by Erika Lehmann

Congratulations!  You've finally gotten that last bit of snowman wrapping paper out from underneath the sofa and are settling in for what you think will be a quiet New Year's Eve at home with your family.  Suddenly you find yourself accepting an invitation to a last-minute New Year's Eve event and it seems that everything is falling into place - your mother-in-law has agreed to watch your kids, and your hubby seems excited for a night out.  Then, without warning, you panic.

Here's a secret - you already have a closet full of clothes - use it wisely!  Here are a few last-minute tips and tricks to help you utilize some items that are already hanging in your closet to pull off the perfect New Year's Eve look! 

1)  Glam Up Your LBD.  Almost every woman has the Little Black Dress.  Glam it up for New Year's Eve with a smokin' hot pair of red pumps, a colorful belt that will give you some va-va-voom curves, or a sexy swing coat. 

2)  Make a Statement.  A statement piece such as a bold necklace or some glittery earrings will go a long way towards making you look and feel as if you are dressed up for a big night out!  If you don't have one, try a store like Forever 21 - they have a great section devoted to accessories and for very reasonable prices!

3)  Go For Glitter and Gold.  Sparkle is never more widely accepted than it is on New Year's Eve.  Pull out that sparkly tank top, sequin skirt, or other over-the-top item that you have hanging in your closet and use it as the centerpiece of your look.  Pare down a colorful skirt with a black tank top and blazer, black leggings and boots, or match a shiny top with a black pencil skirt.  Remember, a little shine goes a long way.  Do it, just don't overdo it.

4)  Rock Some TIghts.  Do you have a skirt that you'd love to wear but think it's too short for you, or perhaps just too cold out?  Utilize my favorite winter combination - black tights and boots.  If you are going to be somewhere especially chilly, or spending a lot of time outside, layer your tights with a second, identical pair.  Your legs will thank you.

5)  Dark and Skinny.  Jeans, that is.  Elect to wear a pair of skinny jeans in a dark wash - they will elongate your legs and give a slimming effect.  A darker wash also looks more dressy and chic than a lighter wash, so pair it with a sexy top and a pair of boots or heels.  Throw on some great accessories, create a smoky eye, and you'll easily be the most smoldering woman in the room. 

That's it!  Dressing for New Year's Eve should be fun, not stressful, so relax and play around with it.  No matter what you decide on, remember that the number one key to any look is to feel good about yourself first and foremost.  After that, everything else falls into place, because no one can take their eyes off of a confident woman!

Erika Lehmann is the founder of Chic Shopper Chick, and the Beauty and Style Co-Editor at Lifetime Moms.  A former high-school French teacher, she now spends her time as a freelance writer, Twitter addict, avid traveler, and mom to one, among other things.