Suz, you bring me to what was going to be my next post in line... I need a great tote!!! For indoor shoes and other things!

Re: these boots. I always peruse the Athleta and Title Nine catalogues, and they have these nice-looking outfits with skirts or dresses, tights, plus sporty snow boots. Then again the photos are all outdoors or in some wood cabin, so the outfits and boots look perfectly in place. I suppose the skirts and dresses they feature are sporty too?

LOL! I lived in Duluth, Minnesota for 5 years. I remember wading in Lake Superior with a sweater over my bathing suit! My mother said there were 2 seasons...winter, and the 4th of July! I had a mustard coloured wool winter coat!

We moved to the Maritime Provinces (can you say 'snow belt') and after uni when I told my mother I was moving to Timmins, Ontario (career moves for me and DH) she burst into tears! This summer, after 26 years in 'the arctic watershed' I moved 900km south to a town on Lake Ontario. It isn't Arizona, but this past weekend I went for a 30km bike ride (5degC and sunny! No wind). I have been wearing SHOES to work!

I have 3 winter coats. I alternate between 2 for regular/work wear, and one is strictly gear (snowboarding, snowshoeing, snow shovelling...you get my drift!)
I have a half dozen pashmina, and coloured leather gloves...so I wear my black or grey coats, but brighten them up with accessories. I have a leather purse that converts to a back pack (Rudsack Atelier Noir) and a black gym bag that I schlep around every day.

I am a skirt and dress lover and will do high boots and switch out at work. I usually have 2-3 pair of pumps or flats that I can wear stashed in my cubicle. Rarely do boots all day. Like many Canadians, I am a rabid follower of the Weather Network. I'll check the weather the night before, and again in the am. I check the weather for my home community, for Toronto (where I work) and for the community where DH works...and dress accordingly. If I am in survival mode, I wear ponte or corduroy slim cut trousers, insulated Chelsea boots and bright coloured tops. I'll add a beret as well.

The Toronto commute is a river of black. I refuse to assimilate! In honour of the holiday season, I wore greens all last week, and this week red. A red dress, a red sweater over a black and white checked skirt, a red and white striped mariner over black trousers, etc. though we are expecting snow tomorrow, I'm wearing my Zara cream coloured corduroys!

Having just come in from shovelling snow, I feel I can speak to this! I have learned to just let it go a little in the winter ... a cold torontogirl is a miserable torontogirl so I stick with skinnies for each tuckability or sweats for warmth, depending on the needs of the day, long-sleeve t's and a cardi or scarf (or both) layered for warmth.
One trick I used to beat the winter style doldrums is to focus on something that is weather resistant ... for example, a splurge on a pretty mani, and a somewhat brighter lipstick to add a bit of life and color.
Enjoy the snow

I have found that I need three season outerwear as well. Early fall and late spring, Late fall and early spring and winter. I found I would have coats that were too heavy that I didn't want to wear and ones that were too light that didn't keep me warm. Along with boots, these will be items that you'll get lots of wear out of and are worth investing in. I wear sweaters but also like interesting longer cardigans in a variety of colors and patterns. Something else I like are patterned and colored corduroys for variety and fun colors and patterns for scarves, hats and mittens.

Runcarla, you mentioned a mustard-colored coat--I love mustard for clothes! And I also didn't want to have another black coat, so a couple years ago I got an orangey-red puffer. This is the coat I wear everyday, as I still don't have other options (other than very light coats for Fall). It is warm but sometimes I wish I had something a bit dressier.

By the way, I knew someone who was from Timmins! (But doesn't live there anymore.)

torontogirl, great idea about manis and lipstick! I am also hoping for many good-hair days.

RE: wool coats, if you get the Jcrew coats lined with thinsulate, you can wear those in weather colder than 30F. Still doesn't replace a puffer for the coldest, snowiest days.

shiny, that's good to know the JCrew Thinsulate are that warm. They're number one on my wish list (though I can't buy one just yet). I've also wondered if the Landsend wool coats would be comparably warm (they're nice looking).

I should weigh in here after 22 inches of snow in the past 48 hours! With the exception of one year spent in California, I have always lived in the snow belt. I definitely echo the idea of multiple coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots. If you can find them in fun colors or styles, that is even better. I also agree with a plan to change up silhouettes. There are studies that show that variety and change help people feel happy.

I want to add that wearing fun, unexpected, and lively colors, or having an accessory like a purse in a fun color can brighten your day. I feel good wearing colors that would typically be reserved for spring or summer. It is possible to find winter items in these colors, or even winter white can be good if it suits you. Why not wear these colors to remind yourself of warmer seasons? I actually have an ocean and beach theme for picking my fall/winter clothes.

On the Land's End wool coats, I don't think the warmth compares to the puffers. I got my mother a coat from there this year. The fit was downright bizarre, especially for Land's End (which sizes large) -- this coat was really really tiny. But once I finally got her the right size, I managed to snag this coat for $37 or something, and it's a lovely soft wool blend with a bit of cashmere! (It was on sale from last year, I think). However, it is not a warm coat. She doesn't need it since she merely goes from house to car, but my guess is that overall, their puffers are much more "serious" weather worthy coats.

Thanks, Suz, that's good to know, especially since I tend to order things online before trying them up. $ 37 is crazy cheap! And yes, their sizes are funky. My puffer is Petite XS--smallest size they make--and it does look a bit oversized on me (= really puffy), yet the sleeves are just this end of short.
Staysfit, that's interesting about the studies. This past week I made a point of changing my silhouette as much as possible from day to day after reading the suggestions here--and also of not wearing my rut outfit of skinny cords--and I definitely felt cheered up. And I LOVE winter white! I also love the idea of springy colors and prints in winter.
I wish I had had time to photograph my recent outfits after all the suggestions (I leave when it's still dark and return when the sun already set, so lighting is an issue). Will try to do this next week. This forum has been such a wonderful incentive to get me out of my winter-clothing blues.