If you’re planning a visit to Europe this month, you may not get to enjoy the full experience of a long walk enjoying the greenery in the Borghese Gardens of Rome or the grounds of Versailles under a warm sun–but the annual sales might make up for the chilly weather and bare branches. The government-mandated sales period that starts in January and runs to about mid-February (there is another one in July) offers lots of chances to pick up super-chic clothes at a discount–which gets steeper as the weeks pass by. This is good news for Americans, who have been suffering from a low dollar for quite a while now.  Hotels also offer lower rates during this low season, and crowds are generally nonexistent at tourist sites. That might just be an incentive for you to snatch up a last-minute fare and head across the pond.

In Paris, I always check out the boutiques of my favorite French designers,  Isabel Marant in the gentrifying Bastille neighborhood (16, Rue Charonne) and Vanessa Bruno (my favorite location is at 25, rue St. Sulpice, a beautiful area for a stroll and “window-licking,” as the French say instead of “window shopping”). Colette (213, rue Saint-Honore), a bastion of cool and the prototype for “lifestyle boutiques” all over the world, is also a must. Check out this story in the New York Times for more info. If you go, bring back some macarons (I like the chocolate and salted caramel versions) from Pierre Herme for me!

In Italy my favorite store is probably Ethic, which offers unusually detailed or textured pieces at affordable prices. How I wish they offered online shopping! At the (much more) expensive end, I am a devotee of Marni, the appealingly girlish yet chic line by Consuelo Castiglioni. Stop by the flagship boutique in Milan’s “Golden Triangle,” a posh shopping neighborhood that’s home to the country’s most respected names in fashion.

Bon voyage!

The first major snowfall in the Chicago area yesterday means you were probably scrambling around in the closet for your sturdy boots or some sort of protective footwear to brave the snowy, salty sidewalks. If you’re realizing that your ten-year-old hiking boots don’t quite work with your fabulous outfits, here are a couple ideas.

La Canadienne knows from making chic yet weatherproof boots, being based up north in Montreal. Many styles are waterproof and have microfiber linings that are antibacterial and wick away moisture to keep your tootsies warm and dry. The Tula is a nice mid-calf option, while the Tracy is a good basic flat style if you’re going to be running around a lot. Added bonus: the company is very eco-aware and uses high-quality Italian hides that are left over from the food industry, eco-friendly dyes and protective sealants, and even boxes made of recycled paper.

If you don’t want to give up your heels, consider the Shuella. The name is a play on “shoe umbrella,” and basically they are galoshes that are designed to slip over heels. No more toting rubber boots! Choose from basic black or cheery yellow, pink, or green. They even fold up into a little bag for easy storage.

Plus you’ll be supporting a local business–founder Rebecca Miller is a Chicagoan!