Wow, great tips!! I am constantly editing my make-up box. I hate make-up that smells or looks dirty. I like Bobby Brown’s make up because it is usually very compact and it’s colors that I tend to use. Hence, when I run out I just buy another palette. However, I do have quite a bit of lipsticks that I am trying to push out buy using them and not buying new ones. I bought this clear make-up box by Sephora ($100) that if it gets too full then it barely closes, which forces me to purge. Since I hate tossing out good make-up, this forces me to control my over-buying of products. My new resolution is to sterilize my make-up brushes every Friday. Mac sells a nice sterilizer for $10.

I was watching a fashion show that said, bras needed to be replaced every 6 months! Wow, how many of us have bras since high school?

Patricia….if you are careful to rotate your bras, hand wash and air dry them, you can get a year out of a good quality bra. Also, don’t wear your day to day bras to the gym. Make sure you have the rght kind of bra for each activity. This will help your bras last a bit longer. Think of your bras as the foundation of your outfit. (Sorry if I sounda little bra preachy, I am a bit of a bra freak.)

My resolution is to start getting rid of things and not bother buying anything to replace them with. I’m on a student budget right now and really have no right to be spending like a maniac. Perhaps a student shopping guide is in order for 2008?

This is a super New Year’s resolution Patricia. You have inspired me. And you are spot on about your bra-preaching Nicole. I love that you are a bra freak.

I would like to add a few more pretty and funky necklaces to my current collection. I never used to be a “costume” jewlery kind of gal until my husband bought me a piece of kokopeli wearable art. Now, wearing a funky necklace has become my signature style. It’s incredible how the right necklace can make a blouse or sweater pop. I also love the look of chunky, funky bracelets, but I can’t work with them, so don’t bother wearing them very often.

Speaking of bras, I visited Intimacy in NYC last February and invested in 3 expensive bras. It was $$ well spent and it has made a difference in my (slowly sagging) appearance. I was amazed at the size that they actually put me in. Treat yourselves and keep an open mind.

This is music to my ears Nicole. I am personally “a necklace girl” and have consciously made a style choice NOT to wear any other form of jewelry other than the odd cocktail ring (and my wedding ring).

Necklaces are part of my daily uniform and signature style. I feel naked without one. My ensembles are seldom complete without the right necklace. I have cheap $14 necklaces, and those that cost a pretty penny. They all have their place and I enjoy their different looks all year round.

Another “little thing” I’m working on are my eyebrows. I’ve always been good about tweezing them and keeping them in shape…(My husband says I’m obsessed with them.) I’ve been letting them fill out a little bit. As my face matures, I find thicker, fuller brows look better. I’ve put off going thru this process because growing out your eyebrows can be more painful than growing out a bad haircut!

Brows frame the face and need lots of attention, whether it’s trimming, tweezing, dying or growing them out. Semi-shaped thick brows can look great (like actresses Jennifer Connelly and Kiera Knightly). Hang in there Nicole and shape from time to time as you grow out your brows.

Thanks for the words of encouragement Angie!

[...] are frequently “hidden” items that we need, but that we don’t like to purchase because we’d rather spend money on items that [...]

You’re right, nothing beats curling up on the couch after a long day in a chiffon robe. It’s also important to replace underwear regularly – I went through my drawer the other day, and about half of it I threw out! But that only means I have more room for new fun lingerie!