Spring is finally here - can you believe it? For many of us, this winter was particularly harsh. It's time to break out of your winter hideout and soak up some vitamin D. I've partnered with two of my favorite brands, Sir Alistair Rai and Hanky Panky, to put together a plus size fashion & beauty giveaway worth entering.

What's inside:

A gorgeous shimmering peacock scarf from Sir Alistair Rai (no longer available)

Two pairs of Hanky Panky Retro Plus Size Thongs (one pink, one red)

Hanky Panky Lingerie Wash (my favorite)

Plus products by Boots, Carol's Daughter, Philosophy, Pure Silk and Matrix.

How to enter:

Leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite product from either Sir Alistair Rai or Hanky Panky is by March 22nd at 10pm. One entry per person. Comments without URLs to either brand's website will not be accepted. One winner will be chosen at random on March 23, 2011.

Good luck!

Last night was the annual Fashion 2.0 holiday party, also known as an excuse to get dressed up all fancy-like. It was a wonderful event, filled with colleagues, friends and even my mom joined us for the evening. While attempting to fall asleep one night, I was struck with an epiphany - I finally knew how I was going to wear the dress in the photo above. I'd purchased this dress during my last year in college when I worked at Lane Bryant. It was an online return that sat in the store until it was marked down from $300 to somewhere around $20. When I took it home, I didn't know how I would wear it, but I knew that I had to have it. It came with me from apartment to apartment - I wasn't going to give up. Turns out that a lace shirt, a nude bodysuit and a reason to wear the dress was all I needed!

Rhinestone earrings: Forever 21 (no longer available)

Lace top: Hanky Panky

Velvet dress: ABS for Lane Bryant (no longer available)

Nude bodysuit: Bare Necessities (more on how this came to be soon)

Shoes: Taryn Rose via Loehmann's

Photo by Eileen

Have you ever put together an outfit in your head and when you actually bring all the pieces together, it's just a bit out of your comfort zone? That is exactly how this outfit was for me. In theory, it seemed great and by the end of the night, I felt great (thanks to a few good friends). Where's the fun in playing it safe?

This particular evening was packed with events and parties, beginning with Cindy Crawford sharing some of her best skincare secrets at an event introducing us to her skincare line, Meaningful Beauty. Next, Lesley and I made our way to MAC Pro, for a cocktail event celebrating a collection of Bill Cunningham photos on exhibit in the space (open to the public for 2 weeks only). Finally, we ended the night at a nearby rooftop party, celebrating Sanctuary's Fall 2010 line. It was raining, with an accompanying thunder & lightning show that was truly magical to experience from the rooftop.

Leopard button earrings: Forever 21 (no longer available)

Nude lace shirt: Hanky Panky

Black wide leg, high waist pants: Lane Bryant (no longer available)

Gold crocodile bracelet: borrowed from Kristin Booker

Black peep toe, patent wedges: Taryn Rose

Photo by Lesley Forrester