One of the most fun nights of the year, New Year’s Eve, is just a few days away, but don’t worry if you don’t have an outfit picked out yet! Here are some great outfit options for New Year’s in the perfect colors for the night — silver and gold. No matter where you are or what you do for New Year’s, you’ll want to sparkle, and all these pieces will help you do just that! And best of all, each piece is less than $20!

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All that glitters is not gold… sometimes it’s silver instead! And I’m not just talking jewelery, ladies. This spring designers have metallics out in full force, from accessories to basics, serving as inspiration for your wardrobe.

Metallics are a relatively simple way to add some visual interest into your wardrobe. A top or a dress in silver or gold will have you shining, while a more subtle accessory will add a splash of sass to your look. Some items have a metallic thread to them giving the fabric an extra shine, and others have a more in-your-face metallic aspect to them. Either way, metallics add texture, or are at least a good contrast, to an otherwise basic outfit.

Ready to get your shine on? Here are 15 spectacular metallic items to get you started.

Who or what inspires your style? Many of us use actresses (like Sanoe Lake or Lisa Bonet) as style inspiration, even though, most of the time, they are being dressed from head to toe by the best stylists.

Which we don’t have.

And sometimes it’s damn near impossible to work their Hollywood looks into our not-so-Hollywood lives. I’ve made it my mission to tap into the mind of a fashion stylist and show you how to take your style inspiration – whatever it may be – and make it more you!

If you haven’t seen The Virgin Suicides, go see it! RIGHT NOW!  Directed by Sofia Coppola, another style icon, you can see how the 5 Lisbon sisters’ lives unfold in this dreamy and mysterious story (so mysterious, it almost seems true).  Originally based on the book by Jeffery Eugenides, the story is set in the 1970s in a town about 15 minutes away from where I live.

All of the sisters live in the kind of home where it’s a huge deal if they can actually be allowed to go to their Homecoming dance.  If these girls are late for curfew, they’re pulled out of school and under house arrest (unlike me where when I’m late for curfew my parents just…go back to sleep). Yeah, it’s not easy being a Lisbon sister. But despite  the strict dictators watching their back, the sisters manage to create their own distinct identities and styles, Lux especially.

Lux stands out not because she’s the most rebellious of the sisters, but because she’s a little more flirty in the way she dresses.  Her goal is to make those teen boys melt like a popsicle without doing anything more than showing a little shoulder or sunbathing in the front yard. I love Lux’s style because it’s romantic and simple, with a slight nod to the ’70s. On her it wasn’t vintage – because, duh, her story was set in the ’70s – but for me in 2010, Lux’s style is the perfect mix of light and vintage for the summer months. It’s dreamy and reminds me (as corny as this may sound) of sunshine, even though her life was the complete opposite of that.

Shoes, Dress, Bangle, Sunglasses

The most important thing to keep in mind when going for Lux’s style is romance. You want a dress with a little flirt in it; something flowy, flowery, soft. This dress is all three and allows you to show off a little skin but still look totally innocent. (The flowers on this dress are also eerily similar to those on Lux’s homecoming dress.)  I just love the modern style mixed with a vintage floral print that is spot on for summer.

The woven wedge sandals and gold aviators add to the 1970s feel without going overboard. And, lastly, the single gold bangle adds just enough je ne se quoi to the outfit to dress it up while maintaining a casual, “I just slipped this on” sorta feel. Put it all together and you’ve got a summer ‘fit that will make the boys swoon, just like the one and only Lux Lisbon.

It’s pretty quick, too! This look only takes about 8 minutes and uses just 3 colors (that you probably already own). That means you can spend less time and money on your face and more time and money where it belongs: at the preparty.

Happy New Year!

1. Special Black Sweater
A noir knit number will be one of your best layering pieces for fall that instantly boosts your outfit’s excitement level. Instead of going for the basic black, take a risk and opt for a pull over sweater or cardigan with special details like bows, statement sleeves or sweet rockstar influenced studs.

2. The All Occasion Platform
It’s the all occasion shoe that works for just that…all occasions. Whether you’re wearing office trousers or a sexy mini for a cocktail party, the platform is going to be your killer shoe for the season. If you’re a true busy bee, put extra shoe padding in them for added comfort and longer wear time.

3. The New Pant: Leggings
I never thought I would say this, but I love leggings – the new and improved legging, that is. They are like ultra comfy fitted pants with edgy details like zippers and stirrups. The key to looking slim in leggings is to wear them with a stacked or platform heel, and a top or blazer long enough to cover the fullest part of your thigh and bum.

4. A Wool Skirt
Don’t be confined to wearing pants all season. You can also take the chill off by sporting a wondrous wool skirt. Whatever flatters your body type the best: a pencil, mini, or A-line are all equally fabulous, just as long as your tush feels toasty.

5. Something Shiny
Mix a conversation metallic piece into your survival kit and sparkle your way through a fall fix. Gold is the new neutral, easily paired with all of your warm hues like chocolate brown, mustard yellow, heather grey, and winter white.

6. A Pop Colored Coat
You will steal the spotlight in a bright pop colored coat. Instead of limiting your options to black or brown, be bold in a strawberry red, cobalt blue, or even citrus yellow. Colored coats have no boundaries in your survival kit, as long as the fabric is suitable to brave the windy days and brisk nights.

So as I write this, I’m sitting on my lanai (balcony) overlooking the beautiful, blue Maui ocean (yes, I’m on my first “real” vacay in years), which means I’m not particularly keen on scouring the internet for under $20 deals for long periods of time (not to mention, they’re only giving me an hour of free wifi). So where did I head?

The mother of all cheap & trendy spots: Forever 21.

And no, she did not disappoint. Checking out the website or a store near you is a necessity before you head back to school, as there are loads of insanely awesome deals on ridiculously cute clothes.  What are you waiting for?  Read, set, GO!

Here are a few things I know I’ll be grabbing up. You know, when I get back to the mainland.

Denim leggings have been spotted on the likes of Whitney Port and Fergie, and are a big for fall. I know it’s a difficult trend to wrap your mind around (or shove your legs into), but we were all resistant to normal leggings at first, weren’t we? Just give these a shot. I love that they are black (more slimming), will look great with a cute pair of sandals or some sexy booties, and are only $16.90.

Cardigans are definitely a fall necessity and this one is perfection with it’s darling lace details and cropped sleeves. It’ll look great with jeans, a pencil skirt or, if you wanna totally prep it out, a pleated mini.  SO CUTE!

Ballet flats are a wardrobe staple and these ones will liven up any look with their bold color and reptile print.  Tack on the $8.50 price tag and who can say no?

Once school’s back in session and that hottie from O-Chem asks you out, you’ll want a sexy top to wow him and this does the trick, fo sho.  Bustiers always work wonders for the girls and have a great way of slimming the waist as well.  Pair it with a pair of dark jeans and some sassy stilettos and soon you’ll be makin’ your own chemistry.

Simple shirts are so important, especially for those days you overslept and are already 25 minutes late to your review sesh, and there’s something so tomboyish yet sexy about a basic raglan tee. I can’t explain it, but at $5.50 you can grab a few and figure it out for yourself.

I’ve always had a thing for big ass earrings and I love the gold/turquoise combo and the Indian vibe of these.  Just be sure not to go overboard with other accessories or crazy bold prints; these can be a centerpiece on their own.

Belts are such a fantastic accessory: they’re cute, they add some flair, and they give nice definition to your waist.  And this one does all that with an 80′s elastic band and the gorgeous lotus flower deet on the front. Sigh. I’m in lust.

A skirt for under $7, seriously?!?  This is such a versatile piece that can be used to create so many different looks from casual day to girls’ night out. And it comes in 3 great colors (this awesomely bold royal blue, and 2 neutrals; black & grey)! This might be all you’d ever need for a complete wardrobe overhaul.

Seriously now, Forever 21, have I told you lately that I love you? And this isn’t the distance talking; this is real.

Decadent beauty doesn’t get much more luxurious than pampering your skin with real 24K gold (unless of course, you want to bathe in diamonds, but this is your face we’re talking about here). And as a modern makeup maven, you deserve the best… and the prettiest, of course!

As a compulsive beauty buyer, I can’t help but notice that products featuring shimmer and sparkle are being upgraded lately to include real gold flakes in addition to mica — both for its glittery shine factor and its role as a skin-aiding mineral. From moisturizing golden hair pomade to solid gold flake sheets for an opaque gilded look, these products certainly give a fresher, much younger connotation to the term “Golden Girl!” Flip through the slideshow for some of my favorite Midas-touched products.

Check out the rest of these gold products on stylehive.com.

And the fact that we woke up at 6am just to get a freaking washing machine and a hot shower in this damn dorm is not helping things.

Anyways, in order to get you through the hardest day of the week we thought we’d play a little game of “Would You Rather?” Because what is more fun than pondering life’s most random conundrums?

So, here we go. Choose your answer and explain why in the comments section below!

Would you rather live in a world where at the end of the rainbow there really was a pot of gold OR where at the end of the rainbow there were 500 cases of PBR?

No, we did not think of these ourselves – we aren’t that sick. All questions come from our friends Justin Hiemberg and David Gomberg, creators of the Would You Rather…? series.

[Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!]

One of the hottest trends right now? Delicate chains with disc pendants. Ashlee Simpson, Nicole Richie and so many more gals have been spotted wearing them. So of course we need to get in on the trend! We’ve found tons of chic, affordable options so we — and, of course, you! — can be right on point.

GK Designs Dream Hammered Disc Necklace

Keep your eyes on your goals when you wear this necklace, which has a single word — “dream” — engraved in gorgeous hammered gold.

$63 at bloomingdales.com

Paige Sargisson Amalia Daisy Pendant Necklace

10k gold lays the stage for this beautiful pendant, crafted with an intricate daisy design that will make you feel like you’re running through fields of flowers.

$198.75 at blueluxe.com

Double Astrological Small Necklace

“Hey baby, what’s your sign?” The answer to this lame pickup line will become so much easier when you’re wearing it around your neck! We can’t wait to sling our sign — Aquarius, natch — around ours.

$42 at couturecandy.com

Sonya Renee Mini Stamped Vermeil Disc Necklace

Not only is the gleaming pendant absolutely gorgeous when hanging from a ring-linked chain, but it comes engraved with the initial of your choice. How can you beat that?

$64 at maxandchloe.com

See more at Style Bakery.

As the Backstreet Boys song says (and yes I am actually quoting them) “My Love is All I Have To Give.” So with that throwback, here are this week’s list-worthy things…]

1. Michael Kors Gold Watch- While it’s not the cheapest thing on the block, its definitely a cheaper option as far as gold watches go. It’s Chunky, it’s cute and it’s made by my favorite Project Runway personality. Now if only I could get him to design me a one-of-a kind gown…

2. Did you ever wonder what you would look like with blonde hair? I did. When I was studying abroad in Florence and thought it would be a GREAT idea to surprise everyone by dying my hair blonde. Had I known about Taaz, I would have saved myself some money, and more importantly, a whole lot of embarrassment. Because as it turns out blonde hair – especially when done by dark-haired Italians? – so not my look. Taaz is a virtual makeover site. Upload your photo and see for yourself if you can pull of the Katie Holmes Bob or the Jenny Humphrey shag.

3. Flip Camera Designable. The Flip Cam was the best thing that came into my life in 2007. I’ve shot countless videos at the bar, on the street, and laughing with friends. And now, it’s even sleeker, making it easy to drop into your clutch to catch only the funniest and best drunken moments to embarrass everyone with in a senior-year slide show.

And what’s even cooler is that you can design your own Flip Cam, either by uploading a photo or choosing a design to go on the cover! Genius.

4. Michael Seasons Snacks. Imagine your favorite potato chips, soy chips, or salty treat. Now imagine it not making a pit stop on your thighs and making your jeans feel 10 sizes too small. Well, thanks to Michael Seasons you don’t have to imagine that any longer. All your favorite salty snacks, only all natural and healthier. There is a spot for this lovely, lovely man in Heaven.

5. Twelve by Twelve line. Forever 21′s version of a bit more chic and a bit more pricey (and by bit more pricey, I’d say still running between $30 and $70 dollars for a piece) fashion line. I love, love, love this dress. It screams one-of-a-kind but comes to you at a lovley mass-produced price ($36.00). Hol. ler.