I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes... Make your mistakes, next year and forever. ― Neil Gaiman

My Dearest Readers, I am one of those rare women who truly love New Year's Eve. I think it started with a secret. I would spend New Year's Eve as a child with my Aunt Elia while my parents went out. I always thought Aunt Elia was horribly glamourous with large diamond on one hand and a diamond cocktail ring on the other and on New Year's Eve she would let me stay up far past my bed time and watch the ball drop. It was our secret. Consequently there has always been something a little naughty about New Year's Eve. You can drink a little more than you should, wear shoes a little higher than you normal would, and skirts just bit shorter than you have any right to. Below is my perfect new years.

The Dress

(BCBG Babette Cutout Dress)

I always feel that your New Year's Eve dress should be the most fun dress you wear all year. Most of us are not going anywhere you really will need a ball gown for (and if you do have to wear a ball gown you may want to relook at your friends). If you are secretly a sex kitten who is preppy the rest of the year be sexy. If you are a tomboy wear a girly dress and throw a man's sweater over your shoulder.

The Shoes

(Vintage YSL - personal collection)

Yes, I know you are going to be standing all night and you are going to whine at me because your feet are going hurt but there is nothing that makes your feel more beautiful than a beautiful pair of shoes.

The Jewels 

(hometown girl Elizabeth Locke)

Be sentimental. Wear grandma's pearl drops or the charm bracelet you have been putting together since you were 9. 

The Cake

(Nigella's Nutella Cake - yep still love her recipes!)

While I do preach the dress I also preach the cake. It is your last night to eat like there is no such thing as calories and still blame it on your cousin Sarah's cream cheese and spinach rolls you ate at Christmas (she claimed they were healthy). Eat something beyond indulgent. 

The Champagne 

I am a scotch girl but there is something about New Year's Eve that demands something that sparkles. To make sure I am still awake at midnight I mix mine with OJ or Peach Puree or Absinthe (because it is not New Year's Day without a hangover).

Sincerely, 
Lipstick