ShopEatSleep

It’s every girl’s (and some boys’) dilemma: finding the perfect party dress for all those holiday parties that crop up every December. But you’re also on a budget — what to do? Hopefully I can help. Here are some of my favorites, from the ultra cheap chic to the less-cheap-but-won’t-necessarily-break-the-bank chic.

Fun, flirty party dresses: This H&M dress ($19.95) with a vintage-vibe print is super cute and super affordable. Looking for a little more sparkle? Try this Forever 21 black sequin dress ($24.80).

H&M

Forever 21

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Velvetine Clyde Bag. From Shopbop.

Ah, if only I had an extra $725 lying around, I would be the proud owner of this gorgeous Clyde bag by Velvetine. The fold-over front flap and the cute chain detail really got me, as did the optional long strap (I like options). The pebble leather is also a nice touch, as it gives the bag a little something extra, which I think is important when the dominant color is a neutral.

My only concern with a fold-over bag is ease of entry. The fact that you have to unfold the flap and then unzip the bag to get into it — something that requires two hands — makes me think you wouldn’t want to use this if you were planning on doing any multitasking. But it’s so pretty!

What do you think? Do you choose form over function, or is usability paramount?

Alice + Olivia Voula Ombre Sequin Dress

Love to shop? Love free return shipping? Then you no doubt already know about Shopbop, the online retailer of all brands luxe and hip. If you don’t, then consider this your friendly introduction to the fun shopping website that carries everything from J Brand and Rich & Skinny to Thakoon and Alice + Olivia, all of which you can find on the site’s designer clothing sale page. This Alice + Olivia Voula Ombre Sequin Dress (shown at right), on sale at 30 percent off, is a personal favorite of mine.

Would you like some help with buying some of your personal faves? Then you’re in luck because I’m giving away a $100 Shopbop gift card. With that kind of cash, you could put it toward some of the flow-y pieces from Thread Social or a cute one shoulder dress. Or maybe one of the Tibi dresses is more your style — the black and white Cap Sleeve Dress and the Madeline Cap Sleeve Dress are two that I would definitely consider.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post by Oct. 27 at 11:59 p.m. PST stating what you would spend your $100 on.

2. Either follow me on Twitter or “like” me on Facebook.

3. Either tweet “I entered to win a $100 gift card from @shopbop on @shopeatsleep! http://su.pr/1dOcTs” or post on your Facebook page “I entered to win a $100 gift card from Shopbop on ShopEatSleep [and tag the Facebook page]! http://su.pr/1dOcTs”

That’s it. I’ll pick a winner at random and make the announcement on Oct. 28. Good luck!

**This contest is closed**

Note: The winner is Hanh of HungryHungryHanh. Congratulations!

Marc by Marc Jacobs mouse ballet flat on sale for $119

Plaza Too: This online retailer is offering 25 percent off everything, including sale items, and free shipping on orders over $200. Shop from Comme des Garcons, Cole Haan, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Tory Burch, among others.

Rebecca Minkoff: Through Dec. 29, peruse Rebecca Minkoff for the last sale of the year, with 45 percent off regular prices and free domestic ground shipping. The company is also giving away two bags a day during the sale on its blog, Minkette.com, and you get to choose the bag you want, too. Pretty sweet.

ShopBop: Shop items from 30 percent to 70 percent off, including LnA, Cynthia Rowley, Whitley Kros and Alexander Wang, among many others.

Heath Ceramics: Free shipping on orders over $75 through Dec. 31.

A Flud Tableturn watch. Not necessarily the one Urban Outfitters is giving away.

Free! It’s all free…if you win, that is. But the good thing is, you don’t have to pay or do (too) much of anything to enter these contests, which if you win, could mean the perfect holiday gift for that special someone (you!).

Urban Outfitters: This isn’t a month-long giveaway extravaganza, but for the rest of this week, you can enter to win one grand prize a day. Today’s prize is a Flud Tableturn watch. There will also be 10 first prize winners who will get $50 Urban Outfitters gift cards, which I think is the better prize anyway. All you have to do is fill out some information, which will probably be used for spam and junk mail, so use you crappy email address. This contest ends Friday, Dec. 11, so hurry!

ShopBop: The online shopping Web site is giving away a handbag a day for the entire month of December, and they’re not just clutches. Today’s prize is an Antik Batik shoulder bag. All you have to do is give your email address.

Discover Los Angeles: L.A. Inc., the city of Los Angeles’ tourism arm, is giving away free stays at L.A.-area hotels throughout December. Today’s hotel is the Crowne Plaza Hotel LAX (admitedly not that glamorous, but don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, I say). To enter, you’ll have to answer a question with information that can be easily found on the hotel’s Web site, which is conveniently linked from Discover L.A.’s site.

Los Angeles magazine: The magazine is giving away items from artisans featured in its December issue, “Hand Made in L.A.,” but only one per week this month. This week’s prize is a Graf & Lantz (love!) wine carrier. All you have to do is answer a simple question, i.e., “Tell us your favorite BYOB spot in L.A.” to enter.