My 7-year-old is drawn to infomercial products like a fly to the Bug Zapper Racket ... like a dog to Bark Off ... like a senior citizen to the EZ Eyes Keyboard ... like a mom to those Meaningful Beauty products Cindy Crawford will practically bring to your door. In fact, my little princess is convinced the holidays will be a total disaster without a Big Top Cupcake.

I'm not gonna lie, I've been smitten with some of those infomercial inventions myself. I own a couple of Snuggies, for instance -- everyone in the commercials looks so comfy on their couches while reading books and not feeling fettered by the constraints of a blanket. I've bought P90X, and Moon Sand, and Blendy Pens, and even Pillow Pets (before they sold them everywhere from Walmart to Shell stations).

In fact, some of them are positively irresistible and I want to buy them as gifts. Here are a few I find both ridiculous and at the same time inexplicably appealing:

Now that Thanksgiving is over, the holiday battle of the bulge has officially begun. Oh yeah, you know what I'm talkin' about. The pants are a little tighter, you're opting for cozy sweaters, and although you're super excited about that holiday party coming up -- you're dreading slipping into something a little more ... revealing.

Heck, I'm right there with ya. We've already tackled holiday dresses that hide winter weight, now it's time to talk accessories. Yes, you heard that right. The right accessories can help you look trim this holiday season, and I'm not just talking about a brand new pair of Spanx. Check out 5 slimming accessories to complete your holiday look:

Fall, winter, and I have a love/hate relationship. I oh-so-love the chilly season's beautiful scenery, absolutely adore all the eggnog filled holiday corniness, and man do I look forward to my dad's loaded sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving and grandma's tri-layer Italian Christmas cookies. But ahhh, there lies my problem. Colder months and my waistline, well, they don't always get along. At all.

All those special occasions, work parties, holiday parties, parties just because we have nothing else to do and it's cold outside -- they tend to involve a whole lot of extra eating and drinking and, as a result, adding a few pounds.

So what's a frustrated, bigger (if only slightly) fashionista to do when it's time to get holiday fancy? Don't fret my fellow seasonal indulgers, there are loads of great dresses out there perfect for holiday fun that can conceal your trouble spots. Here are 8 holiday dresses that hide the weight you gain doing all that eating:

This New Year's Eve, whether you're stepping out on the town with friends, headed to a dinner party, or staying home with the kiddos, there's a pretty little shoe out there to help you ring in 2012 with flare. After all, nothing makes the perfect NYE ensemble quite like a show-stopping pair of shiny party shoes. So bring on the sparkle, the sequins, and the glittery glow! It's time to bid adieu to 2011 with style.

Here are 10 sparkly shoe picks for your New Year's Eve festivities, whatever they may be -- and they're all under $50! Let's celebrate!

Have you picked out your New Year's Eve dress yet? If you've been waiting for the perfect party to find the perfect dress, the time is NOW to hit the stores. You only get one chance to make a first impression on 2012, so make sure your dress is memorable. Panicking yet from the pressure? Well, chill out a bit because it's not too late, and it's not going to cost you a fortune.

I've found five sassy dresses that look like they cost you your Christmas bonus, but actually won't even put a dent in your pocketbook.

Save your money for champagne, and pick up one of these gorgeous, yet totally affordable, dresses to wow your New Year's Eve date.

If there are two things I absolutely hate giving for the holidays, they’re 1) gift cards and 2) money. Even if that’s what the person asked for, I still feel defeated sidling up to the ATM for a $20 bill or slapping some predetermined denomination onto a little plastic card. It’s so uninspired.  I want to play with the possibilities of what the people on my list will like. I want to test how well I know their tastes. I want to see their faces light up when they open the bag or tear apart the gift wrap and see whatever fantastic piece of imaginative thoughtfulness I’ve come up with to make their season bright.  Deal-of-the-day websites have made that holiday cheer-sharing easier. One might argue they’re not much better than a gift card or a wad of cash. But if you’re quick and a little creative, they’ll open up a whole new avenue in your gift-giving greatness. 

Etsy; $28Oh it's a jolly season alright, full of holiday parties, concerts, dinners, events, and more. And for each one of these gatherings, you want to look merry, bright, and festive. But new duds for each one could break the bank. So what's a frugal fashionista to do?

Why, accessorize of course. 'Tis the season to sparkle, and there's no easier or less-expensive way to transform what you already have hanging in your closet into special and festive frocks. Here are five great ways to turn your everyday items into ones worthy to deck the halls and so much more.

If you're like most of America, you've eaten a little too much over the last week, and now it's time to face the music.

You're packing a few extra pounds right now, and until you can manage to get to the gym and sweat the extra weight off, the waistband of your skinny jeans just might be cutting off circulation to your brain.

I can't help your blood flow, but I do have a few tips on how to at least camouflage that excess baggage.

Rule number one?

Wear black. Lots and lots of black. There's no color that's more slimming.

You could opt for the Lanvin ensemble to your left from Neiman Marcus, which will run you about $4,150. (It's on sale. Quit whining) ... or you could go with something a little cheaper. It's totally up to you.

Black is your friend right now and don't you forget it.

Want to see more slimming tips?

Read on ....