Boston: Ringing in the New Year

Starting off the New Year in Boston was an auspicious beginning of 2013.

My friend and I had afternoon tea at his loft in Charles Street, strolled down Newbury Street and watched The Queen of Versailles. Later, I met up with my boyfriend and helped him and his friends get their New Year's Eve party organized at their apartment. The apartment was not broken in yet--they had just moved in less than 24 hours prior--to the extent that cable and WiFi weren't set up. We were all staring at our cellphones and the oven clock waiting for when it came close to midnight, but none of us minded. It was one of the many things that made the night that much more memorable.

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The stroke of midnight not only brought in a new year, but also celebrated the second year anniversary my boyfriend and I have been together.

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We tried to go to La Voile on Newbury for our anniversary lunch, somewhere I have been setting my sights on for a while. Unfortunately, by the time it would have opened at 2:00, I would have barely made it to my 3:06 Amtrak train. Instead, we went to Max Brenner on Boylston, another restaurant I have been meaning to go to. 

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I can happily say that 2012 is over with and I am ready to start off with a clean slate, though I still have yet to make my resolutions...

Narragansett: Eve of New Year's Eve



Happy Eve of the Eve of the New Year!

 

As New Year's Eve approaches, I tidied the house--except my bedroom, which could probably use a cleaning overhaul itself--and packed up for tomorrow in Boston. I packed my new Greylin tank from my boyfriend, gold Coach platforms and gold Juicy Couture jacket in my new Jack Wills overnight bag. Absoultely fabulous.

 

On a not-so-fabulous note, I did a botch job on my manicure. It could be worse, but I am happy I got to play around with these nail polishes from Jack Wills. Next time I will stick to solid manicures.

 

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I already covered most of the basic tips already, but here are a few small suggestions to add to your regimen last minute. I hope these friendly reminders help you make a more glamourous entrance to the 2013!

 

Three Day DIY Prep for New Year's Eve: Day 3

 

Drink water. Exercise. Reduce sweets. Sleep.

 

Nail it and get a manicure--The day before an event is the best time to get your nails done. Pick a fun color combination to ring in the New Year!

 

Don't fill up on seconds--Before you decide you really need it, drink a glass of water and wait fifteen minutes. Sometimes a drink of water is all you needed.

 

Have a spot of green tea--Green tea is a great for many things, including your complexion. Have several cups of the brew during the day.



Narragansett: Snowed In and Day 2 of NYE Beauty Prep

I started to plan a short trip to Wakefield or Jack Wills in Newport when the icy rain started to fall, so naturally, I stayed in the house. It snowed several inches today and will continue to do so until midnight or later tomorrow. 

I downloaded HuluPlus on my tablet and found Elite New Face, a HuluPlus exclusive television show about Elite Model Management's search for the next hot international model. I like it so far and I hope that there are more fashion-related shows available on HuluPlus to hold me over until the new season of Downton Abbey premieres next year--Sunday January 6, 2013 on PBS.

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For the second day of my beauty prep for New Year's Eve, I will admit I did not do as well as I should have, but here goes nothing:

Three Day DIY Prep for New Year's Eve: Day 2

Keep drinking water!

Get up and move--Thankfully it's not yet bikini season, but doing a light workout will make you feel better when you slip into your dress on the big night. Also, by starting a workout before the New Year, it will make your healthy resolutions hold up. I like finding workouts on Pinterest and trying them out at my leisure (you can check out my fitness board here).

Give your sweet tooth a break--Reducing the amount of sweets you're eat will help cancel out the inevitable overindulgence of food and drink on New Year's Eve. Your mid-section will thank you.

Spot treatment any problem areas--If you still have blemishes, be sure to keep treating them with a dab of a mask or other blemish therapy. Apparently a small dab of toothpaste is rumoured to help bring them down...?

Sleep--You will be staying up plenty late enough New Year's Eve. Rest up!

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Today's Outfit--I found a few sweaters in Connecticut yesterday brought them back. This is a lambswool and angora blend sweater in lavender that was once my grandmother's.

Wilton/Narragansett: Planned Primping for New Year's Eve

With three more days until spending New Year's Eve in Boston, I thought it best to start a beauty schedule to look my best. In retrospect, I could have thought about this earlier and started Christmas night, but I am not a  16 year old sophomore in high school getting ready for her predator senior prom date. Instead, I am a 20 year old fashion addict looking for ways to pass the time on winter vacation before the spring semester starts up again. 

This is what happens when you have nothing else better to do--you create a short-term beauty regimen for your boyfriend's New Year's party. Wonderful. #futurehousewife

Three Day DIY Beauty Prep for New Year's Eve: Day 1

Give yourself a manicure sans nail polish--Remove any old nail polish, file and/or cut, moisturize, and push down your cuticles, but no need to pick a color. The reason why I suggest this is that it gives your nails a breather and you don't want chipped color. It's easy, even though it seems easier to push it off for the last minute.

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Use an exfoliating face scrub--It is recommended to exfoliate once a week, but it should help unclog pores at the last minute. I like St. Ive's Apricot Scrub or Dermae's Very Clean Scrub.

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Break out the cucumbers and do a facial--Why not give your complexion an extra boost? Many DIY facials available at the drugstore take 15 minutes or less.  Be sure to choose a facial that meets your skin needs. I have acne prone skin, so I like Teens Turning Green Astara Sunstar Purifying Mask or Queen Helene Grapeseed Peel Off Masque.

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Moisturize your feet--In the winter, your feet are more liable to be dry and rough. Before bed, soften your soles with a good foot creme and slip on a pair of socks overnight. I use Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme.

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Drink more water--This is a fail safe tip every magazine, newspaper, and blog advises because it works. Drinking water can help curb your appetite, because sometimes when you think you're hungry, you're actually dehydrated. Drink up!

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Belated New Year's Resolution

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I am already several blog posts in, and I haven't listed my New Year's resolutions yet...

If you want me to answer in the traditional list, I suppose my resolutions would be:

1. Being more punctual--> biggest challenge at university

2. Hit the gym at least three times... this semester

3. Professional college student business (networking, summer jobs, internships...)

4. Learn more about the business of fashion 

5. Read for class and for life

6. Remember to smile, even on a rainy day

That list is something I will try to go by--I just made it up on the fly, but it does sound legitimate, doesn't it?

To be honest, my real NYR actually one all encompassing idea: 

Accept what is before becoming what will be.

I came up with that saying a few days ago, and I believe it truly sums up what I have been trying to reach all along--accepting loved ones, luck (and misfortunes), and myself completely. Genuinely. Instead of fighting to become someone else, focus on what you love and what you have. 

Even though I love fashion, there is always a conflict running through my thoughts, because I know that valuing the "superficiality of sequins" will not bring happiness. The concept of wholly accepting everything that comes into your life, positive or not, is something I think a lot of people try to achieve. Even if something negative enters your life, accept it, learn from it, then move on to accept a more positive experience.