Valetine’s Day: Dinner with Your Sweetie (1/3)

Oh, how I heart Valentine’s Day: it’s a chance to tell all your loved ones how special they are to you… and an excuse to wear bright red in the dead of winter! Yippee!

No matter what your relationship status is, every girl deserves to look gorgeous on February 14, so I’ve come up with 3 different red-hot outfits that answer the question, “What should I wear on Valentine’s Day?” I’ve got an outfit for every occasion — from fancy to laid back.

First up: Dinner with You Sweetie.

(Come back tomorrow for another Vday outfit!)

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Go Get ‘Em Dress in Red
$48 – modcloth.com

Peep Toe Heels
$17 – forever21.com

Glittered Clutch
$18 – forever21.com

Bohemian Necklace
$35 – modcloth.com

Nicole by OPI Nail Polish – Glitter in My Stocking
$7.04 – target.com

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You might also like:
Valentine’s Day: A First Date
Valentine’s Day: Cozy Night In

Winter Wedding Outfit

Reader Question: I’m attending a wedding this month in Chicago. What the heck does one wear to a winter wedding?!

Style Me Thrifty: Winter weddings can be romantic, cozy, and well, freezing cold. Here are a few easy tips keep in mind when putting together a winter-friendly outfit for a wedding.

• Pick a dress in a rich color like burgundy, eggplant, or peacock blue. These colors are great for cold months and look lovely with non-tanned skin.
• Stay warm in your cocktail dress by adding tights. I especially love textured tights – they add personality!
• When in doubt, a little black dress is a solid choice but spice it up with colorful heels or jewelry.
• Pack layers — a pashmina for when you’re indoors and peacoat and gloves for the trip home.
  

Sidenote: I’ve started using Polyvore, an interactive site that let’s you assemble outfits and links directly to the retailers that sell the items. I’m still learning the ropes (which is why some of you got an email saying the outfit was posted, oops!) but I think it’ll be fun. Let me know what you think.

Winter Wedding Outfit by stylemethrifty.

Dot tight
$8.99 – kohls.com

Forever21 fringe earrings
$4.76 – forever21.com

Forever21 bracelet set
$6.80 – forever21.com

eShakti – Dressed in Pink
$100 – eshakti.com

Kohl’s Sacred Heart Amano Platform High Heels
$60 – kohls.com

Under the Radar Online Retailers

Amazon, Zappos, Nasty Gal….

Umm… one of these things is not like the other.

Amazon and Zappos are clearly powerhouses in the online retailer space. Everyone knows those names, everyone has shopped there.

But what about the Nasty Gals of the world? Finding these under the radar online retailers is like discovering buried treasures. These smaller sites offer cheap prices, on-trend merchandise, unique items, and personalized customer service.

And since I adore my readers so much, I thought I’d let you in on my top 10 secret online retailers. Click and shop!

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Nasty Gal – This San Francisco-based site specializes in vintage and unique designer items.

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Ruche – A vintage inspired boutique with a modern touch (my current fav).

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Shop Kempt – Feminine and fashion-forward clothing and accessories.

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In Pink – Your destination to shop the latest trends in fashion jewelry.

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Shabby Apple – Specializing in girly, flirty, and retro dresses.

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eShakti – This site offers a wide range of sizes and even offers custom sizing.

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Urban 1972 – Seelings pieces that range from basics to cutting-edge trends.

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ThreadSence – This girly site scours the planet for indie designers, artists, and aficionados.

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Asos – The UK’s largest online-only fashion. And they offer free shipping.

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Lulu’s – Phew, last but not least, Lulu’s may not be “under the radar” anymore, but it’s such a fab spot for fashionable clothing, shoes and accessories, I had to include it!

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You might also like: Online Shopping Tricks

Most Likely to Wow Classmates at Your High School Reunion

Like a nervous bride, I almost got cold feet the week leading up to my 10 year high school reunion last year. Don’t get me wrong, I sincerely loved high school — football games, pep rallies, boys!

But did I really need to awkwardly relive it a whole 10 years later? I seriously contemplated becoming a runaway alumni.

But I had made a pact with my 3 best friends to attend this shindig. So in my best former cheerleader voice, I gave myself a little pep talk. It went something like this:

Get it together, Maddy. Be happy about your big girl job. Go to this reunion and knock people’s socks off with a really smokin’ outfit.

In case you’re also feeling a little jittery about what to wear to your own reunion this fall, I thought I’d share some ideas. The goal? Be yourself and don’t overdo it!

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Location: Casual Bar
You want to look sophisticated and hot… but also approachable. A great pair of fitted skinny black pants set the stage. Add a rich, colorful top and fun accessory.

All items from The Limited: Cameo Pendant Necklace ($34.90), Ruffled Tiers Top ($39.90); Exact Stretch Skinny Pant ($69.90), Faux-patent Peep-toe Heels ($89).

Location: Wine Bar or Brewery
Once of my fav outfits for fall weather is a comfy dress with jazzy tights and flat boots. I think this outfit works for so many occasions, including a reunion. This outfit is put-together but doesn’t give the impression that you tried really hard, which is key!

Latico Carlie Sheen Clutch/Wristlet ($65 from Endless); Aldo Folse Wedge Boot ($90 from Aldo); Cloudburst Stripe Dress ($39 from Lulus); Apt. 9 Diagonal Plaid Tights ($9 on sale from Kohl’s).

Location: Hotel or Banquet Hall
Now is your chance to go a bit fancier. Think ‘fall wedding’ when selecting an outfit. Don’t show too much skin. You want to look classy not trashy!

Beaded French Wire Earrings ($4.80 at Forever21); Instant Glam Ring ($5.80 at Forever 21); Lucy Love Farrah Purple Dress ($73 from Lulus); Chinese Laundry Honey Bun Bootie ($69.95).

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Here’s what I wore to my “casual bar” reunion (2nd from left). Top is from Nordstrom and I paired it with dark jeggings from New York & Company.

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Instantly Look Skinnier

Reader Question: I adore your blog —  its like a little treasure I stumbled upon! I have a question! I’m going to a bridal shower and want to look fabulous and skinny because I haven’t seen these girls since high school. Do you have any tips for how to make your self look thinner?

Style Me Thrifty: I get it. The idea of seeing old friends (maybe even frenimies?) from high school can be a little intimidating. Do I still look like that fresh-faced 18 year old teenager that will forever be stuck in their heads? Not a chance!

But can I still wow them with how fab I look as a happy, polished, and confident 29 year old? Heckya!

Maybe you’ve put on a few extra lbs. I call that gravity. You’ve also acquired a crap load of confidence in your post high school years. I want THAT self assured woman to attend this bridal shower. Now all you need are Style Me Thrifty’s top 5 tricks for hiding the imperfections!

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1. Show off your best body parts
   Love your arms? Go sleeveless. Legs? Wear a skirt and nude pumps to elongate your legs. Remember, a bridal shower only lasts 3 hours or so. Don’t waste time by wearing something that doesn’t put your best assets on display.
2. Cinch and conceal!
   I love a girly dress at a bridal shower. Pick a universally flattering A-line shaped dress that is fitted at the waist, flares out over the hips, and hits right above the knee. Try adding a belt to accentuate your tiny waist even more.
3. Make friends with patterns
   Opt for a printed fabric to disguise any lumps. Patterns work like camouflage! And let’s face it, sometimes bridal showers can be a little like war. Take no prisoners, rock a pattern.
4. Get a spray tan
   Desperate times call for desperate measures. A healthy glow makes the body seem more toned. I like Mystic but Versa is good, too.
5. Work photos like a supermodel
   Here are 2 tricks for taking flattering photos: (1) minimize hips by not standing exactly straight towards the camera and (2) put your hand your hip so your upper arm isn’t smushed against your body. When your HS friends look back at these shower photos, they’ll reminisce about how thin you looked!

If you’re embarking on a last minute shopathon, here are two dresses that meet my approval.

(Above: Fire Hardware Detailed Strapless Dress – $46 at Nordstrom. Below: BB Dakota Audri Dress – $100 at Zappos)

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You might also like: Top 10 Tips for Looking Fab at Bridal Shower