The holiday season is upon us, and this year more shoppers are turning to the internet to get all their holiday shopping needs met. Since I have friends and family in the Midwest and on the East Coast, I will definitely be doing most of my shopping online. It's convenient and there are deals aplenty! Shopping online allows me to hone in on the best gifts at the best prices. At least, that's my strategy this year! Here's how I'll be shopping this holiday season, share your tips in the comments:

Tips for Shopping Online and Staying within Your Budget this Holiday Season

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  Gift yourself with a game plan. Sounds more fun than "set a budget" right? Before you start shopping, come up with a ballpark figure of what you want to spend. Visualize how happy you'll be in January once you've followed through with your plan!
  
  


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  Start shopping yesterday. Traditionally, the deals get better as the holidays grow closer, but things are different this year: Retailers are carrying less inventory, so you might be better off shopping early for those hot products (toys especially). I'm actually looking forward to getting all my holiday shopping done ahead of time for once!
  
  


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  Never shop without a coupon. Check out sites like RetailMeNot.com, which I've mentioned in the past as one of the best sites to get reliable coupon codes. They've even set up Black Friday and CyberMonday deal pages with countdown clocks to those two huge shopping days.
  
  


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  Try "stacking" coupon codes. Some online stores like Victoria's Secret actually let you enter more than one coupon code to get additional discounts, free shipping or free gifts.
  
  


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  Comparison shop online even if you plan to buy in store. Online price comparison engines like BeatMyPrice.com make it easy to guarantee you are getting the best deal available.
  
  


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  Be sure to scan for sale and return policies to make sure you can get a refund of the difference if the price drops after you have made your purchase. Take advantage of price protection services like PriceProtectr.com to keep track of your purchases so you'll know when you may be able to get a price adjustment.

Have you started your holiday shopping yet? What's your strategy?

I'm a 16-year-old girl going on an 8-day vacation with my family over November break to the Bahamas—and I have no idea what to pack whatsoever. Any way you could help me out?! —Anon

I've never been to the Bahamas, so hopefully my readers can jump in and offer some tips! My advice would be to consider the types of activities you'll be doing while vacationing and then plan outfits accordingly. The weather should be sunny most of the time and pleasantly warm, however you should always be prepared for rain, chilly air conditioned spaces and unexpected temperature changes. You'll need your bathing suit, of course, comfy jeans and shoes for daytime activities, plus some cute tops and relaxed dresses for any evening activities, like going to a nice restaurant or catching a show.

This floral-print dress has a definite Bahamas-feel. Literal? Yes. Lovely? No doubt:



Here's another dress that looks inspired by the islands:



On a practical note, don't forget a jean jacket and cardigan for covering up, sandals, flats and sunglasses. While you're there, consider picking up some inexpensive jewelry, a hat or a scarf as a fashionable reminder of your trip. Send us a postcard!

Being one of your younger readers, I'm looking for a nice dress for an upcoming winter dance. Obviously my budget is pretty low (under $100 at the max, but even preferably under $50). … I am an XS and it gets pretty hard to find stuff that fits, but I'm hoping you can do it! —Amanda

Have I mentioned how much I love Twelve by Twelve, Forever 21's "luxe," fashion-forward line? Look no further:



Some of the styles are kinda out there but the site updates their inventory every couple days so keep checking back. If you can make it to a larger Forever 21 store, you can try these frocks on in person (the smaller Forever 21s only have a few pieces from the Twelve by Twelve collection, but the big stores dedicate an entire section of the store to it).

Thanks to Twelve by Twelve, you can score an almost one-of-a-kind, designer looking, luxe, feminine fabulous dress for under $50. And you won't have any trouble finding a dress that fits as sizes range from XS-L.

Now, go work on those dance moves!

The Fall/Winter 2009 season is well underway, but I've received a number of requests for a wardrobe checklist from readers (and honestly, I needed to put one together for myself anyways), so here goes! Let me know what I missed in the comments.

Your Fall/Winter 2009 Wardrobe Checklist

• Long sleeve layering tees in neutral hues with different necklines, ie. scoopneck, v-neck, turtleneck. These will go under everything from button down plaid shirts to dolman sleeve sweaters to blazers.
  
  
• Cardigans: Look for the latest shapes like open front, cascade (really drapy), cocoon, or boyfriend.
  
  
• Jeans: As long as you have some great dark skinnies and dark bootcuts, you're covered.
  
  
• Jeggings: Denim leggings, great for pairing with short dresses, tunics and tucking into boots.
  
  
• Chunky scarf: Infinity scarves (aka circle or loop scarves) are big this season, as are stripes, subdued animal prints, antique florals, faux fur and paisley.
  
  
• A warm coat you love that fits great: A wool peacoat or trench looks sharp, flatters all figures, and you can wear it to the office then out to dinner afterwards. This season, consider something with military detailing, an interesting collar, or even a ruffle.
  
  
• For going out: A sequin tank; any top with an embellished neckline or ornamentation on the shoulders; a statement necklace. If you have these items, you can wear them a million ways. Pair that sequin top with jeans, heels and a blazer. Ditto with the embellished top—or, tuck that tee into a pencil skirt and toss on some ankle boots. Lace tights are another budget-friendly way to get dolled up: Add these to your fave LBD from last season, and you've got yourself a whole new look.
  
  
• Already in Your Closet: You should already own a fab white blouse, fab pencil skirt, black blazer (velvet, tuxedo style or boyfriend) and black platform pumps to reach for when creating new combos.
  
  
• On Your Feet: One pair of riding boots, one pair of black knee-high "dressy" boots, one pair ankle boots.
  
  
• On Your Nails: Dark polish, like pewter, indigo, green.
  
  
• On Your Shoulder: Saddlebags, big bags, studded bags, faux-croc, faux-snakeskin, chain details—whatever catches your eye!
  
  
• Wild Cards: On-trend pieces to try out this season may include a faux-fur vest, leather pants, sequin leggings, zipper embellished anything, something red, something leopard print. Be brave and pick at least one thing that's outside your comfort zone!

What's on your fall must-have list? What did I miss??

I was wondering if you could suggest an outfit for me? I'm going to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to celebrate my 25th birthday with some friends and my boyfriend. We're gonna be dancing and gambling all night. I am going crazy trying to find the perfect outfit and shoes to wear. —Courtney

Great question, Happy Birthday in advance! You are going to have a fun night

So when I need a party outfit, I usually head to Forever 21. Do you like their stuff?

If you like to be comfy, you could pair this amazing top:



...with your fave dark-wash jeans and some black boots. Carry a black open-front drapy cardigan that you can toss on when you're cold, then bunch up in a ball and toss in your purse when you don't need it.

If you want something more girly, try this dress:




or this dress:



...wear with dark opaque tights, comfy black boots (like these) and top with a black blazer that you can keep on or take off depending on the situation.


Clutches are fun but you might forget it someplace, so I'd opt for a fun evening bag with a strap so it stays close by. You could always wrap your cardi or blazer kinda over the bag to keep hands free.

Dear readers: What did you wear to celebrate your last birthday?