The keyword for finding cheap but fun shopping totes
If you’re searching for a shopping tote that’s more colorful than these basic grocery totes, but still inexpensive, then I have a keyword for you:
Advice » Shopping »
How to save money on ‘real’ jewelry
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.
How to look chic, despite summer heat
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.
The Fabulous! Festival for February
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.
The skinny on stripes and other lines: slimming verticals
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.
Ways to create and extend those thinning vertical lines
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.
To lengthen your entire body
- Dress monochromatically. The reason this oft-said advice works is because it makes your outfit one large vertical line.
- For the same reason, dresses can be lengthening if they’re all one color or pattern — even if they’re white.
- Long coats create a long vertical line where they button.
To lengthen your legs
- Wear shoes that match your pants, or your skin tone if you’re wearing a skirt. It will make your legs look longer.
- Or, wear black shoes with black stockings — especially if paired with a black skirt.
- Gym pants often have a vertical stripe down the side. It’s definitely a lengthening vertical.
- Wear your pants to just the slightest bit above the ground to make your legs look longer.
- Side slits in skirts lengthen the look of your your legs.
- If they lay straight, pleats can be lengthening.
- Subtle pinstripes can be lengthening on skirts and pants.
- While they can easily look dowdy, long skirts and dresses can be lengthening, especially if they’re long enough to hide the fact that you’re wearing heels.
To lengthen your torso
- Button up shirts can be flattering because a line is created down the center.
- Long necklaces and thin scarves create vertical lines.
- Jackets and cardigans create vertical lines.
- Pinstripes are also flattering on blouses.
- Choosing cable knit sweaters is a great way to balance out the extra volume of a sweater.
- Even just adding vents on a jacket can help lengthen and break up the horizontals of an otherwise boxy jacket.
To lengthen your neck
- V-necklines extend the line of your neck, making it look longer and thinner.
Check back soon
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.
Cheap Valentine’s Day gift ideas for him: bring out his inner child
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.
Cheap Valentine’s Day gift ideas for him: food and drinks
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.
Cheap Valentine’s Day gift ideas for him
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!
Why you shouldn’t give up on that style!
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!
Over the rainbow: a week of spectral style
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.
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