reLYME

I've always been a fan of a good scarf, which is funny as I'm a native Floridian (with a short time spent living in NYC.) I am a firm believer that a scarf can practically spruce up any outfit. As the months get colder however, it's important to combine fashion AND function.

The Limited Infinity Scarf accomplishes both tasks beautifully.

I saw scarves like this all over the place last winter, but none of them seem quite as fantastic as this one. (Even my dear friend, Sarah from Style IT has one!)

In either a chunky version (above left) with open stitches available in three colors or a shaker version (above right) available in many colors, the Infinity Scarf is guaranteed to be the perfect warm companion to your chilling fall (and even winter) months!

As the summer is winding down, and most likely so are your summer vacation plans, it's time you start planning ahead for cooler days while looking for a way to unwind. (That's kind of a pun...I'll explain when you're older, if you don't figure it out by the end of the post.)

Why not try knitting?

Before you go out an over-indulge your need for chunky knits at overpriced department stores, consider this: you can make that yourself!

The Cup of Yarn Scarf Knitting Kit in Very Berry comes equipped with all you need to start your first purl stitch - wooden knitting needles, yarn, and instructions.

Best of all, it's cheap and arrives in delectable packaging!

For even more adorable knitting ideas or for knitting help, check out Stitch 'N Bitch Nation by Debbie Stoller and Knit Aid by Vickie Howell.

I haven't done a favorite things list in a while, so I figured that the close of 2008 deserved a list just as grandiose as the year itself. Below, are my choices of Beka's Besties of 2008.

Best New Show: Gossip Girl - The book series turned drama has millions of fans tuning in each week to find out what will become of our conniving Ms. Waldorf and her brooding, arrogant love interest, Chuck Bass. I've never read the books, but I'm loving the show. Especially the style!

Best Album: Kanye West, 808s & Heartbreak - Though I'm not typically a hip hop fan, I'm very much a Kanye fan, and each song on this album promises booty shakin' and finger tappin'. I have yet to find a song on this album that I don't like.

Best Movie: Dark Knight - C'mon, wouldn't you have been the least bit surprised if I didn't choose this movie? As the late Heath Ledger's last iconic film, Dark Knight proves to be the best of the Batman flicks. Even better than my personal fave, Batman Returns. If only I were convinced that hottie, Christian Bale, is well-suited for his role as Batman. (No pun intended).

Best Book: Tori Spelling, sTORI Telling - No, I can't believe it either, but I did actually enjoy this book. Perhaps it's because I love biographies, but Tori's tongue-in-cheek accounts of her past and present make for one interesting read. Plus, I might even appreciate her career a bit more. On second thought, maybe not.

beAUTY

Best Facial Scrub: St. Ive's Invigorating Apricot Scrub - Call me old fashioned, but I'll never stop loving St. Ive's scrubs. And this one is no different. Tough enough to give your skin the exfoliation it needs, but gentle enough to retain skin's moisture, this miracle scrub remains a #1 Best Seller for a reason--it works!

Best Facial Cleanser: The Body Shop's Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash - I started using this in 2008 after undergoing a constant struggle with facial cleansers. They were either too harsh or too gentle. Not this one. TBS finally hit the nail on the head with their Seaweed line, and this wash cleanses skin without over-drying leaving my face perfectly radiant. Love it!

Best Lipgloss: NARS Lip Gloss in Giza - I love nude lip glosses. This gloss by Nars, who in my opinion is the world leader in lip glosses, gives my pout just what it needs to feel soft and subtly colored. Unbelievably magical!

Best Mascara: Rimmel London's Lycra Lash Extender Mascara in Black - I have short lashes, that definitely need more than just an eyelash curler can give them. Enter, Rimmel's Lycra Lash Extender Mascara. This amazing little tube not only lengthens my lashes, but also curls them big time. The best part? It's pretty darn cheap, too!

faSHION

Best Accessory: Scarves - One of the biggest trends this year was the popularity of scarves. I have always enjoyed wearing them, and thanks to stores like Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 who created lightweight scarves, I was able to wear them year-round.

Best Trend Comeback...It's a tie!: Animal prints - I'm so glad animal prints returned in 2008 (and might stick around in 2009!) From leopard to zebra, these wild patterns made their mark on everything from shoes to accessories, and even handbags.
Welcome back! Also returning this year, Leggings - They never really left stores, but their flame did die down for a bit. The reawakening of leggings in the fall took the guess work out of outfits for me, and kept my summer looks hanging on a few months longer.

Best Figure-flatterer: High-waist - Whether you're a size 0 or a size 20, I've seen high-waist looks dazzle every figure. Although I never could quite find a decent pair of high-waisted pants, I did fancy a couple of black high-waist skirts. When coupled with a belt, it was a match made in fashion heaven

Best T-shirt: V-neck - No, I didn't identify a particular brand with this one, (although thumbs up to my gray American Apparel v-neck I wear just about every other day...ask my bf!), these babies made their appearance in stores and on celebs. And they always look great. I don't care if you're packing A-cups or DD-cups, v-necks seem to look pretty good on most everyone. I snagged them from every store I saw them, and you know what? I was never disappointed! I hope this trend sticks around!

inTERNET

Best Web Addiction: Twitter - If you're not using Twitter, why not? Easier to update than any other social networking site, Twitter has become THE site to use in 2008. Hailed by social media gurus as one of the best ways to expand your brand online, Twitter keeps your followers in the know with what you're doing every second of the day. Like when you're eating a sandwich with pickles and lettuce, or you just broke a nail, or your dog just peed on the carpet, or when you're cell phone rings, or...

Best Fashion & Beauty Blog(s): OK, so I can't quite pick just one so I'm going to give the five blogs I felt were the most innovative in 2008. Ready?

• I am Fashion - Whether it's their eye for beautiful editorial photos or their ability to track down the latest trends, these three prove they ARE fashion.
• StyleIt - Sarah know beauty. Sarah shares her secrets. Sarah's blog was and is a must-read blog.
• Dapper Kid - One part educational, and two parts fashionable, the UK's Dapper Kid knows good writing, and what to do with it!
• Dressed Up Like a Lady - I am always and forever inspired by the sheer style and adorableness that this Cammila embodies.
• Sea of Shoes - With an innate and other-worldly understanding of fashion, this young lady's already got more style street cred than those twice her age.

Best Fashion Website: The brilliant Jennine from, The Coveted not only owns and maintains one of my favorite blogs, but also started up one of the fastest-growing fashion blogging sites on the web, Independent Fashion Bloggers. You can sign up to be a part of the forum, or even get your blog featured as one of the best of the week. I have highly enjoyed this site this year, and I'm lucky to have been featured as a contributing writer on the site. (Look for more in 2009!)

otHER hoNORABLE meNTIONS:

• Swedish Fish (always!)
• Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin
• New York City
• Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man
• Kiss Products
• Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
• Tina Fey as Sarah Palin
• President-Elect Barack Obama
• Britney Spears' return
• My iPhone
• Iron Man
• The Tales of Beetle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
• Wordpress

And finally...
• My economic stimulus check

As the weather cools down, it becomes necessary to bundle up and stay fashionable. That's right, you can still keep warm while looking stylish. I turned to Etsy for one-of-a-kind winter pieces guaranteed to make you stand out from the crowd of Christmas sweatshirts and turtlenecks.

1. Pink Bear Hat, $35 - This adorable, crochet hat with felt features ear flaps guaranteed to keep you warm all winter long. Custom sizing is available in adults' sizes, and can even be made for little cubs. Aww!

2. Snow Flakes Pompom Scarf, $35 - Look like a little slice of marshmallowy (Yes, marshmallowy) heaven in this most certainly unique scarf. Cute, fluffy pompoms adorn this clever, little scarf. It's functional enough to be worn all winter long, and cool enough to be worn indoors!

3. Rosemont Sweater, $145 - Cuddle up in this warm and cozy, tunic-length sweater. Cowl neck detailing and long sleeves could make this one of the most functionable/fashionable pieces in your winter wardrobe. And you can always hide extra sugar cookies in the front pockets...if you were a glutton...which I'm not...OK!

4. Green and Blue Lace Broken Plate Ring, $30 - This ring won't make you any warmer, but you'll hands will look cooler! (Hey, it works, right?) Hand-painted delailing adorns a 1970's vintage plate. This ring is adjustable, and can possibly be worn over gloves...if you were into that sort of thing.

5. Doe Deer Silhouette Painted Bottle Cap Pendant, $8 - (OK, so I'm on a jewelry kick!) It's no secret that I love Circles Are Forever's Etsy shop. I fell in love with this cute-as-a-button deer pendant. It's a great way to stay festive and accessorized. (I wanted to make a "dear/deer" pun here, but decided against it. You're welcome.)

6. Black and Ivory Fingerless Mittens with Vintage Buttons and Bow, $35 - Gloves don't have to be plain. Fingerless mittens come in a few different colors to be worn with any outfit. I gotta "hand" it to the designer...(I'm so sorry!) These classy little devils not only keep your hands toasty, but they're also guaranteed to be a conversation piece.

With only 12 shopping days left until Christmas, I thought it is good a time as any to post my wish list. This year, the economy has taken his (yes, his) toll on the reLYME family. So, we've agreed to simply bake cookies and lay off presents this year. However, a girl can still have a Christmas wish, no? And since I won't get my big impossible wishes--world peace, an end to the economic recession, for all of my friends and family to have faith in something and go vegetarian, or for orphans all over the world to get adopted, I'm going to post my material hopes. Without further ado, I present, a small piece of Beka's 2008 Wish List...and a little something for my puppy:

reLYME Christmas Wish List '08 by reLYME

And what, pray tell, would you like for the holidays?