dial-an-outfit: for the working girl...

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One cute little outfit for the office this spring! The shift dress + ballet flats equation became one of my staples as a fashion intern last summer (humid New York City weather and constant running around make comfort a must.) Tying a chic scarf on to your old work tote is a great way to spruce it up for the new season and pull together a look. (dress, flats, gap.com; scarf, bananarepublic.com)

sparkle and shine!

The season of holiday parties may be dead and gone (much like the Christmas tree), but there’s no reason why you can’t infuse your late-night style with a little sparkle. Enter Frederic Fekkai’s limited edition Sparkling Shimmer Spray, which I happily agreed to test out at a recent hair appointment. It made my new blond highlights shimmer under the light – this is not your ‘90s teenybopper glitter, but a subtle “what did she do?” boost. Love! Available at sephora.com

skinny sipping.

You know it’s resolution time when Starbucks changes their marketing from shots of their festive drinks – Pumpkin Latte topped with whipped cream anyone? – to in-store ads for their “Skinny Latte”, which will set you back only 90 calories in the tall size. It’s just your basic latte made with skim milk, but doesn't it just make you feel oh-so-virtuous when it’s called the “Skinny”? My personal fave is a nonfat latte with a shot of sugar-free caramel or hazelnut syrup – which, my barista assured me this morning, is not made with aspartame (for all you skeptics of sugar-free products). For even fewer calories – because after a while even those “skinny” lattes can add up – I like to add a shot of sugar-free syrup to my regular bold-roast coffee, topped with a generous splash of soy milk (which - bonus - has the creaminess of full-fat milk but for way less calories.)

sweet as honey.

Another fave Christmas gift: a friend gave me a small pouch full of trial-size Burt’s Bees products. I’ve been a long-time user of their lip balm but had never tried out their body products. The Naturally Nourishing Milk and Honey body lotion included in the kit is absolutely amazing – absorbs well, softens skin, and smells like heaven (sort of lemony and creamy and sweet, but not overpowering – I’m in love!) I’ll keep the kit for tossing in my gym bag, but I’m definitely investing in a full-size version of this lotion for everyday. Available at just $9 a pop at www.burtsbees.com

glamour in a box.

One of my absolutely favorite gifts this Christmas was the adorable “Lights, Camera, Glamour!” make up palette from Too Faced cosmetics, which comes in a cute little box that opens up to become a kind of vanity, complete with mirror and tiny lights. The best part is you can pop the palette out and stash it in your tote with a couple brushes to have everything you need – blush, bronzer, shadow, pressed powder, liner, and gloss! – on hand for a full touch up at any time. Available at sephora.com (and a steal at only $40.)

want a nude attitude?

Classes don’t start again until the 7th, so for now I’m still at home enjoying hours of mindless television. One show that caught my eye was “How to Look Good Naked”, a British reality series that reminds me of a sexed-up, more in-your-face “What Not to Wear”. Host and style guru Gok Wan takes each week’s participant through a series of exercises designed to boost their body confidence – such as having them stand within a line-up of women based on what size they think they are, and then moving them to their correct position within the line-up based on what size they actually are. The women are always astonished to find that they are actually at least a few sizes smaller than they’ve always thought. He then takes the lucky lady shopping, introducing her to body shapers, figure flattering silhouettes, and fun accessories. Finally, each episode culminates in the subject posing for a nude photo shoot! While at first I thought it seemed contradictory to spend the bulk of the episode teaching participants how to dress only to then have their big reveal in the nude, the show relays the important message that it really doesn’t matter what you put on your body if you don’t love what’s underneath. Carson Kressly (of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” fame) is set to debut the American version of the show. Can’t wait!

in the navy...

I’m a little bipolar when it comes to my mani-pedi. For my toes I love classic, pretty, nudes with a twist – Essie’s Mademoiselle comes to mind. But on my fingers? I love dark polish. There’s just something about a deep purple nail that screams seductress (and if paired with giant sparkly cocktail ring for evening, so much the better.) It’s a little edgy, a tiny bit mysterious, yet totally chic when contrasted with a girly wardrobe. All summer long OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark was my polish of choice (if you haven’t experienced it for yourself, it’s a gorgeous dark eggplant with a hint of shimmer – a must-try!) But beauty editors are predicting a shift from black plum to the new navy blue (apparently Chanel’s new shade, Blue Satin, already has a waiting list!) I say why wait? At my last polish job I fell in love with two OPI shades – Russian Navy and OPI Ink. A shift away from the old vampy purples of last season – without losing one ounce of the drama.