If Ke$ha and Prince had a love child, and then proceeded to pour some glitter on it, that child would be New Year’s Eve. Full of alcohol and lowered inhibitions, New Year’s Eve is the most fun you can have with your pants on…or off, depending on how you party. It is a night of last chances and new beginnings, first kisses and final opportunities…or at least this is what movies like New Year’s Eve would have us think. The truth is, New Year’s Eve is never what we expect. Like the ball that drops in Times Square, New Year’s Eve is usually insignificant and overrated.

Expectations for NYE:

Brimming with excitement, all of your single girlfriends come over to get ready for the big night. We’re talking pedicures on your toes-toes, trying on all your clothes-clothes, boys blowing up your phones-phones…well you get it. And although your friends look beautiful in their cocktail dresses, you’re the only one who ordered from Rent the Runway, and thus clearly look the best. Read More »

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Who doesn’t love a good college party? In fact many argue the best partying of one’s life occurs during their college years. Now with the holiday season fully in gear, parties just got a whole lot more exciting due to the the mandatory Christmas themes applied to your average Saturday night now through New Years. Even if you just want to get a drink with a friend and judge some drunk people, unless you’re wearing a Santa hat you’re not welcome. Instead of resenting these holidays themes, dare to embrace and attend soirees that tell you to dress like a pimp or a ho, ho, ho!

Just kidding, don’t go to that party. That sounds like a lazy, degrading pun. But if someone invites you to one, or all, of these eight parties: then I suggest you spike some egg nog and go! Read More »

With the holidays upon us, it’s really tough to find time to do your hair and makeup. I mean between eating cookies, wrapping presents, and peeking under the tree, I haven’t had a ton of time to get ready for holiday parties. Not to mention I’d rather be on the couch drinking hot chocolate than standing in my bathroom with a curling iron.

But there are some quick little things we can all do to amp up our looks and be instantly holiday ready. They’re super fast and really easy, which means you can eat about five more cookies and drink two more cups of eggnog before you leave! I love the holidays!

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to check out my other videos right here!

Tis the season of endless holiday parties and panicking about not having anything to wear to them. Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you have to wear a red or green ensemble (unless you’re attending the infamous “Ugly Sweater” party) and tacky holiday themed accessories. Please put those snowman earrings away now. And by away, I mean in the garbage.

The best solution is sparkly accessories. Yep, I’m advocating shiny objects, just as long as they’re not mini-Christmas ornaments. You can stick to the basics with the rest of your attire, and dress up your heeled boots and sweater dress with beautiful accessories, like this Mixit Crystal Bib Necklace from JC Penny. The amazing thing about accessories is that you can wear them to make an outfit, and you don’t have to wash ‘em before you wear them again (meaning you can save your quarters for the vending machine on a Friday night).

This particular necklace proves that you don’t have to sell your soul on e-bay to afford glamour.  Cubic Zirconias are a girl’s best friend, and a necklace like this is exactly what you need to be dressy enough for the holidays without buying 10 new dresses for every single event (hello, Ms/ Popular). You can re-wear a necklace a million times and your outfit will still look fresh with new pairings and mixing and matching looks. Read More »

Yup, building snowmen....still fun.

HAPPY OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OF WINTER!

It’s hard to remember when you’re spending half of your day bundling up in the thickest, warmest, heaviest things you own just to walk outside to get the mail, but it’s is the most wonderful time of the yearrrrrrrr! Yes, really. Andy Williams was not lying when he gleefully belted out the season’s staple song back in the 1960s, and his holiday tune still rings true today. Even if it takes my hands a full 7 minutes to warm up after being outside.

Winter is one of the best seasons for a multitude of reasons that I just don’t have enough time (or Redbull) to list. But, because I need to share the gloriousness of this beloved season, I compiled the top 10 reasons why winter beats summer, spring, and fall’s seasonal asses every year. Read More »

During the holidays you will be doing a lot of eating. Whether you are attending a potluck, a get-together with high school friends, or it’s a holiday meal with the family, there is a reason that people call gaining weight during this time of year the “holiday hundred.” Don’t bring in the new year with regrets (and needing to buy bigger pairs of jeans). Here are some tips on how not to gain the holiday hundred.

Do not go to parties/meals famished. Try to eat before a big meal, even if you just have a snack. Going to a party or a big meal on an empty stomach could cause you to over-eat. Eating a little over time will also keep you from becoming impatient while food is almost done, because your blood sugar will not be too low.

Drink water. Sometimes when you think you are hungry, you might just be dehydrated. Drinking more water can help to prevent overeating and benefit weight loss because it makes your metabolism burn calories 3% faster. Many beverages contain high amounts of sugar, fats, and calories, and very little water. Since you are going to be eating lots of desserts, casseroles, and treats, cut back on those extra calories by having a glass of water.

Limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol is pretty high in calories. If you must drink, try to sip at your beer over time rather than downing it. You could also choose diet-friendly drinks such as wine (Zifandel White Wine contains 100 calories per 5-oz serving) or liquor with calorie-free mixers like diet soda. Read More »

Around the holidays there are a lot of reasons to dress up, and I’m not talking about putting on anything but sweats (which in college might feel like dressing up). I’m talking up getting all dolled up for a special occasion. Whether you have a sorority formal, a fancy party to go to with the family, or need something special for New Years Eve, now is a good time to start scoping out looks. Though people are starting to get their Christmas shopping in, it’s not quite the rush yet, meaning there will be a slightly shorter line for the changing room than a few weeks from now.

Any girl who’s been to the mall in the past 2 years knows that there are a ton of dresses to choose from out there. That means it’s easy to find one appropriate for every occasion possible, but also hard to choose the very best one. (I’ve never been good with options.) Just remember these 3 key things:

1. Choose what works best for your body, not whatever cut is trendiest. We can’t all wear sparkly shift dress, you know.
2. What you’re wearing to impress your high school crush on New Years Eve may not be the same thing you want to wear to a Christmas party with your parents’ friends. Choose a slightly longer length (you should be able to sit down comfortably in it, without covering your lap with a napkin) and more chest coverage for events you’re going to for work or with your family.
3. Go all out. Ruffles, sparkles, cut-outs – all’s fair in love, war and party dresses. Read More »

In case you haven’t noticed, the Oscars are tonight. (Have you made your predictions yet? You only have a few hours left to enter!) If you’re anything like me, that means you’ll be perched on the couch, surrounded by friends, starting at 5pm to catch, and talk about, all the red carpet drama.

And at about 6pm, after you’ve discovered that Brad and Angie aren’t actually coming and your stomach is growling, you’ll be wishing you had something to munch on. And by “munch” I mean “devour.” But just like you can’t serve Natty Light at your Oscar bash, you really can’t chow down on Sun Chips and Swedish Fish for such a special occasion.

You need a snack fit for the evening and nothings says “Fit for a red carpet affair to impress your friends but still totally easy and OH MY GOD SO DELICIOUS” quite like baked brie. I swear, this recipe is easier than opening a bag of Tostitos and so. much. better. It only takes a few minutes, so run to that campus market, get the goods, and you’ll have plenty of time to whip this up somewhere between studying and settling in for the big night. Or, you know, any night of the week. Because it’s just that good. Read More »

Mmmm holiday cookies.

I could eat my own weight in Grandma’s “Won’t Fail Fudge,” but do I really want to carry around an extra me in 2010? Not exactly. Spring comes quick here in Santa Barbara, so bikinis and spring runs are just around the corner. If you’re located somewhere where you’ll be wearing large sweaters for the next four months – lucky you! (I guess?) But even if you will be bundled up for a few more months, that doesn’t mean you want to have to trade your skinny jeans for your dad’s sweatpants thanks to a few weeks of indulging.

So, here ere are some tips for navigating holiday parties and rounds at the bar so you can enjoy yourself and still look damn good in the new year.

Surviving Those Holiday Gatherings
Food can seem like the main event at holiday parties, but isn’t the point to mingle and mix with one another?

1. Don’t Go Hungry! Pretty self-explanatory, but don’t do it! Eat sensibly throughout the day, and maybe skip a snack if you want to bank a few extra hundred calories for later.

2. Choose foods that are “worth” it to you. Choosing to have a little taste of the things that you’re really craving, say Christmas cookies or some mini-quiches, while holding back on the other hors d’oeuvres at the buffet line can save you hundreds of calories without making you feel deprived. Pick to have a small portion of your favorite one or two dishes, and load the rest of your plate up with veggies and low-fat dips. Some great options are salsa, guacamole, and other vegetable-based dips. Read More »