WHAT TO WEAR: NEW YEAR'S EVE DRESSES

The new year is just a few days away and that means over the top holiday parties. If you're like most women you have no idea what to wear but you want to look great. Here are a few selections that are sure to start the new year

off right.

METALLICS

BB Dakota, $88

Rare Opulence, $120

Halston Heritage, $277

JEWEL TONES

Aqua, $59

Calvin Klein, $126

Phoebe Coutoure, $261

RUFFLES AND BOWS

Reach into your girly side and tie it with a bow.

Alice & Olivia, $267

BCBG, $348

Wet Seal, $30

Marchesa, $357

BOWLMOR TIMES SQUARE OPENING

As if Times Square needed even more of a reason to draw a crowd! Bowlmor Lanes recently opened its doors for the first time to a host of attractive attendees including John Legend and girlfriend Christine Teigen, Brittny Gastineau, and NJ Housewife Danielle Staub. Guests enjoyed a night of free bowling in the seven bowling "lounges" spread across two floors. They also nibbled on tasty treats like mini tacos, pork dumplings, and vegetable spring rolls from executive chef David Burke.

While I did not put my bowling skills to the test, I did enjoy the festive atmosphere while waiting for John Legend to perform. (Sadly he did not, turns out he was only there to "hang out"). I guess celebrities get to enjoy a little leisure time too.

HEINEKEN INSPIRE EVENT

One of the things I love about New York is that it is full of surprises. On any given day you never know who you might meet or where you might end up. This weekend I happened to stumble across an event sponsored by Heineken. Not sure what to expect, it turned out to be much better than I could have imagined. Inside a huge loft space in lower Manhattan was a lounge area complete with a recording studio, free food, and of course, all the beer you could drink. But what came next was completely unexpected. Performances by J Cole, Cee Lo, and Nas.

Anthony Mackie (8 Mile, The Hurt Locker) and Justin Bua (urban artist) hosted the event.

J Cole did his thing

Pete Rock DJ'd and he brought out Dres from Black Sheep

Cee Lo Green looked smooth in his all white ensemble. His all girl band even wore white lace outfits.

The headliner Nas was fly as always.

LEXUS/CFDA ECO FASHION CHALLENGE

The Council of Fashion Designers of America teamed up with Lexus to honor the top ten sustainable fashion designers of the year. The event, held at Skylight Studios featured boards showcasing each of the 10 eco friendly designers. Each finalist had to have a fashion line that included at least 25% sustainable materials.

Three winners took home $25,000 each. The prize money will go towards their upcoming shows for Fall 2011. And the winners were...

Monique Pean

Costello Tagliapietra (left, in their signature plaid)

Maria Cornejo

Left to right, Scott Hahn (cofounder Loomstate.org), Maria Cornejo, Jeffrey Costello, Monique Pean, Robert Tagliapietra, Andrea Lim (marketing manager, Lexus),

Steven Kolb (executive director, CFDA)

An artistic model of the CT 200h, Lexus's new compact hybrid vehicle

MJB SUNGLASSES

Everyone who knows me knows I love Mary J Blige. So I was thrilled to hear that she was launching her own line of sunglasses called Melodies by MJB. Sold exclusively at Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman, the shades come in four types, aviator, oversize glam, oversize round, and metal frame. Check them out!

American Apothecary Halloween Event

This weekend I attended a cocktail party at the American Apothecary showroom in NY. The masquerade party was to showcase their latest line of medicinal t-shirts featuring heroin, cocaine, and cigarettes as remedies once used to treat illnesses. Call it fashion for a cause: ten percent of all proceeds go to drug outreach programs.

FASHION WEEK 2010: PARIS

Paris is known for the Eiffel Tower, croissants, and and cheese. But it is also home to some of the most renowned fashion designers in the world. This year they did not disappoint as they pulled out all of the stops for their Spring 2011 collections.

CHRISTIAN DIOR

This collection made me want to run to the beach. I absolutely adore the floral prints and the bright pops of color.

The sailor hat was the perfect accessory for this nautical inspired look.


Check out designer John Galliano's ensemble. Pippi Longstocking meets Popeye the Sailor Man!

LOUIS VUITTON

Leave it to designer Marc Jacobs to put a modern twist on several fashion classics. These silky floral print gowns are super sexy and sleek.

These pieces reminiscent of 1920's flapper dresses definitely have fringe benefits.

I've never seen animal prints like this before. MJ takes it to another level.

HERMES

This collection was definitely inspired by the wild, wild west. The cowgirl becomes sexy with the following looks. But who is going to wear all of that leather this coming Spring? These outfits are hot...literally!

Although the palette features mostly neutral colors of blacks, browns, and greys, there were a few specks of color mixed in.