Invest in your staples classic, sturdy pieces that can be worn for years and years and buy trendy pieces only at a bargain price. A classic pair of black pumps that you’ll wear for hours at a time, at least several days out of the month, for years and years to come? They’re worth the splurge, so invest in a pricier pair that will hold together and offer better cushioning for your feet. The electric yellow pumps that you might only wear a few times out of the year? Try to find a bargain pair.

The same goes for any other purchase. A classic winter coat, a crisp white shirt, the jeans that flatter you just so these are pieces that will stay in your closet for years, so buy with quality in mind. Hot pink jeans and tribal-print skirts are passing trends that might not last more than a few months, so go ahead and look for a bargain.

There are lots of bargain stores at the mall, offering clothes and shoes for less than $50 (and often far less than that). Before you buy, check the item carefully. Are the seams well-stitched, or does the garment look like it might pull apart? Are the buttons sewn on tightly? Dresses and tops might be made of thinner material, so be sure you have a camisole or slip to wear underneath. Don’t buy the wrong size just because it’s on the clearance rack; an improper fit makes any garment look cheap. And check the return policy: many stores offer strict store credit only policies, or even refuse returns. Buyer beware!

As a general rule, trendy cheap chic chains are great for trendy jewelry, scarves, handbags, and other accessories. Remember that you probably won’t find real leather here, and the leather-look items can cut either way: fabulously fake or shiny and cheap. Some of the clothes are worth the money, but you’ll need a keen eye to separate a great bargain from a cheap item. They’re not the best places to find shoes, coats, or professional attire. But you can usually find cute pajamas, trendy tops, and other separates at great prices.

Save your hard-earned cash for investment pieces and hit the bargain chains when you need a few trendy items (like a colorful belt or a glittery clutch) to amp up the wow factor on your staple outfits. That’s the secret to bargain style!

Best: Touchable, bouncy waves. Guys like to be able to touch your hair, and they also love it when you’re confident to look natural (not flat-ironed to perfection).

Worst: Sticky products; anything that looks like it took hours to create. If you’re afraid to get a hair out of place, your date will be too and obviously, hair that’s loaded with products is no fun to touch.

Best: Light, glowy makeup. A little tinted moisturizer and highlighters makes your whole face glow, even if you’re not dining by candlelight.

Worst: Spacle-y foundation. Guys start to wonder what you’re hiding with that thick makeup.

Best: A low, loose bun. It’s sweet, and shows off your neck (which most guys love).

Worst: Sky-high topknots (or any other architectural ‘do). Again, guys are afraid to touch your hair. Severely pulled back hair can age you, and anything too bizarre approaches sci-fi territory.

Best: A little tinted lip balm or clear lip gloss. If you want to wear lipstick, choose a smooch-proof formula.

Worst: Anything that leaves stains on his face. He doesn’t want to be wearing your makeup by the end of the night.

Best: A cute hair accessory, like a headband or a sparkly barrette. It’s cute without being over-the-top.

Worst: Hair wreaths. Giant bows. Enormous flowers in your ponytail. For most guys, this crosses the line from beauty accessory to borderline scary fashion trend so skip it, and don’t make him try to guess what’s on your head.

Best: A hint of mascara. Bonus points if you curled your eyelashes for a natural, sexy flutter.

Worst: False lashes. They’re truly scary when you get up close, and if you pull a Britney Spears and lose one in your soup? Check, please.

Skipping primer. It’s not just for the red carpet: today’s formulas are light as air, non-greasy, and stay put all day. Use one under your foundation to fill in fine lines, even your skin tone, and provide a smooth canvas for foundation to ‘stick’ to, so your makeup will look fresh all day.

Using the wrong formula. Thick liquids or dry powders have a tendency to settle into fine lines and exaggerate imperfections, rather than hiding them. Start with primer (see above), then use a lightweight, moisturizing formula designed for mature skin.

Using the wrong shade. The porcelain shade that perfectly matched your 20-year-old skin might seem shockingly pale on your 30-year-old self. The reason: age saps your natural glow and can leave you looking paler than usual. A warmer shade will bring you back to life.

Skipping highlighter. Today’s pumps and rollerballs dispense a hint of shimmer and glow, not the sparkly sheen you might imagine. Use it to lift cheekbones, slim the bridge of the nose, add a little light to the corners of your eyes, or fake fuller lips (dab on the Cupid’s bow).

Settling for a plain-Jane formula. Sure, you could settle for a basic liquid foundation, but why would you when there are so many options on the market? Unless you’re committed to using a separate SPF moisturizer each morning, you’ll want SPF in your makeup. New formulas offer anti-aging benefits that work to improve your skin’s tone and texture all day long. And after all, if you’re going to put something on your skin for several hours, it might as well offer you a few extra benefits!

Best: Cute ballet flats. You care enough about looking good that you’re not wearing hiking boots with that dress, but you’re still wearing shoes comfy enough for dancing.

Worst: Sky-high stilettos. You’ll be limping too badly to enjoy yourself. Also: teetering isn’t sexy!

Best: A flirty, body-conscious (but not skintight) dress that shows a little bit of skin. Think a strapless, knee-length sundress.

Worst: Anything that needs to be taped in place. There’s a fine line between sexy and trashy, and you won’t look cute tugging at your clothes to avoid a wardrobe malfunction.

Best: A cute fitted coat, like a blazer or a cropped motorcycle jacket.

Worst: A parka or nothing at all. Yes, there are two wrong options! Guys want to see your shape, but they don’t want to worry about you catching a cold.

Best: Something classic, like jeans and a tee.

Worst: Super-trendy outfits. Guys aren’t fashion mavens, and they don’t want to spend your date trying to figure out what you’re wearing.

Best: An outfit that shows off your best asset and makes you look and feel fabulous.

Worst: An outfit that says ìI’m trying too hard.î If you’re self-conscious about your middle, don’t wear a skin-tight top, because you’ll be too concentrated on holding in your tummy to enjoy your date. Highlight another part of your body that you love, like your long legs or toned arms. And don’t wear a cut or color just because it’s supposed to be ‘hot’. Stick to what you love and what you know makes you look good. Confidence is hot!

Use a hair mask. No time to deep condition? That’s okay; deep overnight treatments are available from salons and drugstores alike. They work to repair split ends, restore moisture, and soothe over-styled hair while you snooze. Best of all, today’s formulas won’t leave a greasy residue on your pillowcase.

Slather on moisturizer. You might use moisturizer head to toe every day, but during the winter months, it might not be enough. Smooth on a rich body butter from head to toe, then smooth a rich emollient on your feet and slip on socks before climbing into bed. You can also smooth on a rich hand cream and wear cotton gloves, if need be.

Treat your face. Some face creams pack a powerful punch against spots, fine lines, and dryness, but they might not be suitable for daytime use. Some are too thick to layer under makeup, while others don’t contain SPF. The solution: use them at night, when you’re tucked away in bed for eight hours.

Plug in a humidifier. It’s no secret that dry air dries out your skin. A humidifier releases moisture into the air and helps relieve dry, itchy winter skin.

Tweeze and shave before bed. Hair removal can leave your skin red and stinging, not your best look. Do it before bed, so the evidence has a few hours to fade away before morning (and before you add potentially irritating creams and cosmetics to the mix!).

Get a glow. Nighttime is the perfect time to use your self-tanning lotion, since you can slip into old sweats or PJs before hitting the sack, thereby sparing your new clothes from unsightly stains. When you wake up in the morning, you’ll look extra refreshed and glowing!

Already, her longtime publicist has quit over the firestorm. Other celeb chefs, most famously Anthony Bourdain, have slammed Deen for hiding her diagnosis while continuing to sell her fans on dishes heavy in fat and sugar. Bourdain took to Twitter again on Tuesday to slam Deen for using her diagnosis to turn a profit, while continuing to push her artery-clogging (and unhealthy) recipes.

But what, exactly, does Deen’s diagnosis mean? More than 25 million Americans suffer from diabetes, and the bulk suffer from Type 2 diabetes, just like Deen. You’re more likely to fall prey to the disease if you are obese, meaning Deen’s taste first, health second style of cooking is a major no-no for people trying to avoid the disease. Type 2 robs the body of its ability to regulate blood sugar, so meals must be carefully timed and planned out to avoid eating too much or too little sugar at the wrong time.

While Deen insists that she doesn’t actually eat her famous dishes as often as people think, there’s no escaping that fact that for a diabetic, eating is no longer a carefree exercise. It’s not simply about eating what you love in moderation, and even with a meal plan, some diabetics require medication to balance their blood sugar. And the list of consequences for non-management are long: heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, pregnancy complications, and more.

Deen is a powerhouse in the food world, with multiple cookbooks, TV shows, a magazine, a restaurant, and her own line of kitchenware. But it’s questionable whether her media empire will be able to stand the fallout from her revelation. For now, it seems, her diagnosis only confirms what nutritionists have begged people to do for years: step away from the deep frier and eat healthier, lighter foodsóbefore it’s too late.

Use a fancy holder. Swap a basic elastic for one with some kind of ornamentation: decorative ponytail holders can feature everything from silk flowers to metal work to faux jewels. It’s a way to have a little fun with a pony, even if it’s of the most basic variety.

Wrap it. After you pull your hair into a pony, separate a small section of hair from the underside of the tail. Wrap it around the base of the tail so the elastic is fully hidden and secure underneath with a bobby pin; the mini variety are perfect. Secure with a spritz of light-hold hairspray.

Switch it up. Sometimes creating a new look is as simple as changing your part. If you always wear your hair brushed straight back into a pony, add a side part. If you like high ponys, try a low style. Or pull your hair over one shoulder in a side pony, like celeb cutie Taylor Swift sometimes does.

Go dramatic. This is perfect for very straight hair or for second-day hair that’s been flat-ironed sleek. Make a deep side part instead of pulling your hair straight back; finish with glossing spray.

Add texture. Tease the tail for fullness, or add a couple of small side braids for interest before securing the pony.

Curl up. You can use a large-barrel curling iron to create a few large spirals in your pony, which makes it instantly bouncier and more interesting than a basic straight ponytail.

Add volume. Take a cue from stars like Kate Beckinsale and add volume to your ponytail. Tease the front for extra height and fullness, then brush the sides back so they’re smooth and sleek. Secure the elastic high on your head above the ears is perfect and finish with light-hold hairspray to keep the volume.

Why is this so important? Well, you want to make room for those new products, obviously. But this is also a good time to take stock of what you’re really using, and what you don’t. If your long-wearing lipsticks are worn down to nubs, while that trendy but not-so-longwearing shade is untouched, it’s time to rethink the lip formulas you buy. Do you have half a dozen pink lip glosses in your bag? Maybe you don’t really need to add another one (or two, or three!) to your collection.

Mascara has one of the shortest cosmetics shelf life, three to six months you almost never have to dig for an excuse to try a new formula. But make sure you keep a favorite tube on hand so you’ll have a trusty standby when that miracle formula disappoints.

Nail polishes looking strange lately? Once the lacquer begins to separate, change colors, and clump on the brush, you’re not going to get a flawless manicure, so stop clinging to that old bottle. Take it with you to help match a new shade, so you can keep wearing the color you love.

Foundation is one of the most important items to weed out of your bag. If you realize you have multiple formulas sitting at the bottom of your bag, too dark, too light, too cakey it’s time to visit the makeup counter for a consultation. Not only can a pro help you pick the perfect shade, they can also help you weed through multiple formulas, no more buying cover-up that’s too oily or too sheer.

Finally, before you’re done, wash your brushes and set them out to dry. If any have frayed or loose bristles, replace them! A cute new set of brushes is the perfect finishing touch to any makeup bag.

In such a wired age, most of us wouldn’t dream of setting off for a week away from home without a bevy of gadgets: a laptop, iPad, cell phone, camera, e-book reader, MP3 player, video camera, and of course all of their accompanying chargers and USB cables. Whew! That’s a lot to pack along, especially in a carry-on. Here are a few things you can do to make your trip a bit easier.

For starters, before you even pack your bag, write down the make, model, and serial number of every electronic item you plan on packing. Yes, you should already have all of your serial numbers tucked away in a safe place, but many people neglect this step when they purchase a new ìtoyî. Put one copy of your records in a safe place, and take another copy with you; if your items are stolen, you’ll need those numbers to help ID and recover your goods.

Make your gadgets pull double duty. The laptop and Kindle might be superfluous if you have the iPad; likewise, many cameras now record HD video, so unless you plan on making a mini-movie, a separate video camera, with all the bells and whistles, might not be necessary.

Use plastic twist ties (sold at electronics stores) to corral all of your cables, and store them in a clear plastic Ziploc bag. You can use different colors for different items for at-a-glance identification. Make sure all of your gadgets are in protective, water-resistant sleeves, too. If you have items that require rechargeable batteries (like AAs), make sure you have a spare set and a charger in your bag so you don’t end up searching for a Walmart store in the middle of the night.

Finally, pack your devices wisely. Chargers and small items (like the camera) can be tucked inside of shoes. Larger items, like the laptop, can be nestled in between layers of clothing for extra cushioning (that doesn’t mean you can ditch the sleeve!). Don’t put items in outer pockets where they can be easily pilfered, and consider purchasing a lock for your bag to deter thieves.

Most importantly? Remember to put down the gadgets once in a while and enjoy your trip!

The CW Network has ordered a pilot for ‘The Carrie Diaries’, based on the book by ‘Sex and the City’ author Candace Bushnell. A prequel to Bushnell’s mega-popular novel, ‘The Carrie Diaries’ follows a teenage Carrie Bradshaw through her high school years in Connecticut, before she moves to New York and meets her future galpals (and Mr. Big!).

One of Carrie’s BFFs, Samantha Jones, is expected to pop up in the new series, as she does in the book. However, since Charlotte York and Miranda Hobbes don’t appear in the book series, they probably won’t appear in the TV show.

Rumors have been circulating for quite some time about the prospect of a ‘SATC’ prequel, and now that the show has the green light, speculation is wild about which fresh-faced young actress will sign on to play the teenage Carrie. Blake Lively, Emma Roberts, and Chloe Moretz are three young stars whose names have been batted around in connection with the project. For now, though an actress hasn’t been announced, it’s rumored that ‘Gossip Girl’ producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage have signed on to work on the show.

If the pilot does well and The CW chooses to order a full season (or more) of ‘The Carrie Diaries’, we’ll be getting a juicy look at Carrie’s transition from small-town dreamer and wanna-be writer to the Big Apple fashionista we all know and love. After the success of ‘The Carrie Diaries’, Bushnell also penned ‘Summer and the City’, a sequel exploring Carrie’s adventures once she arrives in New York, so The CW has plenty of material to exploit for multiple seasons.

There’s still no news about a premiere date for the show, so ‘SATC’ fans will just have to ‘Carrie on’ waiting until The CW chooses to release more details about the new series!