How to Style Short Hair

I don't know. And that's what I'm looking for. I love my new cut, I even had her take off some more this week to make it more A-line. I looove the change from my long, damaged and boring do to a fun and energetic look, but I've discovered it only looks fun and energetic if I actually straighten/style it. Which really doesn't take much time, but I'm sort of in the stage of wash and go or just go.

I can even end up looking like two completely different people depending on if I do my hair or not because when I straighten it, I also do my makeup--hey, if I'm putting effort in, might as well finish the look. If I just wash and go, I don't bother with makeup, and you can see me in all my poofy, flippy and uneven glory.

I'm looking for ideas on: 1. Any way to disguise a not-done short hair day making me look more presentable? 2. Any way to style the short do besides the simple straightened look.

I found my daughter's hair clip on the ground the other day, so I put it in my hair and went about the evening. When I saw it in the mirror, it actually looked really cute, at least it did in person. This pic should really be tossed but there is no alternate pic. There are water spots on my dress because I'm sure I dribbled while drinking and my tummy catches everything and you can see my awesome (clean) laundry pile that's been accumulating for over a week behind me. More on that later.

So I'm on the hunt for EASY home-made hair clips with a little more adult-cute than this:

It's hard to critique something that you can tell she really loves and she looks so sweet in her pics (found on etsy.com), but these are a little ridiculous for an adult, and maybe kids! But then again, I'm all for a little ridiculous in dressing kids or them dressing themselves. There are lots of fun ones from this girl on etsy, but I thought this would be enough to show what I'm not looking for. Unless I decide to join a cheerleading squad, in which case, I'd like 6 of the below clip.

Here is a clip that I love. I know, at first glance it may look a bit like Ryanne's first one from up above, but look past the feather similarity and enjoy the fun glamour in it. If only I knew what you would wear this thing with, I'd totally wear it. But seeing as I wear t-shirts every day, and some of them stained, this would just end up looking ridiculous, and we know how I feel about that.

I find these darling. I wish I could make these, but it looks like it takes a little too much time. Cut though huh?

I love this, and think I could probably figure out a way to do these. I love the color too, makes me want to eat chocolate and raspberries and put a sweater on and go for a walk in the cool evening and...maybe it's just because it was almost 100 degrees that I'm thinking this way. But I love the clip. Anyone know how to make these?

Also pretty stinkin fall cute huh? A bit too time consuming I can tell. But maybe my mindframe is all confused because all the clips I've ever made have been for my girls and we've lost 90% of the adorable little things. I'd hope to be better and keep at least 50% of them. Unless I look at my wedding ring and replacement track record and that would put me at a solid 100% loss. Yep, better go with easy so it won't be a big loss.

Ah, my last one. Pretty and delicate and probably best for a wedding or a gorgeous light summer outfit. Not what I'm sporting these days, but I had to include the gem.

Q: Above qs: how to disguise un-styled short hair? and how to mix up the finished do of an A-line cut? and any links to directions to make some of the cute clips like above or anything along those lines?