Yes, half of North America is under three feet of snow, but before you know it the snow will be but a distant memory and you’ll be heading to the lake/beach/cabin and you’ll have to ditch your parka in favor of a bathing suit. My trusty suit is done after three summers of wear and tear, so I purchased a new one yesterday. I went back to the place I always go to for my swimwear: Lands End. It’s pricier than some places, sure, but their suits are worth every penny. The fit well and they wear well. Plus, there are so many pretty options to choose from.

Various prices @ LandsEnd.com

I am a runner who runs three days a week (and ran outside all winter)(I’ll take any accolades you want to throw my way). The weather is getting warmer and I have been on the hunt for the perfect pair of running shorts. I FOUND THEM. They are the perfect length, the perfect fit, and for once in my life my thighs don’t look like tree trunks.

$54.00 @ Lululemon.com

My running partner and I have run through the winter months (Yes, we’re crazy) and recently decided that we’re going to train for a half marathon (Again, crazy). On today’s run (10K!) we talked about hydration belts. I bought one two years ago, but it holds one large bottle that bounces against my thigh with each step and annoys me so much that I never use it. She found one that she thinks will work much better and I told her to order one for me, too.

$42.82 @ Amazon.com

My sister-in-law and I run together, three days a week. We’ve made the commitment to run through the winter and have run in snow, slush, rain, and below-freezing temperatures. On the ’slush run’ day, she showed up wearing gaiters, which kept her pants dry and kept snow from getting into her shoes. Brilliant.

$39.50 @ REI.com

One of my favorite gifts from my husband this year was something that I didn’t even know existed, and now I can’t live without. He has a knack for that. He bought me a pair of touch screen liner gloves, which allow me to keep my hands covered when I’m checking Twitter/FB/Instagram or texting him to ask where, exactly, he is on the ski hill.

$17.95 @ Burton.com

Winter hats are called ‘toques’ in Canada, and regardless of the country you are living in, hats help to keep you warm. My sister-in-law and I have committed to keep running outside all winter, so I wrote a post on my personal site asking for running gear recommendations. One item that was a hot ticket was a running toque with a hole built in for a pony tail. It’s sheer genius, in my opinion.

$28 @lululemon.com

My running partner and I have committed to running outside all winter, so I’ve loaded up on some warmer gear. I kept hearing people talk about compression pants, so I bought some from Old Navy, and they’re pretty great.

$29.50 @ OldNavy.com

I am a runner and like to run three times a week, all year round. Last winter I was working in an office and would walk over to use the treadmill at the gym across the street on my lunch hour. I’m working from home, now, and don’t particularly enjoy running on a treadmill, so I think that instead of spending my money on a gym membership, I’m going to purchase winter running gear. My running partner (and sister-in-law) told me about these YakTrax that slip over your running shoes for when the snow is flying, and they’re on my ‘to buy’ list.

$14-$50 @ Amazon.com

The temperatures are getting warmer, and photos of kids running through sprinklers are popping up everywhere. I am not one to run through the sprinklers, but I sit outside and read as my children do their thing. One thing that I realize I’m missing from my summer wardrobe is a nice cover-up. I love this one from figleaves.

$45 @ Figleaves.com

Spring is in full swing and our annuals are starting to bloom. It’s almost time to plant our vegetable garden, which means it’s time to take stock of our gardening tools. We only have one set, and both seem to want to use the same set at the same time, so I’m buying a set that will be ALL MINE.

$16.29 @ Amazon.com