I published this article last year, and I am publishing it again. I watched four episodes of Sex and the City last night, opened my eyes several times throughout the night, thinking that I was, again, single at Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2007, and, again, single at the New Year's Eve party as we entered 2008, and I will, again, be single on my fast approaching birthday in the beginning of February, and, most likely, remain single until and during Valentine's Day.

Did somebody scream DEPRESSING?

My state of singleness, is mostly due to several internal birth defects that I popped out with, and some that I developed along the way, enhanced by becoming increasingly comfortable in my own ways, and therefore, more and more picky about others'.

GOD HELP ME!

Then, I got up, and I said to myself that I really should consider applying for that translation position in Iraq because maybe that will put some sense in me, make me think more positive and appreciate the blessings I have. So, I have decided to not let this state of singleness get me down and do what always gets my spirits up faster than the speed of light.

GET DRESSED! BECAUSE I LIKE IT AND I AM DOING IT FOR MYSELF FIRST AND FOREMOST! With that I leave you with these tips that have helped me. HAPPY DRESSING!

Do you have a Valentine to get all dolled up for? Yes? Wonderful! You don't? That's alright as well. I don't have a Valentine this year. And at the rate of things, I doubt that I will have a surprise and see a two-footed, handsome creature show up at my door step with a larger-than-life bouquet of flowers and a huge box of chocolate to call mine. And I know that there are a lot of you out there like me.

Will we let this get us down and sit by the TV in our pajamas and lament? Absolutely not! Valentine or not, we don't need a special reason, person, excuse etc. to look good and feel good. We do it for ourselves first and foremost, and we will get dolled up and do whatever our heart desires that day and the following days.

Maybe you have some other special day in February; perhaps a birthday, anniversary, wedding, a big party? Who knows? Whatever it is, I gathered the tips that have helped me the most for getting ready for that special occasion. And whether you want to impress or not, they will be blown away!

Taking care of business
Plan ahead. The idea here is to make it look effortless even if you put days of effort into it. And that takes planning. People who have seen the movie Clueless will know exactly what I am talking about. It happens to be one of my favorite movies. Not because it is an Oscar nominee or anything, but because it is a lot about fashion, and I am all about fashion. Do you remember her taking Polaroids of different outfits in her closet a week before her big date? That's how I am before an important date.

Consider the occasion. Is it outdoors or indoors? Is it a fancy occasion or a casual occasion? Is it at night or during the day? Can you wear something tight or will you be on your period and bloated so you should opt for something a bit forgiving? How much cleavage can you get away with? These are all some important things to consider.

Once you decide what type of an outfit is suitable, come up with three options in your head. One week before the occasion, and making sure that you have at least one weekend day within that one week so you can replenish stock in case you are missing something, try the outfits on. Three crucial factors to watch out for here are lighting, comfort and fit.

Check yourself out in the mirror, preferably in daylight if you can. If things look good in daylight, they will look good under any light. Are there bumps and bulges that need to be tucked in and/or smoothened? Those troublemakers come out best in daylight. If so, it may be time to invest in some good body shaper. I have them in every shape and color and there is absolutely nothing to feel bad about wearing these. Trust me, most people who you think look fabulous is sporting them underneath that gorgeous dress whether they are a size 2 or 22.

Do the colors and other pieces match each other nicely and pleasantly? Do you need any alterations? Is it comfortable? You need to make sure it is. No matter how gorgeous you look in an outfit standing up, if it is killing you sitting down or otherwise, you will only end up feeling self-conscious and it will show as you are fidgeting the hell out of yourself or have that "I am not enjoying myself" look on your face. Remember Samantha from Sex and the City in that smashing black dress at Charlotte's first wedding which "only looked good standing up?" You don't want that.

How is the fit? Is this outfit as flattering on you as you thought it would be? Do your bra straps show? Are the girls overflowing or showing off just enough to seduce the mind? Can we tell the color of your underwear when you bend? You get the picture.

And if you are as detail oriented as I am, you will also check and make sure you have the outerwear, shoes, purse, accessories, underwear, and pantyhose to accompany the outfit. The latter are the most overlooked yet most important elements. Do you have the right ones in the right colors? You don't want to be caught rummaging through your closet for that strapless bra or those stockings while you should have walked out the door twenty minutes ago.

Once you have the outfit ready, make sure it is clean, ironed if need be, and ready to go off the hanger and on to your body that day. Now stop all activity involving the outfit. Do not rethink it. You made the decision; that's why we planned ahead. You can now relax.

Grooming. If you regularly get your nails done and get whatever body part you like more naked than others, you probably do not need to worry about this. For others, there are a few tips:

Never, ever get a facial in no less than three days before your important date. I am thankful and grateful for all the make-up variety out there which could cover anything up these days, but there is nothing worse than trying to camouflage irritated skin with heavy make up and irritate it even more. The redness and the bumps show through. If you need to get a facial, make sure you get in three to four days before, so your skin has time to heal, adjust and bounce back.

If your skin is as sensitive as mine and your legs look like you either just got the chicken pox or a cherry tomato field just blossomed on your legs when you get a wax, get it done at least two days before your date so your legs have time to start looking normal. And of course, always exfoliate before hand so you get the best results.

If you will get your nails done, I recommend getting them done a day before. Here are two tricks that have worked wonders for me; flip flops for your toes and latex gloves for your nails. Regardless of the season, I always take a pair of flip flops with me and wear them when my toes dry and make the rest of the day in them.

Make sure you pay before they put your nail polish on, and take your keys, sunglasses out and place where easily reachable. It is also a very good idea, albeit very boring, to wait at least 20 minutes even after they say your nails are dry and want to ship you off. I do, and they get used to it in time. When you go home, put on latex gloves and do not take them off until you leave the house. These gloves also prove to be perfect protectors of nail polish when you are cleaning or running other errands around the house.

The day has come. You are home. You have the outfit laid out on your bed. You have your nails done. You are showered and clean. I will also assume you did your hair. There are three things left to do before you leave. Doing your make-up, getting your purse ready, and perfume.

Get the purse ready first. Then, put some perfume on. Do your make up next and then, get dressed.

Look in the mirror. Voila! You are ready. Now go and have some fun!