Ever since I was little, colder weather meant stern-er clothing. Break out the bleak and the dark. Maybe it was a daylight savings time phenomenon, but the all black uniform applied more often when the sun was less social.

Me? Give me a reason to wear (or purchase and let it sit in my closet for years before I notice it) a neon lime sweater and I'm all ears. If you don't have the acquired taste for neons and brights when the weather sends your knees a-knockin', take cues from favorite mags for December and January on wearing colors not as loud, but with just as much voice.

Granted, the magazine shoots are done months in advance, but you can't help loving the pop of brightness in each photo. This makes me concede to blondes having fun, well - at least in these photos. Take that military jacket in red instead of black when you shop, and try on a sunny yellow tunic for a snowy day.

Have you injected a bit of color into your winter wardrobe? Plan to? Let me know!