It’s finally winter here in New York City. I haven’t taken my beanie off in three days now and yet all I can think about is Spring. The pretty pastels and allure of each day being warmer until it’s sundress weather again!

Here are two pastel packs that are currently on my mind. The first, the EOS trio holiday pack, I received over the holiday. The little balms come in the cutest pod packaging perfect to slip in any clutch or bag. The flavors: strawberry sorbet, sweet mint, and passion fruit give the allure of sweet summer. And well, they’re fun. Any time I pop one out of my bag I get at least one boy-stare confused as all hell to what it is.

The second, not yet released, Spring collection from essie. We all know my absurd obsession with nail polish and I want every. single. color. This collection is ‘Wall Street inspired’ but from what I know, my finance girl friends can choose clear or pale pink as their choice hues but I won’t complain given that I’m most excited by the green in this collection!

The green is much paler than Mint Candy Apple, my other favorite essie. I’ll skip the purple, assuming it’s similar to Lilacism and go straight for the dynamite orange. Pantone’s color of the year is Tangerine Tango and I am fully embracing it!

With the surge of social media we become burnt out on topics much quicker than in the past. For example: award show red carpets. Our conversations are instant, live tweeting, live streaming, live blogging- it’s overwhelming, then it leaves as fast as it came.

So rather than another red carpet recap with what the stars wore, here is a twist: a few things I learned about fashion from the Golden Globes red carpet this past Sunday.

1. Headbands are appropriate for any occasion.

Some of my favorite star stunners: Charlize Theron and Michelle Williams sported headbands and it was right. For the record, Charlize was my overall number 1 of the night. As the girlie girl I am, I love headbands. Skip the cheap, plastic ones and go for jeweled, satin, or sparkly ones for a more refined look. Or find some elastic and make your own! I have a feeling two-band headbands will be big this Spring!

2. Blush tones are not for everyone.

Unless you have a fake bake, olive skin or darker, or just got back from a tropical vacation steer clear of the blush tones. Kristen Wiig’s dress matches her skin tone and gets lost, while blondes especially can look extremely washed out, see: Julie Bowen (second from the L). Kate Beckinsale chose a more pink version which is complimented by her tan and dark hair and Heidi broke up the color with some bright statment jewelry.

3. Stick by your style: someone will always be criticizing.

Mila and Jessica had gorgeous dresses but were put on looked over due to being too ‘safe,’ too predictable, too boring. While the Glee girls were critcized for going too outrageous, too out of the box. You can choose to go classic, or choose to make a statement, no matter what someone will always be criticizing you and your choices. Stand by what you love and wear it with confidence: see next point.

4. Confidence and a huge smile will make you the star regardless of what you’re wearing.

Nothing is out-of-this-world special about Reese’s look, but that beaming bright smile makes her, ok this is cheesy, but shine. Maybe it’s the adorable children, new husband, pretty great life but her happiness shows and I was instantly drawn to her. Goes to show, a smile is the best thing to wear!

Images via People.com

Holidays are always a time to cut back on the frivolous spending in preparation for flights home, presents, and well, after-Christmas sales! This year now that I’m finally (recently) settled in a new apartment with this girlie, we wanted to up the holiday spirit without emptying our wallets. Skip the multi-color twinkle lights for sleek color schemes like red, white, silver or gold. I love using gold and silver as a base and then having pops of a brighter color like red, green or blue.

Apothecary jars are a great investment for year-round decor. I purchased these at Crate & Barrel but this is another great site for more affordable crafts. Use jars to hold Sweetheart candies for Valentine’s Day, mini-pumpkins for Halloween, or if you’re like me glitter all year round! Here are a few other decor ideas for the winter holiday…

Stick to a simple color scheme for your decor or sets. Silver is sparkly, classic and refined. Present bows are super cheap for a large bag and have a great dimension when stacked in a jar.

Monochromatic nutcrackers like these (on sale!) have a modern twist on a traditional classic. Use large ones as decor, or smaller ones inside of your jars. OR by glitter in bulk and fill any size jar 3/4 of the way full, add ornaments, candies, or keep it solely sparkle.

Arrange jars by height and color to complement each other. These can also be used as centerpieces for a long table, especially the shorter jars to be sure guests can still talk over the table.

To add pops of color use peppermint candies, ornaments, or bows in bright hues.

Invest in the jars, use creativity with the contents. Candy, bows, glitter, ornaments can all be found under $5-10. And happy decorating!

Here we are going into 30 degree temps this week in NY, and all I can do is think about the Club Monaco Spring preview I viewed last week. From the moment I walked into the preview I was transported to a sun-shining, waves-crashing, oceanside location perfectly complimented by the light, breezy fabrics surrounding me. For Spring you expect to see florals, lace, and frills as it’s a feminine season but Club Monaco has transformed the femininity of clothing into a sophisticated, easy style personified by their brand.

Club Monaco’s designers describe their Spring collection having ‘bohemian feel with an urban edge.’ For me this means as lovely as these pieces would be on the exotic beaches, they’re also just as wearable for every day life in the city. CM’s designers were inspired by travels through the ‘Maldives, Morocco, and St. Barths with soft fabrics and modern shapes on a clean palette.’

Neutral colors with subtle patterns add sleek dimension to a wardrobe.

Skip florals for super chic, intricate beading. These paillette skirts were two of my favorite pieces of the entire preview.

The softest of cashmeres draped perfectly over an oatmeal maxi skirt.

Pleated maxi skirts are given a new twist with patterns and soft color.

Shorts get a feminine flair in lace, and this gorgeous skirt (my must-have) and beaded belt make the chicest combination possible.

For the girl traveling to the sand, this gorgeous crochet dress was seriously swoon worthy.

Silk ‘gym-inspired’ shorts are the perfect laid-back look in a gorgeous pattern based in gray.

Like I said to the Club Monaco team while there, this California girl is obsessed with the easy, airy pieces of this new collection. Patterned scarves add layer and dimension to soft fabrics, fitted tops, and breezy bottoms. The wearability of the intricate patterns but in soft hues of white, tans, greys, and soft pastels along with embroidery, beading, crochet textures were honestly heart-ache inducing when I had to leave.

I have never been more excited for an affordable, attainable collection to come out. I’ll be leaving for Hawaii next week and would do almost anything to have snatched up some pieces to wear while I’m there. This is a store to revisit again and again!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING LOVELY READERS!

Today I am hosting my very first Thanksgiving dinner at my new apartment. Dish spreadsheets were made, groceries were bought, flowers were arranged. As I look through pinterest images all I can think is that I wish I had a gorgeous table runner, creative place cards, and hurricanes filled with glittered decor. But I am only two weeks into my new place and barely have enough seats for everyone, let alone a beautifully thought out table setting! It may not be my dream hostess situation, but regardless, I am excited to spend the day with my best friends, great food, and a piece of pie or two.

Hope you have an amazing holiday!