time comes (and only you know when you're ready), you can create your first "feel good Bedazzle" on the top row of your pocket flap, by adding silver studs to jeans or by writing rhinestone messages on tee-shirts that do not spell "rock star" or "boys lie". Endorsed by creative types like Billy Bob Thorton, the Bedazzler factory had the foresight to publish a slew of project and pattern books to help first time bedazzlers get started. Bedazzle the unexpected.

Speaking of dazzling, on the urban language front - blinky blinky and bling bling are two adjectives you can no longer leave home without. Sound alike, very different. Bling bling means hot - like a guy with major sex appeal as in "He's so bling bling!" Blinky Blinky is shiny, sparkley like a Rolex or Stila body glitter and can also be ostentatious like Sean Puffy Combs, or a White SUV Limo with blinky lighting strips. A recent NY Times comic strip made the guffaw of touting sparkling Urban Decay eyeshadow as bling bling - when the pshit is actually blinky blinky, y'all.