Today is my last day of making new resolutions, but (fingers crossed!) not of keeping them! Have you been keeping your promises of self improvement in 2011? Let me know and I'll be sure to keep you posted on my own progress! Thanks for reading and good luck!

Day 21

Every month when I sit down to write my grandfather a letter I'm reminded of the joy in slowing down and doing things longhand. And while I don't plan on retiring my desktop and smartphone any time soon, taking the time to write things out on pretty paper is always going to be more special--and fun! Here is the batch of beautifully crafted, old-school paper goods that has inspired me to unclench my mouse and pick up a pen again.

In the spirit of reinvention, I started 2011 by sifting through a mountain of clothes I haven't worn in months. I've been trying to think of new ways to wear them. Almost about to give up and donate the lot to Goodwill, it occurred to me that all I need to breathe a little life into my stale wardrobe is a couple of new belts. Oversize, off-trend muumuu dress? I'll just cinch in the waist. Stretched-out, beaten-up denim? Use a belt to anchor a laid-back boyfriend style. This year I will be relying on fashion's versatile item to save my outfits and rework my style. Here are my favorites on the market right now:

My daily hairstyles usually come in one of two modes: up or down. And when it comes to accessorizing my coif I either grab a Goody hair tie (one of many that have been strategically strewn about my apartment) or dig a couple of bobby pins from the bottom of my purse. However, after spotting many a model sporting gypsy scarves and cute barrettes on the spring runways, I have resolved to follow suit. Here's what I will be using to clip, pin and adorn my locks this year:

I am truly a jeans and T-shirt girl at heart. Despite a closet full of options, most of my weekends are spent in the same pair of skinny jeans, an oversize Alexander Wang tee and a pair of Bensimon sneakers. My usual bag of choice? A canvas tote. However, with a fresh new year ahead of me and a rapidly approaching 24th birthday, I have been wondering: Should I start dressing like a grown-up? Luckily for me spring's tailored looks have never made ladylike chic look so good and stores are full of easy updates. Here are my picks to add some sophistication to my tomboy look:

After making the effort to cook myself a nice meal, rarely do I take the time to serve it in the proper dishes my food deserves. Eggs in a mug? Sure, why not. Plastic fork from the bottom of my drawer? Less dishes later! This year I am breaking the microwave container cycle and amping up my mealtime ambience. Even if a pretty plate doesn't really make my food taste any different, it sure makes eating it a lot more fun! Here is a batch of tableware perfect for turning any meal into an impromptu dinner party.

Statement jewelry has always made me a little nervous. Not that I don't love the look--I just never think I can pull it off. When faced with a gorgeous jeweled bib at Barneys my thoughts are always the same: I'm not tall enough. It would overwhelm me. Maybe a nice charm necklace instead. And while I'm not about to stack bangles or pile multiple chains around my neck, I would like to start the new year with a fresh attitude toward accessorizing. In order to wear jewelry with maximum impact I am keeping the rest of my look minimal with one focal point per ensemble. Here are the picks I am using to enhance, not overwhelm, my daily look:

Nutritious eating can be expensive, especially when you are often on the go. I cannot even count the number of times I have opted for a freshly made smoothie at the deli and then balked at the $10 charge. This year I have stopped the war between my health and my wallet by investing in tools to support a healthful lifestyle, without the hefty price tag. Following the same rules as cost-per-wear, I have figured that these smart buys have pretty much already paid for themselves.

There is a special sector in the back of my closet dedicated to overly trendy, seasonal and long forgotten dresses. The impulse buys (I'm talking about you, silk crepe shift with the giant giraffe on the front!) that just don't work in my everyday wardrobe. This year I plan to think twice before shopping for an event--every purchase should translate to multiple occasions over the course of my year. With these six timeless dresses I feel prepared for anything that comes my way:

When it comes to jeans, I have always been intimidated by a wider leg. About 90 percent of my yearly denim wardrobe is unapologetically tapered, tight and ankle-grazing. However, this spring's batch of 70s-inspired flares have got me thinking: new year, new season...new pants? The free-spirited, flower-child feel of the silhouettes is nostalgic yet totally modern--I think I might be a convert. Here are the options that are making me hang up my precious jeggings and switch teams for good.