When I first arrived in NYC, I would go to the opening of an envelope. I was so excited by everything that seldom an invitation went unanswered; I just loved to be out of the house, exploring the city.

These days, I am much more picky. You could be mistaken for thinking it comes down to snobbery, but the truth is that it’s hard to wrestle me away from my dogs and my husband!

When I do manage to extract myself from their loving grasp, however, I am reminded of why I love this great city. It is so spectacular, and there is always something wonderful going on.

Juicy Couture, who are celebrating the launch of their new Viva La Juicy Noir fragrance, asked me to share what goes on before I race out to paint the city pink… And I answered the call!

Do you have any pre-party rituals? I do. Here are a few of my essentials…

I am a huge fan of the disco nap — it enables me to battle on without finding myself inexplicably sleepy come midnight. Just a 45 minute kip is all I need to feel powered up!

A quick spritz of some fabulous fragrance always invigorates me and gets me psyched to dash out the door. I experiment with new scents all the time, but on a hot summer night, Viva La Juicy Noir is perfect for the girl who is always wearing her dancing shoes, sees possibility around every corner, and leaves a trail of sequins wherever she goes… It smells like berries, honeysuckle and sandalwood. So good!

One great accessory can make a huge difference to your attitude and help break you out of a crisis of confidence! I’ve been wearing this hat all summer long, and I feel like it gives me a dash of jaunty almost-French sass. Ooh la la!

Sometimes if I’d rather curl up on the couch, I set myself an intention for what I’d like to happen. It can be simple, like getting a couple of cool Instagram shots, or a little more meaningful, like having one really great conversation with a new person. This helps me feel like I’m not just scampering off to event after event, and imbues my evenings with significance and purpose.

Another tip I love to employ is to channel someone I admire when I go out. I can easily be that girl in the corner, absorbed in her phone… And really, if you’re going to do that, you might as well just stay home. To yank myself out of a wallflower moment, I think about what someone else — like Madonna, or maybe Katy Perry, or Pee-Wee Herman — would do if they were in that room with me. Just thinking about this enables you to see more possibilities. When you channel someone else, you’re able to drop those preconceived notions about who you are and how you behave, and have a much more enjoyable experience!

Be sure to pack your essentials into a cute bag or clutch. There’s nothing worse than being out and about when you realise you’ve forgotten your lipstick or your phone! (Truly, a Very Modern Nightmare.) I also love to throw a miniature bottle of fragrance (like the Viva rollerball) in my bag for touch-ups. Who knows where the night might lead?!

So… Want to win a shopping spree?!

Who would say no to that?! I’ve got you covered, girl. Follow Juicy Couture on Instagram and upload a photo of your ultimate night out on the town using #NightisforNoir and tagging @JuicyCouture for a chance to win a $1,000 gift card to Juicy Couture and the Viva La Juicy Noir fragrance! What could be better than that?! (Click here for the contest rules.)

Do you have any pre-party rituals? I’d love to hear them! (And fingers crossed that you’re the lucky winner of the Night Is For Noir contest!)

Love always,

This post was made possible with the help of my friends at Juicy Couture.