Cheers to Sparkling Bright in 2014!


Wanted to share some NYE traditions from around the globe. Eating beans on NYE is popular in many places: in the South of the US they eat black eyed peas, in Japan they eat black soybeans, and in Italy and Brazil they eat lentils. The idea is that it gives you prosperity for the new year. Ecuadorians burn pictures from the past year or realistic looking scarecrows to purge negativity. People in Turkey believe that if they do good deeds for others it will bring greater happiness for them in the new year. In Denmark they throw plates at their friends doors, the more broken plates you have the more friends you have. In Spain they eat 12 grapes (of luck) when the clock hits midnight. In Greece, they make special bread that is baked with a coin inside it.  The person who has the piece of bread with the coin receives good luck for a year.

When I was a kid I used to love watching the ball drop on TV in NYC with all the confetti! This year I'll be rocking an amazing cocktail dress with purple sequins of course. Whatever your traditions are I hope you sparkle louder on New Years!

I wanted to post a recap of some of my favorite posts of the year. I did a mini recap for my 200th post, but here are some other favorite posts of mine. I feel I've accomplished a lot this year documenting my life and just things I like on this blog. If you enjoy reading my blog make sure you follow me on bloglovin so you get an email in your inbox when I post a new post. It's a great way to follow all your favorite blogs in one combined daily email.

Warm accessories                                    Military chic                                 The white blazer
Shades of grey                                              Raingear                                    Street Style
Shoe closet                                                 Jewelry storage                        Nail polish display
Packing Tips                                             Plane snacks                 Panama rainforest (wild monkey attack)


       Riri Woo                                             Fix a broken lipstick                        Nars Blonde Venus



If you're hosting a NYE party tomorrow here's an appetizer idea.

If you didn't get any beauty products in your Christmas stocking this year and you need some ideas on what to spend your Christmas gift cards on, here are a few items that I have been coveting lately at Sephora that you might like too.

1. Even though I'm a MAC cosmetics addict, I've seen lot of people wearing the Urban Decay Naked Palette. And while I normally shy away from brown eye shadow, preferring bright colors, I really like the looks I'm seeing from this palette.


2. I experimented with the Oil Cleansing method for all of a week, it would be nice to get it all conveniently packed in a bottle by Boscia. 


3. My lips have been super dry this month, I keep hearing people say how Fresh Sugar is the best stuff ever for lips so I've been wanting to give it a try.


4. My hairdresser uses Invisible Oil when he blow dries my hair so it's been something I've been wanting to add to my hair routine. 


5. He also recommended I try Dior blue mascara, seems like a fun idea.


6. I read in the December issue of Allure magazine that this time of year you should use the best richest cream on your skin. For the face it recommended Origins A Perfect World Age-Defense Moisturizer with White Tea SPF 40. 


7. Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder is a skin mattifier to remove excess surface oil.


8. I like light pink/mauve shades of nail polish so this Marc Jacobs shade really caught my eye. 

I was incredibly honored to be part of a photoshoot with a bunch of lovely ladies: Hannah (lovealwayshannah) an Event Planner,  Ella (Start Close In Styling)  a Stylist who will help you restyle clothes you already have and all photographs are by Lauren (Lauren Modny Photography).   

Ella came up with these amazing theme ideas for the shoot.  She really inspired me to really style my outfits with belts and sweaters to have a more polished look. She's available for virtual styling of your closet for $50. Lauren just made us feel very relaxed and comfortable during the shoot. The other models Ashlynn and Sharlett were beautiful and such naturals in front of the camera and fun to work with! 

This is Ella's fireplace, not only does she have an eye for piecing outfits together, she has amazing interior design talents. She also had all the jewelry donated for the shoot.

Justin Timberlake on SNL