I am a reader. I have been one since the tender age of four.

I have piles and piles of must-read books sitting on my nightstand, behind my toilet, on my coffee table. My mother lends me her favorites, I constantly download books to my Kobo, and yet I still spend hours and hours in bookstores, judging books by their covers.

I took ballet as a kid for ten years.

From the time I was two-years-old until I was twelve, I spent several days a week perfecting my pliés and pirouettes and arabesques and revoltades. 

I might have even been good, too, but I’ll never know.

Because I quit.

Yes, friends.

The correct way to wear a bobby pin is, indeed, with the wavy side down.

Don't feel badly, though, I have been doing this wrong for almost 35 years. But this news? Basically changed my life.

My winter wardrobe is filled with a lot of the same thing: black, black, black, and more black. Maybe some grey and navy sprinkled in a little bit.

I am absolutely loving this look right now: a simple chambray button-down shirt tucked into a floral skirt, pencil or full.

It's screaming spring, fresh, new to me, which is exactly what I want to be wearing now that the winter weather is finally starting to disappear. Pair them with a great pair of sandals, a cute belt, and a statement necklace.

Last season's finale of Mad Men ended in 1965. This is hardly all that notable of a factoid, unless you are a fashion person. While the late '50s and early '60s were arguably one of the most fashionable times in our history—the lines and the fabrics were universally flattering, the cinched waists and full skirts were nothing short of chic. 

Tired of getting the same haircut every single time you visit your salon? Looking for a quick and gorgeous way to update your look for spring? Want to shave about five years off of your face? Take a page from the FLOTUS and ALIMARTELL style books: Get bangs!

First the First Lady did it.

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And then I did it.

Dresses, dresses, and more dresses. That's *really* what awards shows are about for me, and the 2013 Academy Awards were no exception. There were very few surprises in the way of awards last night—all four acting awards went the way they were predicted to go, and I was pleased with all four. I have seen all four of those performances and good goodness, they were all exceptional. And Argo, which I still have yet to see, took home—as predicted—the Best Picture trophy, even though Ben Affleck was completely snubbed in the director category.

There's something truly comforting and easy about a classic LBD. Coco Chanel knew what she was doing way back in 1926. The little black dress is universally flattering and always works in any social situation. 

But there's a new go-to "it" dress on the scene—the LWD. While you, of course, are always safe to wear your staple black dresses, why not step out of the black box this spring and summer with a Little White Dress. 

I'll be honest, as far as red carpet fashion goes, The Grammy Awards are usually my least favorite. As opposed to the formalwear from The Emmys, Golden Globes and the Oscars, Grammy fashion tends to be edgier and more over-the-top and a bit of a game to see who can show the most sideboob, navel, and thigh. 

(Jennifer Lopez wins this game a lot.)

I mean, it's not every day you see an award winner performing on stage in a shiny gold pleather-ish button-down on top of manpri leggings. 

Valentine's Day isn't super big in our house. I think last year my husband and I ate Chinese food on the floor in our bedroom and shared some heart-shaped cookies with our three children. My husband was once referred to as one of the most romantic men in Canada (no really), so I

Kiernan Shipka not only plays one of my most favourite fictional characters ever written for cable tv—she plays Don and Betty Draper's teenage daughter Sally on AMC's Mad Men—but she is quickly becoming one of the best to watch on the red carpet.

And she's only 13.

This past Sunday night, stars of both the small screen and the big screen walked the (freezing cold) red carpet to celebrate the 70th Annual Golden Globes Awards. It's one of my most favourite nights of the year—to pop some popcorn and get into my jammies and watch from the comfort of my couch.

I love to see what and who all of my favorite celebrities are wearing.

The Pantone Colour of the Year for 2013 is Emerald 17-5641.

I probably could not be happier. As a May-born (emerland birth stone!) brunette with green eyes and pale skin, I know that green is MY color.

And this year it's yours too.

"Lively. Radiant. Lush… A colour of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance, and harmony."

Have you finished all of your holiday shopping yet?

If your answer is no, then fist bumps all around.

If your answer is yes, then please just lie to me and change your answer to no. It will make me feel better and less panicky. It's allowed.

It's not that I haven't done any shopping at all. The kids in my life? Done! The ladies? Super easy. I just go out and find all of the things that I would like to buy for myself and buy them for my ladies. And then buy a second one of everything for myself (but shh. Don't tell my husband).

It's my most favourite time of the year, really.

Every woman needs at least one go-to Little Black Dress in her wardrobe.

You don't have to be Audrey Hepburn or having breakfast at Tiffany's to pull off this classic style. 

The LBD is a perfect look for almost any occasion, from a friend's wedding to a business meeting to a date night out to...

...your next holiday party. 

And I just know you have at least a few of those coming up.

When I joined the gym, I honestly didn't even think about what I'd actually, you know, wear to exercise. I was way more focused on getting signed up for training and actually getting my body into the facility than I was on workout wear. I showed up for my first day of training in a pair of super old sweatpants (My mother bought them for me the day after I gave birth to my oldest child. She is almost 12.) and my worn-thin Green Bay Packers championship t-shirt. We won't even talk about what I was wearing in terms of brassieres. 

Three years ago I signed up to run a half marathon. 

Yes. It's true. I even trained for it. I was to get out there and run all 13.1 miles with my sister, husband, and sister-in-law. I bought shorts and skirts and tank tops and t-shirts and sports bras. I bought a belt that had four tiny water bottles on it. I bought new shoes. I clocked miles and miles on the treadmill, and even more miles on the pavement outside. I got myself a lovely case of shin splints and heels that would bleed if I ran anything more than three miles. 

Finding the perfect pair of jeans is kind of like finding the perfect chocolate chip cookie. You have heard that it's out there, somewhere, waiting for you to discover its wonder and beauty, but you sometimes think it might be a myth. I have been on this journey (for the cookie...and the jeans) for years and along the way I have found some good ones, even some great ones, and some I hope to never encounter again.