Hair Advice

I went to see Bride Wars and both Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway had such cute hair throughout the movie, but it was a bunch of hair styles that I would not even know how to begin. So let me tell you about my journey and struggles with my own hair, and then maybe you can help a sister out!

I love my hair long, well, let me clarify, I love the options I have with longer hair. I am generally lazy, and like to be able to pull it back into a pony tail, braid, or bun all quick like in the morning. (see my previous entry about my sleep issues....I am not a morning person). However, I hate straightening my hair. I used to love it. It looks so, well, straight. Now, it just seems like an extra step, and I am not digging the look as much as I once did.

Here is my dilemma, I don't know what else to really do with my hair. I have naturally coarse, semi-wavy hair. It rarely dries naturally in an attractive way on it's own. So, letting it air dry is not a good option unless it is a humid day. I don't mind blow drying it, but it tends to look coarse and start to wave if that is the only thing I do to it. I used to use a curling iron on it and either curl or flip the ends. Is that still in style? Or does anyone know how to curl it in a cute, but fast/easy way? Or maybe there is a high tech blow dryer I can buy that will set my hair for the day? I don't mind using product on my hair, but I am fairly cheap and refuse to spend a lot of money on hair product!

HELP!
I want to update my look, and be simply irresistible to Mr. Dalan Alan Peter Sellers.