It’s resolution season – we’re back at the gym, attempting to eat healthier, and swearing off bad habits we want to (permanently) ditch in 2013. During this time of You 2.0, there’s no shortage of ways to better yourself – so let’s not allow the small things to fall by the wayside.

Take your makeup brushes, for example. Cleaning those babies is something we should be doing on a fairly regular basis. How often, you ask? Here’s the breakdown:

Ideally, clean brushes between each use. This will help remove color from previous applications. Simply twirl your brushes over a damp facecloth and leave on a clean paper towel to dry.

Keep a schedule. To remove product buildup, excess oil, and bacteria, invest in a reliable brush cleaner (I love Sephora’s Daily Brush Cleaner) and go to town once every two weeks. Apply a liberal amount of cleaner to the head of the brush and use a thick tissue to wipe bristles from base to tips.

When the seasons change. Commit to a deep cleaning four times a year. Use warm water and a drop of your daily face wash or baby shampoo. Work up a lather and rub the bristles between your fingers. Reshape the brush by squeezing water from the base to the tips, then let air-dry.

By Lauryn Paiva, Staff Writer

How often do you clean your makeup brushes? Share in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Call me anti-January, but I’m typically not one for New Year’s resolutions. The fact that we’re expected to turn over a new leaf on January 1 – a day when many of us wake to a dreadful, post-bubbly hangover – has always felt a touch ironic. Yet this year, after a particularly hectic 2012, the thought of a resolution suddenly felt right. So I resolved – not for some sort of vague, broad-stroked goal (“eat healthy, save money”) – but to start small, with January.

This January, I will try something new every day. Thirty-one days of new.

Here’s a peek at week one:

Try a new food: Farro
With every intention of trying sea urchin or some gelatinous, gag-inducing organ on January 1, I instead began safely: an ancient grain found not in the back corners of Chinatown but front and center at my little subterranean Trader Joe’s. Its barley-like consistency paired (perhaps too perfectly) with my “kitchen sink” method of cooking – take some sort of grain, add anything and everything in fridge, consume.

Try a new gym: Sports Club/LA
Nothing against my tried-and-true gym (promise), I jumped at the chance to try Boston’s luxest of the luxe – for free. Tucked above the glitzy Ritz, Sport Club/LA’s two pristine floors of cardio, class space, squash courts, and more was like stepping into another world filled with Lululemon-clad superhumans. Lavender-scented towels enticed post-elliptical, but I have to say – I’ll take my come-as-you-are gym any day, thank you very much.

Try a new restaurant (in a new part of town): Posto in Davis Square & Tangierino in Charlestown
Trying new restaurants is one of my very favorite things to do, so I felt a little guilty putting it on my list. But in a new part of town? Totally counts. The squash pizza at Posto – heaped with roasted veggies and sage and baked to the perfect char in a woodfired oven – and the belly dancers (and anise-studded rolls) at Tangierino were most definitely worth the extended T ride.

Try a new fitness class: The Bar Method
I’ve been meaning to try barre for months, but frankly, it intimidated me. So when my friend mentioned she was taking a morning class, I took it as my cue to tag along. Fast forward through an hour of “Joanna, tuck your seat, point your toes, extend your leg…” I left hurting – and glowing – then immediately went home to book a class for the next morning.

The rest of the week, the “new” continued. I wore a leather tee to work – paired with fur. I drank 100 ounces of water in one day. I signed up for editing classes. I tried Duk Gook – Korean rice cake soup. I whipped up an insane green smoothie – and drank the whole thing. And now, eight days into it, I feel surprisingly rejuvenated – but also quite aware that I have just barely left my comfort zone.

Goal for the week ahead? Kick this resolution up a notch.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Trying something new for the New Year? Share it in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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One of the most common New Year’s resolutions? Getting in shape (just check out all the Pinterest boards dedicated to it). Well I, for one, am determined to make it happen this year – and luckily I have a secret weapon. From fun sneaks and a cute duffel to flattering, lightweight workout clothes, resolving to get fit seems easier (and more stylish) than ever.

The Shoes
With a bright, breathable mesh exterior, these running sneaks double as oh-so-cute commuter shoes.

The Clothes
A tank with a built-in supportive bra and sleek running tights (the perfect alternative to baggy shorts or sweatpants) are the gym clothes you won’t mind being spotted in.

The Bag
Not too bulky but big enough to fit sneaks, makeup, and a change of clothes, this athletic bag makes it easy to get all your gear to the gym before or after clocking out.

Our PUMA Boutique opens Friday, December 28, at 11AM ET.

By Keriann Coffey, Associate Blog Editor

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