Summer Hair Ideas

Style Me Thrifty - Braided Bun

Beach trips, outdoor brunch, warm nights… frizzy hair.

That’s right, summer weather is almost here and if you’re like me, your hair hates warm, humid weather. As temperatures rise, it’s important to have an arsenal of hairdos on hand (like my DIY hairdo above) so that you can quickly tame your locks and then get outside to enjoy your summer! I’ve been scouring Pinterest for summer hairdo inspiration. The goal? Keep my hair off of my face, tamed, and stylish. Here are a few ideas…

Summer Braids

Summer Braids: Braids have always been my go-to summer ‘do. They definitely control the frizz and I love the boho vibe they give. And how cute is the braid and ribbon combo?

Summer Ponytails

Summer Ponytails: I adore both of these textured ponytails. They have that au natural look and will keep you cool. Add a skinny headband to keep flyaways off your glistening face.

Summer Hats

Summer Hats: When all else fails and your hair is rebelling, hide the chaos under a cute straw fedora or Panama hat. Hats look stylish and also keep the sun off your face!

[Top image: Style Me Thrifty rocking the braided bun using Goody Spin Pins. Remaining images: all via Pinterest. Visit my "Hair Envy" board for sources and more ideas.]

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30th Birthday Idea: Doble Quinceañera

How does a gal celebrate a monumental occasion like turning — gulp — 30? With a Doble Quiñceanera, of course!

Since saying goodbye to your 20′s can be a little bittersweet, a super special birthday party is a must. Enter: the Doble Quinceañera! Credit goes to my boyfriend for this genius idea. Take a Quiñceanera (just like 15-year-old girls from Latin America have) and times it by two. Hello 30th birthday fiesta!

And sure, today’s post it a bit silly, but hey, it’s my birthday so anything goes! : ) Here are a few pics from my awesome Doble Quiñceanera-themed party. Thanks to my amigos for making it so awesome!

Bandita!

Doble Quinceanera!

Style Me Thrifty's lovely ladies

What to wear to a 30th birthday party

Doble Quinceanera

A few party details:
Bandita’s sombrero: Amazon
Book: Thirty Things Every Women Should Have or Should Know By the Time She’s 30 by the Editors of Glamour (thanks, Meg!)
My sparkly dress: Delia’s (I’m pretty certain the sales girl thought I was shopping for a prom dress. I didn’t have the heart to tell her it was for my um, 30th birthday)
Nail polish: Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet

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Affordable and Flattering Bathing Suits

Reader Question: Bathing suits — cute but thrifty (and flattering)? Go!

Style Me Thrifty: Yay for beach weather! Boo on having to find a bathing suit that actually fits! Seriously, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack. The top fits but the bottoms are too tight. It doesn’t stay in place. It digs into your hips. The color washes you out. etc. I’ve been there! Luckily a ton of retailers are making cute swimsuits (even LOFT jumped into the pool!), so there are a ton of options out there. From retro one pieces to neon bikinis, here is a round up of swimsuits for all budgets and body types.

Let the Great Bathing Suit Search of 2012 begin!…

One Pieces

One piece swimsuits

One piece bathing suits

Where to Shop // One Pieces: AE pink one piece $29; Gap bandeau one piece $59; DKNY for Victoria’s Secret ruched one piece ($96); Converse One Star one piece with turquoise beads ($35).

Two Pieces

H&M Striped Bikini

Victoria's Secret bikinis

Two piece swimsuits

Where to Shop // Two Pieces: H&M striped top ($14) & bottoms ($12); Victoria’s Secret triangle top ($48) & hipkini bottom ($18); Victoria’s Secret Belle Bandeau top ($24) & ruched side bottoms ($18); Zara crossed band top ($19) & gathered bottoms ($19); LOFT stripe draped bikini ($39).

Tankini

Tankinis

Tankini from Zappos

Athleta tankinis

Where to Shop // Tankinis: Mossimo tankini ($19) & hipster bottoms ($17); AE tie die tankini ($24) & bottoms ($24); Athena Heavenly tank from Zappos ($65) & belted bottoms ($47); Athleta Banzai Pipeline tankini ($62) & bottoms ($48); Athleta Sayulita tankini ($62) & bottoms ($42).

PS – Style Me Thrifty’s email notification system got a makeover! I know many of you follow SMT by email, so I wanted to make sure you were getting the most fashionable emails possible. Thanks for subscribing! If you haven’t signed up yet, enter your email address into the box on the right to receive new posts by email.

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How to Break Out of a Style Rut

It’s Tuesday morning — you’re feeling blah and uninspired to put together a fab outfit, so you reach for black pants, a basic cardi, and flats. This outfit is safe… and totally boring. News flash: you’re stuck in a style rut! And trust me, I’ve definitely been there before.

So how do we break out of an annoying clothing slump when money is tight? Here are 5 quick and simple tips that will shake things up and boost your confidence. Because life is too short to live it in frumpy clothes!

1) Add Color
Let’s take that basic black outfit you always wear and I challenge you to ditch one item and swap in something with a bold COLOR. How about a bright pop of color on your feet? You’ll walk with a pep in your step all day.

Zara woven ballerina flats

2) Look for New Inspiration
If you have a 9-5 routine, it can be tricky to find fashion inspiration (let’s face it, the aisle on the Metro is not a catwalk). So make a point to seek out new inspiration: read blogs (yey!), subscribe to fashion mags, browse Pinterest, you name it. Just do it. And then copy what speaks to you.

Pinterest // Style Me Thrifty

3) Pick Out an Outfit Ahead of Time
When it’s early in the morning, there’s no time to spend experimenting and pairing new items together. But that’s exactly what you need to do to stop a style rut! So spend a few minutes the night before playing dress up. You’ll be surprised by the new outfits you can assemble when you’re not rushing around.

Lauren Conrad's closet

4) Apply Lipstick
I don’t know about you girls, but I follow the same exact makeup routine on a daily basis. Now every once in awhile, I’ll change things up and add a new lipstick and BAM, instant makeover! It’s truly amazing how a bright lip can freshen up an outfit and make you feel more confident.

Apply Lipstick // How to Break Out of a Style Rut

5) Swap a Cardigan for a Blazer
I’ve blogged about my blazer love before and since then, I’ve grown to love them even more. A blazer is chic and easy to wear. How can you be in a style rut when you’re this put together?!

Gap Pinstripe two-button blazer

Image sources: (1) Zara flats – $69; (2) Pinterest screenshot (3) LaurenConrad.com; (4) Lipstick – left, center, right (5) Gap blazer – $98

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Sweet Mother’s Day Gifts

HappyDappyBits/Etsy Card

One fun fact about me: I was born on Mother’s Day! For [almost] 30 years, I’ve gotten to share my special day with my mom — yes, the world’s best mom — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

With Mother’s Day around the bend, I wanted to pull together a selection of 10 sweet and affordable Mother’s Day gift ideas. Happy Mother’s Day to all you rockstar moms! (And don’t forget to enter my Francesca’s clutch giveaway!).

Pretty Woman Garden Tool Set

1) Garden tool set by Celia Birtwell ($38 from Ruche — also available from Give Simple)

Anthropologie vases

2) Curvy Chrysanthemum Vase ($28 each from Anthropologie)

Infinity necklace

3) Infinity necklace ($28 from Etsy seller cherryandviolet)

Dry Divas shower cap

4) “Leaf It To Me” Shower cap ($26 by Dry Divas)

Design your own bag from 1154 Lill Studio

5) Design your own bag from 1154 Lill Studio (prices vary)

State pendant necklace

6) State pendant necklace ($42 from Nordstrom)

Align ultra mat from lululemon

7) [The word's best] yoga mat ($28 from lululemon)

Mother's Day onesie

8 ) Mother’s Day onesie ($20 from Etsy seller iheartartandbaby)

Wine and Dine plate

9) Wine and Dine plates ($8.95 from Crate and Barrel)

Birchbox

10) Birchbox membership, aka makeup of the month! (see my Birchbox review)

Mother’s Day card: Etsy seller HappyDappyBits

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