Frugal Friday: Window Shopping Challenge!

Happy Friday-Before-A-Three-Day-Weekend!! Major sales happening over the next few days. I won't bore you with those, since they'll all but slap you in the face if you're out and about. Instead, here's the scoop on some extra special savings that you might not know about. Let's get to it!

TooFaced: Free Shipping all weekend with code THANKYOU12. Exp. 5/28.
Sally Beauty Supply: Take an extra 50% off all red tag clearance with code 555100. Exp. 5/28.
Bath and Body Works: $1 Shipping on orders over $25 with code MEMORIAL25. Exp. 5/28.

Question: has anyone here ever paid full price for anything at Aeropostale? That store seems to be in a state of perpetual clearance, and that's just fine and dandy, dandy and fine with me. Today, I looked and about half the store was 70% off. Just for giggles, I hopped on Polyvore and gave myself a challenge: put together a Memorial Day BBQ outfit for under $50, using only Aeropostale items. Here's what I came up with:

$50 Memorial Day BBQ Outfit by adorablenapalm featuring nyx lip gloss

Not bad, if I do say so, myself. Dress, shoes, bag, and two accessories (that ring is precious, and I like the way the curve in the sunglasses mimics the curve in the bodice), and the total came to $44.10. For coming in so far under the imaginary budget, I imaginarily treated myself to an imaginary lip gloss, bringing the final bill to $49.60. Heck, I'm so proud of myself, I may go try this on at the real Aeropostale this weekend. You can't beat twelve bucks for a dress.

I hope you all have a truly wonderful holiday, and please take a moment to remember the reason for the day. See y'all next week! If you're interested in any of the products mentioned, there are links below. Bye!

Nyx lip gloss
$5.50 - nyxcosmetics.com

Floral Halter Dress
$12 - aeropostale.com

Aero Surf Vertical Tote
$10 - aeropostale.com

Jelly Quarter Strap Sandal
$7.35 - aeropostale.com

Vented Shield Sunglasses
$9.75 - aeropostale.com

Sparkly Jelly Ring
$5 - aeropostale.com

Break Out the Pumice Stones!

'Tis the season for pedicures!! Down here around the Equator, it's already hot and sticky (at least it's a wet heat, right?) that my feet sweat in flip-flops. For the next five months, or so, you're going to have a hard time catching me in shoes, period, much less anything that might require socks or hose.

With that in mind, let us turn our attention to that glorious innovation in footwear design: the sandal. Ah, the sandal! Dressier than shower shoes, but with about as much coverage. You allow me to stay cool in the evil Spring and Summer temperatures, and still keep my job. Bless your little soles.

Now, my office dress code is waaaaaaaaay less restrictive than most, so I don't dare presume to tell you what kind of sandal, if any, might be appropriate for where you work. I do, however, have a few favorites for other occasions: the Summer wedding, a night on the town, and bumming around at the mall. Let's start with the latter and go from there. All styles are available at Charlotte Russe.

WEEKEND WEAR

Photo Credit (this and all pictures): Charlotte Russe

I love the metallic look of this sandal. There's something TRON-like about the pewter and copper strands looping around each other (or maybe that's just me). This is sleek, sophisticated, and effortlessly cool. $12.50.

Orange is a super hot color right now. It's everywhere from lips to nails, and this tangerine-hued wedge is a showstopping representation of the trend. The braided detail is a particularly nice touch. $25.50.

For the Boho girl (like me, most of the time), we have this embellished t-strap. Picture it with khaki cargo capris or thigh-grazing denim shorts. $24.50.

GOING OUT

This ultra-sexy faux suede cage heel in bright red could really stop traffic! Try it with a LBSD (little black sundress). $32.50.

I'm a little bit in love with this leopard print wedge. The ankle strap gives it a retro flair, while the solid heel keeps me from falling down. That's always a major plus. This is for the pin-up girl in all of us. $32.50.

"All she wants to do is DANCE, DANCE!" She can in this comfy flat embellished sandal. The rhinestone encrusted straps add extra sparkle to an already glimmering gold finish. $24.50.

SPECIAL OCCASION

How much fun is this hot pink ruffled wedge?! The faux leather upper and basket-weave detailing dress this sandle up, and make the perfect match for a taffeta mini-dress. $30.00.

This shoe is just hot. That's all there is to it. The sleek, faux leather curves; the platform; the sky high heel...this is just one smokin' sandal. $35.50.

In sharp contrast to the above offering, is this sweet, ruffled wedge. The peep-toe keeps this from being too precious. $25.50.

It's Like a Heatwave, Burning In My...Oh, Everything...

So, it's a million and twelve degrees down here in the Deep South, with about 5000% humidity. Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating...slightly. All I know is that it's hot. I mean, ice-water-chugging, egg-frying-on-the-sidewalk, Fall-can't-get-here-fast-enough miserable. My apartment can't seem to get any cooler than 80 degrees, and that's with the AC cranked up, ceiling fans, and one of those Hawaiian Breeze ocillating fans. The birds love it. Of course, they're tropical and I am not.

I know it's not just here, too. The whole country seems to be in a continuous heatwave this Summer, and for that, I'm sorry. I went through three or four cans of hairspray on The Night Shift, so I take full blame for any extra holes in the ozone. Please accept my sincerest apologies.

As atonement, I have compiled a survival guide to help you cope with these Dog Days of Summer. To keep things simple (and inexpensive), all products can be found at Target.

Personally, I'd like to forget about clothing altogether, at this point, but I think the people I work with would appreciate if I stayed as covered up as humanly possible. This little white dress is a fair alternative to going full-out Lady Godiva.

I like that it's 100% cotton, so it breathes, and the design is airy, but covered up and dressy enough that you could wear it to work in a casual office setting. A word of caution, though: reviewers have mentioned that it is a bit on the sheer side (so be careful of your undergarments, ladies), and that you might want to skip putting it in the dryer. They've also mentioned quality construction, comparable to Forever 21. Mossimo, $15.38, Target.com.

There have been days when it was too hot to even wear flip-flops, but shoes are pretty much a necessity in civilized society. Might I suggest a pair like these? First off, they're dressy/casual, so they're versatile. Secondly, the cork is absorbant, which...well, let's face it: feet sweat. I'd rather not slosh around in my shoes, thank you very much. Cork is also very soft and tends to mold to your foot for comfort. Mossimo, $12.99, Target.com.

I'm actually carrying this purse right now. I've had it for about three months, and love it. It's roomy enough to carry what you need, but small enough that you can't fill it with the entire contents of Mary Poppins Carpet Bag. The cotton construction allows the purse (and what's inside it) to breathe, keeping your stuff from getting too hot. It's also washable, durable, and cute as pie. Available in several colors and patterns. Merona, $7.00 (really!!), Target.com.

Please remember sunscreen!! Around here, burn times run about ten minutes. Really, I don't care what brand you use--if it's sports, kids, spray, lotion, or purple--just use something! Sunburns suck, but skin cancer is so much worse. Neutrogena, $9.94, Target.com.

I don't know about you, but lotion melts off my legs, these days. I still need something to keep them moisturized (sweat doesn't count), and this light body mist is just the thing. Put out by Soap & Glory, Girligo is a non-greasy spray moisturizer that leaves your skin silky smooth and freshly scented. I'm also in love with the retro packaging. Soap & Glory, $11.99, Target.com.

Last, but not least, let's put on a little color without worrying about it melting in the car. CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain is, well, just what it says it is. It's a long-wearing lipstain. What's cool about it is that it comes in a marker form--sort of like a Sharpie for your face. Also, unlike many lipstains, it's moisturizing, so you don't end up with flaky lips, or need to carry around a separate lip balm or gloss to put over it. CoverGirl, $7.89, Target.com.

There. We can all "glow" instead of "puddle". Now, maybe Al Gore will get off my back. Again, sorry.

*Photos by Target