The end (of the year) is near!

Cold and grey, but we're ok!

Hello and happy Monday my merry friends! Welcome to another weirdly wonderful holiday week where Monday feels like a Thursday, we get "two Fridays" and there's a bonus free day in the middle!! I've spent a lot of time this week trying to figure out how we get the work-week to permanently include Wednesdays off... tis truly a glorious thing:)

Here to make Monday more manageable (and as a perfect compliment to your Pinterest searching for all things glitter, black and gold) are some New Years themed goodies from around the web (and of course more lists!!)

A star shaped sparkler!!! Are you serious right now!? 

Check out all the awesome sparkler options from TOPS Malibu HERE.

Who can I buy THIS absolutely ridiculous and completely hysterical calendar for!? (SO funny!)

Effortless glam - grey top and sequin bottoms

Would you, could you, wear sequin pants!? 3 options HERE, HERE and HERE for the glamorously brave.

* 2013 was definitely the year of the Selfie. Thanks to smartphones and their ingenious "flip feature" that points the camera at you and let's you see what you look like, evvvveryone selfies everywhere now. In honor of our new self-photobsession, here are some of the most important selfies of 2013

* Some of the funniest moments from 2013

* The perfect playlist for your NYE party, here are the top songs of 2013 according to Rolling Stone. Do you agree!?

* The best and worst celebrity moments of 2013

* The 22 biggest sports controversies of 2013

* And finally, to make you smile, here are some totally awesome people who definitely "nailed it" in 2013.

The Most Overrated Holiday (which I am incapable of ignoring)

New Year’s Eve. This is the only holiday that I am consistently underwhelmed by, but I nevertheless put tremendous energy into. Time and again I angst about finding the perfect plans, the ideal sequin-to-black ratio outfit and the most festive location and without fail, the hype is not worth the hassle! There is so much PRESSURE to make NYE this unforgettable moment or this once-in-a-lifetime occasion when really, it’s just another midnight!

Some of my very best NYEs have been those I paid the least attention to, like last year when I *gasp* repeated my outfit from the prior year, had a dance party in my living room with Dr. H and then somehow found my way to a boozy crowded dance floor, sharing midnight smooches and champagne with one of my favorite girlfriends. The year I spent hours shopping and $100 to get into a Club? Dud and a half. How did we all end up feeling compelled to make this night so extraordinary?

I like New Year’s Eve as a moment for reflection and rejuvenation (and, I admit, gratuitous sequin wearing). I love the idea that we can “start fresh” with new goals, plans, hopes and dreams just because the calendar says another year is beginning. Getting shwasted by 11:59 and raging until sunrise doing the coolest thing I’ve ever done? Meh, too much pressure for me. I’ll happily take excellent company and a whole lot of laughter instead. If we end up toasting until sunrise and dancing until our feet ache, it’ll be because life is good and we’re enjoying it together, not because of a celebration started by the NY Times as a publicity stunt (interesting and TRUE).

May you all ring in 2012 with awesome people, a loving smooch and an outfit that makes you feel merry!

Image via Pinterest