Shopping for trendy items can be a heck of a lot easier when you've been pining for them all season. If you've been after trendy items this winter but your budget didn't , this is a great time to score them at a major discount both online and in department stores. Knit sweaters, skinny jeans and patent shoes are stylish options that will serve you well the remainder of the winter and will be just as relevant next fall and winter.

Need more inspiration? Check out 7 Fast Ways to a Stylish Fall and Winter, which showcases all of the must-have items for both work and weekend. Trends like dark florals and booties will still go strong next winter, so get yours now. Remember dark floral dresses look great for evening in the spring and summer when accompanied by metal accessories.

Photos: express.com, net-a-porter.com

It's the close of the holiday season and I love to use this time to get rid of the old and make room for the new. Overhauling your closet prior in the new year makes space for incoming items for spring, and any great sale items you're able to snag during the post-holiday sales.

If you're always searching for something to wear, and seem to dislike everything you own, be ruthless when you edit your closet. Consider the items you wear time and time again, and keep your eyes peeled for pieces similar when you're cruising the sales. Overhauling your closet doesn't have to take all day, but it can take a couple of hours depending on the size of closet or wardrobe you're dealing with. Tackle the job when you're ready for it. Starting at the break of dawn, or after a long day of big meals or shopping can lead to an unfinished job.

Check out Edit Your Closet, Edit Your Wardrobe! for fast, easy tips to make the job a heck of a lot easier.

Photo: target.com

It's the new year! This means a fresh new start to everything you do, including your beauty routine. The easiest way to keep skin looking great and hair looking healthy? By keeping up with things throughout the year. On a regular basis, use sunscreen, give you hair the occasional break from excessive styling products and tools, and get plenty of rest. You'll be surprised at how quickly this leads to fewer breakouts, and a more peaceful night's sleep.

Check out 6 Quick Beauty New Year's Resolutions and get the skinny on the easy beauty tips you can follow this year that will lead to a more fabulous you. The tricks are simple, and the hardest part is sticking to them. If you do, you'll have done 99% of the work when it comes to keeping up with a beauty regimen that keeps your skin, hair and nails healthy and looking great.

Photo: S. Cabrera

There are tons of easy, fresh styling ideas for New Year's Eve this year. Think outside of the box and wear bright colors, opaque tights and smoky eye makeup all at once for a look that is modern and fun.

For inspiration check out tips on How to Dress for a Cocktail Party and learn the simple, fast ways to dress up in a jiffy. If you're on a budget, re-examine what's in your current wardrobe and build from that with great, budget-friendly accessories. Jet black sparkling extras, shoes in satin or sequins, and glitzy headbands are all cheap, easy ways to look glam as you ring in the new year!

Photo: net-a-porter.com

Give your hair a break before the new year. Let it air dry, and refrain from using product and styling tools, which can do damage when used often. A simple wash and condition with an affordable and convenient 2-in-1 shampoo plus conditioner will get your hair fresh. If you have a conditioner around, slather your hair with it and follow with a shower cap. Leave this on for an hour or so, and give your hair a deep conditioning treatment for about 1/4 of the price it would run in a salon.

Because we're saying no to styling tools and products for these few days, headband will become your best friend. Check out the 3 Headbands for Quick, Easy Hair. Best of all, headbands are super cheap. This 3-pack of grosgrain ribbon headbands costs only $3.80 at forever21.com and comes with bright colors that add some fun to dreary winter days.

Photo: forever21.com

Dressing to look casual chic can get a little tricky if you aren't working with the right basics. Find out everything you need for relaxing in style with What to Wear - Casual Chic. Get tips for layering, and looking and feeling comfy whether you're around the house with company or cruising the insane after holiday sales for hours.

This affordable cozy knit sweater from newport-news.com gives any basic outfit of a t-shirt and dark jeans a chic look and adds loads of texture.

Photo: net-a-porter.com

It's scoffed at by some, but the gift card is probably the most brilliant idea since sliced bread. You get to spend what you want, and the gift recipient gets to pick out something that their heart desires. You can find gift cards for nearly every retailer and website, so as long as you have an idea of what a person's interests are, you can get a gift card they'll fancy.

Of course if you're reading this and have yet to start your holiday shopping, there's a solid chance that gift cards are the only thing you'll have the time for. If you're braving it to the stores for gifts and don't want to take the gift card route, check out Quick Gifting for gifting inspiration.

Photo: victoriassecret.com

If you're going from the office directly to a party, it's best to dress the part instead of trying to make a trip home or change at work. Look to versatile dresses that work at the office and after, when styled right. Use a blazer or work-appropriate jacket for covering up your arms at the office, remove it, and throw on a pair of party shoes to make the look fun.

If you'll be with the office crowd, opt for subtle glamour with a pair of festive earrings or the always popular statement necklace. Both elevate the outfit while remaining appropriate.

Photo: intermixonline.com

Headed to a holiday shindig in a hurry? Look to beauty products that will get you glam fast. They don't have to be expensive (especially since you may not use them a ton), but they should work with other aspects of your look.

If you're sporting a striking party dress that's full of frills, add subtle glamour with the help of gold eyeliner or a shimmer powder in a neutral shade like soft pink or champagne. Because your dress is the focus, go easy on makeup and look polished.

When going the little black dress route, dark lipstick in plum can create drama in seconds. Another great way to stand out? Consider trying out colored eyeshadows. Shades like teal and purple look great at night, so wear them with plenty of mascara and a nude lip for an evening look that is chic and unexpected.

Photo: sephora.com

You've got the dress, you've got the shoes, now...what the heck are you going to do with your hair? It doesn't take much time to look in the mirror and get frightened at the thought of styling your hair for a big holiday bash, but it won't take much time to make it look fantastic either.

Keep styling cream handy whether you're at home or jetting from the office to an after-work party to keep flyways at bay and hair looking polished. One of my favorites is Frederic Fekkai's Glossing Creme which is available in a travel size tube. For even less mess there's the Frederic Fekkai Glossing Sheer Mist which can be spritzed on and followed with a simple comb from your fingers.

Now that your hair is smooth and shiny, it's ready to go. Check out our Step-by-Step tutorial for The Five Minute Chignon and learn how to get the perfect modern updo in just minutes. And for an even easier hair solution that looks just as pulled together, take a look at our picks for Embellished Headbands. The look is fresh and simple and works with every hair type. Our gallery tells you how to wear the headbands and what suits each hair type best.

Photo: forever21.com, sephora.com