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Top Teen Shopping Picks for the Week

I have a passion for teen clothes. Even though I'm past the point of bright short-shorts and spaghetti-strapped tank tops, I do love to buy them for others. And point everyone in the direction of great pieces! If you need a few ideas when shopping with a teen or if you are heading out for spring break vacation, you should take a look at some basic tops I hunted out at Wet Seal, with both "Dressing Up" and "Dressing Up" options for each!

My favorite tops this season are bright and fun. I love the extra patterns like checks, plaids, and even a little extra embroidery. With a simple skirt, your designs pop, and with something more refined, these bargain-rate pieces look a lot more costly. Take a look at what I've found for you.

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Surplus Plaid Babydoll Top, $15.50

The Plaid Babydoll Top from Wetseal is as stylish as it is affordable. It has a cool country flair but somehow manages to be at home with both denim and linen. Simple lines best complement this busy piece, so dig up some short shorts or a mini.

Dress It Up

Linen High Waist Shorts

These high-waisted shorts give your top a very blousy effect, which looks very cute with strappy sandals and an anklet! If you're the bikini type, this top works well with string types as well as your basic halters in plain coordinating colors.

Dress It Down

Perry Solid Short

Simple, fun shorts get you an "A+" every single time! Don't be afraid to push the envelope with some awesomely cool (and tiny) shorts that beg to be slipped on for pool lounging and couch lounging, too.

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Striped Bra Cup Cami, $15.50 How I adore this striped piece! If you're looking for something to maximize that bust or something to show off a little pre- spring break bronzing, I recommend this find from Wet Seal. It even has lightly padded bra cups for that extra boost!


Dress It Up

Satin Trim Trousers

There's no reason why something colorful shouldn't be paired with something very chic. You'll highlight the rainbow of colors in your top, while making it look like a little more refined. Perfect for hot nights out on spring break or layered underneath a wrap cardigan for work, with just the hem showing for a splash of color.

Dress It Down

Julie Skinny Jean

These jeans are basic and easy. Pull them on with flip flops on a day after the fun when you need to wing down. They're shapely but with a touch of stretch for ease.

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Embroidered Two-Pocket Tank Top, $22.50

Why not choose a top that's a little on the crunchy side this spring? This blue tank top comes encrusted with decorative designs and spells "F.U.N." It's definitely layering-worthy as well.


Dress It Up

High Waist Mini Thought that this top had a hippie vibe? Not anymore! You've joined the international jet-set crowd when you combine a bright white, trendy skirt with this soft pastel piece. Consider wearing it with a silk scarf, too.


Dress It Down

Brooklyn Bright Mini Rainbow bright, indeed! This skirt provides a welcome juxtaposition to your usual softer pastel wardrobe for springs. Take this top in another direction and see how things go.

Meieli Sawyer Detoni

Kid's Birthday Gift Buying Tips

If you are anything like me, your kids get invited to a bunch of birthday parties during the school year. It seems like you just get done buying a present for one party when another invitation comes home in their backpack. I love for my kids to be able to go to birthday parties, but sometimes it is hard to find the time to go out a get a gift, especially when the notice for the party is a bit short. Plus, with three kids, I often find that the number of invitations increases exponentially.

To cut down on the time a frustration when it comes to buying gifts for the birthday parties my kids attend, I have come up with a few simple solutions to make it easier.

First of all, you need to decide how much money you are going to spend on birthday party gifts. My general rule is about $15, depending on how well my child knows the birthday kid. For kids I don't know at all, I might spend a little less, and for kids I know well, I will probably spend a bit more. But I try to keep it within the range of $12-$17 because birthday party gifts can get pricey if you have to buy several gifts at the same time. My oldest son went to sixteen birthday parties during one school year!

Next, unless it is my child's best friend, I don't take my child shopping with me. It seems like they always want to buy something very expensive or their friend has told them they like a specific kind of toy and I don't want to be guilted into buying something more expensive than I planned to by one of my kids.

Most of the time, I have gift possibilities already in my closet. What I do is buy items that would make great birthday party gifts when I find them on sale, clearance, etc. For instance, I once bought six large boxes of sidewalk chalk with almost fifty chalk pieces for seventy-five cents a box at the end of the summer. Another example is some cute girl's plastic backpacks that came with a little 35mm camera, stationery products, and a t-shirt. They were regularly priced for $28.00, but I got them on sale for $7.99 each. Then, I put these things away until a party invitation comes in and I let my child choose what they want to give.

I also stock up on gift bags, tissue paper and wrapping paper when I make a trip to the dollar store. That way, I always have gift bags on hand. I also save all the gift bags my kids get from their own parties, and use them to give gifts to others. I have no problem with re-gifting gift bags as long as they are in good condition.

So there you have it - a survival guide for the numerous kids' birthday parties. Decide on a budget and stick to it. Don't take your child shopping with you. Buy gifts on sale ahead of time. Buy gift supplies at the dollar store and re-gift the bags you get at your own child's party. By planning ahead, you save money and time!

by Christena Palmer