"All That Glitters"

The Times Square ball is not the only thing that’s going to glitter this New Year’s.

Sequins, metallic and gold – anything that sparkles in terms of dress, shoes and accessories – is a must for the last night of the year. This year, I plan on adding an element of shine in the form of jewelry: a chain-link Marni necklace (see left) inter-woven with satin ribbon, diamante stones and turquoise embellishment made from plastic.

Brighten up your party look with a sequin dress:

Dance the night away in this simple and easy-to-wear sequin dress by Parker ($297 by Revolve Clothing). Wear with solid tights and shoes, and add a layer of colorful rings and bracelets for a fine finish. Can’t splurge on a Parker dress? Go vintage with a sequin dress, like this New Year’s Eve dress with lace cap sleeves and beaded trim ($26 on etsy.com).

Parker $297 Etsy Vintage $26

Get your glitter fix with embellished shoes:

Slip into a pair of comfortable flats instead of the usual sky-grazing stilettos, but make sure you do it in style. Pick from a playful selection of ballerina flats by Juicy Couture faux jewels (see below), taffeta flowers and all-over sequins.

Fancy Feet

High shine with a sequined handbag:

Party with Marc Jacobs

If I had my way, I would party into the New Year with this sequined handbag with pebbled leather trim by Marc Jacobs for $716 on my arm. The bag has a chain link strap threaded with satin and a gold lock-in clasp. The handbag would add instant sparkle, not to mention luxe, to any New Year’s party ensemble. It isn’t too late to call Santa Claus and do an exchange on my gifts, is it?

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of yoox.com; revolveclothing.com; etsty.com; neimanmarcus.com; bluefly.com

'New Year's Party Decor Fun'

New Year's streamers

Let’s get this party started!

Not interested in spending $100 cover to reign in the New Year at a swanky nightclub in the city? Would you prefer to throw a New Year’s house party with some of your most intimate friends instead? Or do you plan on going upstate with a group for a New Year’s weekend of skiing and snow tubing?

If the answer is “yes” to the last two questions, don’t skimp out on the decorations.

Hang a set of streamers (see above) in the doorways and along the stairs, homemade from leftover holiday wrapping paper (see previous blog post for holiday wrapping recycling and reuse).

Streamers made from metallic circles remind us of the Times Square ball of lights. First, take some card stock and cut into circles, either varying the size or leaving them all in the same size. Cover with unwanted wrapping paper. Then, punch a hole into the top and bottom in all of the circles except for the last circle at the end of the streamer. Connect the circles using jump rings.

The countdown begins

Keep the countdown going by arranging all the clocks (and cellphones included) on a tabletop or mantle. Set the alarms to ring at the start of the New Year.

Offer your guests cocktails and champagne with party blowers on a silver platter.

Party hats for kids

Pass out party hats for the kids to wear using decorative paper and a curled party tassel. Cut the decorative paper into circles. Take two of the circles and bend slightly at the middle. Overlap the two circles so that they take the shape of a cone and tape in place. Glue the curled tassel at the top into place. Punch holes on either sides and attach ribbon to the party hat to create a tie fasten.

If you decide to pass out bags of confetti, remember to have a good vacuum on hand.

Make your New Year’s get-together a first night to remember with a few fun and easy touches your friends and family would be sure to appreciate.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of marthastewart.com

'Best Gift on Earth'

Before Christmas

The gifts, painstakingly wrapped and topped with glittery ribbon and bows, now lie in a heap on the floor. The trash cans quickly filled, the excess sits in plastic bags for the next garbage pickup.

Does this sound like you? Frankly, this situation applies to many.

Every year thousands families spend on decorative packaging, only to add to their waste after the holiday is over. This year, don’t forget to give a gift to Earth by recycling and reusing gift packaging in all its forms: ribbons, bows, gift bags, shirt boxes, etc,.

After Christmas

What to do with the following holiday trash:

Electronics

• You don’t need to throw out all your unwanted cameras, printers and computers in the trash can, or wait for a family member or friend to reuse it. Check with your local town or city to see when the next electronics recycling collection day. The collection days are always free for residents.

Tinsel

• Store and save for next year or reuse for a child’s school project.

Foam peanuts or Bubble wrap

• Call your town’s UPS or nearby shipping companies and ask them if they would like to reuse the materials for their own packaging.

Christmas Tree

• Unless your Christmas tree is plastic like mine, consider grinding down your live tree for mulch. Your best bet is to check with the local recycling officials for when trees can be dropped off or curb-side picked up.

Cardboard Boxes

• Save for re-use or recycle. But make sure to pull out any pieces inside the box that are not of cardboard material (plastic or foam pieces), or the cardboard box may be thrown in with the trash when taken to recycling.

Plastic Bags

• I always reuse plastic bags to line the trash bins in my home office and bathroom. However, you can also take the unwanted plastic bags to recycling stations at drug stores and groceries.

Plastic Packaging Pillows

• Save these for future packaging or shipping. Otherwise, pop the pillows until flat and also drop at your local drug store or grocery for recycling.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of flickr.com and alifedesign.blogspot.com