Winner of my Birthday Blog Giveaway!

So it turns out that sometimes it does indeed pay off to be last. The winner of my Bday Blog Giveaway is Tara from Haute Lunch with the very last comment. Congrats Tara! You have just won a fabulous prize pack of my favorite things! (cue Oprah!)

I'll be in contact with you soon about where to mail your items. Thanks for stopping by Fashionplate Cheapskate!

Product pick: Revlon Colorsilk

After reviewing photos from a recent shoot, I noticed that my hair color had finally started to fade. But right now, my schedule just does not allow time for me to make an appointment at Aveda for a Saturday. So I figured I'd just take matters into my own hands.

Based on the price point, I had used REVLON® COLORSILK™ before and liked the results, so I decided to give it another whirl. Only this time I chose a shade just a little bit darker. Again, I loved the color and probably because it met my expectations. Usually when you color your hair, you base your expectations on the photo of the girl on the box and it turns out to be a disaster, but so far Revlon is 2 for 2 with me! And it's the cheapest on the aisle at Wal-mart, coming in at only $3.14 compared to $6.00+ of the other brands.

Oh and did I mention it comes with a deep conditioner that leaves your hair feeling ah-mazing and smells fantastic? Yep, this product is a win-win-win for me. So if you're in the need for a fast hair color fix, I'd cast my vote for REVLON® COLORSILK™. It's definitely my new go-to.

ps. There's still a few more hours left to enter my giveaway! Hurry while you can!

What to wear: First date

Yep. It's the age old question. What do I wear on a first date? The older I get, I still don't seem to have a
quick answer for this. And of course it all depends on what the occasion is for said date and your own
personal style. So I looked to several of my favorite bloggers and pulled several outfit options for casual
"let's-grab-a-coffee" kind of date to a fancy "be-my-plus-one-to-a-charity-event" kind of date. And
hopefully I pulled ideas across the personal style spectrum, too. It's just always good to have a few ideas
in your back pocket, right?!

And gals, this is just the tip of the iceberg for inspiration. It was really hard to narrow the search down to
just a few looks. And yes, I couldn't decide which looks I liked the best on a couple of these ladies, so I
had to include two from their blog (when really I could include so much more!).

1. Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess
2. Caitlin from Waking Life
3. Kendi from Kendi Everyday
4. Tonya from The Mop Top
5. Emily Schuman from Cupcakes & Cashmere
6. Elizabeth from Delightfully Tacky
7. Emily Schuman from Cupcakes & Cashmere
8. Tonya from The Mop Top
9. Magda from MAGDArling

Grooveshark picks for February

Artist: Alabama Shakes
Album: Alabama Shakes EP
Why I love it: It sounds so different from everything else I have been listening to lately.
For fans of: James Brown, The Black Keys
Bonus: They have a forthcoming full album that will drop on April 3rd. Get excited. They are also coming to Workplay here in Bham at the end of March, but sadly it's already sold out.

Artist: Gotye

Album:  Making Mirrors

Why I love it: For starters, the song
"Somebody that I used to know." And also because of the diverse sound of the album. 

For fans of: The Strokes, Bon Iver, The Police (trust me, I know this is a weird combo but it totally works)

Artist: Miike Snow

Album:  Miike Snow

Why I love it: One word. dance. 

For fans of: Prince, Daft Punk
Bonus: You can stream all of his music
via his website here.

Artist: Of Monsters and Men

Album: My Head is an Animal

Why I love it: It's beautiful folk music at its finest with some great upbeat moments.

For fans of: Seryn, The Decemberists,
Florence and the Machines

Artist: Punch Brothers

Album: Who's Feeling Young Now?

Why I love it: It's fun and upbeat. It's impossible to not tap your foot and listen to
this album. Just try it.  

For fans of: Bluegrass, Nickel Creek,
Sarah Jarosz

Buy this, not that: Floral Pants

In case you haven't noticed, floral prints have been hanging around for a little while and now they seem to be making a huge appearance on pants. I've been eyeing this trend and just haven't been able to make up my mind whether I prefer a large floral print on pants that are wide-legged and flowy or a tiny pattern on cropped skinny pants. So I decided why choose one when you can find two really great deals. Now while I do love some Anthropologie, I knew I could find something a little bit more in my price range.

Floral Pant One: Forever21 Rose Pattern Pants - $19.90
Foral Pant Two: Forever21 Satin Floral Wide Leg Pant - $29.80

Happy saving!

ps. Don't forget, there's still one week left to enter my giveaway!

Cheap eats: Brio Tuscan Grille

I learned something new the other day. The somewhat pricey Italian restaurant Brio Tuscan Grille has an incredible happy hour. On Monday - Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to close you can order nice sized plates for only...wait for it....$2.95.

I know, crazy right?! For that price, you can order two plates and be ridiculously full. The only caveat is that you have to be seated in the bar area. So if you are meeting more than two friends, I would suggest getting there early as possible to ensure you can snag a table.

Brio has many locations across the southwestern, southeastern and midwestern United States. Click here for a map to find a Brio restaurant near you.

Plated: HIMYM and WWWD

I knew from the second I saw the WWWD Go Buy Now: Heart Prints post that I wanted to do something with a heart pattern in a graphic design element. It just so happened that I was approached to do a wedding shower invitation this week and since I had tucked that heart nugget of information away, it came in handy for inspiration!

I've also been spending entirely too much time with the TV series How I Met Your Mother these days (just ask my friends, they'll tell you I reference and quote it way too much). I got the first five seasons for Christmas and if there's any down time in my life, I immediately press play on the DVD player. Recently I saw the epi where Ted picks up the yellow umbrella that belongs to his future (which we have still YET to find out who she is).

So as I was thinking about the wedding shower invites and hearts I also thought about using an umbrella for a real rain shower and I decided that as cheesy and easy as it might seem, I still wanted to put those images all together and see what the outcome would be. It was just good fortune that one of the wedding colors was yellow, so I could use that for the umbrella. See invite below.

I think they turned out great and I love them, even if they are a bit lovey-dovey and over-the-top girly. What do you guys think? Adorable and cute? Or is it too much mushy yucky love stuff?

Back of the Closet: Leg warmers

So apparently I've been pulling things out of my closet lately that I bought almost 10 years ago when I lived in NYC. Seriously, who else keeps things that long? Anyhow, I bought these leg warmers at Century 21 downtown partially because I thought I would need them for the cold winter that was setting in and partially because I just thought they were cute and where else could I rock leg warmers except in NYC?

It's funny because as it turns out, here I am almost a decade later, rockin the leg warmers in Birmingham, Alabama of all places. And while I wasn't expecting it, I actually ended up getting a ton of compliments on them....and only one comment about flash dance. I thought for sure those numbers would be reversed.

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:
1. Tunic shirt, bought on a Lucky Deal of the Day ($42.00)
2. Leggings, Charlotte Russe ($4.00)
3. Leg warmers, Century 21 ($6.99)
4. BCBGirls bag, Zoe's ($30.00)
5. Booties, Target ($24.99)
6. Earrings, gifted (thanks Em!)
7. Sunglasses, Urban Outfitters ($10.00)
8. Cocktail ring, H&M ($3.00)

 

photos: Laura Menconi

What's in my piggy bank for February?

1. Necessary Clothing Mercer 3 Way Blouse in Red, $29.99. Pockets are making a huge statement these days. The bright red shade of this shirt is definitely an added bonus.

2. ModCloth Couture Allure Coat, $86.99. Ok, so yes this is a little pricier than my usual picks, but this is actually a fantastic price for a beautiful architecturally designed coat.

3. New York Color Smooch Proof 16HR Lip Stain in Persistent Pink, $4.99. I've been looking for a lip color that will give me just a hint of baby doll pink lips. I think this just might be the shade I've been searching for.

4. Charlotte Russe Triple Zip Pebble Purse, $10.50. So adorable. Love the color, love the size, love the price, love everything.

5. F21 Speckled High-Rise Pants, $19.80. Tiny prints are still lingering and I think they are especially fetching on these pants from Forever 21.

6. e.l.f. Essential Nail Polish in Golden Goddess, $2.00. This unique nail polish might be the only shade  that I don't already own.

7. Charlotte Russe Strappy Caged Wedge Bootie in Nude, $42.50. You could wear these ridiculously versatile shoes now with tights or later in the spring and summer with dresses, skirts, shorts, pants— really just about anything.

8. F21 Wayfarer Sunglasses in Jade, $5.80. Bright sunglasses are all the rage right now. I particularly like this pair in a bright seafoamy green. And the price is right too, Bob.

9. Styles For Less Rope Border Oval Ring, $8.99. I love the earthy, organic look of this cocktail ring.

10. Necessary Clothing Hill Mullet Skirt in White, $26.99. I've been wanting a flowy skirt in this style for about a year or more now. So happy to see something in this trend that's beautiful and affordable.

Happy Birthday Blog-giveaway!

I cannot believe it. My blog turns one today!

And while, yes, some weeks I have been a little more MIA than others, still...I have been blogging for one year. This means it's time to celebrate! Seeing that it is Valentine's Day, I thought it was only appropriate to "share the love" and celebrate with a giveaway. So I'm giving away all things Fashionplate Cheapskate approved that I love.

Here is a list of what one lucky winner will receive:
1. My favorite eye makeup remover
2. My favorite nail polish - Sinful Colors in Nirvana
3. My new favorite hair product - Suave dry shampoo
4. Sinful Colors nail polish in Rise and Shine
5. Flower cocktail ring from my mom's store, Oopsy Daisy
6. Sinful Colors nail polish in Purple Diamond
7. My current favorite accessory (thanks Em!) - Feather earrings
8. Sinful Colors nail polish in Unicorn
9. And not pictured is a set of 10 personalized stationery notecards designed by yours truly

Here's how to enter:
Simply leave a comment below with your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win. It's just that easy!

For one bonus entry each:
1. Follow me on twitter and leave a comment to let me know

2. Follow me on bloglovin and leave a comment to let me know

Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. CST on February 28, 2012. Good luck!

**And so sorry gals, but this time you must be a US resident to enter**

Product pick: Suave Dry Shampoo

Recently I was at a concert with my friend Amy of To Do by Amy, when one of her friends let us in on one of her hair care secrets: Suave Dry Shampoo. I was amazed. First, that Suave had a dry shampoo and I didn't know about it. And second, that it worked so well. Because let me tell you, her hair looked amazing.

So of course, I had to investigate this one for myself and for $3.00 a bottle, I figured it was worth the trial investment. I have to say, I think it works! It's definitely a lot less messy than baby powder, and it doesn't show up like baby powder does. It's way cheaper than other dry shampoos on the market. Plus, it smells ah-mazing! You guys seriously need to try this one out for yourselves.

What to wear: Valentine's Day

Just in case you're needing some last minute ideas for what to wear tomorrow night on Valentine's Day, here's looking at a few leading ladies for inspiration. Whether you want to look sleek and sexily put together for a night out with the girls or want to look va-va-voom for a smokin hot date, here are six outfit options that you will surely "fall in love" with.

Skirt to dress, Vol. 2

I know I've proclaimed my love about turning skirts into dresses before. It's one of my favorite ways to extend my wardrobe and it also makes me feel like I am being creative with my outfits. So when I first spied this skirt at a thrift sore several months ago, I immediately considered it as a possible fall or winter dress with a sweater layered on top of it. I just consider it an added bonus that I can also wear it as a skirt. So stay tuned on to what I pair it with as a skirt.

In the meantime, get creative looking in your own closet and see what skirts you can wear as both a skirt and a dress.

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:
1. Dress/Skirt, thrifted ($2.99)
2. J. Crew Sweater, Rugged Warehouse ($8.99)
3. Boots, Cato ($24.99)
4. BCBGirls Bag, Zoe's ($30.00)
5. Knee socks, H&M ($14.00)
6. Men's belt, GAP ($34.99)
7. Leaf ring, Charm (gifted)
8. Flower headband, Urban Outfitters ($9.50)
9. Earrings, Charlotte Russe ($2.99/6 piece set)
10. Sunglasses, Venice Beach ($7.00)

 

 

photos: Laura Menconi

Splurge on: Cosmetics

It's about this time of year when I become extremely aware of how pale I've become without the opportunity to layout during the winter. Though honestly, there have been several days in the past few weeks that have been so warm I probably could've tried to go tanning. But I digress. Basically, during January and February, I start turning to make up to help me put a little bit more color on face in place of a tan. So here's what I'd like to splurge on soon. I chose everything from e.l.f. cosmetics for this post since they have only the best deals in makeup.

Oh and I should probably point out that I don't plan to wear all of this makeup at once! Just in case you were concerned.

1. e.l.f. Studio Matte Lip Color in Rich Red, $3.00
2. e.l.f Essential Custom Eyes in Navy, $1.00
3. e.l.f Essential Liquid Eyeliner in Copper, $1.00
4. e.l.f Essential Dramatic Lash Kit in Black, $1.00
5. e.l.f Eye Primer and Liner Sealer, $3.00
6. e.l.f Studio Blush in Peachy Keen, $3.00