How can I sum up 2012? It was a very, very colorful year for fashion, to say the least. We saw vibrant shades of red, tangerine and yellow, and soft pastels like robin’s egg blue and dusty lilac. It was refreshing to see a broader spectrum this year since in past drab neutrals have made starlets and musicians appear washed out and aged beyond their years.

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So this is my last critique for 2012 and I must say I think Santa has me on the naughty list. Seeing this dress on Carey Mulligan is like getting coal in my stocking! I’m not impressed and actually quite disappointed. She usually looks exceptionally stylish and fashion-forward and I feel like this is something she pulled out of her great aunt’s closet.

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Well hello there Cate Blanchett, don’t you look fantastic on the red carpet?!

I must admit, I initially did not like what Cate had going on in this photo. At first glance the dress looked a little “ick” for me, but that’s so not the case. Within seconds I experienced a moment of clarity and said to myself, “Whoa, this is so elegant and quite becoming.” I am so loving it, to say the least.

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And then we have this dress that looks a bit like curtains from Liberace’s estate. To be honest, it is as if this dress is wearing you. The trim around the arms is confusing me. I don’t think the public has seen trim on a dress like this since Gone with the Wind. I will say that the belt was a nice attempt to make these drapes look more flattering, and the only thing this dress has going for it is the delicate neckline.

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From the top of her head, right down to her heels, everything about this look was well thought out and executed. Her hair is styled perfectly. I really applaud her hairstylist for choosing to leave it down with a natural wave. If it was up off her shoulders I think it would have aged her immensely.

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Hair guru Tabatha Coffey, the star and host of the hit reality series “Tabatha Takes Over,” stopped by The Couch to answer our trickiest hair questions.

One viewer pleaded: I wash my hair a lot in the summer and it’s getting so dry. Help!

“It’s something that everyone does,” Coffey said. “We’re outside more, we’re perspiring more, so we are washing our hair more. You need to use something that’s going to protect your hair. Use a shampoo that’s a little heavier than normal…something that’s more moisturizing, something with that has a protectant in there, especially if you have color. Make sure it’s gentle enough to be used every day.”

But should you wash your hair every day?

“It’s totally fine as long as you’re using the right product,” Coffey said. “If you’re using something that not taking the natural oils and moisture out of the hair, then it’s totally fine to wash it every day. Some people don’t need to and they can skip a day.”

Tabatha had plenty of tips! For more, check out the full interview.

Tabatha published an entry on her blog talking about why putting an end to bullying is so important to her, along with a resource list of websites and organizations that are devoted to ending bullying.

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Bullying has become a major concern and a common headline these days. We are losing our youth to bullies that pick on them for their weight, sexuality, religion, and so much more.

When a Tennessee legislator began pushing a bill that allowed bullying of LGBTQ kids, I decided I couldn’t be quiet any longer. It’s time to put an end to bullying.

If you read my book, you know I was bullied for many things including my weight, my upbringing, and my sexual orientation. It made me stronger and who I am today, but that doesn’t excuse the bullying.

As you know, I can be tough on the business owners and employees on Tabatha Takes Over, but they ask for my help and want my style of tough love and honesty. I don’t walk into random businesses and serve snark on a whim.

In contrast, these young people are bullied daily. They don’t ask for it; they don’t seek it; they don’t deserve it. It’s time we Take Over and stop bullying today.

The following sites and organizations are devoted to ending bullying. You can learn more at their websites about the resources each organization provides.

• The US government has setup a site to end bullying and provide resources to youth, teachers, and the community. The site is: StopBullying.gov.
• The Trevor Project runs the Trevor Lifeline, a 24-hour, national crisis and suicide prevention lifeline for gay and questioning teens. The number is 1-866-4-U-Trevor. You can learn more about The Trevor Project and the other great program they have at their website: thetrevorproject.org.
• The National Center for Bullying Prevention is helping to promote awareness and teach effective ways to respond to bullying. You can learn more about them at: Pacer.org/bullying.
• STOMP Out Bullying is focused on reducing bullying and cyberbullying. Find out more on their website: stompoutbullying.org
• The Matthew Shepard Foundation runs Matthew’s Place, an online community and resource center for LGBTQ youth. The website is: matthewsplace.com
• GLSEN is also a great organization that is working to eradicate bullying and bias in schools. Their website is: glsen.org
• One of the most important things young people can do when they see bullying is to speak up. Cartoon Network is doing the same by encouraging youth to speak up to stop bullying. They put together this website with great information on what you can do to prevent bullying.
• It Gets Better: a project designed to give inspiration to those that are bullied—especially LGBTQ youth.

Do your part. If you see someone being bullied, speak up and intervene. If you know of a young person in need, offer them resources and speak to them about it. If your child or young adult is a bully, address it now.

To anyone reading this that is a victim of bullying, know that it really does get better.

Have another resource? Share it in the comments.

After getting her start as a hairstylist in her native Australia and going on to work in Britain and the United States, Ms. Coffey now aims her withering criticism at salons and, in the show’s latest season, other enterprises like yogurt shops and clubs. Yet the woman who is quick to describe her targets as revolting and unprofessional, was surprisingly positive about most of this year’s films. She loved the strong female characters in “The Help” and “Bridesmaids.” And as someone who repairs broken teams for a living, she admired the story of Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A’s, in “Moneyball.”

“I liked how he sat down and looked at things on a different level and saw a way of fixing the team when everyone else was telling him he was an idiot and it would never work,” she said.

She filled out a ballot for us and spoke more about her choices and who she would like to put through one of her makeovers.

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