Ring in 2011 with Self-Love + Self-Indulgence

Or, what to do with all that Christmas money (or whatever was amounted from your respective holidays), cash and otherwise. Read title as: How to Spend Christmas Money Efficiently, Successfully, and Without Regret on YOU. So, no, you do not need that dinky little keyring, however adorable it may be. But that leather bag you’ve been eyeing for over a year? That, mes chéries, you need.

This is the holiday gift guide for you. All other days of the year, save, New Years and your birthday, are spent thinking, doing, giving to others. School. Work. Parents. Friends. Boyfriends. The local shelter. While it’s entirely gratifying to be selfless, it can become overbearing; you forget about your own needs and desires. And in your quest in achieving perfect selflessness, you forget those wants. Show yourself some love, for a change. You’re entitled to self-indulgence: you deserve it:

• Lacy Little Unmentionables. Victoria’s Secret’s renowned “5 for $25” is my weakness. Yes. I have a weakness for lacy little thongs in obscene colors, prints, and sprinkled with rhinestones and sequins. Regardless of whether or not any boy sees them, you can’t help but admit that pretty underthings make you feel that much sexier. And they don’t leave the dreaded panty lines: your wardrobe will thank you for that.

• Big Black Leather Bag. Chic, practical, totally necessary. Splurge a little beyond what you’d usually spend. It’s the BBLB. Big Black Leather Bag. It’s an investment piece, and everyday luxury. Don’t hold back, woman. As long as you’re within your means, of course—I will not be held responsible for a winter without proper heating or a month of a strict ramen diet in an attempt to purchase a designer bag. I like this one: the slouchy “Stanton” by B. Makowsky in a stingray-embossed leather.

• Candles. I kid you not when I say that Homemade Cookies from Bath & Body Works is deeelish. Candles are the perfect way to completely de-stress and actually relax: no laptop, no cellphones, nothing. Just you, a cup of herbal tea, a few lit candles, and a copy of Eat Pray Love to wind down.

• Statement Baubles. Necklaces, in particular. I have a penchant for Gemma Redux‘s collection of statement necklaces, but they’re luxuries. Forever 21 has a massive selection at $20 tops; like Coco Chanel, I’m a huge advocate for costume jewelry. They’re perfect to dress up a loose tee and jeans combination (à la the Olsens), make a blazer less professional and more edgy, or add interest to an LBD. Chains and stones and baubles oh my!

• Nude Pumps. I love black pumps. In fact, I only own black shoes; after all, they go with everything and anything. But few women acknowledge that a nude pumps can take you far beyond their black counterpart: they’re far more versatile (sometimes black just doesn’t go with a dress that isn’t an LBD), helluva sexier, and get this: they create the illusion of über long legs.

• Leopard-print Heels. Think sex kitten on heels. The perfect addition to an all black outfit—cigarette pants, cashmere turtleneck—and work appropriate. Meee-oww!

• Anything Lululemon. We must look cute when exercising. Think of it as an extra push to motivate you to actually work out. Walk the treadmill, dance, or do yoga in style.

• Mini Cupcake Maker. Totally genius and undeniably adorable. Mini means half the calories, so here’s to a bit of self-indulgece!

• Coffee Table Books. I’m a book worm. But avid reader or not, coffee table books always look lovely stacked on a glass table, available at your perusal should you want to light that vanilla candle, sip a cappuccino, and flip through beautiful pages for inspiration. The Big Ass Book of Crafts is a sassy edition; as of late I’ve been restless (currently on break and at home!) and thus itching to do something productive with all this time on my hands.

Here’s to self-love, self-indulgence, and the last days of 2010!

.   .   .

x