This holiday season was a little rough (working in ecommerce + family visiting = many, many Jessie Spano moments). so I didn't get around to thinking about 2012 until...2012. I'm not typically one to make resolutions, as I believe that I am a work in progress and my evolution isn't dictated by the calendar. The more I thought about where I'd like to evolve to in 2012, including intellectually and aesthetically, I've found myself gravitating towards the following:

A Return To Pink

Last year, I fully embraced every shade of red, including abandoning some of my favorite pink lipsticks. This year, I'm making a conscious effort to bring back the pink. Some of my current faves:

• MAC's Pink Pigeon lipstick
• MAC's Mineralize Blush in Subtle Breeze
• Old Navy's Satin 3/4 Sleeve top in Fuchsia Fusion
• Marc by Marc Jacobs Memphis Colorblock Top Handle Satchel

A Different Spot

Almost every day, I will end up wearing at least one leopard item thanks to years of pure obsession. While leopard will never leave my heart, it's time to move on to - to polka dots! Here's a few pieces I've had my eyes on:

• Marc by Marc Jacobs Dot Print Scarf (already purchased!)
• Marc by Marc Jacobs Dotty Snake Print Shoulder Bag
• Lane Bryant's Sheer Moon Top

Serious Skincare

There are so many things that I know that I should do to properly take care of my skin, but I fall short almost daily. It's time that I get serious before time catches up with me and takes my sins out on my face. I've been making great strides (though not consistently) with a little help from my friends:

• Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Midnight Recovery Eye
• Philosophy Help Me
• Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30
• Artistry Time Defiance Cleanser

Reading Is Fundamental

Don't get me wrong - there's no way that I could begin reading Tolstoy, but it's nice to take the written experience away from blogging and back to the exploration of a story. I'm not one for serious topics, especially in my entertainment, but a few books I've enjoyed reading through lately have been:

• The Hunger Games trilogy (all three only took me four days to finish)
• Bringing Home The Birkin: My Life In Hot Pursuit Of The World's Most Coveted Handbag
• The Secret Of Chanel No 5: The Intimate History Of The World's Most Famous Perfume

What has the arrival of 2012 inspired you to change?

I love this time of year! After Halloween, I give myself permission to fully slip into fall/winter mode, with smokey eyes in the daytime, deep nail polish shades and anything that has to do with the holiday season. Now that we're a few days into November, i can fully enjoy all things warm, cozy & delightfully holiday. Before you run around looking for gifts and party dresses, don't forget to get yourself into the holiday spirit!

Fill your home with the smells of the holiday season

There is no better way to begin enjoying all the wonderful things that come with the holiday season than by filling your home with the scent of the holidays. Recently, I had the chance to try scents from NEST Fragrances Project Art Collection. These candles are so strong that removing candle's lid is enough to scent a small room. Once you light them, the scent spreads without being overpowering. A 22 oz candle retails for $24.99. The only down side? They're a little hard to find - look for them in Bed, Bath & Beyond or Hallmark Stores.

Get your lips into the mood

In my lip balm box (yes, box) I keep a few special treats tucked away for this time of year. I've been hanging on to my (nearly empty) Philosophy Melting Marshmallow Cream Lip Shine since last winter. It tastes and smells exactly like the name implies - like creamy marshmallows being roasted on the fire. (PS - there's also a body lotion & a 3-in-1 if you're inclined) This year, my love for the Melting Marshmallow Cream has been unseated by Philosophy's newest holiday Lip Shine, Peppermint Bark. In addition to tasting and smelling like it's namesake candy, the gloss also delivers a refreshing minty tingle. Is it time to go caroling yet?

Keep cozy

Whenever the cold winds begin to whip, I try to up the cozy factor with gorgeous scarves, fun hats and fingerless gloves. Lola Belle, on the other hand, likes to fall asleep in the sun by a pile of my shoes - at least she has good taste! My favorite way to infuse that extra element of snuggle is by rocking my Tracy Reese Fingerless Gloves. While these gloves sold out soon after they hit stores, look for a similar pair that reaches up past your elbows to cut the chill.

What's your favorite way to get into the holiday spirit?

Philosophy The Amazing Grace Collection

$50.00 by philosophy at Sephora

Amazing Grace is one of Philosophy's most popular and iconic fragrance. For me, the name symbolizes a freedom from all the woes and troubles of the day and a huge step towards finding an inner calm. As silly as it sounds, the scent somehow mimics these feelings for me.

Remember when we were young and most of us wore Love's Baby Soft (I won't lie, I still own a bottle)?  Amazing Grace is like a grown up version, with a subtle softness that makes this fragrance perfectly appropriate for daytime or in the office.  The powder scent is calming and feminine.

The Amazing Grace collection features a 3-in-1, perfumed body lotion and a 2.0 EDT spray.

There's a revolution taking place amongst blush wearers. We love the pigmentation and bendability of cream blush but we also love the softness that a powder blush can provide. What's a girl to do?

Fortunately, I discovered Philosophy's Supernatural Lit From Within Healthy Cream Blush. There is enough pigmentation for the blush to appear on your cheeks, but the color is soft enough for that diffused effect we love so much from a powder blush.

I have Look On The Bright Side, a shade that appears to be such a bright, clean pink in the pan, but on the skin it creates the healthiest of flushes.  Plus, the compact comes with a mirror so you can see exactly how amazing you look after application.

Lit From Within Healthy Cream Blush comes in three shades and retails for $22.50.  Oddly, they're all sold out at Sephora right now, but be sure to sign up for notification when they're back in stock!