While a decent winter coat can set you back a bit, a decent winter coat that keeps you looking as good as it does warm can set you back two months' rent; conscious acquisition of applicable cold weather accessories for New York's tundra-like winters, therefore, is key.  So, ladies, leave your Uggs at home:  there's a new way to warm up your winter wardrobe without breaking fashion rules – or the bank. 

Ear muffs, a clever cross between hat and headband, are pulling themselves out of nostalgia and pushing into present day, reviving even the most drab of slush-abused parkas.  Pair them with last fall's pashmina scarf and camel military jacket for an urban twist, or with a classic peacoat and woolen mittens for a look reminiscent of yesteryear.  Keeping toasty while avoiding ubiquitous hat hair with change to spare for a peppermint mocha latte:  what more could a fashionista ask for?

Ironically enough, Ugg does make an ear muff (and a cute one at that):

As does Pucci – though still leaning towards splurge, even at half off:

And J. Crew, for East Coast prepsters and those who just want to look boarding school cool:

Now, if only an accessory existed that turned blah winter skin to a sunny glow, served little pink drinks with umbrellas and gave me unlimited access to the Spring 2009 collections… a girl can dream, can't she?