I recently posted an article about new year’s resolutions. One of my main bullet points on the list to creating the ideal resolution was to “give in to one of your guilty pleasures.” When I said it, I was more so referring to my embarrassing love of The Bachelor. Only a few weeks later, I have found a new guilty pleasure...the new season of Jersey Shore. This isn’t necessarily a newfound love per se. I mean, analyzing my history I already established a tendency toward shamelessly loving reality TV. And maybe I did follow the cast closely on their Italy vacation on the previous season.

So when the Jersey Shore cast is getting ready to go to their favorite hot spot, Karma, I have to say, part of me somewhere wants to join them. I can tolerate teased hair and spray-on tans in moderation, but some trends just shouldn’t get too far away from the shore. When stores and boutiques began stocking shelves again with animal prints galore, I knew my chance to bring Jersey to this Southwest girl was not over. In fact, maybe the nation is going to embrace their guilty Jersey pleasure. Call it fashion, or credit it to the Jersey Shore phenomenon, animal print is back in fashion and I, for one, am ready to wear it.

L to R: Tripp NYC Bright Leopard Jean, urbanoutfitters.com, $68; Aldo Crest Earrings in Brown, aldoshoes.com, $10

The trick to taking fashion tips from Snooki? Take them in moderation. Avoid looking like an attendee for a “Jersey Shore Party” by incorporating just tiny animal print touches to your wardrobe. Also avoid those corsets, trucker hats, and insanely furry slippers--at least avoid wearing them all at once. A little animal print shows a little edge, a little attitude, and a lot of style. You can dress like you're taking a walk on the wild side without having to step out of your style comfort zone. In the end, give in to your guilty pleasures, whether it's for a new year or a new fashionable you. Be on the prowl for animal print and get Jersey-licious. As the series comes to its (rumored) final end, I, for one, cannot think of a better imprint for them to leave on fashion. It’s been fun, Snooki!

L to R: Draped Leopard Top, forever21.com, $17.80; The Jungle Look Dress, modcloth.com, $49.99; Fête of Spots Dress, modcloth.com, $59.99

L to R: FAHRENHEIT Anette Leopard Wedge Womens Shoes, tillys.com, $24.99 (sale); Jessica Simpson Sweety Tote, dillards.com, $98; A Shoo in Shoe, modcloth.com, $67.99

Rubies, sapphires, emeralds...when it comes to gems and jewels, I don’t pick favorites. While I daydream about that time in the future (possibly the really way far away time in the future) when I will be blinging my large stones and rocks for all to admire, I wonder what quality it is that these gems possess that I covet most. Is it the price tag that would empty my current bank account? Maybe the attention-grabbing sparkles blinding anyone when the light catches the jewel just right? Who’s to say it’s not any of these? Let’s be honest, there’s really nothing to complain about. But what I really think I love about stones - more than sterling and gold - manifests in the deep color each gem carries. Characterized by distinct hues, these jewels magically transform a single metallic chain or band into a beautiful necklace or ring. Jewelry gains personality...strong personality. Color drips from each accessorized body part and you, the fashionista, make a statement.

So by matters of deduction I concluded:

1. I love gems.
2. I cannot afford these jewels.
3. What I love most about gems is their distinct color.

Naturally, when I had gemstones on the brain, nothing else would appease that want except those little glittering jewels themselves. The second bullet point on that list above, however, stood in strong opposition to me obtaining them. Always the eternal optimist, I knew when one portion of my wardrobe suffers, the other portion must compensate to retain a fashionable balance. Who knew clothing items exist displaying similar hues as my favorite jewelry items? I may not be rich, but nothing will stop me from dressing in the rich colors I love so much. Dresses, pants, shoes, and shirts, every article of clothing comes in the deepest hues imaginable. I still may spend my time daydreaming about gemstone accessories, but in the meantime, my sapphire shoes and amethyst pants will satiate my desires.

L to R: Go Get Em’ Dress in Red, modcloth.com, $47.99; Lela Magenta Cloche with Side Bow by San Diego Hat Company, shopruche.com, $56.99; Buschur, aldoshoes.com, $34.99 (sale)

L to R: Olivia Low-Rise Color Jegging Cobalt, delias.com, $44.50; Sweet Sugar Plum Ruffle Dress by Tulle, shopruche.com, $67.99

Shadows Illuminated Skirt, modcloth.com, $47.99; QUPID Onyx Womens Shoes, tillys.com, $24.99; Roxy Tropics Tank Dress, buckle.com, $31.03 (sale)

The thought of making a New Year’s resolution stresses me out. In my eyes, there are strict criteria that this challenging statement must meet. And while most of America uses this as an opportunity to devote themselves to becoming fit and healthy, my resolution only prompts anxiety and distress even before it actually exists.

My resolution cannot be cliché—and this is where my problem begins. By wanting to be different, I’m creating more work for myself. Who knew being unique was hard?  If I have to live up to this statement for the rest of the year, I might as well be living up to goals I’ve set and not someone else’s.  After testing my theory for many years, in the end, taking the time to figure out what resolution I need to set for myself is worth the initial challenge. (I also have tried demanding excruciating exercise routines from myself and I gradually despise every second I spend at the gym or thinking about the gym.)

To begin my resolution-creating process, I think about my previous year. What went wrong? What went well? Never view a task like self-evaluation lightly (trust me on this one). And that’s all resolution making needs to be – self evaluation. I’ve streamlined this process into this single step. Based off your findings you can create the perfect resolution. This year, I came up with my solutions to improve my 2011. It may not be your resolution, but this is my outline to help you mold the perfect resolution for yourself. Be selfish. A resolution is all about you.

1. Find out what you’re passionate about – If you are passionate about something, you enjoy spending most of your time doing that activity. Figure out ways to incorporate your passion into your life. It may be cliché but when you have a career doing what you are passionate about, it doesn’t feel like work at all.

My Wonderful World of Fashion, Amazon, $13.50

For me, I love fashion design. I’m hoping that my newly purchased fashion design sketch book will help give me the confidence I need to start pursuing some of the endless opportunities out there. The book may provide an outline of different clothing articles, but the doodling designs are all mine. Who knows, I may be the next Vera Wang...or the next Picasso.

2. Take the time to help someone else – My sister is getting married this year! As her Maid of Honor, I am making it my duty to help her stress as little as possible. She’s done so much for me in my life and now is the perfect opportunity to give a little back. Sure resolutions are supposed to be selfish, but nothing can reproduce the feeling of helping others.

The Bridesmaid's Guerrilla Handbook, Barnes and Noble, $9.95

3. Be healthy – I know I said I wouldn’t be cliché, but this is a whole new spin on that idea. Find what works for you. Don’t let it consume you. Here’s what I’ve decided: I know I am not going to eat lean meat and organic vegetables every day and that’s ok. I’m going to pick foods that I do know that are healthy that I enjoy eating and incorporate them into my diet – blueberries, almonds, dark chocolate. I’m also going to try to drink green tea more often. It’s refreshing and it helps boost your metabolism.

4. It’s ok to indulge in a guilty pleasure every now and then –When the world is spinning too quickly around you, sometimes the best remedy to catch up with it, is to slow down.

The Boyfriend Pant, Victoria's Secret, $29.95

Pajama pants and the new season of The Bachelor screams relaxation to me. The only thing I’m resolving not to do that would top this scene off is the tub of ice cream.

5. Be nostalgic – The whole point of creating a resolution is understanding what happened in the past year. Why not take the time to look back at even more of your history? It can help you understand who you are, who you want to be, and where you are from.

Since the year started, I've created a photo album of my favorite pictures. No, not the type of photo album where I tag my best friends. It’s the old-school slide the picture in the plastic slot style…and I love it.  My best friend moved to Hawaii last year. She tells me that receiving letters in the mail shows just a little more thought than an e-mail (but she will gladly accept both). I am writing her a letter every other week. I love the quotable cards line. Sometimes someone else can sum up exactly what you wanted to say.

Stylish All Purpose Binder, Zazzle, $21.35

Quotable Card, propertopper.com, $2.95

Maybe the most important point to remember when creating a resolution is that it, ultimately, makes you happy. Welcome 2012!

Accessories are kind of like ribbon on a present. Bow, knot, or six inch curls, ribbon completes the present. In the same way, the perfect pair of shoes can completely change an outfit. Going from flats to heels can take a dress from day to night. Updating black patent heels to red peep-toe pumps will breathe new life into outfits hidden in even the deepest closet corners. But accessories are by no means restricted to shoes alone. Accessories are used to accentuate the body or the outfit and can be worn to bestow personality to either.

Kimichi Blue Glitter Skidder, Urban Outfitters, $29; Space-Dye Infinity Scarf, Gap, $19.95; High Resolution Heel, ModCloth, $44.99

Now, I look at the holidays as an opportunity to increase my wardrobe, but what I really should be doing is looking at updating my accessories. Finding pieces of clothing to fit my body perfectly sometimes gets frustrating. Crowded malls and long Christmas lists only add to my frustration this time of year. Instead of looking for new clothes this holiday season, I’m looking for new accessories to build my own outfit.

Blush Satchel, Target, $24.99; Delbridge, Aldo, $15; Gockerell Headband, Aldo, $20

Now just because I need a holiday outfit doesn’t mean I want to show up looking like Buddy the Elf. I prefer my shoes not to curl up in the toe and, if we are being honest, that shade of green is not my color. When you don’t want to look themed or wear your ugly holiday sweater in public, why not settle for just a few pops of winter style? Use the holidays to buy interesting accessories that characterize that LBD (little black dress). Shades of red, glittering whites, and deep hues of any color can be the perfect accessory to any outfit. The stores are stocking up on all things sparkling and so should you. Accessories are even a great way to be trendy without looking like a fashion designer’s discarded designs. No matter what you’re celebrating this season, there’s no debate it’s time to celebrate togetherness with family and friends—and when the opportunity is knocking, there’s always time to celebrate fashion.

Windsor Floral Tights, Fredflare, $15; Just Like Julia, Girlprops, $39.99

I was born in Arizona. I grew up in the desert, went to school in the desert, and got my first big girl job in –yep, you guessed it – the desert. So when my job decided to uplift my southwestern roots and drop me off in rural Minnesota, you can imagine my panic-stricken face. Now that’s nothing against Minnesota (I can’t let you know about my collection of John Deere graphic tees in my closet), but it was just a complete shock to my system. I was on a pretty regimented desert routine for all of my life after all. And suddenly there I was alone in Minnesota. Maybe I didn’t appreciate my home until I had to leave it. And as quickly as I was uprooted, I didn’t want to lose those roots firmly planted some 1700 miles away.

Maybe only a real fashion addict would think to express this idea through her wardrobe. And maybe only a real fashion addict would worry about the fine line between channeling a tourist who just got back from the Grand Canyon and simply dressing with some Southwestern charm.

Ariat Deertan Cowboy Boots, sheplers.com, $159.99; Horseshoe Charm And Chain, tiffanyjewelrysshop.com, $119

Thank goodness Western wear was a trend affecting fashionistas across the country. I mean if Tiffany & Co was selling horseshoe necklaces, then maybe my fashion sense wasn’t far off.  I could find stylish pieces with a Western flare that didn’t make me look like I had just gotten back from attending a rodeo. And if some of Minnesota didn’t notice my Arizona accents, it didn’t matter because it made me walk a little straighter and, most importantly, show Minnesota my Arizona smile.

AE Denim Jacket, ae.com, $49.50; Source of Inspiration Dress, modcloth, $59.99; Open Range Denim Crop Top, Threadsence, $32

 What I learned is that maybe fashion isn’t about establishing yourself. Maybe it’s about showing the world what’s already established – what you know in your heart about yourself. These days I’d warn Taylor Swift to watch out for my cover of “Love Story,” but she doesn’t have to worry about my style. Western wear encourages individuality.  Denim, lace, and sparkling belt buckles can be as loud or subtle as you want.

No matter where you are now or where you are going, it’s time to kick up your boots and take a minute to celebrate you. Right now Western pieces are fashionable whether you are an actual cowgirl or a cowgirl at heart.  So whether you are picking up your guitar or your Guitar Hero, here’s to getting back to our roots!

BKE Ruffle Front Shirt, buckle.com, $36; Big Star Vintage Sweet Stretch Jean, buckle.com, $148