By Linda LaSala, Editor-in-Chief, Girlawhirl.com
Tips and tricks to look and feel great during the holidays abound.  But a few strategies that streamline party prep are all it takes to alleviate some of the pressure.

At Girlawhirl.com we advocate simplicity; not necessarily simple styles, but simple preparation. Everyone knows what works best for her body, whether it's a wrap top or V neck to show off decollete, or a halter or sleeveless top to highlight toned arms. Shop for one or two pretty holiday tops, looking for cashmere, satin, or even stretchy rayon fabrics in the season's most vibrant colors: purple, teal, turquoise, emerald, burgundy or deep red.Banana Republic has a huge selection this year, and the best part is, you can shop online and make any necessary returns at your local store, saving both time and money.

Pair the new tops (consider buying the same one in two colors if you only find one that you love but have quite a few gatherings to attend) with everything from dressed up jeans - dark wash, no whiskers, floor length to a black pencil skirt to all kinds of black pants.

Don't overlook ballet flats as an option if you're wearing skinny pants that hit at the ankle. An embellished ballet flat - there are several options at Piperlime.com will keep you comfortable yet still looking party perfect.

Hair and makeup can also feel like a daunting enterprise, but again, always strive for simplicity. For the face that means a concealer, a highlighter, and that lipstick that you love. Vibrant Eyes Concealer from Genie Beauty does just that: creates vibrant eyes where dark circles once lurked. The formulation has light reflecting pigments, and it contains a proprietary T-One Complex that contains antioxidants and helps strengthen capillary walls so, with continued use, under eye veins don’t show as much. As for a highlighter, take your pick from the assortment at Benefit Cosmetics. Their newest, That Gal, is a primer that when used under makeup creates a subtle glow. It can also be used as a gentle highlighter, great for someone who's never used highlighters before or who hates the idea of shimmer on her face. High Brow is also indispensable. It's a matte pink pencil that when used under the brow lifts the whole eye area. High Beam and Moon Beam are true highlighters that glow via a touch of iridescent shimmer and glitter.

Forget about feeling like you're not party ready because it's been months since your hair was highlighted. With a few swipes of Frederic Fekkai's Hi-lights Hair Mascara shimmering highlights are yours, until your next shampoo. Just use the wand to sweep it wherever you need some luminosity. The formulation contains crushed pearl and diamond powder for color that really shines. Gold looks great on blonde and light brown hair and Cognac is perfect for medium brown to black shades. Stock up on this, because it's spectacular.  Once you try it, you'll want more, and it's and only available for a limited time.