What to Wear

New Year's Eve is the one time of the year that you can get away with wearing something offensively sparkly. Sequins, glitter and metallics are all appropriate and highly recommended for ringing in 2008. How else to start a new year than by wearing something feminine and fun?

We Recommend:

Fringe Flapper Dress, $98 at Express
Why: This 1920s-inspired dress is flirty, sexy and just a touch flashy -- everything a New Year's dress should be.

Lux I'll Be Your Mirror Mini Dress in Black, $78 at Urban Outfitters
Why: Sequins, sequins, sequins! This dress couldn't be any more fun and shiny.

How to do your makeup

Keeping with the New Year's trends, it's OK to be bold with one aspect of your makeup routine, whether it's cheeks, eyes or lips. Try one of our suggestions, but don't wear all at once.

Lips
Instead of putting on your usual lip balm or Chapstick, try a deep color on lips to make them your focal point. Lip stains are perfect because there's no worrying about it rubbing off on your date during the midnight kiss.
We Recommend: Laura Mercier Lip Stain in Sugar Violet, $20 at Sephora

Eyes
Go all out with fashion lashes that are adorned with crystals or are excessively long and play off eyes with subtle shimmer.
We Recommend: Make Up Forever Black Swoop with Crystals Eyelashes Strip, $14 at Sephora

Face
Extra-rosy cheeks with added shimmer are simultaneously winter and New Year's appropriate.
We Recommend: Sephora Brand Luminous Trio in Rose Trio, $15 at Sephora

What to Serve
Keep it light and easy for food and nothing offensively garlic-ridden. Make sure it's something guests can carry around while socializing; sitting down for a meal is a buzz kill at a party.

Main Course

Beef Skewers
Ingredients:
20 skewers
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 1/4 pounds filet mignon or boneless rib-eye, trimmed
2 bunches green onions
salt
Preparation:
Soak skewers in water for 1/2 hour.
Preheat the broiler.
In a small sauté pan over low heat, toast the sesame seeds, stirring constantly to avoid burning. When the seeds are golden, remove and reserve.
Slice the beef into very thin strips -- 1 1/2 inches in length, 3/4 inch in width and as close to 1/4 inches thick as you can get.
Slice the white stems of the green onions into 3/4-inch-long pieces; discard the rest.
Roll up one piece of beef like a jelly roll. Place it on a skewer, add one piece of green onion, then another piece of beef and another scallion. Repeat with all the skewers. Sprinkle the skewers with salt.
To cook: Place under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes for medium rare. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.
Courtesy of epicurious.com

New Year's Cocktail Recipes

If of age, besides popping open a bottle of champagne at midnight, chic cocktails are perfect for entertaining. Go easy on yourself; mix one for the boys and another for the girls.

For the Guys

Classic Dry Martini
Ingredients:
Cracked ice
2 1/2 ounces London dry gin, such as Beefeater
1/2 ounce dry vermouth, preferably Noilly Prat
Green olive for garnish
Preparation:
In mixing glass or cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine gin and vermouth.
Stir well, about 20 seconds, then strain into martini glass.
Garnish with olive and serve.
Courtesy of epicurious.com

For the Girls

Amaretto-Cranberry Kiss
Ingredients:
2 cups cranberry juice cocktail
1 cup vodka
1/2 cup amaretto
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Ice cubes
Clementines, peeled, separated into segments
Preparation:
Mix cranberry juice, vodka, amaretto and orange juice in pitcher.
Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Can be prepared 1 day in advance. Keep refrigerated.
To make two drinks, fill cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Pour in scant 1 cup vodka mixture.
Cover and shake vigorously. Strain into 2 Martini glasses. Garnish each with clementine segment. Repeat 3 times with ice cubes, remaining vodka mixture and clementine segments.
Courtesy of epicurious.com