Hanging on to Winter

Is anyone else completely sad about the amazing weather we've been having lately?  I mean, I understand that we are the envy of the rest of the country, but SoCal's winter has been completely depressing for fashion.  Sure we had a whole month of cold but did it have to be filled with boot damaging rain?
I've been longing for an escape from the dowdy and ran across some inspiration that may stretch us with light layers.
 Way into the jean shape here.  ae.com has a pretty good match for a decent price http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?catId=cat90120&productId=0433_7124
Speaking of American Eagle - I'm completely addicted to their flats, I need a 12 step program to keep me from buying them in every color.

 These are kind of the same idea. same skinnies from last season mixed with a blazer/scarf combo.  I'm the klutz who can only tie a scarf one way without feeling like I'm choking all day.  Would love a tutorial on fashionable scarf tying.  These girls seem to do it with such ease.  By the way the lace-up mushroom boots I whined about earlier in a previous post would look AMAZING with this look.  A lighter weight fabric blazer and linen scarf may help with the winter/spring transition.

High Maintenance Lips

With all the amazing plum and crimson lips gracing runways right now, I was inspired to replace my usual linda's beige number 809 for something a little more intense.  So, last time I was in Walgreens picking up a prescription I grabbed another little Loreal gem - raspberries http://www.amazon.com/LOreal-Paris-Colour-Lipcolour-Raspberries/dp/B004BJ5CAY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1295995868&sr=8-2.  Its the perfect color with one problem.  It doesn't seem to like my lips.  I've tried it all, exfoliating them prior to application, chapstick under, gloss over all to no avail.  Application looks darker around the lip line with little crusty bits throughout.  So now the dilemma is keep trying new things with the same product or try something new.  Any favorite intense lipsticks out there?

Current Obsession

I'm in a fashion rut.  I need a way out.  Of course being 9 months pregnant with even my maternity clothes refusing to fit, my only outlet is shoes.  Shoes never let you down.  So back to my current obsession, shoes...boots actually, more specifically these boots.  
Of course I can't justify buying them.  Mainly because they are not a toddler size 6.  There is also the manner of the weather.  I live in Southern California where February has decided to feel like June.

But sometimes (maybe I'm reaching) the right pair can make it for you.  You walk taller and somehow your haircut looks more expensive.  Justifications listed below:

• SALE!:  Amazon has them right now originally $140 marked down to $80
• I'm NEED these as my ticket out of frumpy-ville.  Anyone who's been pregnant can attest to the fact that although people (mostly friends) say you are glowing, you feel like a beached whale wearing a thong.
• I think that they can be transitioned into early summer.  Here's how:

Now into Spring

Spring into Summer