Costume jewelry has been chic since Coco Chanel made it so, but sometimes there’s no substitute for real gemstone jewelry. If you’d like to pick some up for much less than usual, here’s how.
Hint: It’s all about timing — and March is my favorite time to hit the jewelry counters.
Since I’ve been a Floridian all my life, I know a thing or two about dressing for even triple-digit temperatures.
Fortunately, those temps are still a ways off even here — but with spring just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about warm-weather purchases that will keep on working as the temperatures rise.
It’s shaping up to be a fabulous February. If you don’t believe me, just check out the featured posts at this month’s edition of The Fabulous! Festival, hosted at All About Appearances.
From fashion faux pas to female centric art, there’s plenty of interesting reads.
Bloggers: The Fabulous! Festival is a great way to introduce your writing to new readers. If you’d like to participate in and/or host an upcoming edition of The Fabulous! Festival, here’s what you need to know.
In a recent advice post, I explained the basics when it comes to using stripes and other lines to look thinner, taller, and generally balance out your figure. Now, I’m going to give you more examples that you can use.
Here I focus on verticals, a great place to start since they’re the easiest to use.
We love vertical lines because they are the easiest to work with and are generally more flattering than horizontals. However, you don’t have to go around looking like a caged canary.
While stripes are certainly a form of line and are sometimes a perfectly good choice, there are many ways to create vertical lines. And in fact, there is something to be said about more subtle choices that create an illusion without revealing the trick behind it.
Now that you’ve mastered vertical lines, don’t forget to check back soon for my next post in this series which will be on those pesky horizontals.
Girls aren’t the only ones who just want to have fun. Guys love toys, whether they’re simple classics or high tech gadgets.
Of course, those high tech gadgets can easily cost big bucks. And unless you’re a fellow geek, all those numbers and acronyms can be a bit intimidating. That’s why I suggest appealing to his inner child directly. And don’t be surprised if he marvels at how well you understand him!
Look at these fun toys you can get him for less than $20… they all ship internationally, too!
Combine food and fun with a Marshmallow assault rifle (click on Geek Toys). The list price is $39.99, but they’re now available for $14.99! At that price, you may want to get several.
If watching TV with my husband and our friends has taught me anything, it’s that guys love explosions. Of course, if the idea of giving your guy TNT makes you a tad nervous, you’re definitely not alone. Fortunately, this Great geysers kit (click on Geek Toys) gives new meaning to the phrase “bottle rocket”. For just $14.99, it packs plenty of power without the need for anything that could burn your home down.
Likewise, this Zero Fog Blaster (click on Geek Toys) is a safer alternative for the guys that like playing with smoke rings. Instead of smelly smoke, though, it creates rotating rings of fog. It’s $19.99.
Looking for another way to encourage some harmless, clean fun? Check out this Airzooka Air Gun (also under Geek Toys). It’s just $12.99 and never needs reloading.
If you’re still unsure what to get, remember that guys like to shop, too. He’s sure to love a gift certificate to a fun site like ThinkGeek. In addition to the toys above, they carry lots of other toys, gadgets, and fun books.
Or, give him a gift certificate to Amazon.com. They’re sure to find something there, and you can send a gift certificate to his email inbox at any time if you need a last minute gift.
Is the way to a man’s heart through his stomach? Well, let me put it this way, I’ve never met a guy who didn’t like to eat — not even my picky husband.
Whether you cook him an elaborate Valentine’s Day dinner of his favorite foods or simply bake him some treats, he’s sure to love it. But if you’re accident prone in the kitchen like me, you might want to let someone else do the cooking.
Here are some ideas, all under $20.
This assortment of gourmet cookies ($19.95) is a winning combination, but if for something a little different, take a look at Valentine gift box of assorted chocolate biscotti. It’s $14 and ships worldwide.
Brighten his morning with chocolate covered stirring spoons. This set of stirring spoons is dipped in dark Belgian chocolate. It’s just $12.99 and ships worldwide. Looking for more variety? This chocolate spoon variety gift box is $19. Or for just $2.29, you can get these chocolate spoon molds to make your own. They ship worldwide.
Not a chocolate fan? Then check out Brunch Munch sampler with cheese, nuts, and sausage for $19.75.
But while he’s chowing down on sweets and fatty foods, maybe you can get him to drink something healthy like tea. My husband is now addicted to green tea instead of Coca-Cola since we purchased the Adagio IngenuiTEA dispensing teapot. It’s $17.49 and ships internationally.
Got a man that loves to cook? If you do, show him how much you appreciate his grilling skills with great sauces. For just $18, you can get either one of these three-packs from Big Acres:
Or, let him show off his machismo with this gift pack of six Mexican hot sauces for just $12.95.
Finally, for the guy that would rather order from a menu, consider filling this Take-Out Menu Organizer with menus to his favorite restaurants. It will also be a great resource when the two of you are trying to decide where to go for your next romantic dinner, or where to order from when you want to spend a night in without having to cook. It’s $14.95 and ships to the U.S., Canada, and APO/FPO addresses.
Guys don’t know how easy they have it on Valentine’s Day. As cliché as it may be, they’re usually safe just grabbing some chocolates and flowers on the way home.
Meanwhile, we may shop for weeks ahead of time trying to find that perfect gift that won’t end up gathering dust on a shelf. And if you’re like me, you may find that over-thinking about gifts leads to over-spending on them as well — though of course, you still want to be smart and thoughtful about it.
Yes, it is a fine line.
Don’t be discouraged, though. To save money, time, and energy on Valentine’s day gift shopping for you guy, you just need to keep one thing in mind. If he’s a fairly typical guy, he’ll be interested in three things:
With that in mind, I’ll be bringing you specific ideas for Valentine’s Day gifts — all under $20 each. So stay tuned!
Do you avoid pencil skirts with a passion? Have you written off dresses, empire-waist tops or low-rise jeans?
While it is true that some styles just aren’t flattering on everyone, you might be selling yourself short if you base those judgements on the few pieces that you’ve tried on.
Here’s a simple tip to find styles which flatter you… without costing a cent!
Required reading from The Bargain Queens this week:
Work the season’s hot color
Get your gorgeous glow on with these orange finds: from Prada shoes to Michael Kors patent leather bag.
The skinny on stripes and lines
How to wear stripes and still look slim
Audrey Hepburn style
There’s a must-have little black dress for everyone.
Look like a goddess for under $35
Feminine, floaty and flirty in one of the most flattering shades around.
Experiment with the mood-enhancing effects of color
The cutest lavender argyle rain boots and a fuschia sateen trench coat.
Green may be the top color of the season, but orange is a close second and is a great color to add some real pop to your wardrobe.
Orange is generally harder to wear than green, but don’t let that stop you. If you love orange but think that it doesn’t love you, check out How to work difficult colors into your wardrobe. (Hint: Accessories, accessories, accessories!) And for lots of orange inspiration, take a look at Kasmira’s outfits that include orange at What I Wore Today.
If orange is a flattering color on you, then now is the time to stock up because it’s rare that you’ll see this much of it.
Now, onto the bargains!
Orange accessories make for a great, unexpected pop of color that plays remarkably well with other colors like blues and greens. It works great with any neutral, but it really shines when paired with navy.
An easy way to play with orange is with this orange patent leather clutch from BCBG MAX AZRIA that was recently featured in our post on the ongoing clutch trend. At 63% off the original price of $198, it’s a steal — just $71.98 for a piece that’s classic yet trendy and from a well known label. It’s also available in parfait and celadon.
This patent leather Jet Set satchel from Michael Kors is similarly discounted. It’s now $79.98, down from $198. It’s also available in hot pink, another popular color right now.
If you’re looking for a bag with more room, then check out this alligator embossed leather tote bag from Muska Milano. It’s now $389 — 54% off the original price of $850. It comes in a variety of colors and ships free to the U.S.
Orange shoes are even harder to find than green ones in my experience, but leave it to Prada to solve the color conundrum on both fronts. These peep toe flats from Prada are available in both orange and green with yellow trim. Originally over $300, they’re now on sale for $185. Plus they ship worldwide!
Too steep for your wallet? Don’t worry, Isaac Mizrahi has done it again — combining classic and trendy at an unbelievable price. These orange Georgina suede bow slides are now on clearances for just $6.24!
Looking for something really different but still cute? Then take a look at these orange Rain Dance rain shoes from Jeffrey Campbell. They’re $34.95 and ship worldwide.
Don’t underestimate the power of some orange sneakers like these orange running shoes from Adidas. I’m seen similar pairs worn with sporty casual skirts and it works amazingly well. Listed at $99.95, they’re now $49.99 - $50.89 and available in sizes 5-12.
My final shoe pick is this pair of orange wedge sandals by Easy Spirit. They’d look lovely with a flirty spring skirt and they’re also available in natural and black. They’re now on sale for $46.99, down from $84.95.
Jewelry is yet another place where you probably don’t see a lot of orange, but it can be absolutely fabulous.
For example, check out this beaded bangle cuff bracelet from Fair Trade Gifts. It’s just $11.95.
For $20, you can get this entire set of silver and simulated orange cats eye beaded jewelry. It includes earrings, a bracelet, and a necklace. It’s half off the original price and it ships worldwide!
For $9.99, you can also get this orange cats eye bracelet, on sale from $21.99. It also ships worldwide.
Looking for a statement watch? This orange textile bracelet watch from Christian Dior will definitely grab attention. It’s listed for $650 but now $202 and eligible for Amazon’s free Super Saver Shipping.
And if you want a lot of orange for not a lot of green, check out this 100% pashmina wrap for $17.95. It ships worldwide.
If orange and your complexion get along, then stock up now on orange clothing. You’ll be glad you did in seasons to come when the color choices aren’t so bright.
This 100% cashmere sweater from Catherine Malandrino is absolutely gorgeous, not to mention luxurious. Originally $445, it’s now on sale for $222.50. It’s available in sizes P, M, and L, and it ships worldwide. And it’s also available in black!
If you’re a plus-size gal, then check out this fauxmono knit top from Mossimo. It’s “lava” orange and smokin’. It’s now $11.89 and available in sizes 16W-26W.
If you like the sheer trend, then you’ll probably love this sheer peach camisole. It’s a sweet piece and is now $34.99, down from the list price of $110. It’s available in sizes S-L.
Finally, for the die-hard orange lovers, there’s this sexy Julianna drape dress from Guess. And for those that aren’t, it’s also available in black. It’s $39.50 and available in sizes X-small to X-large.
Can you wear orange effortlessly or do you have to work to get it into your wardrobe? Or have you left this color out of your wardrobe altogether?
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