Smoke 'Em Out

Now that you figured out what you're going to wear tonight, the next step is to decide on your makeup.

If you haven't tried the classic smokey eye before, New Year's is the perfect opportunity to take it for a test drive.  If you like it, it just might end up going into your regular rotation for 2012.

For step-by-step instructions click here.

NYE Style

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The big night is just about upon us. What are you doing New Year's Eve?

Even if your plans haven't been finalized, no matter what you're doing, NYE calls for some sparkle and shine.

Click here to read tips on how you can be in the style spotlight NYE.

Wish List

Club Monaco Noah Lace Skirt $169.50

I spotted this amazing skirt while out shopping....I know I'm not supposed to buy anything for me but...

Ugly is In

One of the hottest trends in fashion and in holiday parties this season is the ugly sweater. And if this recent segment on The Today Show is any indication, you have a good chance of being invited to an ugly sweater get-together over the holidays (if you haven't been asked already!).

To take the kitsch up to the next level bring your host or hostess gift dressed up according to theme as well.

Yellow Tail is providing DIY instructions on how to create a tacky sweater to adorn the wine you tote with you to the party.  Check out the detailed directions below or visit Yellow Tail on Facebook for more details.

Will you be partaking in this latest holiday trend?

Debit for a Debt-Free Holiday

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It's easy to get caught up in the shopping madness this time of year - especially with last minute sales and stores staying open longer. It's no wonder in the frenzy of trying to check off everyone on our gift lists many us  blow our budgets.

A simple way keep your spending in check is to use your Interac Debit card to make sure you aren't spending beyond your means. And, based on a recent Interac survey on Canadian shopping habits during the holiday season in 2009 and 2010, more of us are using debit as our method of payment during December. Some interesting stats from the survey include:

• “Eat, drink and be merry” rings true for Canadian shoppers using their Interac Debit cards, with food and alcohol among their highest volume of purchases for the month. Supermarkets and stores selling alcohol remain in the top merchant categories for total volume in December 2010, consistent with the year prior.
• Canadians also continue to be at their shopping best while under pressure. December 23rd was once again the biggest day for last minute purchases in 2010. It held the title for the month’s greatest amount of spend for in-store Interac Debit purchases, up 14.5 per cent from the same day in 2009.
• Not surprisingly, the 23rd also marked the busiest shopping day with the highest number of in-store Interac Debit transactions (18.2 million last year, compared to 16.1 million in 2009).

“Canadians are busy people who value convenience and reliability when the season arrives for everything from stocking up on entertaining necessities to crossing those special gift items off their lists,” said Caroline Hubberstey, Director, Public and Government Affairs, Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation. “Our data consistently shows a strong reliance of Canadians on Interac Debit and other products like Interac e-Transfer and Interac Online to manage their spending during what is often a hectic time of year.”

Paying with your money (by using your debit card) alleviates the stress of receiving a bill in the new year and allows you to stay within your budget. Setting a budget and sticking to it helps ease the stress of over-spending at this time of year, and 81% of Canadians have said that saving is a very important priority for them*. Online banking also allows cardholders to instantly track their purchases and remain within their budget – good news for those of us who want to start the new year without spending beyond our means.

I don't know about you, but I'll be choosing debit as my primary method of payment and definitely avoiding the stores on December 23rd this year.

What's your trick for staying on budget during the holiday madness?

* The Strategic Counsel, January 2011.

Steal Her Style: Luscious Locks

The party circuit is in full swing and you're running out of new and imaginative ways to make that LBD look different. Instead of spending more coin on another ensemble, why not switch up the most important accessory that you wear every day - your hair.

Give Gisele's stunning curls a try.  Read the step-by-step instructions here. 

Think Big

Caroling

Celebrating the season - Vegas-style: Bellagio fountains timed to Christmas carols.

Steal Her Style: Regal Flair

Image courtesy of  stylefile.julesb.co.uk

The "best of 2011" lists are beginning to roll in and I couldn't resist re-posting Forbes list of Kate Middleton's fashion highs of the year. Whether she's wearing that dress or just a simple trench, the Duchess always looks polished, sophisticated and classic.

If you need a little inspiration on how to dress a little more royally, view the recap here.

Personally, I'll be stocking up on Reiss.

Hassle-Free Hosting

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If you're brave enough to host a party over the holiday season you have your work cut out for you. While there is nothing more rewarding than having your near and dear ones over for a get-together, it can seem a little daunting during this fast-paced time of year.

For some simple tips on how to make it easier, head on over to Social Moms and read my latest post on how to making hosting over the holidays more enjoyable.

You can read it here.

Polished Pretty

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The festive get-togethers have begun and between socializing, working and shopping for gifts, you're bound to feel a little time-strapped.  And let's face it, adding "beautifying yourself" to the long list of to-dos isn't all that appealing.

Beauty can sometimes feel like a full time job (waxing, plucking, exfoliating, moisturizing...it goes on and on) and frankly, sometimes we all just want to skip it, put on a pair of lulus and tie our hair up in a ponytail and stay fresh-faced for a day.

It's the holidays. It's supposed to be joyous and fun! But, the reality is, even if you don't have the time, you still need to put a little extra effort into your look for all the soirees on your calendar.

Let's start with your skin. Party-circuit frocks tend to be more revealing than your average workwear and put skin in the spotlight.  If you want yours to look luminescent you need to put a little work in - no spa required.

Give yourself a spa-worthy scrub right in the comfort of your shower. By investing a few more minutes while you're sudsing up (I like to multitask and exfoliate while my conditioner is working its magic) you can slough off dead skin cells and uncover better, prettier skin.

Find a product that smells delicious and revives your senses to enhance the experience. I'm obsessed with The Body Shop's Cranberry Joy Body Scrub ($18). It's paraben-free and its scent is just the pick-me-up I need in the a.m.

You have to shower anyway right? So why not cross something off that beauty to-do list at the same time? It can be your little reprieve from the holiday hoopla.

Party Trimmings

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It's here - the holiday party season.

I personally think a lot of careers are made and destroyed during this hectic month.  A few cocktails in, and who knows what will happen.

To avoid embarrassment, you don't need to skip the celebration circuit - in fact, missing out completely is also a career-limiting move.

Instead, you just need to follow a few guidelines to make sure you and your reputation make it through unscathed.

To find out how to navigate your way through without any longlasting damage, read my latest article about it on Social Moms here.