Why Won't Winter End?

Let me start off by saying this is going to be more of a rant than an actual fashion post. However, what I'm ranting about is completely relevant. I don't understand why winter just won't end. I don't know how to dress in the cold. I simply go into survivor mode. I throw on my Docs and a thick scarf and call it a day...which is honestly starting to make me sad.

I could come up with some creative looks if it were just cold. But I'm currently in Philadelphia and we just got over a foot of snow a couple days ago. How can you be cute and winter ready?! You can't. Well maybe you can but I haven't been able to figure it out.

I dread friends asking me to go out too. I mean, party dresses and thick tights don't mix. Plus, I wouldn't be caught dead going out at night without anything on my legs like some of these girls. I really don't know how they do it.

Point is, it needs to warm up soon, the snow needs to melt, and the sun needs to come out. I'm running out of ideas...and leggings to go under my jeans.

Golden Globes 2014 Best, Dressed

You all should consider yourselves very lucky today. Why? Well my laptop charger broke, which means I am writing this post from my phone. If my laptop was accessible, just know that I would have been rambling about each and every look because they truly took my breath away this year. Instead, a picture and caption will have to do. 

5. Olivia Wilde I love this simply because I love when an expecting mother shows off her baby bump with pride. She chose an attention-grabbing color, silhouette, and fabric and she couldn't look more stunning. 

4. Margot Robbie Oh my gosh. I fell in love with her after seeing The Wolf of Wall Street and her look just made me fall even harder. Simple, elegant, and effortless. Seriously, what's not to love? 

3. Emma Roberts Speaking of simple and elegant can we please take a moment to acknowledge the budding fashion phenom that Roberts is becoming? What makes the dress is the styling. The hair and jewelry allow the dress (and it's stunning neckline) to truly shine. 

2. Lupita Nyong'o Honestly I'm surprising myself by not making this look number one. I don't think I have to say much to convince you that this was a show-stopper, especially for a new comer. The color suited her complexion perfectly and she looked absolutely radiant. I'm trying so hard not to gush about this woman but I can't help it! She's perfection. Without a doubt this woman will completely alter this country's perception of beauty. It's about time. 

1. Emma Watson Had this been an ordinary dress, it would have been number two for me. But, it was a whole other story when she turned around. 

Watson's "fake out" won the hearts of fashion critics everywhere. It's ingenious really: a glamourous, red carpet appropriate look that's (get this) comfortable! Most likely the envy of every woman there, this look easily takes the crown. 

What were some of your favorites? I would love to know what you thought of last night's fashion so share your opinion in the comments section below!

My Top Products of 2013

With a full week of 2014 now comfortably under our belts, I figured I would take the time to share my favorite products of 2013...you know, before it gets too late.

• Skincare Hands down the St. Ives Apricot Face Scrub was my lifesaver this year. Whenever my skin was getting a little out of control, it brought it back down to reality. I'm sure at this point it goes without saying that my benzoyl peroxide cream and vitamin E oil were staples as well so I'll try to avoid sounding like broken record.
• Hair The winner would be Elasta QP's Olive Oil & Mango Butter Leave-In Conditioner. It smells good and keeps my hair soft and moisturized. What else do I need really?
• Body This one is actually kind of hard for me because I switch things up all the time. I think I'm going to go with True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere Body Cream. It's so moisturizing without being greasy and I get compliments every time I wear it. It literally smells like icing...which is obviously irresistible. 
• Fragrance I didn't wear much fragrance this year because I typically wore a very fragrant body cream. One I did use up though is the Forever Red scent by Bath and Body Works. I had the roller ball version (unfortunately they no longer sell that form) which I loved because I could just toss it in my purse and touch up throughout the day.
• Face (foundation, blush, bronzer, concealer) Well if you know me at all (or have read any of my previous posts) you would know that unfortunately I don't have an answer for any of these. While I know how to use each product, I don't use them because makeup is meant to cover blemishes and I am lucky enough not to have too many. However, I do want to branch out this year and test my makeup skills by doing my face for special events. Stay tuned. 
• Eyeshadow I was so scared I was going to hit pan on the shade Snakebite in Urban Decay's Naked 2 Palette. It blends so seamlessly with my complexion and I use it all the time. I'm in love. 
• Eyeliner I loved Rimmel's Kohl Kajal Eyeliner. It smudged when you wanted it to and stayed put when you needed it to. It also made a great base for black eyeshadow for a lasting smokey eye.
• Mascara It came out late in 2013 but I fell head over heels in love with L'Oreal's Voluminous Butterfly Mascara. Oh my gosh. I felt like my lashes would fly right off my face they were so long! I'm glad I stepped out of my Maybelline mascara trance (Although their line is equally wonderful. No one can deny their Falsies formula).
• Lips Although I tried other products this year, I kept gravitating towards the Revlon Lip Butters...and now I have three shades...and one I already had to repurchase. Our love affair was real in 2013.

I could go on with more categories but I'm sure you're bored by now because I'm definitely tired of looking at this computer screen. BUT if you would like a Top Products Part 2 let me know in the comments or on Twitter. 

Weekly Wishes #7 | Year Wishes

First of all, I wanted to wish all of you a very Happy New Year. I hope that 2014 has been treating you well thus far. It has for me. As opposed to doing a typical weekly wishes, I've decided to make this post one wish for the year.

Like most people I have dreams....Goals, aspirations, visions of how I picture my life going. Some of them are fleeting, just passing thoughts. Others are things that I dwell on and tug at my heart. Regardless of the size of the dream I want 2014 to be the year that I start working towards them. Some of them are pretty tall orders so I'm not going to set an unrealistic goal for myself. I simply want to stop just dreaming and start putting things in place. 

As the year goes on I may feel more open to share some of these goals. In fact, several involve the growth of this blog so you'll be along for the ride anyways. 

This won't be an exceptionally long post. I simply wanted to share with you what this year will be like for me, personally and professionally. I shouldn't be in the same position this time a year from now, and I won't be. 

What are you looking forward to in 2014? Any resolutions or goals? I would love to hear your stories either in the comments below or on Twitter.

To set your own wishes, make sure to link back up with The Nectar Collective and join the community!