For a Latin girl who grew up in Miami, I am unusually fond of the winter, much to my family's surprise. I keep telling them the secret is the right equipment. For example: hand and toe warmers in gloves and boots when the temperature is in the teens and you're headed out to cross-country ski. Or the right combination of layers, from base to wind block to keep the warmth in when snowboarding in the evening.

The one thing I truly dislike about winter is the way it makes my skin look and feel—mainly, like a desiccated piece of fruit. My legs and elbows start to look more reptilian than human, and my fingers and heels crack and become rather painful (even bleeding). Once the cycle of dryness begins on my hands and feet, it becomes almost impossible to heal. I spend most of the winter looking like Michael Jackson with bandaged finger tips.

Last night I went to MNfashion's The Shows featuring local designers Gina Marie Vintage, Nicole Larson, Max Lohrbach, Kjurek, and Ivan Idland presented at Aria.

It never ceases to amaze me how much creative talent there is in the Twin Cities. There must be something in the water that fuels the arts, whether the medium is paint, food, clothing, or hair styling, as I saw last night.

I know what you're thinking: it's February 15, a day after Valentine's Day, so what's up with the post on red and pink and rose-colored everything?

Well, it's because I think you should look fabulous all season long, not just on one special night. And these are my favorite blushes, creams, lipsticks, and lacquers to do just that.

Here’s the thing about love: It's a magic potion. Even after 19 years, I still get that flutter in my stomach, the racing heartbeat, and flushed cheeks, when my husband picks me up at the airport. And even though I know there's a chemical explanation for what is happening, it's still a small miracle that it occurs!

So for Valentine's Day this year, instead of just buying your special someone a gift, consider the miraculous benefits of some good old-fashioned demonstrations of affection.

I tend to be a no fuss kind of girl, someone who likes to keep things simple, especially when it comes to beauty. I believe that some of the best tips to looking great come not from a jar, but from simple routines: eating healthy, exercising, having a good attitude. So I was naturally excited to find someone who shares my philosophy of wearing my age with pride and enhancing one's natural beauty with simple natural products.