And although I love a bold hair flair statement, I also like elegant and simple hair accessories, too, like sequined and rhinestone bobby pins.

Because hair accessories are all the rage right now, they can also be really expensive! And we all know that us college kids don’t have the moolah to spend $10 on a bobby pin. So here is a money savvy way to add that extra elegant glam to a normal hair day without adding the extra cash.

What You’ll Need:
Large or Extra Large Bobby Pins: Get bobby pins in your hair color to keep it simple, or use brighter color bobby pins for a bolder statement! Find these at any local drug store, Target, or grocery store!
Small Rhinestones (or sequins): These will be later glued onto your bobby pins, so make sure they are small enough to fit nicely onto the pin! Use multiple colors for some fun, or keep it classy with black and silver rhinestones that will create a more sophisticated look. Find these at your local craft store: Joann Fabrics and Michael’s  have a huge variety.
Superglue: You can pick this up at any drug store, hardware store, or Target. Don’t use the brush-on-superglue – instead use the normal super glue with the small tip (which will make for easy application!).
Tweezers: This is optional but they’ll make the process a lot easier…and prevent you from getting your fingers stuck together.

What You’ll Do:

1. Apply a small dot of super glue to the bottom of your rhinestone. Using your tweezers, or a steady hand, apply your rhinestone to the top of the flat edge of the bobby pin (the non-edgy side). Let dry.

2. Repeat step 1 until you have rhinestones covering your bobby pin. Alternate rhinestone colors or use the same color rhinestone throughout. Let dry!

3. Work it, girl! These aren’t your normal bobby pins anymore and aren’t just for keeping those tricky hairs in place. These bobby pins are fashion and function! Pull your hair back into a messy bun and add the bobby pins for extra glam…or you could always use them to create that perfect jersey shore bump!

Though grossly under-rated, hair accessories might be one of the best ways to spice up an outfit and add a special flair. Cheaper than a hot pair of shoes and more practical than a bunch of bangles, headbands and hairpins do double duty: they accessorize and pull that hair out of your face.

Whether you’re looking for something rocker chic, vintage, boho or classic, there are adorable hair pieces out there at super cheap prices. So instead of spending $30 on a shirt you will really only wear once, why not spend $20 and load up on some hair accessories that will enhance the stuff you’ve already got hanging in that closet?

The pearls and feathers make this head piece look luxe enough to be seen on a red carpet and glam enough to make even that my-hair-is-so-so-greasy ponytail look chic.

I love how ethereal this metal leaf headband is. It’s so simple yet it could totally make an outfit.

An easy way to work the sequins, this headband definitely makes a statement. And that statement is: I know how to make a boring jeans-and-tee-outfit look damn good.

Another twist on the bow headband, this one is perfect for the preppie girl with a love of pearls.

This rhinestone rose clip can dress up your everyday look, or be the perfect dose of old school glam for that LBD you’re sporting on V-Day.

Animal print is huge right now, but if you’re worried it will make you a little too Snooki, adding it in small doses is the way to go. Unless you use these clips to hold up that giant pouf…

If you want to rock the embellished headbands but aren’t quite ready for the giant bow, these two headbands are the perfect medium. And, let me just say, they are the best accessory when you know you can’t wear your hair down (because you’re going to a sweaty frat party), but don’t want to look like you just came from the gym.

They'll never know how cheap it was...

So we all have those people in our lives that we get excited to buy gifts for. I’ve had my best friend’s present picked out for months, I can’t wait to deck my mom out in a new dress and some chic matching accessories, and I always love browsing the department stores and getting my boyfriend the watch he’s been eying or the latest must-have men’s scarf. (What? I love the way a guy looks in a scarf…)

Then there are the other people. Like your brother’s girlfriend who apparently got you something even though they’ve only been dating for three months and you barely know the girl (and they will probs break up in a week, anyway) so what the eff do you get her? Or that weird aunt who’s coming to the holidays this year. Or the guy in the mail room who’s always hand delivering those giant packages from home…

You don’t want to look like a grinch and show up empty handed. You don’t want to be impersonal and hand out gift cards. You don’t want to look cheap. But most importantly, you really don’t want to spend a lot on these people. So what do you do?

Here are some affordable, fun ideas for all of those “others” on your holiday gift list this year. You’ll look generous and thoughtful and sweet and kind and anything but cheap. Way. To. Go.

Twistbands

$10 for a pack of 3

These clever, stretchy hair bands can be used as hair ties, headbands, or bracelets! In addition to solid colors, they also come in fun designs including holiday themed, tie-dye, zebra and embellished. Order a couple sets, put them in a cute gift bag and keep them on hand for any fashionable girl in your life that you might have forgotten to buy for (believe me it will save you the awkward, “I forgot your present at home” spiel).

Anthropologie Home Goods

Ski Cap Candle Pom Poms: $18.20, Fiat Luxe Felted Soap: 14, Paisleys Spoon Rest: $10

The minute your recipient sees the Anthropologie bag they will shout, “You shouldn’t have!” Something about the store just oozes sophistication, plus they will (adorably) gift-wrap for free, making your gift look even better. Any mother, aunt, or kitchen-saavy friend can be taken care of with one of these gifts.

Free People Gem Earbuds

Gem Earbuds: $16

Whether you know the person well or not, you can be 100% certain that she’s got an iPod. You could go the iTunes route, or you could not be boring and lame and grab some adorable earphones… that sparkle! These gem earbuds are stylish and probably a welcome change from their worn-out , generic, iPod-issued ones that always fall out of their ears. Did I mention they sparkle?!

Forever21 Hat Scarf Set

Heathered: $9, Plaid: $9

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with a hat and scarf set. A matching set always seems more substantial than just giving one or the other. Forever 21 offers decent quality for the cheap price, and no matter who this guy is (a friend from home you haven’t seen in awhile, your boyfriend’s brother, or that weird cousin you never could pin down), he is bound to get cold in the winter months so this gift will most definitely be appreciated.

Holiday Coffee Mugs

Assorted designs: 7.99 Per Dozen

Stockpile these mugs in your room and you’ll always have a last minute gift at your fingertips. They cost less than a dollar each but are super cute and perfect for anyone on your “others” list. Fill it with hot chocolate mix or candy for a younger cousin, and with tea bags or coffee beans for someone older, then wrap it up in cellophane and attach a little note card. It will look store bought and profesh… no one will know.

Initial Earrings

Earrings, Urban Outfitters: $16

This is a gift that you can guarantee won’t be returned the next day. Well, assuming the person receiving it actually has their ears pierced, of course. These earrings are cute, (seemingly) personal, unique and cheap!

Every time I go out on a weekend in a beret EVERYONE comments. It’s unique, it’s different andit says you’ve got fashion balls.

Hello, risk-taker!

If, however, you find yourself in my shoes with a big case of LH (large head, and I mean that literally; not the ego kind), headbands are another great way to change up a look or keep up with a trend without going into serious debt. They also happen to be a great way to get by without washing your hair for “just one more day”- slick those bangaroos back and you look chick and clean! Cute while being lazy? Now that’s what I’m talking about!

Here are my favorite hats, headbands and hair accessories for fall. They give a whole new meaning to hat hair and for once, I don’t mind it!

Beret

Pair with a boyfriend blazer, a beater, a long necklace and some skinnies for a great day or night look. You can go with a basic knit version,  or add some sparkle for a more refined look.

Cloche

Love a cloche hat with a shift dress, opaque tights and patent leather Mary Janes for a vintage feel that’s totes authentic. Plus, most of these fit low on the head, which means you can look cute and retro and keep your ears warm.

Headbands, bows and feathers

The best thing about these? You can pair them with just about ANYTHING! They’ll completely change the look of a basic tank and jeans ensemble, or add some much-loved flair to a sequined dress.

Fedora

Fedoras are cool, that’s all there is to it. And they look ultra cool with a leather jacket, a long basic tee, some skinny jeans and a pair of ankle boots. Clean hair optional.

Winter Hats

These hats are fashion meets function at its finest. Cute, warm and total showstoppers. Best paired with snow, a warm jacket and a hot latte.

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

Even short haired girls know, a summer outdoors is a hair disaster waiting to happen.  Cruising in a convertible. Spending a windswept day at the beach.  Biking with friends. Floating your day away in a pool.  They all sound fantastic right about now, don’t they?  Well your hair doesn’t agree.  Tame those wind ravaged, water logged tresses with these cute, chic and fabulous accessories.

Cute Clips:

Throwing your locks into a simple half updo, is a classic, chic solution for limp strands that hang by your face.  Secure with a statement clip to add character and charm.

This Miniature Bug Hairclip is adorable for summer yet its gold and rhinestone detail make it dressy enough for evening. $16, bananarepublic.com

So you can’t go to Hawaii for vacay?  Well bring the island home with this set of Blue Leopard Hibiscus Flower Hair Clips.  The tropical touch is perfect for any beach party. $8, torrid.com.

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with roses?

At Chanel’s spring 2009 couture show, models walked the runway adorned with paper roses in their hair. At Valentino and Moschino, dresses and accessories featured oversized origami-like roses. Looks like Carrie Bradshaw’s flower obsession is back…and bigger than ever.

If you don’t have a real bouquet to flaunt this weekend, throw on a rose embellished headband or pair of heels. Or pick up some rose-inspired fashion; you can add a little Spring to your wardrobe and stay one fashionable step ahead of your friends who are still trying to pull off the whole bow trend.

Here are some affordable, sophisticated and cute rose accessories:

Topshop

mark.

Forever 21

Or, if you want to take the trend all the way, here are some cute tops and a dress. If you decide to wear something with the rose embellishment, be sure to pair it with something classic and simple, like dark jeans and a simple pump.  You don’t want to overdo the look. And, please, do not go rose crazy. A dozen roses from your Valentine may be great, but you don’t need a dozen on your on your outfit.