Now that Santa has come and gone and 2007 is nearing an end, your thoughts may be turning to New Year’s resolutions. If you are like me, every year you resolve to lose weight/stop smoking/work on your debt/make new friends or whatever…but don’t really stick to it. But I’ve got a great resolution that is easy to stick with and just as easy to do; take care of yourself!

This may seem obvious, but if you really think about it, you may not be taking care of yourself like you should. Whether you are a new mom who has let yourself go a bit (ME!), a hardworking student who hits the books a little too hard, or just never learned to pamper yourself, then now is definitely the year to start. Check out these easy beauty and fashion New Year’s resolutions to get your groove back and start taking care of #1 again:

1 ) Hair: I’ve had the same old haircut for a few years now, and although I love it, sometimes it’s just so BORING. This new year, I resolve to do my hair more. I’ve already started actually…the Conair Infiniti Nano hair setter makes it really really easy to get fabulous Hollywood waves.

Conair Infiniti Nano Hairsetter at Target

2) Makeup and Skin: Sick of bad acne? Resolve to make that dermatologist appointment. Then take thee to the MAC counter and get thineself a makeover. Ask the cosmetologist for a night and day look that’s easy to apply and wear.

3) Health and Fitness: No more excuses! This is part of taking care of yourself…go to the doctor for an annual checkup, go to the “lady” doctor and get your Pap, and most importantly, start eating well and moving your butt. Need some inspiration? Queen Latifah just signed on to be the new spokesmodel for Jenny Craig…her message is more geared towards healthy living than squeezing your butt into a size six.

The Queen (source)

4) Mind and Soul: Been dying to learn Cajun cooking? Still have some unresolved issues about your mom? Wanna get back to some religious roots? Then do something about it! Whether you want to take a new cooking class, visit a therapist or rediscover a religion, then this is the time. Make time each week for your mind and soul; yoga is a great option for mind and body.

5) Fashion: Flats looking a bit scuffy? Only one dress in your closet? Jeans don’t fit quite right? Then resolve to make yourself look fab! Hire a stylist or personal shopper for the day if you are absolutely clueless about what looks are right for you, or just bring a fashionable friend to the mall for a day. My fashion resolution is to wear more pretty things (baby food stained tee shirts be gone!) and I’m going to start with this cute and versatile dress from Yu Clothing:

Yu Clothing, 10707

It may seem like a big order to fill, but resolving to take care of yourself is the best New Year’s resolution you can make. You owe it to yourself to ring in the new year right, and after all; if you don’t take care of yourself, then who will? Even if this whole package is too much, just pick one of the five facets of total well-being and you will be on your way to a happier, healthier you!

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Tempura Platform Sandal from Patricia Field for Payless, $40

Hollywould for Target Satin Clutch, $19.99

Holiday parties are right around the corner…you may already be celebrating eight nights of Hanukkah or have an office Christmas party to attend soon. Either way, you are going to need something to wear.

Between decorations, gifts and all of the other costs that this time of year brings, it’s hard to budget in cute looks for yourself too. You don’t have to blow all of your Santa dollars to look merry and bright though; invest in a few good universal pieces and one item you really love to make your holiday look sparkle!

Right now, Payless is really stepping up their game and bringing more and more great designers to the masses. Patricia Field’s new line is no exception and makes it possible for you to have the hottest new looks at a fraction of department store prices.

Target is also a good resource for great accessories and budget trends…their Hollywould line of bags are particularly cute and are an affordable way to punch up an outfit.

Black Silk Dress by Boaz, $215

If you have the extra yuletide funds, spend your holiday greens on a great dress you can wear to any occasion. This one from Boaz is unique, sexy and very now and still priced way below similar designer frocks!

Snap up some deals for yourself this holiday season from Payless, Target and LeFashionista because afterall…great fashion is the gift that keeps on giving!

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Q&A: Essential Pieces for a Preppy Look [Omiru]

A: First a bit of fashion history for you: preppy fashion is derived from White Anglo Saxon College Preparatory School uniforms. Read entire story.

Priv“it” View - Marc Jacob’s [The It Lists]

“Private” comes as a book of photographs housed in an exclusive Louis Vuitton monogrammed case designed by Marc Jacobs. Read entire story.

Mary-Kate Olsen In Nylon [Style IT]

Holiday gifts for Her [Chic Intuition]

Decor Couture: Rosanna [Couture Cult]

Sephora Stunner [Shopaholics Anonymous]

Contest: Recruiting for Tot Snob Fashion Show! [Moms' Buzz]

Don’t forget to enter our Hot Giveaway…TIGI Bedhead “Light Me Up!” Curling Iron and Straigtener

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Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and Nicky Hilton (source)

As a big fan of theme events, I was so stoked to hear about Nicole Richie’s Wizard of Oz baby shower. The expectant mom (due in January) enjoyed an over-the-rainbow theme complete with A-list guests and Oz-themed games.

You may not have the resources to have celeb planner Mindy Weiss organize your next fete, but with these tips, you can easily throw a classy themed party for a friend, or for fun!

Candy Bar

I just did one of these for my Halloween-themed wedding and it was a big hit! You can have a standard candy bar or one tailored to match your theme.

Centerpieces

Dorothy check gingham tablecloths, ruby slippers, and Toto pic-nic baskets completed the look for this party! The centerpieces are one of the biggest details in making your “theme” party work, so consider everything from the napkins to the glassware and other accents.

The party also reportedly had a live band playing tunes from the movie as well as a candy lined yellow brick road.

Best of all, for me, was the fact that Richie donated all of her gifts to her new foundation for mother’s in need. This foundation, started with boyfriend and “baby-daddy” Joel Madden,  is called the Richie-Madden Foundation, which also benefited from this event.

So the next time your BFF is expecting, don’t throw a boring old baby shower…dig deep and get creative for an A-list style shower!

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Elle’s Holiday Gift Guide…for every fashionable person in your life!

Leave it to Elle to dig up great holiday gifts for everyone on your list…from the littlest ones to the hardest to please, their holiday gift guide is your one stop workbook for great ideas.

Elle makes it easy to find family gifts by compartmentalizing them into types…is your sister and her family vying to be the next TomKat? Then they are probably “New Traditionalists” and would love posh baby clothes and furniture or high end classical home goods.

Is your best friend or brother always globe trotting? Elle has looked to the Jolie/Pitt family for worldly inspiration…distressed leather goods,  luggage and other travel goodies are perfect for them.

The Beckham family is the perfect face of the “Weekend Warrior” family…and I think that everyone knows one of them. Whether your nieces and nephews are really into cheerleading or soccer or your boyfriend is a sports nut, these classy gifts are just the ticket.

This holiday season, don’t get your usual default presents…enjoy holiday shopping again with the help of Elle’s holiday gift guide!

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In Hollywood, it’s hard to keep a big secret like having a little one on the way! Especially in our society where every inch of a celeb’s waistline is constantly scrutinized. They all seem to be so secretive about it too, and can you blame them? It used to be bad luck to announce a baby before the third month, and it’s an emotional time for anyone.

Luckily for you future moms-to-be, you’ve got some A-listers out there showing you how to rock it pregs style. Whether you want to keep an in-law guessing or just don’t want to wear your typical maternity-style clothes, check out these looks for inspiration:

Jennifer Lopez source

Halle Berry source

Nicole Richie source

Trapeze tops and dresses are numero uno with these ladies, and can you blame them? It’s a super cute look whether you have a bun in the oven or not. They keep their trapeze tops and dresses from looking more “hot mama” and less “muumuu” by adding cute accessories, shoes, bags and hot hair and makeup.

If you’re expecting a little bundle of joy, take a tip from some of these celeb mom’s-to-be and dress like you are fabulous…and not just like you are expecting!

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Today I happened to notice that I dressed my baby and myself in nearly identical matching t-shirts for our daily jog. My first reaction was to smack myself in the forhead for being such a nerd, but then I realized I was not alone:

Exhibit A: Gwen Stefani and Kingston (source)

Gwen and baby Kingston are always perfeectly turned out in some form of rock n’ roll chic. Right down to his toes, this kid emulates his mom’s L.A.M.B. style of everything mismatched and super cool. I think he’s even wearing her shades here…cute!

Exhibit B: Jennifer Garner and Violet (source)

Jenn Garner’s little “mini-me” Violet also gives her mom casual fashion cues…double side parts and girlie barrets make for a cute matchy matchy look.

Exhibit C: Katie, Suri and Tom Cruise (source)

The Cruise family takes it to a new level and keeps everyone in the same style! Suri and mom sport nifty trenches while Katie and Tom tied on his and hers scarves.

So let us know…is “family style” matching sweet…or sickening?

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