New Year's Resolutions

It's crazy how much things can change in just one year, and this year for me proved that! Do you have any New Year's Resolutions? Here are mine, I'd love to hear yours!

1. Be more understanding of my boyfriend

2. Start learning to drive a car again

3. Put away $20 every week into my savings

4. Be more understanding in general; the world does not revolve around my needs

5. Stay true to myself

6. Be more realistic with my money (aka when I have $150 to spend, don't buy a $100 sweater)

7. Put more of an effort into my appearance when going to class. A nice start would be to put makeup on. 

8. Remember my priorities; Zac, family, friends, my work, and myself. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 1

Kate Middleton's stunning Alexander McQueen bridal gown for her marriage to Prince William. Everyone has talked about this dress so much that I'm sure there is nothing I could say that you haven't already heard. Bottom line; stunning;y beautiful and perfect for the occasion. Exactly how I would picture a true princess getting married. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 2

Rachel McAdams in a red lace and beige tulle Marchesa dress at the Cannes Film Festival. This was the second time this year that I saw a dress and my jaw dropped (the other one is in the number 1 spot...). This was such a bold choice for Rachel, and I can't imagine anyone else pulling of this dress better that she did (I think she looks even better than the model did!). Great hair, amazing dress, and great satin nude pumps to match. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 3

Eva Longoria in a black Zac Posen gown. Eva looked gorgeous right after her split from hubby Spurs player,Tony Parker. How could he ever cheat on this? Hands down gorgeous. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 4

Nina Dobrev in red layered Donna Karen at the Emmy Awards. The dress is stunning, her hair looks gorgeous, her necklace brings up the stun factor on the dress just enough that it's super glam, without overdoing it. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 5

Mila Kunis in a lilac and lace trimmed Elie Saab gown. There is no way around it, this dress is stunning and completely gorgeous on Mila, who is another star who had a heck of a great year in the style zone. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 6

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu with Jimmy Choo strappy sandals and Van Cleef & Arpels jewels at the MET Gala early this year. Diane is a huge fan of Jason Wu, wearing his gowns quite often on the red carpet. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 7

Hailee Steinfeld in Prada at the Screen Actors Guild. Hailee is definitely one to watch for the future. She's made such an impression on the fashion scene that Miu Miu asked her to be the face of the label. This was the moment that Hailee asserted herself, and she looks age appropriate and fabulous. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 8

Pippa Middleton in Alexander McQueen at the Royal Wedding this past spring. As someone who slept on the couch so I would already be in place when waking up for the Royal Wedding at 4am, I was thrilled by two things regarding Pippa; that the wedding party was all dressed in white (hmm, I wonder where Kim Kardashian got that idea from...) and that I had no clue who this stunning bridesmaid was, but she looked damn good in her dress. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 9

Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada at the Cannes Film Festival. Gwyneth had a long list of great fashion choices this year, but this was my favorite. The champagne-peach color flatters her fair skin tone, and she really brought the glamour with a great pair of chandelier earrings and a bold pink lip. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 10

Rachel McAdams in Marchesa at the L.A. premiere of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. I adore dresses like this, with a modest neckline in the front and a seductive back. Look for another memorable McAdams moment in the top 5...

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 11

Reese Witherspoon in Armani Prive at the Academy Awards. The recently wed star looks very chic and old Hollywood in this sleek black and white gown that she added color to with a great pair of Neil Lane green drop earrings and a high ponytail. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 12

Angelina Jolie in a chocolate Versace gown at the Cannes Film Festival. At first glance I wasn't sure if I liked this dress on Angelina at all, but the more I looked at it, the more I liked it. Chocolate is not a color that you usually see on the red carpet and she pulled it off. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 13

Emma Stone in a floral Lanvin gown at the MET Gala honoring Alexander McQueen. Emma was definitely one of the ultimate style stars of the year, and this was one of my favorites of hers. Her dress has the bold appearance of a black and white movie and then gets put in technicolor with her hot pink lipstick.

Happy Christmas Eve!

Photo via N1Ki

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 14

Zoe Saldana in Armani Prive with Nicholas Kirkwood pumps at the Cannes Film Festival. This was a bold choice with bold color, a big print, and a large bow. But Zoe pulled it off and looks great. The shade of red with the white is perfect of Zoe's skin tone. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 15

January Jones in a gold embroidered Carolina Herrera gown. I have always been a fan of what January wears on the red carpet (not to mention that I love her name and wish I could change my name to January Jones), and this gown was definitely one of her best choices. The breaks in the lace around her waist and then at her thighs is very flattering.  

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 16

Blake Lively in a white Chanel gown. Blake has never been one to shy away from risky red carpet choices, especially when the outfit comes from Chanel, the brand that gave her a contract to be the face of it's handbag line. This dress was just risky enough; lots of embellishment, but it an easy color and a great loose braid with light makeup. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 17

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive, co-hosting the Oscar's. When I first saw Armani's Spring Couture 2011 collection, I wondered how it could be worn without seeming so futuristic. So I was thrilled to see this gown on Anne at the Academy Awards. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 18

Angelina Jolie in a peach Elie Saab gown at the Sarajevo Film Festival. I like this dress in particular because it looks loose and comfortable, but has an airy and sophisticated look about it. Demonstrating that even at red carpet events, there is a way to be comfortable and fashionable, ladies!

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 19

Emma Watson in a silver confection by Elie Saab. Love the detail on this dress, the color is perfect for Emma's skin tone, and her makeup and hair are flawless. I imagine myself wearing this dress in my dreams. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 20

Gemma Arterton in a black velvet Yves Saint Laurent gown with a blue silk sash. This outfit  has all the things that I love; velvet, bows, red lipstick, and a very sparkly clutch purse. Gorgeous. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 21

Rihanna in a white Max Azria pantsuit and Christian Louboutin point toe nude pumps. I love her take on the men's suit; it looks masculine but has a feminine cut and low neckline. Not to mention that her hair color looks amazing with this. 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 22

Jessica Alba in a one-shoulder Gucci dress. Not only is this a great picture of Alba, I love the sparkle of the dress and the way that the sleeve drapes. It would be a perfect dress for New Year's Eve!

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 23

Naomi Watts in a gold Calvin Klein mini shift dress. The dress is perfect, hair is perfect, shoes are perfect. Perfect example of how keeping it simple can go a long way (she isn't even wearing any earrings!). 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 24

Camilla Belle in Gucci (literally, everything is Gucci). The color blocking trend was huge this year, but this is probably my favorite example of how to do it right and how it can look great. 

Jennifer Aniston Loves....Valentino

Even though Jen sticks to the neutral palette of Valentino's collections, she still looks awesome! 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 25

Kate Bosworth in Burberry Prorsum in London at the labels show. Kate is one of the only people in the world who could pull off this all leather and stud look. Plus, check out the amazing detail on the leather skirt!

How To Feel Put Together Every Day

 

Accessorize A Bun

This is an easy and inexpensive way to make a running-for-the-door hairstyle classier and more fun. Try these Water Lily Clips from Anthropologie for $15. 

Throw on a Blazer

This can instantly dress up a plain tank top and jeans, just like Kate Moss did above. Try one in a fun color like this Schoolboy Blazer in Wool Flannel from J.Crew for $188 (and the wool is perfect for winter weather!). 

Keep Up Your Manicure

This is by far one of the easiest things that you can do, plus the process is kind of fun. In order for your mani to last as long as it can, make sure to add a great top coat over your color. Check out my favorite brand, Essie, and their hundreds of colors. 

Splurge On Accessories

Think timeless, not trendy. Try to avoid large gaudy labels like the huge Chanel C's or flashy prints if you are going to splurge. Because wouldn't you rather pay $300 for a black leather everyday purse than a glitter clutch that you maybe take out once a year? Get your money's worth! If your feet can take it (and it's appropriate for your lifestyle) try and wear heels whenever you can, they are an instant outfit maker. 3 inches is the ideal heel height you should look for. Kate Spade makes great quality bags that are always classy like their Mott Street Fisher bag that goes for $345.

Pile On The Bracelets

Make sure that the bracelets are thin and in neutral colors so they can match with everything. These bangles from Chamak by Priya Kakkar are great, plus they are on sale for $35 from an original price of $80!

Keep Up Your Complexion 

Not only does it look good, but it makes you feel good too! Not sure what the right cleansing routine is for you? Take this quiz  by clicking on the Skincare Consultation Box on the left hand column on the skincare portion of the Sephora website to find the right routine for you! 

Glam Up Your Makeup Routine

This is another small thing that can just make you feel more put together. Something as simple as splurging on a fancy powder compact can make you want to show off that mirror whenever you take it out, like this Estee Lauder 'Prosperity' Powder Compact that retails for $75 at Nordstrom. 

Via. Instyle.com 

Top 40 Best Dressed of 2011: Number 26

Halle Berry in Elie Saab. The off-the-shoulder cut and waist band of this red lace dress accentuates Halle's toned figure, and she let the dress shine with simple stud earrings and one diamond bangle. 

Sunday's Shoes

Manolo Blahnik

Swan Embellished Pump in Cranberry (also in white and black).

$1,295 at Neiman Marcus

Great Oscar de la Renta Moments

Oscar de la Renta and Oprah Winfrey, in Oscar's design. 

Rachel Weisz 

Lea Michele 

Rihanna 

Carrie Bradshaw in the final 6th season of Sex and the City

Oscar de la Renta is quickly becoming my favorite designer of all time. Everything he makes is classy and sophisticated but with a fun twist to it (color, print, sparkle, etc.)