Starting Over

Items in this set:

Women's shoes/bags: Frye Harness 12R - dark brown crazy horse, $218
The Republic of Tea - get clean - No. 7 Traveler's Tin (6 Tea Bags)
Deena & Ozzy Blanket Scarf, $48
Karite Shea Butter Lip Balm
O.P.I. - Nail Lacquer - Malaysian Mist - Paradise Collection .5 fl oz..., $8.50

Starting over isn't easy. This year I have a game plan in place for when I feel I might give in or fail. What is it going to take for me to create an actual change?

Like most people my goal this year is to get into shape. I have talked and talked about losing weight and getting toned for years. I've had my ups and downs, but I have never been to where I want to be. This year is my year. I have no excuse and I am doing it for good. I bought a Women's Health book The Big Book of Exercises. It guarantees you lose 10 pounds in 4 weeks by following a diet and exercise plan. This will be the jump start to my new year. In February I will begin training for the half marathon in May. I'm going to follow the plan to a T and on my cross-training days I will incorporate more exercises from the book along with hot yoga.

Living in Indiana for most of my life I know that the next four months are going to be dreadful. It's dark and cold and everything in the stores are swimsuits, sandals, and bright spring colors, which starts to get a little depressing. My goal is to keep out of the stores and stay in the gym, so when I do go into the stores this spring I will be a couple sizes smaller :)

Poppy Please?

Items in this set:
Essie® nail polish - $8

An inexpensive way to add pop to any outfit is with a poppy inspired mani or pucker. I especially love Essie's lacquer in Russian Roulette and Maybelline's lipstick in Are you Red-dy. Be sure to use a lip liner and add lipstick with a brush to ensure a flawless line. Nothing is worse than red gone all wrong!

Vol 3. Gratitude

Instead of pulling a look together I decided to take a moment and reflect on what tomorrow is all about...remembering what we're thankful for. Two thousand and nine has been a challenging year, not just for me, but for everyone. Losing my job was an unfortunate experience, but it brought me back to my roots in Indiana. I faced my passed, I dealt with my present, and now I'm planning for my future. I quickly realized what I wanted and didn't want in my life and I changed it. However, if it weren't for the following, I don't know where I would be right now...

My family--helping me move back from Atlanta, inviting me over or paying for my dinners, being there when my niece was born, watching my nephew get cuter and cuter, providing a home, picking me up when I am stranded, providing laughs, advice, and love.

My friends--someone to laugh with, cry with, console with, drink with, and experience new things with. Friends often teach us life's most valuable lessons. We not only learn more about them, but more about ourselves.

My job--I am around fun, creative, and amazing people. Although the job itself isn't the greatest, I am thankful for having a job at all and being in such a positive, energetic environment.

My health--I am a happy and healthy person and I can always be grateful for that.

My family's health

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! REMEMBER WHAT YOU'RE THANKFUL FOR EACH AND EVERY DAY!

Vol 2. Country Chic

Items in this set:
Anthropologie dress, $188
John Lewis cardigan, 44 GBP
BP. boots, $90
Dogeared necklace, 58 GBP
Anthropologie hair accessories, $32

I love this look because it looks put together, but like I didn't try too hard. The headband gives a little bit of sparkle, the bag looks 60's vintage, and the dress and cardigan look cute and comfortable. Perfect for meeting old friends and making new ones. Cheers!

T'was the night before Thanksgiving Vol. 1- Maneater

Items in this set:
Velvet by Graham & Spencer sweater, $70
BCBG tights, $118
TopShop necklace, 18 GBP
Butter London nails, $14

Thanksgiving's approaching which happens to be my absolute favorite holiday. A time to retreat back to my childhood home, visit old friends, and gobble as much home cooking as I can. The night before Thanksgiving is usually spent at local bars, catching up with friends from high school and maybe even meeting those I never really talked to. Although, sometimes it's running into an ex, in that case you'd want to look your absolute best. No matter what your tradition I am going to give you a few ideas of what to wear to fit any situation and maybe throw in a few surprises along the way. You don't want to miss this series! Stay tuned for volumes 2 and 3.

Maneater-The great thing about going out the night before T-giving is you know there is a slight chance you may run into a former ex and (depending on your stalker-status) who may have a new girlfriend he's bringing home to the meet the parents. Not that you still want the loser anyway, you still want to want him to want you. Make him drool on this bib necklace by topshop and don't forget to make the girlfriend green with envy when you shake her hand with British Racing Green digits.

Christmas Eve

Items in this set:
J Crew top, $250
Miu Miu shoes, $399

I saw this dress in the JCrew window yesterday and immedately ran inside to get my hands on it. I have to have it! This is definately on my stalker list to wear for the holiday parties this season. It's black suitable for any and every occasion and the tiered ruffles easily hide anything that might want to protrude from stuffing my face with spring rolls and crab dip. Red satin pumps or a statement necklace with a red satin bow would add some cheery flair. I would keep hair simple by pulling it back into a messy side bun. Red lips a must!

If I were going on holiday...

...this would be the suit I would be sipping my pina coladas in! It's bohemian, sexy, and chic. I can just see my Lincoln Park After Dark pedi shining in the sand right now :)