So the Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and usually, it’s divided into two camps–either love or loathe it. I gotta admit, I kinda love it, but that’s me. I can understand why some mark it as a Hallmark, forced holiday, but regardless of how you feel about Feb 14, you can’t argue that a flush of the perky red and pinks associated with the day, can put you in a colorful, happy mood.

To recharge your batteries and perhaps, turn your V-Day thoughts from bah-humbug to bam! (as in celebrating the love everywhere, not just with a partner), Molton Brown has the perfect, pink pick-me-up–Paradisiac Pink Peppercorn Bath and Shower Gel. The rose-toned bottle urges you to think only lovely happy thoughts, while the scent laced with warm pink pepperpods from the Gulf of Guinea, African ginger and a touch of patchouli tend to make this wash white hot. A drop of the energizing formula in the shower, gives your skin a whole lotta love: Antioxidants protect it from environmental pollutants and and the luxe lather adds vital moisture. Try it the morning of and your V-day celebration–whether a romantic dinner a deux or with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Chubby Hubby in front of the TV–will feel like a little bit of paradise.

File this under the clever idea section: a fragrance bracelet. Ahh, but instead of boasting a solid compact like so many other perfumed jewelry, this gold-accented bling from Lisa Hoffman, sports a basket charm with refillable, aroma-infused wooden beads. While you wear it, the teeny drop slowly releases the fragrance and surrounds you with a pretty perfume that’s light and airy.

The stretch, bracelet style–available in red, amber, wood, ivory and green beads–can add a pop of color to an armful of bangles, and what I love is that you’re not married to a single scent. Each comes with a correlating fragrance, and you can buy refills that allow you to play around with other aromas to suit your mood. Try one or all five: TunisianNeroli, with ylang ylang and amber; Tuscan Fig with honeysuckle and vanilla bean; Japanese Agarwood with bergamot and spiced ginger;  French Clary Sage with yellow freesia and fresh cotton; and Madagascar Orchid with sheer jasmine and pink peony. The red is my new favorite, and of course, so apropos for the upcoming V-Day ,hint, hint. Lisa Hoffman Perfume Jewelry, $59.90

Yesterday, I received some sad news: A friend and former colleague, Charla Krupp, succumbed to a two-year battle with breast cancer at the still very young age of 58. You may have seen or read her advice over the years. She appeared on the Today show over 100 times, wrote countless articles for magazines and published two New York Times bestselling books on how to look younger and thinner instantly. I knew her way back when, as an entertainment editor at Glamour, when I was a young assistant to the editor in chief. Charla had an exuberance that no one else could match; her wit and wisdom and huge smile won over her friends, co-workers and later, her adoring fan base that followed her advice and moves from avoiding the dreaded baggy look to making sure your foundation didn’t sink into your crow’s feet.

At Glamour, she taught me how to ask for what you want, be assertive and most of all, have fun with what you’re working on. When she returned a few years later as a beauty editor, I admired her courage for taking on something and running with it. I often considered her to be the Madonna of the publishing world: Always refreshing her outlook, her ideas and going with what works right now. Later, when she wrote her two books, “How Not to Look Old”, and “How To Never Look Fat Again”, I marveled at how beautiful and amazing she looked, and how, in her prime , she achieved so, so much. Her advice was for real women, proclaiming  that it’s never too late to change up your look and give yourself a chance. She was like your bestie,  whispering in your ear–”hey, just get fitted for the right bra, and snap, you’ll take pounds off  instantly”.

Charla’s mantra–you can do anything, as long as you give yourself a chance–is her legacy. It’s something, along with her 1000+ tips of looking “Thinner by Dinner” and ten years younger, that we can all take to heart. XOXO goodbye, my friend.

There’s nothing more that I like on a cold, wintry day than a rich mug of hot cocoa. I can’t get enough of the sweet, steamy beverage and probably should cut back that one-a-day addiction, but alas, I can’t.  Or maybe I can, thanks to Palmer’s Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Lip Butter ($2.99). This lip-smacking, zero-calorie, chocolate fix  not only appeals to my insatiable taste, but also to my chapped, flaky lips so apparent this time of year. The tube is filled with the real deal–cocoa butter–that is hyper-hydrating and drenches dry lips in moisture. Thanks to the extracts of natural cocoa and peppermint oil, you get a tinge of taste on your mouth that’s sorta like sipping a Starbucks creation. The bonus–my lips look glossy and fresh, which of course will never happen with a mug of the steamy stuff. Now, this is one type of chocolate I’m never giving up.

We’re almost three weeks into 2012, and those resolutions you talked about back in the final days of 2o11?–uh, that didn’t last long. So if you’ve tossed your clean slate to the curb, I’m here to tell you that a fresh start is still attainable, albeit, one with your skin. The simple solution to feeling anew? Switch up your cleanser to one that doesn’t strip your skin of its natural oils yet still gets deep into your pores and washes away all the grime. Fortunately, this is one resolution I’ve managed to stick with (I mean, how hard is this?), by using Aveeno Active Naturals Smart Essentials Pore Purifying Facial Wash ($9.95).

The oil-free, soap-free formula is loaded with Southernwood, a natural, plant-derived extract found in Europe that binds water to the skin and has antioxidants within it. It’s gentle enough for all skin types, but it’s strong enough to clear away foundation, excess oil and everyday dirt.  I found that my overly dry skin felt clean and looked less dull within a week of using it. Since then, I’ve been religiously cleaning twice day and felt my rough skin texture (worse, this time of year) is noticeably softer.  All good results that make this resolution one that I intend to keep well into 2013.

So the Golden Globes shined Sunday night, and while the show was a tamer version of seasons’ past,  it didn’t fail to offer a few surprises (all hail The Descendants!) and guffaws (um, the missing teleprompter with Julianne Moore). The red carpet gave us a dose of grand Hollywood style, though few gowns really were WOW. Still, there were plenty of trends in the beauty and fashion departments that were happening, and so many wearable ones too. Here are  three gorgeous,  beauty and fashion trends you can do now–go forth, and give yourself a dash of Golden Globe style:

All eyes were on those red lips–and of course, Angelina Jolie wears it well. Turns out, other stars can too, with equally stunning Clare Danes and Dianna Agron painting their lips in a scarlet hue. While Angelina’s were a perfect match to her Versace dress, it’s best to make sure your skin tone matches up to the red–some tints have blue undertones that are best for pink-based complexions, while others are more fiery orange, and better for skin that has more yellow in it. A strong crimson for most skin tones:  Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Jungle Red.

Wearin’ of the Green: It may be two months away, but stars were showing off their St. Paddy spirit, donning emerald green gowns like Laura Dern (above), Madonna, Zooey Deschanel and Evan Rachel Wood. Green accessories such as long sweeping emerald earrings were huge too, accenting the ears of  Julianne Moore, Juliana Marguiles and Debra Messing. Of course, their stones were the real deal, but you can find faux that pack a similar, colorful punch to black, navy or purple. Try Designer Inspired CZ 2ct Emerald Teardrop Earrings, $54.99.

Though knotty up-do’s, smooth ponytails and voluminous waves are de rigeur for the red carpet, there were a few standouts. Charlize Theron and Michelle Williams both donned stunning headbands that lent a bit of bling to their ‘dos (Charlize Theron’s vintage Cartier headband is a museum piece lent to her for the evening).  Hold stray hairs back with a crystal one , like the Deepa Gurnani Crystal Loop  Headband from Shopbop ($60), that simply adds sparkle to an LBD or jeans and silky top.

The countdown begins: Fresh of the zigzag heels of the most successful hi-lo collaboration in Target history (Hello, Missoni!), the first for 2012 is gearing up for a Feb 5 launch date. The latest designer to put a target on his back? Jason Wu. Yes, you got it right, the guy who became the guy after Michelle Obama dazzled in her frothy white inaugural dress that now has its very own place in the Smithsonian. This is a smaller collection than the Missoni one, featuring clothes, handbags and scarves. But rather than imitate past designs, Wu has come up with a completely new concept for his capsule collection.

I’ve always been fond of a clutch for the carefree panache it gives an outfit. Unlike a heftier purse, it exudes an air of  sophistication, as if to say, “I don’t need more than a lipstick and a smartphone” to get me through the night. And while I’ve long been a fan of the oversize types, I’ve recently started setting my sights on the hard case. The smallish size and ornate details, like a gemstone clasp, make it seem as if you’re carrying a piece of jewelry, rather than a bag. In essence, it’s a conversation piece that you set on the table, while others ooh and ahh over its gorgeous facade. Sure, you can’t fit much more than that smartphone and two credit cards (with some, even lipstick is a bit questionable, since the case can’t quite close with too much stuff), but hey, aren’t those the essentials? Despite the blingy ideal, many can be found at a non bling-y price. Below, a few to give a whirl:

The La Regale Mesh Hard Body Clutch ($105, above) has all the elements to be the outfit maker with its glimmery leopard print. Accent it with a black-on-black ensemble, a pair of your darkest denim or a sultry red dress.

At $29.90, this Snake Print Clutch from Go Jane is a steal, but the skin appearance and exceptional detailing ( the knot at the clasp is inspired by much pricier versions) keep it looking rich.

Simple, yet oh-so-chic, the boxy styling is classic that will last for years. Lulu Townsend Satin Box Clutch, $19.99.

It’s around this time of the month, I get into a post-holiday funk. It seems that I actually miss all that hustle and bustle of  having my planner filled with events day and night, rather than–sigh–looking pretty blank, as it does right now. But if there’s anything that beats the doldrums, it’s a beauty product that transforms your tempermant from blah to bam in a single squirt. Yes, it’s true, these mood-enhancers exist in the form of body lotions, fragrance, lip balms or anything that has a tinge of uplifting scent. For this time of year, my choice is anything citrus. It awakens my sleepy mindset, and infuses me with an energy burst I seem to have when the temps warm up.

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with this June Jacobs Grapefruit Purifying Shower Gel. I picked it up while away on Christmas vacation (confession: I swiped all the mini-sizes I could from my hotel room) and have been using it daily ever since. One squeeze and you get this amazing scent, as if you just scooped out a  juicy section of grapefruit.The fresh fragrance is intense going, on, but lingers after rinsing, guaranteeing that you’ll get a whiff here or there all day (a definite mood booster).  Yet this invigorating aroma isn’t the only benefit: A powerful antioxidant cocktail of red, white and green teas, goji berry and pomegranate all clean up nasty impurities, while rice and soy proteins keep your skin’s moisture balance intact. But of course, the main reason I’m loving it is that it takes away all the gloom, and gives me a reason to smile, even if I’ve got nothing to do.

Even though it’s been a barely-there winter in the East (uh, no snow except in the unseasonable month of October), my skin is acting as if the bitter cold is upon us. Maybe it’s the flip-flop mood of the outside, where the morning cold melts to sunny spring-like temps in the afternoon. Or maybe it’s the heat in my house that goes off and on making my skin feel tight and sandpaper-rough. Whatever the reason, I’m in desperate need of a moisturizer that doesn’t sit on my skin (like a heavy cream) and feels like I’ve  plumped it with hydration.

Thankfully, Clinique has just debuted the ultimate oasis for stressed, dehydrated skin: Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator, a  gel-creme with maximum hydration and moisture barrier repair. Moisturizing ingredients,like olive squalane and red algae extract, work synergistically to make your complexion feel as if it’s just taken a huge gulp of water.  The barrier repair technology  with natural wheat bran and olive extracts work to strengthen and hold H2O, keeping your skin looking plump and hydrated all day and night. Use it for at least 8 weeks, say the chemists at Clinique, and you’ll see a remarkable difference in your skin’s moisture, with a a 40% increase in hydration and a 70% improvement in your skin’s barrier strength.

When I tried it, the buttery-texture instantly transformed my Sahara-like complexion into feeling supple, as well as giving me a dewy, healthy glow I can never replicate with a lotion. And the bonus is that I only have to apply it once a day (before makeup) and I still feel hydrated by bedtime. I’m feeling that spring is in the air, and while the calendar says winter, my skin knows otherwise.