Mad for Plaid!

This ain't your daddy's camping plaid shirt, ladies! When shopping for this autumn/winter must-have this season, make sure your plaid shirt is fitted and tapered to your feminine curves. Here, I've picked out three girly plaid shirts from three different price points. Happy shopping!

From left to right:

• Plaid flannel shirt, Forever 21, $12.50
• Plaid blouse, Garage, $29.90
• Plaid ombre shirt, Gap, $49.50
  

All That Glitters

Shine and sparkle this holiday season in sequins. Look polished and trendy in these outfits or mix-and-match and create your own sequin-inspired ensemble.

Left to right and top to bottom:

• Puckett in light silver, Aldo, $90  
• Puckett in navy, Aldo, $90
• Puckett in lilac, Aldo, $90
  
• Sequin trim vest, Forever 21, $22.80
• Litten in metallic misc., Aldo, $90
• Sequin bow cardigan, Forever 21, $24.80 
• Jazzy hem satin skirt, Forever 21, $19.80 
• Embellished pencil jean, Victoria's Secret, $68  
• Fab shoulder sequin dress, Forever 21, $15.50 

Fallen in love with a shoe but they've run out of your size? Get your dream holiday party shoes from Aldo in your size and save on shipping. For a limited time, Aldo is offering free standard shipping within Canada! Hurry while supplies and this offer lasts.

Double Duty Vodka

Although suspiciously timely, this does not come as a knock on ABSOLUT®.

But if you ever find yourself with cheap vodka, you may also use it for... cleaning your bathroom! That's right! Vodka's odorless and anti-bacterial properties will leave your toilet, bathtub, sink, counter tops, and mirrors clean enough to eat off of without all the toxic chemicals and smell from conventional cleaners.

If you are an extreme frugalista, keep a plastic cup of vodka in your bathroom to soak your razor in. Again, the bacteria-killing vodka will keep your razor sanitized and super sharp, stretching the lifespan of each of your razors. Woop!

Rodarte to Hit Target

Fans, fashion journalists, and bloggers alike are coveting this whimsical skeleton sheath dress (left) by Rodarte for Target, and everything else this shrouded-in-mystery collection has to offer. Slated to arrive at Target stores across the US on Dec. 20, mark your calendars now, frugalistas!

Marie Claire article scan courtesy of Nitrolicious.com.

Absolut Vodka and Vancouver Team Up

To be conscientious about how one spends their money, that is what being a frugalista means to me. It's not about accumulating material things en masse, but rather saving money where you can so that you can make better decisions with what you have or liberally share what you have left over.

That's why even though ABSOLUT® is not my first choice in vodkas, I would be willing to spend my money on the limited-edition ABSOLUT® VANCOUVER bottle. Proceeds up to $120,000 go towards a Vancouver art project to celebrate everything that makes this city unique and wonderful and in recognition of a leading-edge artist.

The best part is that we get to vote on which art installation we want to see in our own city! Check it out: http://www.absolutvancouver.ca/contest/vote.php and don't forget to vote.

This one-of-a-kind bottle is available at BC Liquor Stores for $25.95 now: http://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/107524. Need I have to say "drink responsibly?"

Turning Shopping on its Head

With marketing and writing creative copy training behind me, I'm always on the look out for kick-ass advertising and well-written commercials. Here is a nifty time-lapse video of the Gap space on Robson Street being "turned around" over night as part of Gap's Sprize promo.

Sprize or MySprize is a new campaign that is exclusive to Vancouver Gap retail locations aimed at "turning shopping on its head." Basically, if you buy something today (or on any day), and the price drops within 45 days, you are credited the difference automatically in your Sprize account! Another way yvrfrugalista is saving *you* money. ;-) Register for free at www.mysprize.com.

My "Something Blue"

I Like:

Electra by Nina

For the longest time, I hesitated at ordering my wedding shoes. Zappos had these Electra by Nina shoes in white or ivory, but I longed for something to serve double duty as my shoes and my "something blue." Only recently did Nina release these to Zappos. Otherwise they would have been $200 + S&H to custom order from Nina directly.

Current mood: optimistic but hungry.

Hot for Electric Blue

The hot new color to inject into your wardrobe this season is electric or cobalt blue. Seems like everywhere I turn I see bits of this striking color. It is vibrant, fresh, and not for the faint-of-heart. Use sparingly to breathe new life into your existing staples.

From left to right:

• Shield button coat, Forever 21, $39.80
• Prok clutch, Aldo, $30
• Scarf, Express, $19.50
• Kapetanos ankle boots, Aldo, $125
• Heiny tote, Aldo, $55
  
• Mickolick peep-toes, Aldo, $110