I’ll always have a soft spot for Sophia Bush because one of my favorite ways to waste time is to have a One Tree Hill marathon, and Brooke Davis consistently speaks to my soul. (Judging from Tumblr, I’m clearly not alone.) Sophia’s personal style is just as great as her character’s. She generally sticks to a low-key, slightly edgy, feminine aesthetic, with a lot of black, lace, sequins, and classic patterns.

Surefire sign the holidays are upon us? Sequins are just about everywhere. From Wet Seal to designer boutiques. Everyone is wearing sequins, but unfortunately not  everyone is wearing them right.

To avoid looking like a disco-ball, follow these easy and breezy steps to look chic in sequins, glitter, and all holiday sparkle!

initiating the gallery...

As the holidays approach so do the sometimes-dreaded holiday parties and we all know what that means: holiday sweaters.

Okay, maybe that only happened to Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy, but the holiday season can bring some pretty awful trends but also some chic ones. Enter sequins! Worn correctly, sequins can be tasteful, glamorous and stylish! Revamp the sequin holiday dress, find a sequin daytime look, and even a take on stripes all for under $35.

The Holiday Dress

Dress:  Tinely Road, $19.97 Blazer: Forever 21, $27.80 Heels: DSW, $34.94

By revamping the traditional sequin dress with sequin detail vs. entire sequins, you’re look is extremely chic for any holiday party! A simple black blazer is a great addition for chilly temperatures and some gunmetal platform wedges add height and pizazz.

For Daytime

Sweater: Forever 21, $32.80 Leggings: H&M $9.95 Tank Top: H&M $5.95 Flats: Pierre Dumas, $29.99

By wearing sequins in a single piece, the detail is more concentrated and not overwhelming. Keep the rest of your outfit basic with pieces like these simple black leggins, tank and ballet flats.

Stripes: Sequin Update

Blouse: Forever 21, $19.80 Skirt: Forever 21, $6.80 Cuff: Forever 21, $14.80

By taking a feminine sheer chiffon blouse and tucking it into a more structured skirt you create a great contrasted look and rework stripes in a holiday-chic way! Add a chunky cuff to complete the look.

Confession: I miss hot-mess Nicole Richie. You know, 2003, fresh out of rehab, best friends with Paris Hilton, multi-colored, slightly raggedy extensions rocking, flashing boobies at fashion shows Nicole. I mean, sure, the babies are cute, her hair always looks silky and glorious, and the same antics that a 22-year-old engages in are a lot less cute in a 30-year-old. But still. I’m always a little bummed when not-Lindsay-tragic hot messes start domesticating themselves, because their uninhibited messiness is kind of admirable.

But it’s no big, because now I can admire Nicole for her banging sense of style. She’s the reason we all know who Rachel Zoe is, because Ms. Zoe is the one who gave Nicole a makeover even Cher Horowitz would be impressed by. And after Nicole became a style icon, suddenly every Hollywood starlet under the age of 30 was in Rachel’s care, but while they all looked like clones, Nicole always stood out. She has a strong sense of self that comes through in the outfits she wears, so while she may be uber trendy, she never looks dull or uninspired.

Shopping Info: Shorts, Shirt, Vest, Tights, Pumps.

Okay, upon first glance, you might look at this outfit and then give me major side-eye through your computer. It is one of those outfits that only someone who walks a red carpet regularly should be wearing, but I mean, college is basically Hollywood, and the quad/bar/classroom is your red carpet. This is the only time we can can get away with wearing anything we want before we eventually (economic climate permitting) acquire real jobs with enforceable dress codes. So why not take the opportunity to wear slightly crazy ish?

I completely love this whole “9000 ’80s trends threw up on me but I make it look hot anyway” aesthetic Nicole is rocking in this outfit. Adding pizazz to an oversized button down with a shiny black vest. Without a vest, this would still be a hot daytime look, but with this cute sequined one from Forever 21, now you’re ready for a chill night out. And I know I’m not the only one aching to rock some summer clothes, so why not throw on a pair of shorts (distressed or not) and winterize them with a pair of tights. This look is best with short-shorts, and luckily, every single store only seems to carry the hoochiest of shorts (or do I just have freakishly long legs? bah). Then, to add some major pizazz, throw on some suede stilettos, the highest ones you can teeter strut comfortably in, and bam, you’ve got yourself a super trendy, fun, fabulous outfit that Rachel Zoe would literally die over without her so-high-you’ll-die budget.

Get more celebrity looks for less here.

One of the hottest colors for 2011, whether it’s for fashion or home decor, is navy. With the popularity of nautical inspired pieces the last few seasons, there’s a good chance you already own something in this dark shade of blue. Navy can substitute for black as a neutral in many cases, making it a good addition if you’re trying to banish some of the black from your wardrobe. For example, if you’re tired of your usual little black dress routine, why not switch it up with a little navy dress?

Navy works well with all other textures and trends of the season. Navy lace? Check. Navy stripes? Check. Navy Sequins? Check. So when you’re hitting the mall looking to add new life to your wardrobe, try navy instead of black. You won’t be disappointed.

[Welcome to Celebrity Chic on the Cheap, where our style guru takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you, our poor college fashionista. What does that mean? It means that while the celebrities (like "damn, she always looks so cute," Ashley Tisdale are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to.]

I have such a girl crush on Blake Lively and her sense of fashion it’s borderline unhealthy. She possesses an incredibly eclectic style that is grounded in a love of all colors, combining different textures, and emphasizing her 10 feet long stems and fabulous cleavage. I personally applaud the fact that she even wears clothes, because if I had her body, I would probably never not be naked. I’m just saying.

Anyway, so New Year’s Eve is over. The hangover has finally passed. You’ve been tagged in 100 photos, but only half of them are still associated with your name (there was no reason for the almost nip-slip or the midnight kiss with the random to be documented, right?). As you click through all the party photos, maybe you’re still in awe of the outfit you’ve put together, and how well it photographs. Maybe you’re wishing you could always be so sparkly. This week, I’d like to offer a resolution that would actually be fun to keep – incorporate more sequins into your wardrobe. Granted, my love of sequins is probably a little bit excessive, but seriously, why should sequins be reserved for New Year’s Eve and that one other random cocktail party you go to each year?

Try this Blake Lively inspired look on a random Thursday night, and see if you don’t feel approximately 30 times more excited about the night ahead of you.

Budget Shopping Deets: Button Down Shirt – 6pm.com, $25.08; Sequin Skirt – Forever 21, $17.80; Belt – ASOS, $10; Booties - Wet Seal, $17.25.

I am pretty infatuated with looks that have elements of menswear. I find them beyond sexy. So I’m totally loving the oversized button down. (Note: Although I’m not 100% sold on it peeking out the bottom of the mini-skirt….) Keeping the top 3 or 4 buttons open definitely shifts it away from masculine and more into “damn-she’s-a-sexy-bitch” territory. Add a simple nude belt around your waist to create a more feminine silhouette and pair it with a sassy black sequined skirt to add an uber-glam touch. These studded stiletto ankle boots add a touch of edginess that completely ties the look together. If you need some extra warmth, you can throw on your favorite black blazer/leather jacket, and get ready to turn some necks with this amazing outfit.

Get more celebrity looks for less here.

The bigger question is: who cares? Because frostbite doesn’t hurt so much after you’ve had a couple cocktails, right?

OK, so you probably won’t get frostbite, but you most likely will fall off your heels eventually. That being said, I promise the pain and maybe even the embarrassment is so worth it for these shoes I’m drooling over. So maybe I have a thing for sparkly objects, and maybe my inspiration comes from the New Year’s Eve ball, but there is nothing I don’t love about these shoes. I refuse to accept I’ll ever hate them even though I know after 30 minutes I’ll be whining that I need another drink because my feet kill.

What is there not to love about these Leg Avenue Silver Glitter heels? They’re sparkly without being sequined and tacky, they’re peep toes which is oh-so-sexy, and the bottoms have an adorable pop of pink that can be seen from behind. They’re fabulous, and at $53.14, I’m considering using my Amazon gift card that I got for Christmas that was meant for Kindle books on these instead (don’t tell grandma).

I can picture my NYE outfit now: black dress, full skirt, a sparkly necklace (like last week’s Wish List obsession) to match, and blue legs because I refuse to pair stockings with peep toes. And that’s OK, because with these gems on my feet, no one’s gonna notice anything else anyway.

These aren’t your everyday shoes, but they’re the perfect amount of flash for the right party. Instead of the usual method of throwing back drinks to make these work through the night though, I’d recommend some foldable flats to stick in your purse (they get itty bitty enough to fit in your clutch!); too many drinks and the ball won’t be the only thing dropping in 60 seconds.

[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it), and 2. A major lack of storage space (for all the crap you've got). For these two reasons, maximizing what you already own becomes essential. That's why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

For many of us, right now it’s all about planning that hot NYE outfit. Sure, we can go out and buy something new (we can even do it on a budget), but if you’re like me, you’ve spent every last dollar stocking up on gifts for everyone and their mother, meaning you’ve got nothing left for that special New Year’s dress. And that’s OK, because you’ve probably already got everything you could ever need to plan the perfect outfit for the big night.

Forget battling the crowds at the mall or spending oodles of money on something you’ll most likely only wear once (either because it’s too fancy for any other occasion or ruined when your friend spills her vodka cran down the front); all you need for the perfect New Year’s look is a little creativity and all those basics you’ve got stuffed into drawers.

Outfit 1:

Product Information: Skirt, Shirt, Belt, Bangle, Heels.

Hike up a basic black skirt, put on your standard black tank, add a belt and voila! You’ve got yourself a little black dress and the illusion of an hourglass shape. Toss on a bangle, a necklace or a cocktail ring for sparkle and a pair of shoes and you’re all set to hit the town. Bonus if you no longer need training wheels (aka a date) to wear the super-high heels you bought for a high school semi; now’s the time to break them out. Depending on how much cold you can tolerate, you can bare your legs, or add tights to this look!

Outfit 2:

Product Information: Tank, Blazer, Shorts, Flats, Headband, Tights.

Everyone’s got a pair of shorts in their closet and they can easily be dressed up for NYE. The key is statement tights. (Note: If it’s too cold for something this holey, add a pair of nude tights underneath for extra layers!) Then add your go-to blazer and a tank to finish the look off. If you plan on dancing through the new year, leave those uncomfortable pumps at home and opt for a flat instead. And if you’re looking for New Years sparkle, add a big sequined headband or any of those sparkly accessories (bib necklace, anyone?) you’ve been stocking up on all year.

Outfit 3:

Product Information: Leggings, Tunic, Boots, Necklace, Ring.

You don’t have to show a ton of skin on New Year’s Eve; wearing a tunic and leggings can be just as sexy. (Plus, the extra stretch leaves some give if you’ve overindulged this holiday.) To step up this outfit and make it bigger/badder/blingier for the big night, add a big statement necklace and sparkly cocktail ring. You can even add a wide, funky belt to the mix if you’ve got one. If you own a pair of over the knee boots, they work well with this outfit, but really, any boots or shoes will do.

Find out other ways to re-work what you’ve already got stuffed in that closet of yours.

It feels like yesterday that we woke up, blurred eyed and fuzzed headed, welcoming in 2010. But here we are again, New Year’s Eve. The one night of the year it’s perfectly acceptable to kiss everybody in sight at midnight and drink your body weight in champagne. It’s also the one night of the year when it’s totally fine to wear more sequins that a drag queen. New Year’s Eve is a night where you spend hours getting ready only to wake up with what looks like half the buffet table down your dress, and your perfectly applied lipstick all over someone else’s face. It’s also the perfect opportunity to buy something shiny and new.

Everyone has different New Year’s plans, so I’ve created three different outfits depending on your plans- Casual Party, Dressy Party and Night on the Town.  And yes, all three contain sequins. I’m not even sorry.

Casual Party

Shopping Info: Leather Bomber – Bluefly, $78; Skinny Jeans – Miss Selfridge, $30; Tank - Forever 21, $14.80; Pumps - Yes Style, $37.80; Scarf – Yes Style, $28.

This is an outfit for hanging out at a friend’s house with far too many a couple of drinks and watching the ball drop. Of course it’s got just enough sparkle and pizazz to make it worthy of New Years Eve. Red was definitely the color of the season and it adds a punch to a simple black outfit. Sleek skinny jeans look great dressed up with heels, and every girl needs a leather jacket for a rock-chick edge. Of course, the sequin tank top gives you a bit of NYE sparkle. Now is there any mistletoe left…?

Fancy Pants Party

Shopping Info: Dress – Old Navy, $2950; Peep Toe Pumps - Zappos, $52; Bracelet – Forever 21, $6.80.

I LOVE this dress. I’ll say it again; I LOVE IT. It’s as affordable as it is versatile. Plus, that whole one shoulder thing is super sexay. For something easy yet fancy NYE event approp, I paired the dress with some statement sparkly shoes and a large, chunky bracelet to bring in some color. But you could do anything with this! Opt for statement earrings and a stack of sparkly bangles instead. Or throw a glittery/sparkly belt on the dress and pair it with sexy black pumps. Or skip the sparkles all together and let your shoes make a different, but equally amazing statement.

Night on the Town

Shopping Info: Leopard Top – Spiegel, $29; Sequin Skirt – Forever 21, $22.80; Cropped Jacket - Debenhams, $40; Ankle Booties - Lulus, $38; Chandelier Earrings – Forever 21, $5.80.

If you’re going out with the girls then you need something sparkly. And sexy. The club is going to be packed so you’re definitely going to need something, anything to get the barman’s attention. And this sexy leopard print number should do it. Now don’t be spilling your three-times-the-usual-price-because-it’s-new-year’s drink down this baby, because leopard print was a huge trend this season and this gorgeous shirt would also be great with jeans for a cute daytime look. Of course, it had to be  a sequin skirt. And obnoxiously high heels. And chandelier earrings. Because it’s New Years.

Let’s face it, ladies: while high heels are sexy and a definite must-have for every wardrobe, the bottom line is they hurt. A lot.  Even if you deal with the pain of heels most of the time, sometimes your poor, little, ailing feet just need a break.

Thankfully, there are lots of cute options for flats these days.  You can find a pair in virtually any color, pattern or style to match every outfit and mood.  All of these fabulous flats will take you anywhere from class to a party (and everywhere in between)–for less than $20 a pair!

[Click on any of the fabulous flats to view the slideshow!]