Shopping Bag Hags by CouponWinner.com

Since I've been watching back-to-back episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, I've been feeling the vintage inspiration everywhere I look. If you crave fun color and pattern, then the '70s are a fantastic decade from which to pull your inspiration. Craving '70s style? Here are some modern solutions.

Red and Orange Tones: Bright colors are an easy way to work bold '70s style into your wardrobe, from bright pops of color on your most elegant tunic to a silk scarf. Toss any bright color on with fun denim and a pair of gladiator sandals for a great MTM-inspired look.

Where to Find: Get your bright tops on a discount from Victoria's Secret and ModCloth.

Maxi Dresses: Maxis are an excellent buy if you happen to have heavy calves or larger ankles, and they haven't been out of style altogether since the '70s. Patterned dresses look best when they are in a medium-size print, because that flatters nearly every body type.

Where to Find: Pick up a maxi dress from a clearance or sale section on a site like JCPenney or GAP.

Wide-Legged Denim: Grab a pair of wide-legged denim to pair with anything-- scoop-neck tank tops, t-shirts, and mock-neck tops. Platform shoes and wedges add tones of height with these trousers, but be sure that your feet stay visible when combined with chunky shoes. Jute or cork soles are up to you!

Where to Find: Get your wide-legged denim at Old Navy, where prices are right, and the fit is, too.

Cool Sweatshirts: Why do we just have sleek hoodies to hang around in? Instead of zipping on a boring sweatshirt, why not go retro and pull on a classic one that features a crew neck and an fun logo on it? It's your chance to dress down like your pals in the '70s would have!

Where to Find: Head on over to eBay to get the real deal.

Do you swear by bike shorts and shapers? While they might not be your favorite look if you're wearing a skimpy ensemble, shapewear improves a lot every year. A lot of us are familiar with full-body shapewear, but we might not always pick out the best pieces for us. Here are a few tips for anyone looking to get the right look. 

The first thing to remember about shapewear? It's not just about Spanx. While they have some particularly fantastic looks out there, they are not the only option for body-hugging, firming, and shaping. The one look that is a must-buy forSpanx is definitely the Tight-End Tights Convertible Leggings, which trim your body all the way down to the ankles. Tuck these under your heels for a terrifically secure feeling-- and a slimming effect all the way through heavy thighs and calves.

Lipo in a Box is my preferred shapewear brand, far more effective (and comfortable) than Spanx. Not only do they make fabulous body-slimming camisoles, but they also have strapless bras that look great underneath all your dare-to-bare goodies.Lipo in a Box was also featured in the "100 Things That Are Actually Getting Better" feature, along with other major brands. I had a look at their newest pieces, and I am in love with their "Long Tank" style-- it's great for attacking muffin top and hiding a whale-tail thong.

Sculptz happens to be offering free shipping until March 15th, and they are another one of Oprah's faves that are getting better. If you are going to grab one pair of shaper shorts for spring/summer, have them be from Scultpz-- they have pretty ones in spring colors that look great under both skirts and trousers. Purple, yellow, and pink bike shorts are just a few options to start layering... and you can't let some of their amazing sale items slip away. There are foundation pieces on their site marked down below $10 right now! Another cool pattern to try is the Animal PrintShaper Top Tights.

If you are a plus-size woman, then you'll love these lingerie shaper pieces from Hips & Curves. They have some amazing options for women 1X and up, including a waist cinching control panty and long-leg options. They also have fantastic garter belts with support built right in, and long-line slips for every woman. I love shapewear in black instead of nude, and Hips & Curves has some great options.

Are you a fan of shapewear? Where do you get yours?

Are you looking for new fall picks? I'd love to get everything I've seen up on the pages of my favorite fashion weeks now that the fashion weeks have slipped by, but neither my budget nor my frugal sensibility allows for much wiggle room. Here are my top buys for spring, and where to get them.

Flirty Skirt: Depending on your body type, you can go for shorter versions, or you can aim for skirts that are constructed from a lighter fabric, but that are a little longer for more coverage. A great pick would be a cotton skirt from Old Navy, complete with a drawstring waist to allow the best "adjustability," and a pair of low wedges. If you're stumped on a print, select a simple one that combines one dark and one light color, like navy blue and white, together.

Nude Wedge Heels: Nude heels can be very challenging. While they look amazing when they are on your feet, you can't help but think that these shoes look a little less than sexy when they are off. To help determine what shoes make your legs look best, check out pictures in which you wear shoes in colors you are considering to purchase. Nude might be the right pick for you after all.

Tip: Don't forget that Zappos.com has free shipping both ways, so returning's a breeze.

Boyfriend Shirt: A simple button-down, striped shirt can be layered over a floral-printed tank top if you'd like, but it can also be a smart selection when you crave a lightweight layer after a weekend in the sun. For a boyish-but-cute look, pair your button-down shirt with a pair of denim cutoffs, and for something a little more daring, try tying it up when paired with a high-waist, flirty skirt.

Tip: Wear your striped shirt with a chunky jeweled necklace.

Looking for a way to score a deal? Here's are some deals that will get you stocking up on basics, no matter what your budget.

302 Designs: 302 Designs has a great coupon that's exclusive to Coupon Winner-- you can get 10% off all purchases! It's time to stock up on organic apparel-- or browse the rest of the 302 coupons that CW has to offer. My second choice is definitely the free shipping coupon on order over $50.

Gaiam: Speaking of free shipping, Gaiam has a great deal as well. The organic clothing and lifestyle co. is offering free shipping on orders over $49, which is quite reasonable (especially in comparison to all those free shipping on $150+ orders we've seen!).

PZI Jeans: In the market for some denim? I found an excellent deal at PZI Jeans-- you can get 10% off all orders using Coupon Winner's special code. These jeans are shaped to fit a woman with an extra-round hip and butt, and a smaller waist. Get ready to play up your shape!

Chico's: Chico's has really ramped up their options for the last few seasons, and I think they work well for younger travelers as well. Tank tops and loose linen pants are easy items to pack in your suitcase, and now you can get them with free shipping or 10% off.

Bluefly: Hey, big spender! Bluefly's a good place to go if you'll be buying a larger and more expensive purse or accessory. For new customers, Bluefly is offering free shipping and $20 off an order of $150. It's time to stock up on some higher end pieces for less... for spring.

Sunglasses Hut: Get a pair of sunglasses from the Sunglasses Hut, and get shipping free! Famous brands include brands like Burberry, Oakley, Arnette, Ray-Ban, and Electric, and you can also get return shipping arranged for free as well.

Bliss Living: Looking for maternity items? One of the cutest sites for baby gear, gifts, and jewelry is Bliss Living, and there are currently two coupons available from Coupon Winner: 5% off and free shipping on orders over $99.

What's the best deal you've run across lately?

It can be extremely stressful finding the right deal: some people might not believe it, but we really get panicked when it comes to finding the lowest price. Thanks to shopping comparison sites and online auctions, we can have our pick on a variety of quality shopping sites. What's a girl to do when she shops for deals, and doesn't know if she's getting one?

1. Open several tabs of your favorite web browser, and select your favorite deal-getting sites. If you are shoppign for shoes, this could be Zappos, Amazon, eBay, and Piperlime, for example, or if you are picking up something for your home (or a health-related item), it could be AOL shopping, Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart, Kmart, and eBay. These shops are usually larger, offer discounts and free shopping, and combine orders for the best deals.

2. Look up discount codes online to find out how to slash the prices of different items. You can look up $-off, %-off, and free shipping coupons to make your deal sweeter. After adding the item to your cart, add the discount codes to see which item comes up cheapest.

3. Jot down which item was the most affordable for you, including the price, the discount code, and where you found it. Be sure to check when the code expires, if known, so that you don't miss out on your deal. Now it's time for last minute comparison-- double-check your coupon codes to make sure that there's not one for the same site that could save your more.

4. Depending on what you're buying, swing by Craigslist to check out the "For Sale" and the "For Free" sections. You'll either find comparable items, or comparable items for less, when you check out Craigslist. Be sure to consider driving distances when you are planning your deal and picking it up in person-- and bring another person for safety.

5. If you have more than one item to buy, don't forget to combine it at your shopping location of choice-- you can easily combine orders at a shopping destination like Amazon-- eBay's a little more challenging to combine deals as you please, but Walmart is also a smart place to get items combined and shipped right to the store.

February can be a tough month for deals: we are in an in-between stage halfway through season, which means we are almost ready for spring, but we are still trekking through snow and other slushy stuff. Since we're always looking for steals and deals, we researched some of the best discounts available this month. Here's where you can shop and get deals.

Shoes.com: Shop at Shoes.com for a variety of discounts, including $10 off of $50, and $20 off of $100. There is also a 15% off coupon that also includes free shipping, so have a look around. I took a look around, and the prices are definitely reasonable. You can easily get $10 off of two pairs of shoes.

Woman Within: If you are a woman of generous size, you can still save. I love the deal available from the site... you can save a whopping $40 on a purchase of $150.

Betsey Johnson: There is an amazing coupon that will save you 25% off on all purchases at Betsey Johnson. This is a great one-- no purchase minimums-- and you can use it on sale and clearance items. The sale section is small, but there are still some great pieces there.

Puma: If you want a cute pair of running shoes for springtime, have you considered picking up a pair from Puma? If you get them online, save $25 and get free shipping. There are other deals available as well, like a free hat, free shipping bargain. Now is your chance to pick up a pair of shoes in which to hit the track-- or hit the mall again!

Steve Madden: Who can resist a Steve Madden deal? You can currently score 15% off a $50 order-- one pair of shoes, essentially-- and if you are planning on stocking up, you can get free shipping with orders over $150.


Bonus Buy: Turbo Tax! It might not be a fashion accessory, but a lot of us are doing our taxes right now. If you want to save on Turbo Tax, there is a 10% off coupon that is an exclusive to Coupon Winner.

We definitely spend a lot of time imagining how we will dress up an outfit, but what about dressing things down? Sometimes you have a great piece that could really work on a night out, but it's just a touch too fancy. If you'd like some tips on taking a fancy dress and making it less dressy, then you've come to the right place, without a doubt.

Dress Down Tip 1: The overshirt, sweater, or wrap.
Take a jersey wrap dress or embellished frock and layer to take the design details down a notch or two. Instead of spangled fabric all over, you can wear a lightweight wool wrap or a silk shawl around your shoulders, and look dressed-down enough for a casual outing. Choose a structured, tailored blazer to wear over a fancy dress with a poofy skirt, and pair it with booties, or wear a low-cut cocktail dress with a large pashmina on top.

Dress Down Tip 2: Boots
Boots can add a casual air to the fanciest of cocktail-length dresses, and can give you that edge you crave. If you want to make things even more casual, why not grab a special bootie in suede fabric instead of shiny leather? That's far more casual... and it's super comfortable. If you want to go even further, there are plenty of boots available with studs and gems.

Dress Down Tip 3: Tights
Legwear can take center stage if you have a lot of fancier cocktail dresses in plain, solid colors. If you have a silk dress with a lot of interesting details on the skirt and bodice, try dressing it down with tights in a herringbone pattern, or simply an opaque style. Push yourself to try a new tights look, even if it's fairly simple. It will bring down the "dressiness" of your dress several notches at least.

Dress Down Tip 4: The vintage-inspired hat.
While a cloche is a sophisticated selection by itself, when you pair it with a fancier dress, it gets a little funkier and more daring. To make the most of this trend, select a sleek hat with a more casual design-- not just jamming on any old thing to make your frock look less fancy. Aim for wool, matte satin, or dupioni silk to start off with, and try to keep the brim manageable if you'll be headed out to socialize.

What does it take to have style? What about a signature one? Sometimes, you find the perfect outfit to wear, and you start building off of the look for something really flattering and elegant. This is good. Want to know what isn't good? Scrambling to create a style when you know what you like, but not what flatters you best? Here are a few recommendations that always start a capsule wardrobe off the right way.

Button-Down Tees: If you enjoy more classic looks, then button-down tees are definitely a smart selection. Author Alexandra Penney (a famous Madoff victim, artist, and best-selling author) is known for wearing white shirts every day. She has mountains of them, she said in a recent article in Ladies Home Journal, even dating back to her college years. At least she knows what she likes, and what she looks good in.

Denim: Denim dresses are a great look, as are denim jackets, but they really don't get enough credit for how sophisticated they make you look. They are a super-cute selection, and one that adds some rough-and-tumble style to the mix. Toss on a lightweight denim selection for smart styling in summer, and pair it with turquoise jewelry-- a never-fail look.

Statement Jewelry: Invest in a bangle or necklace and skip the basic tees-- sometimes it's easiest to base your look on costume or cocktail jewelry. Look for chunky pieces with plenty of color, and you won't just be getting a lot of compliments, but feeling excited to match around in your closet.

White Sneakers or Leather Sandals: Let your shoes be your guide! White running sneakers are an easy look to rock when it comes to statement wear. If you always wear jeans and bright white sneakers, then people will start remembering your little quirky touch. We just had a neighbor over yesterday, and she was wearing the cutest white sneaks... and her friend said that always knows it's her in the bathroom by her little shoes!

What's your signature look?

Do you like to dress active for casual daytime activities? I find myself wearing exercise pants and a t-shirt far too often, and it can be pretty overwhelming when you start to count how many times you dress down for the gym, walking the dog, and other types of "boring" activities when you can't dump on the finery like other places. Boo, I say, boo!

In the spirit of looking and feeling our best, here are a few things I am planning on doing to look as fashionable as possible when rocking simple stuff like exercise pants, long-sleeve zip ups, and sneakers. It's tough-- some people say "why even bother when you're just doing stuff around the house or the gym, anyway?"-- but I prefer to look good whenever I can... it makes me feel better about myself, too.

Here's what I add to my casual looks to dress things up:

(Simple CZ Pendant, Ice.com)

1. A pretty, casual necklace. If you don't have any pendants, get one now. These stylish, slip-on necklaces can easily dress up your look, but they aren't too much when you pair them with things like exercise pants and zip up cardigans. If you have a pair of black, well-fitting exercise pants and a microfiber shirt, a CZ pendant could look really elegant. This is perfect when you are out walking the dog or taking a stroll on your own.

2. A new pair of sneakers. There are so many attractive options out there, so how couldn't you get a new pair? I am digging the soft-step ones with toning additions, like the ones from Skechers and New Balance. These shoes aren't just working overtime for your style points, but for your body as well!

(Chainlink Slouchy Beret, Urban Outfitters)

3. A hat that isn't a baseball cap. Try to stock up on fun hats that don't overwhelm your sporty attire. I am a huge fan of berets and slouchy caps, and they always look perfect with tunics and jeans. If you're trying to keep your look relaxed, but you like something unusual to pep up your style, this is definitely the way to go.

4. A great "final layer." If you have a limited budget and you want to look good while exercising, you might want to try something pull-on. Try a long-sleeve shirt with a fleece underlayer -- but make sure that it has a half-zip at the neck to make taking it off and putting it on more comfortable! A low-key plaid or simple geometric design looks great on.

What do you wear when you exercise or hang out on the weekend?

Do you feel like your most inspired ensembles are the ones that cause you the most drama? I have dressed myself up super nice, only to have someone do the back-handed compliment thing OR say that they "liked my outfit, but"... It's rough. If you think that your creativity is damaged by over-enthusiastic detractors, then perhaps you'd like to see how I make the criticism roll off my back. Keep on being fabulous, I say!

I started thinking about this after reading RuPaul's new book, Workin' It! While naturally some of the topics don't apply to me (there is a section dedicated to drag), I started thinking about how much inner confidence RuPaul had to have to do what he did, and when he did it. Not only does he look fierce and take a mean picture, but he seems to be totally confident both in and out of his "costumes." Now that is something I can relate to-- I'd love to be just 1% more confident every day.

If you want to feel (or at least act) more confident in your ensembles of choice, this is what I do:

1. Take a picture of my outfit before I leave the house. I have trouble picking out accessories and shoes, mostly because I am spoiled for choice. Since they can make or break an outfit, I have noticed that I feel so much better when I simply know how other people see me. An tough-as-nails digital pic can send me straight out the door, or back into my closet for a quick re-styles. It's far better than being in a gray 'n' fuzzy zone, that's for sure.

2. Have pre-prepped outfits ready for "bad days." Just like bad-hair days, I have days when I can't get an outfit together. I have about five different pre-matched ensembles that I know look good, and are ironed/hung up/ready to go any day. It might not be the most exciting thing to do, but it can cut down on outfit anxiety when you're not feeling 100%.

3. Spend time on the weekend "playing" with outfits and new pieces. Sometimes a frantic get-dressed session on a Saturday can yield exciting results, mostly by accident. Have you ever tried on an outfit and thought it looked great, but realized that the ensemble simply wouldn't fly, mostly because of event-appropriateness reasons? Yuck! Bookmark those for later fabulousness-- and for a different event.

4. Wear heels. Sure, flats always do the trick (especially the hotter ones), but a boost of confidence comes most easily from a killer pair of shoes. If you have sensitive feet, and the whole "killer" thing makes you nervous, how about you spend some time hunting for the more "comfy" type of heels, like wedges, multi-strapped platforms, and booties?