New Year's Resolutions in 1080p.

Um, I'm usually not a New Year's Resolution "person." I mean, I think just about everyone has the desire to change things in their lives, and I am not immune to that, persay, but I don't see the reason to wait until the 365th day of the year to decide to change.

But I have two this year that I will document right here on Cheeky Debutantes:

1) Do/learn something new every month, affectionately known as the New Challenge.

2) Be healthier.

Re: 1) It is easy to get in a rut here in Chicago. Most of my friends from high school and college live in the area, and basically, everyone seems to go to the same 5 bars. All the time. Every weekend. Coupled with my AD program, and it's a recipe to get into a rut. So it changes in 2010. It's not that I'm not meeting new people or that I don't enjoy hanging out with my friends at the same old places, because I am and I do. It's just I don't want my mind to turn to mush, or just an art direction machine. I will document each experience here and expect you to hold me accountable for my "new-ness!"

Re: 2) I'm kind of an athlete. I say "kind of" because in the past three years, I have run two marathons, several half marathons, and gosh darn it, I am always down for a bike ride on good old Lake Shore Drive. However, since I was injured during my race in October, my fitness has been derailed. I've been feeling, um loose, in places that pretty much never have been. More than that though, with my schedule of night classes has resulted in 4:30 pm dinners and 10 pm "second dinners" when I get home. I think the sumo wrestlers follow the same strict diet plan. I need to eat more motherfucking vegetables and avoid the 7/11 slump of just picking up whatever cheap carb is convenient. Let's be honest though, anyone who knows Scarlett and I knows there's always room for an occasional cheese fries in any healthy diet.

Anyway, that means I am re-committing to my health, trying to work out regularly and eat some mo-fo veggies. Like 5 servings, everyday is the goal. So far, so good. To jumpstart my fitness, I am doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I've been a fan of The Biggest Loser for years, and last night's season premiere indicates that this will be a dramatic, fun season. Anyway, Jillian is the trainer on TBL, and as my future sister-in-law and my sister have both completed and raved about this DVD, I figured I'd give it a shot. It's supposed to be ridiculously hard, but I don't know how to weight-train and don't want to look like a complete ass-hat at my gym trying. Day 1 of Shred - begins now.

From the Files of Daisy's Ex-Boyfriends, Volume 1.

A year ago today, I swore off an on-again, off-again boyfriend (He Who Must Not Be Named or HWMNBN) of the most vile variety. He cheated when we were senior's in college, and almost a seven months later, after a visit to California, and after he helped me find movers to come back to Chicago, I was still opportunistically allowing him, to paraphrase John Mayer, to high-five my nether regions. In short, it made me feel dirty. And NOT in a good way. I've always been a relationship girl, emotionally and physically monogamous, so this in-between status had gone on too long.

It was this day last year where we were in his apartment, watching a movie or something, while he was unpacking groceries, when my alarm finally went off. I just simply asked him if he ever saw us getting back together or not.

HWMNBN said no.

I knew he would, but it still hurt. I decided I definitely could not be friends with him. It would be too emotionally traumatizing. After many tearful calls to Scarlett, I moved on. Big time. The new And when that relationship ended, too, although more maturely and with no infidelity, Scarlett was there again.

And you know what? I spoke to a mutual friend of ours and found out the girl HWMNBN had cheated on me with had subsequently become his girlfriend in February of 2008. And that she moved to Chicago in September of 2009 to be closer to him. To her, I say, get the fuck out. This guy is bad news, and although, personally, I don't want to know you, I am sure you are a nice enough person. You don't deserve it and get the fuck out.

Now, a year later, I am forced to ask myself objectively if I am better. I don't know. I certainly feel better that I've moved on from such an emotionally tumultuous affair. HWMNBN makes random appearances in my life, like running into him at a bar with the newer model, a post for another day, who we'll call Ryan Dylan. I've seen him at parties, or out on the street once or twice, and all I feel for him is pity. Plus, his hairline is receding, and ladies, there is no better feeling than running into an ex the best you've ever been and him at his less-than-prime.

Walking out the door or a J. Crew catalog?

Some mornings, I have my shit together. As in, get up at 7:30, go work out, get my work started by 9. Today is not one of those days. I have had three cups of coffee and pizza for breakfast and then got dressed for the day to leave at 11. Stop judging, you.

Impressive, I know. I swear, although I may not have gotten any "tangible" work done yet for the day, I have e-mailed Scarlett three times today already, caught up on my blogs, and picked out a knitting pattern to make for my brother's Christmas present.

Anyway, I have a long day to day - about five hours of class, and three hours of work to do before said classes. I fully recognize that on such a dreary day in Chicago (36 degrees and pouring rain), any debutante worth her salt knows to wear a cute outfit, to bring sunshine into your own life, and the lives of others.

I present to you, today's outfit:

Some say the headband is where I get my power. They're correct.

A large scale check plaid? Yes please! Slightly oversized, jauntily tucked into:

My go-to skinny jeans. I own two pairs of these Abercrombie and Fitch "Erin" in the darkest wash. I have literally worn one pair almost completely out. As an almost (GASP) 24-year-old woman, I can no longer bring myself to walk into A&F. The search will begin in the spring for a new pair.

Finally, the best part about rainy days:

J.Crew, I am available for styling any time!

Kate Moss, a Woman after My Sequined Heart

I love few things in the world more than sequins, Kate Moss and Topshop. Scarlett knows how serious that statement was. So when Kate Moss started doing capsule collections for Topshop, I was her exact target demographic. I am pretty sure that I am going to get the Gold Teddy, because it is adorable in a film noir, I'm too sexy for my own good sort of way.

However, I am undecided on the Limited Edition sequin dress Kate is wearing above. I love sequins to a fault, and how many sequin dresses should one twenty-three year old girl own? One? Two? Seven? Since Kate has recently sprouted boobs, I know it will look killer. DECISIONS!

I am also thinking seriously about the Hawaiian print scarf. Scarlett is probably about to vom, but I go to Hawaii every year, and the black seems to make it really ironic. Thoughts?

I Normally Love Website Stylists

Typically, I love what website stylists do. They take all the best trends for the current season, and break them down into 20 pieces or under that will make any girl look super fashionable. This is a job I would love to have! Today, however, Shopbop deeply offended me.

CROPPED CARGO PANTS.

Do you know anyone who would look cute in that, save Jennifer Aniston? Anyone who would fork out $275 for the joy of extra pockets? IN OCTOBER?

HEELED WORK BOOTS.

I may have been willing to forgive the cargo. MAYBE. And then you throw these Kors Michael Kors Lace Up Booties at me. And I want to vomit. There is so much to talk about here, and I'd rather not waste my dying breath on them.

A SEQUINED SHORT SLEEVE SWEATSHIRT

Scarlett knows me best, and she certainly can document my love affair with sequins. I am offended that out of all the gorgeous items available at Shopbop, they decided to recommend a $545 short-sleeve sequined sweatshirt. How, dare I ask, would one wear a piece of clothing that is at once day-level appropriate layering, BUT COVERED in evening sequins?

The Day I Became the Victim of the Best Sales Job in the World

Dear Intermix on Armitage in Chicago,

Your sales girls are doing well. On a rainy sunday in October, I walked in to perhaps get a new piece of jewelry to accent my standard white v-neck t-shirt for a concert later this week. Upon seeing a very cute one in the case, I asked a sales lady to retrieve it so I could try it on. It's a very cute Giles and Bro multiple chain bracelet - the exact kind of thing I love, basically, what could be a Chanel item but for like a Chanel girl that has tattoos.

I immediately love it. While I am trying on such a lovable bracelet, I mention that I am probably going to wear it to a concert on Wednesday... And that's when chaos happened. She said I simply HAD to try on this cute, flowy, Joie top.

Again, impossible to resist. This woman had my style pegged exactly when I walked in, and she exposed my weakness. BUT THERE'S MORE.

"Wouldn't it look great with a belt?" she said, innocently, as she handed me this Stackables Black Pyramid studded belt, something similar to which I've been looking for for a year! I try it on, and of course it looks perfect. I'm elongated, super model sexy, and the worst part is, I'm thinking of precisely three pairs of shoes in my closet that this look would look great in.

And then she lowers the kill. "You know, you should really try this with leggings." I had come in in my favorite William Rast jeans, perfect for a Sunday shopping excursion, but certainly not for this newly constructed, chic outfit. She hands me a pair of David Lerner leggings. "All the girls here wear them practically every other day. They're so functional and at a great price point." And as I slipped them on, I look in the mirror. These are everything I wish leggings could be and more - actually a thick material so warm for the brutal Midwestern winter coming my way, cover any manner of sins, and they look my A look so good I can wear a top that briefly exposes what in my old American Apparel leggings should have been covered. And for what? $80! A small price to pay for freedom, my friend.

And that is the tale of how I walked in to spend maybe $125, and walked out with $470 in merchandise. I would say it's an isolated incident, but you'd know better than that.

Bronzed Goddess

So maybe my "social calendar" isn't quite "booked yet" for the holidays. However, I will be ready for all possible events if I get ahold of this Harlow dress from J. Crew. Full disclosure: I am a total sucker for three things in this fashion: 1) jacquard, 2) 60's silhouettes, and 3) flannel (don't ask). Let's be honest, I'm a sucker for many other things, too, not limited to Marc Jacobs and shift dresses. That being said, this is the perfect dress for a holiday party. The bronze color is so unique, I love the wool ribbon on the bodice and the deeper back vent gives it just a hint of sexiness.