Our resident fashion and shopping expert, Jill Zarin, talks about fall accessories, cold-weather skincare and changes she's made to her fitness routine as the temperature start to drop.

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Essential Editor: Have you made any recent changes to your fall fitness routine?

Jill Zarin: I love Pilates and recently bought some new workout DVDs so I can do more floor exercises at home—way more convenient than going to a gym because I can work out anytime! I also love the Jennifer Nicole Lee fitness DVD set, she’s just so motivational.

Exercising outdoors is another solution if you prefer to avoid the gym but still want to get fit. Personally, I will continue kayaking until the water freezes over, it is great exercise and a perfect time to relax and catch up on things on my own time - like listening to my sister Lisa's radio show (Catch her on The Lisa Wexler Show on iHeartRadio from 4-6PM ET every day!). If you’re looking for outdoor gear, you can find a huge selection of affordable choices on Rakuten.com.

EE: What is your favorite chilly weather clothing accessory?

JZ: I just bought a Burberry jacket with leather sleeves that I practically live in. A fun tip is that I always spray the fabric with the Burberry body spray too – looks and smells great! I also love Lela Rose Womens Deep Green Turtleneck Caplet Cable Scarf. It goes with EVERYTHING and my Chihuahua Ginger absoutely loves it – sometimes I wrap her up tightly in it and other times we cuddle up and share!

EE: Boots -- for fall and winter, what's your ideal style?

JZ: I am a total boot junkie, there really isn't a boot I wouldn't at least try on. Lately, I’m loving the trend of black leather booties with studs, chains or anything that looks like it belongs on a Harley bike! I also love a nice riding boot, like these Lane Western Boots. I also LIVE In Uggs - they feel so soft and comfy I can literally put them on in the morning and not remove them until bedtime.

EE: Let's talk jewelry -- what is your favorite gemstone for this time of year.

JZ: Diamonds are and will always be THIS girl’s best friend! My birthday is right around the corner and I’m thinking about gifting myself a new diamond watch that I just saw on Rakuten.com Shopping—there are so many great brands it is hard to choose, but any brand that starts with the letter "C" works for me – I love a nice Chanel watch.

EE: What are your favorite home accessories to curl up with when the nights get colder?

JZ: I have a collection of cashmere blankets located all over the house. On a cold day I could stay home in pajamas and my cashmere blanket…all day long!

EE: What are your cold weather tricks for dealing with dry skin and hair?

JZ: I love living in New York where we experience all four seasons of weather and I most enjoy the transitional months like October and May - but dry skin can be a problem when the weather shifts. It is said that women’s skin texture changes about once every ten years and right now my skin’s main problem is lack of moisture. However, I AM lucky that I inherited my Grandma Helen's hair texture and was born with naturally oily hair! When I was a teenager it definitely wasn’t a blessing to have very oily hair where by 2pm feel like I needed another shower; but now as an adult that uses hair color, one of the side effects is that it can dry the hair follicles, so the extra oils I inherited are very useful now!

EE: Another Fashion Week has come and gone. What fashion trends got you excited?

JZ: It’s hard to get excited about the spring when ads are overloaded with leather, fur, gloves and boots. But I will say that I loved seeing lots of metallic versus the usually bright spring colors for a change. A style tip for mixing fall and spring trends: the classic shirt dress is always a favorite and can be used as a shell that you can dress up with a lot of accessories - and summer stripes mixed never hurt anyone when worn in the fall did they?

EE: You must have a great vacation lined up -- what are some of your favorite destinations to get away from the cold weather?

JZ: Funny you should ask as we just booked our seventh trip this winter season. We just can't get away from the cold in New York City often enough! Anything that is warm and sunny is always welcome, but if we have a view of the water, we are in heaven. Last year we rented a house next to Nikki Beach in Saint Barths and walked there for lunch or dinner every day...that was the perfect vacation. This winter we have Miami, Costa Rica, Cabos San Lucas, Los Angeles and Hawaii on the calendar, plus the new Ritz Carlton in Aruba for New Year’s Eve with our entire family –including my dog Ginger! One tip for travelers: When traveling across climates it’s key to have a good set of sturdy luggage.

EE: Any advice on how to adjust when setting our clocks back an hour for daylight savings?

JZ: I always remember it because it takes place around my daughter Ally's birthday. This year it falls on November 3, 2013. The rule is "Fall Back...Spring Ahead" so you get to sleep and extra hour!

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Stay tuned for more from Jill Zarin throughout the fall on Essential.