You've got 36 hours until 2011. Whether you're ready to ring in the new year or scrambling for a sparkly dress, Brand X has your complete rundown on how to make it a night to remember. 

* Food and Drink: 10 places to toast 2011
* Night Life: Where to dance 'til the ball drops
* Style: How to sparkle sparingly
* Party planning on a budget, Oscar-style

And for your New Year's resolutions:

* Fit Fashion: Six brands to bring to the gym
* Health and wealth: finding resolution solutions for 2011

Whatever you do -- be safe! Let us know your plans in the comments.

What do you like about New Year's in L.A.? 

“The best thing about L.A. is that it isn't cold … I've been a New Yorker for about 22 years and it's cold there, but here, it's really really warm. It's always kind of fall-ish in the winter, so I don't have to worry about being stuck outside in the cold, going to a party, trying to organize people when they don't want to go anywhere.”

-- Justin Edwards, 27, Highland Park, ambushed by Brand X's Cheryl A. Guerrero

Tell Brand X: What do you like about New Year's in L.A.? And don't miss the rest of our New Year's Eve issue.

A New Year's resolution you always make, but can't keep?

“It's always about losing weight. It could be a small number, large number, either way, I don't keep it... I've done New Year's resolutions for a few years, but I feel like you can have a resolution without New Year's. It's sort of like when you have that pressure being for the new year, it's harder to keep it almost. But if you kind of just do it, just think to yourself, I'm going to do it, without all that pressure, being sort of, you know, a new time of year, I feel like it's easier to kind of keep.”

— Diana Seif, 26, Diamond Bar, ambushed by Brand X's Cheryl A. Guerrero

Tell Brand X: What's a New Year's resolution you have trouble keeping? And don't miss the rest of our New Year's Eve issue.

Throw out your college tees and trade up for stylish new activewear that will get you excited to strut your stuff at the gym in 2011. You might even get some compliments from that guy in spin class.

Oscar Mimosa

Oscar's edgy activewear, featuring cross body straps and form-fitting jumpsuits, could be mistaken for chic swimwear. Australian designer Sarah Harte felt that there was a niche waiting to be made in the market for well-made, designer activewear. Her first collection, Hot Neon Lights, focused on her love for pilates but her latest Demure Adrenaline collection was designed for all types of sporting activities. All her pieces are eco-friendly and made in Italy, using high performance micro-fibers that guarantee UV protection and resilience. Her garments alone are motivation to hit the ground running. Don't you want to rock that crop top on your next beach run?

http://www.oscarmimosa.com/

alo

The Los Angeles-based activewear company has true California values. Their brand — which stands for air, land and ocean — prides itself on being environmentally conscious. Not only are the styles fashion-forward, but they're made from recycled fabrics and bamboo jersey, which is anti-bacterial, hypoallergenic and breathes without the addition of harsh chemicals. Even their LA headquarters is green, complete with solar panels, skylights and motion detector lighting. While some brands trade marketing for design, alo does not. Their clothes are hip, with button-up hoods, asymmetrical lines and funky colors. Another plus? They have a men's line.

http://www.alosport.com/

Play by Sarah Reilly

Sarah Reilly is no stranger to design. Formally a designer for Abercrombie and Fitch and later for J. Crew and Madewell, Reilly decided to leave her commercial success behind and focus her creativity on her new found love: yoga. Play encompasses her appreciation for the exercise with simple, clean yet modern designs. All her fabrics are organic and eco-friendly, using ecologically farmed bamboo fibers. The New Yorker originally designed the line as a layering system — wear leggings and a sports top for morning yoga, put on the Obi dress for work and the Moonshell for a cover-up. Busy Angelenos could appreciate her line of comfortable activewear, which could be worn walking around Venice or having a cup of coffee in Santa Monica. http://playbysarahreilly.com/

Three more fit fashion options after the jump >>

What's your New Year's resolution?

“To quit smoking pot, to participate in Ride of the Century, take more academic classes and to learn more tricks on my bike. That's about it.”

What is a New Year's resolution that you always make and never could keep?

“When I make a New Year's resolution, I never break it. The last major resolution I made and I didn't break was when I wanted to learn cross country because I wanted to do triathlons with my father.”

— Adam “Coot” Hammel, 19, Pasadena, ambushed by Brand X's Cheryl A. Guerrero

Tell Brand X: What's your New Year's resolution? And don't miss the rest of our New Year's Eve issue.

NEW YEAR'S EVE ISSUE: Whatever your holiday fashion faux pas, there's no reason to be overwhelmed with the prospect of having to buy a new outfit for the swirl of upcoming social events. By adding an accessory or two, a little black dress or brown v-neck sweater can be instantly transformed into something festive. Think about rich fabrics such as velvet or satin, as well as things that shine and sparkle. But use these accessories—a clutch, a brooch, a belt—in small doses.

Literal touches of sparkle are easy to find this time of year and a little really does go a long way. Try wearing sequins or glitter by way of a neutral colored scarf, such as the nude version from Tory Burch that features one side of wool, the other decorated with a smattering of copper colored palettes. Henri Bendel offers stackable rhinestone bracelets fastened with a velvet bow, a piece that could dress up anything from a black suit to jeans and a sweater.

It's not so difficult to get seasonal. Just follow our basic rule: It's probably best to sparkle sparingly.

More photos after the jump >>

What's your dream party for New Year's?

“My dream New Year's party is to take a yacht out in the bay off the sea and to just live it up for the new year to come and enjoy it with all my close friends and family.”

Do you have high hopes in 2011?

“Staying true to who I am and not settling for less than for what I want.”

— Karrie White, 34, Pasadena, ambushed by Brand X's Cheryl A. Guerrero

Tell Brand X: What's your dream party for NYE? And don't miss the rest of our New Year's Eve issue.

NEW YEAR'S EVE 2010: The holiday season marks the time to gorge yourself on delicious homemade food and break the bank picking out the perfect gifts (and attending the perfect parties too). But come 2011, the check arrives for all this indulgence, and not just as a hangover. Those extra pounds and stretched bank accounts lead to a round of resolutions. “This year, I'm going to get in shape.” “This year, I'll save more money.” But before you know it, another year has passed, and you're making the same resolutions all over again.

The problem isn't you, but rather your brain, according to the experts working in the psychological subfield of behavioral change. When you think that with some hard work you can trim that waistline or grow yoursavings account, you may stick to your ambitious plan for a while, but six months later you're back to square one.

Ramit Sethi, New York Times bestselling author of “I Will Teach You to be Rich,” has been working with financial behavioral change for almost a decade now, and for him this is no surprise.

Get wise about willpower after the jump >> 

New Year's Eve 2010: The year 2011 seems an odd one, no doubt, sandwiched between the beginning of a new decade and the approaching end of the Mayan Calendar, a longish recession and a slow-building recovery. Evidently, though, nothing makes for a good party like a hint of trouble, because party-planning Angelenos are stoking the fires for full-steam New Year's Eve wildness. Yes, the massive street parties of recent New Year's Eves are gone, but in their wake come dozens of more focused and pressure-cooked parties for all tastes, from well-curated indie rock shows to big DJ parties where you can dance yourself to exhaustion, from highbrow mansion parties to tiki-torch feasts. Of course, there are the annual parties like Giant NYE, Together as One, and Hard LA, but below, we've chosen some more budget-minded options that should ring in the new year in style, too. It's looking like 2011 is getting a better-than-average kickoff in L.A., so don't sleep! 

Our NYE night life guide after the jump >>

NEW YEAR's EVE 2010: Cara Kleinhaut of Caravents has produced Oscars soirees, US Weekly events and album release parties for the likes of Christina Aguilera and the Black Eyed Peas, to name a few. Here are her tips on throwing a fabulous fete without breaking the bank:

Lighting: Lighting is the magic ingredient when it comes to entertaining. “Everyone looks good with an amber glow, “ she says. But you don't need a lighting company to decorate. Use lots of candlelight and small battery powered lights to illuminate the walls, place smaller lamps with diffused shades around the perimeter of the room, and add accents like a silver tray topped with votives throughout the space. She suggests going to Moskatel's Crafts Downtown —a shop that many floral designers use that doesn't require a reseller's license — for candleholders and glass votives.

Décor: If your budget allows, add some floral into the mix. A few orchids, flower heads in a bowl of water or some white birch accents really add a special touch. For good deals, head to the Flower Mart and the surrounding satellite stores, or even TJ's. “ Sometimes Trader Joe's has great flowers, and they last a while,” Kleinhaut says.

Planning: Always give the neighbors warning. Not having enough to drink is a big no-no, too. The best way to be efficient is to pre-make a signature drink out of one spirit, like vodka. Do the signature cocktail plus beer and wine as opposed to a full bar. It's less chaotic, and more economical. If you have more than 50 guests, it's wise to hire a bartender, as you want to be hosting rather than pouring the entire night.

Music: Start out mellow and build as evening progresses and pop in some fun '80s dance tunes. Pop in something unexpected that people will have a good laugh from. Live music also really adds a special energy, even if it's a friend playing. If you have a piano in your living room, take advantage of that. You could even get a USC student to play.

Menu: Get some really festive paper and print your own custom menu with personal touches like “mom's favorite lasagna” or “Sarah's peach tartlet.” Pick food that reflects your personal style.

Avoiding a mess: Always serve nibbles, preferably something with carbs to absorb the alcohol. You want your guests to last until the ball drops.

Last call: As a host(ess), it's important to be aware of your guest's condition. If they're not fit to drive, politely call them a taxi. If they've come with a date, speak with them instead, as the intoxicated are rarely rational.

-- Krista Simmons

Photo: Cara Kleinhaut in action at a recent event set-up. Credit: Courtesy of Cara Kleinhaut