Nic's Fashion Finds: Super Bowl Chic

While the Super Bowl is all about watching the game while enjoying beer and wings, it's also about showing support for your team.

You don't have to wear big bulky sweatshirts and jerseys to show your support though. As a woman that is also a football fan, I like to show pride for my team but also look good. I scoured through websites chock full of NY Giants and New England Patriot's gear made just for us ladies.

Throw this Giants scarf on top a basic top and jeans look. $17.99	This Giants top has a vintage baseball tee vibe to it. You can layer this top with a cardigan and feminine accessories like bangles. This top is also available for Pats fans. $29.99
This is my favorite Giants look. You'll be warm in this off-the-shoulder Giants tee. Pair this tee with a long pendant necklace or hoop earrings. Dark skinny jeans and boots will finish off the look. This tee is also available in blue. $39.95	I love this vintage-inspired Patriots tank.  Layer this over a black or white long sleeve top with under a cardigan. $29.95
This Patriots burnout tank would work great layered  under a feminine scarf and fleece or sweater. This tank is also available for Giants fans. $24.95	There won't be a question of which team you're rooting for in this tee. Layer this Patriots tee and pair it with a scarf and a silver cuff bracelet. $25.95
If your team didn't make it to the big game, but you still want to show support, here you go! Again, layer this NFL tee over a basic long sleeve top or under a cardigan and dress it up with some jewelry. $27.99	Here's another team-neutral option for the Super Bowl. This vintage-inspired NFL sweatshirt will keep you warm and cute if paired with dark skinny jeans, boots and silver hoop earrings. $49.99

Health & Beauty Pick: Chobani Champions

For some time now, I knew I should make the switch from regular yogurt to Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt typically has much less sugar and much more protein than regular yogurt, which makes it a healthier choice. However, I tried plain Greek yogurt before and couldn't get over the taste.

That was until I tried a Chobani's Chobani Champions Greek yogurt. I think this product might be targeted toward kids, but if you feel like you want to try Greek yogurt, this is a great option. I especially recommend the Very Berry flavor.

One cup of Chobani Champions Greek yogurt, which is also one serving, packs in 8 grams of protein in only 100 calories, 1.5 grams of fat and only 11 grams of sugar. It is also sweetened with evaporated cane juice, rather than high fructose corn syrup, and fruit and vegetable juices are used for color, rather than dyes.

You can visit the Chobani website to see all of the flavors and full nutrition information.

How Not to Date Online

I tried online dating once before and I decided to try it again. I didn't find much luck the first time around, so my expectations aren't set high this time. I figured "What the hell...I'll try it again and worst case scenario I'll have something to blog about." Well, so far, it's the worst case scenario.

I can't speak for what women as a whole are doing wrong on Internet dating sites, but I can tell you first hand things guys are doing that are certainly not getting them any closer to getting a girlfriend.

When it comes to profile pictures, find one that you look good in, that is true to what you look like when you go on a date, in which you're wearing a shirt, not making a duck face, standing in front of a mirror holding up your cell phone or wearing a Halloween costume. If you're posting a profile picture with your shirt off, hopefully you're buff enough to warrant not wearing a shirt. But more importantly, it makes me think that a guy doesn't have as much tact as I would want in a boyfriend. Are you leading with your body because it's your best asset? I hope it's not your best asset, because your personality, intelligence or sense of humor are much more attractive. I also think it does you a disservice to use a group photo as your profile picture. Girls looking at your profile aren't going to know which one you are in the picture. And I just don't get the Halloween costume pictures...guys kind of look like idiots on Halloween.

And then there's the first message you send to a woman you're interested in.

"Hey" or "Hey, how are you?" are terrible first messages. Simply sending "hey" or another similar one word message isn't going to get you anywhere because it really isn't a conversation starter. Are you going to go back and forth with that person a bunch of times with one or two words and never really get to know anything about each other? And the "Hey, how are you?" messages bother me because I think "This guy doesn't know anything about me, yet he wants to know how I am?" When sending the first message, creativity will take you a long way. Or at least say a few things about yourself and then ask the woman a few questions about herself based on something she said about herself in her profile.

When it comes to asking questions in your first message, only ask a few and don't just limit your message to questions. I received a message from a guy that was "How are you? What's your favorite color? What kind of dog do you have? What's your favorite kind of food?" and that was it. Those questions really don't warrant any sort of conversation and, as much as I love my dog and love to eat, the answers to those questions aren't really going to get you to know me.

I used to think "winks" were passive aggressive and for people too lazy/insecure to send me an actual message, but this time around I think they are a good way to see if that person is also interested in you without spending the time to write out a message that may go unanswered. If you wink at a woman and she winks back, you go ahead and send her a message.

Persistence is not key when it comes to dating online. If you wink, send a message and IM a woman without any response, she's not interested. Continuing to send her IMs and messages get creepy and annoying. Just move onto the next one that is responding to your communication.

Overall, I think the best thing you can do when trying out Internet dating is also the best thing you can do meeting someone in person: be yourself. If someone doesn't like that or isn't interested, forget them.

xoxo Nickie

Have you encountered any things you think guys are doing wrong on dating websites?

Make Your Healthy New Year's Resolution Work

Happy New Year! Now that we've started a new year, many people will be working toward a New Year's resolution. One of the most popular resolutions people make involves their health and weight, whether it is to lose weight or just live a healthier lifestyle.

If you have made a resolution like this for yourself, dietician and author of Go UnDiet: 50 Small Actions for Lasting Weight Loss Gloria Tsang said that it is key to skip overambitious resolutions and instead focus on small, achievable resolutions.

"You can't feast your way through the holidays and then expect to give up all sugar on January 1," Tsang says. "A goal like that is just not sustainable for the long term."

Instead of one big resolution, Tsang suggests making 10 smaller resolutions that you can implement all at once or once a week for the first few months of the year:

• Un-fat-free: According to Tsang, fat-free foods are often loaded with artificial thickeners and sweeteners to replace the lost fat. They bear little resemblance to real food and are not as satisfying as the real thing, so you're actually inclined to eat more.
• Un-expect benefits from isolated fiber: Tsang says that most products with "added fiber" use isolated fiber, but it doesn't work in the body the same way as natural fiber. In addition, there's little evidence is actually does your body or diet much good.
• Un-drink your calories: Liquid calories are the number one reason for the obesity epidemic, Tsang says. A bottle of iced tea has about 200 calories, and an ice cream shop milkshake can hold up to 1,500 calories. Tsang suggests sticking to water when you're thirsty and jazz it up with frozen berries.
• Be unafraid of meat: Meat's not the diet villain it's made out to be if you stick to a 3-ounce portion size, in which case even prime rib only has 340 calories. Remember: a 12-ounce steak is four servings.
• Un-blame carbs: It's not the bagels and the pasta you need to watch out for, but what you pile on top of them. According to Tsang, carbs themselves are not diet-killers, but mountain-sized portions of butter, cheese and sour cream are.
• Un-HPF: Highly processed foods [HPF] have way more calories than either meat or carbs and they're packed with sodium and artificial additives. Tsang says to skip these over-engineered foods.
• Un-source your sugar: Natural, raw and agave sugars have been getting a lot of press lately, but the truth is all kinds of sugar have similar calories, Tsang says. Limit your intake of added sugar to 6 teaspoons per day, whether the sugar is "natural" or not.
• Un-dashboard dine: Research shows that mindful eating is more effective for weight loss than following a rigid diet plan, and you're not mindfully eating when you're eating behind the wheel. Tsang suggests making time to eat at the table and learn to recognize your body's signals that it's full.
• Un-burden yourself: Get help with shopping and cooking from your family or look into getting your groceries delivered. Tsang says that you're much more likely to eat healthy when it's not a big effort to do so.
• Un-count calories: Don't obsess about choosing foods with the lowest calories, for the same reason your should avoid fat-free foods, Tsang says. Focus on foods you enjoy and savor every bite.

Nic's Fashion Finds: NYE Party Dresses

If there is one night to wear a beautiful party dress, it would have to be New Year's Eve. While you can never guess how much fun you might have or how well the new year will go, you can make sure you feel great in what you're wearing to your New Year's Eve celebration.

I've found some pretty, sexy and even sparkly dresses that perfect for New Year's Eve and are all under $100.

This Asos cut-out LBD does some of the work for you: it's gold chain straps act as a little jewelry sparkle. You could wearing earrings, bangles and/or a cocktail ring with this dress and just about any color shoe and clutch. $63.63	You'll be a pretty party-goer in this Asos Grecian dress. Not only is this dress pretty, but its cut is forgiving to many body types. You can go crazy with accessories as well! $81.81
I can't get over how great this Urban Outfitters dress is! It reminds me of a Dolce & Gabbana dress Scarlett Johansson wore on the red carpet. Gold or silver jewelry of any kind could work with this frock. $69	A little sparkle? Yes please! This Asos sequin wrap dress is great for any age or size. Simple jewelry would work best with this dress since it's already glitzy on its own. A pair of jewel-tone pumps would be perfection with this dress. $99.99
This Asos one-sleeve dress even more sparkle and glam for you. Stud earrings and maybe a cocktail ring would be plenty of accessories with this dress. $99.99	This Free People dress has a metallic floral print so it adds a bit of shine to the winter white fabric. This is another dress that a lot of different accessories could work with. $98

Nic's Fashion Finds: Bling on the New Year

New Year's Eve is the perfect occasion to go all out with sparkle. If you don't want to wear a dress covered in sequins, accessories are the best way to bling out your look.

I scoured the net for all kinds of accessories to help dazzle your look from head to toe. These accessories will work with just about any frock you're planning on wearing from a LBD to a bedazzled gown.

How pretty are these Betsy Johnson pumps?! The dainty bow to the glittery heel and the champagne hue, how could you not wear this pump for NYE? $99.95	Between the feathers and sparkling frame and clasp, this Lulu Townsend clutch is dripping in Old Hollywood charm. $39.95
When I saw this Lulu Townsend clutch, the first thing I thought was how much it reminded me of the Times Square ball. It would add a lovely touch of bling to your look to ring in the new year. $59.95	This feathered and jeweled headband would work in an up-do, a soft blow out or retro waves. $7.50
Silver and gold fringe? Yes please! These earrings are not only pretty, but they will work with just about any dress and other jewelry you might wear. $15.50	The mixed metals and and sparkle of these stacked rings will work with your NYE look, but isn't soo over the top that you will have to limit wearing them for special occasions only. $25.45
I'm always a fan of chunky cocktail rings. This faceted square ring will look great on your hand while celebrating and sipping champagne. Change it up by wearing this ring on your middle finger instead of your ring finger. $13.45	I love the diamond-shaped design of this chunky gold bangle. While this would look great with just about any dress, I think it would look exceptionally well with an one-shouldered dress. The chunkiness of this bracelet would place off the asymmetrical design.
This modern collar necklace will really highlight your collar bone. This is another piece that you could wear again and again in 2012. It also comes in silver. $24.95	I'm not a big fan of glitter-covered heels, but these pumps are a great alternative since they offer the same shine and metallic sparkle. I also love the pink sole on this shoe. $39.95

Nic's Fashion Finds: One Comfy Christmas

My family's holiday get together m.o. is to be comfortable. We like to relax, enjoy our company, food and drinks without fussing in fancy clothes. But comfortable does not mean you have to sacrifice fashion. I've found several pieces you can adorn yourself for a comfortable, casual holiday party.

And a bonus...everything is under $50 since you're probably spending plenty of cash on holiday gifts.

This Forever21 top is on trend with the metallic and tribal print, but it is still comfortable with its lightweight loose fit. $15.80	You will be at ease in this Forever21 top while indulging in the color block trend. $15.80
Lulus.com shirt dress's silky material will drape comfortably on you. A pair of leggings and flat riding boots will go great with this frock. $39	This little Lulus.com off-the-shoulder dress is sexy, but it is made of a stretch jersey which means you'll be comfy in it. Throw on a skinny belt, some long necklaces, a blingy watch or even Uggs for a perfect casual holiday outfit. $37
Another great option from Lulus.com, this sweater dress will keep you warm and trendy with its starry print. You can pair this with tights, leggings or jeans. $48	Lulus.com also has this shrug sweater will make you feel like you're wearing a blanket over your shoulders. Make sure you wear slim, form-fitting items under this so you don't look bulky. $43
I love this Express maxi skirt! It is ultra soft jersey knit, which means you'll be warm, comfortable and still trendy. Wear a pair of riding boots, a form-fitting top and maybe a statement belt for a chic getup. $19.95	Jeans can sometime be uncomfortable if your sitting around the Christmas tree or holiday table. These American Eagle jeggings are a great alternative. The pocket-stitching and hardware details help these jeggings pass for the real thing, while being comfortable soft, stretch cotton. And they tuck perfectly into all of your boots. $44.50