Did you know that the average prom night costs over $1,000? These days, most families can’t afford to spend as lavishly as they used to. So without further ado, here are 49 ways to be a frugal fashionista on prom night.

GENERAL TIPS

   1. Buy your prom dress (and shoes, and jewelry, and accessories) from LuLus.com, of course! Cute clothes, reasonable prices and free shipping over $75.
   2. Plan everything well in advance. If you wait until the last minute, you’re more likely to feel desperate and buy something too expensive.
   3. As early as you can, start hoarding your allowance (or income from a part-time job) so you can afford to splurge when the big event rolls around.
   4. Always compare prices. Call around to at least 5 different shops before choosing a florist, tuxedo shop, limo service, etc.
   5. When in doubt, DIY. Why spend countless hours searching for something perfect AND affordable, when you can probably make it yourself?
   6. Keep a level head. Movies make it seem like prom is the most important night of your life. But in a few years, you’ll probably wonder why you got so worked up.

DRESS & ACCESSORIES

   1. Raid your best friend’s closet! No one will know that she wore the dress to a previous event; and even if they know, why would they care?
   2. Dust off that bridesmaid’s dress and give it another whirl. If you don’t have one, chances are you know someone who does.
   3. Go bargain hunting at your local thrift stores and consignment shops. In addition to being affordable, you can almost guarantee your look will be unique.
   4. Go bargain hunting online! You can find ridiculous deals on beautiful gowns and shoes on websites like eBay or Craigslist.
   5. Look for a shop that specializes in renting formal gowns, or check to see if your local bridal shops offer rentals.
   6. Choose your own fabrics and design, and make your dress from scratch; if you’re not handy with a sewing machine, enlist the help of a friend, relative or affordable seamstress.
   7. Check to see if an organization like Donate My Dress exists in your area; these non-profit groups provide free prom dresses to low-income teens.
   8. Look for a local prom dress exchange event; if you can’t find one, take the initiative and organize one for your community!
   9. See if you can borrow your mother’s (or grandmother’s) vintage jewelry and handbags.
  10. Head down to the bead store and make your own jewelry. If you’ve never tried it before, you may be surprised how it easy it is.

HAIR & MAKEUP

   1. Almost everyone knows one friend or relative whose hair and makeup always look fabulous; enlist their help on your big day, and thank them with a lunch or a return favor.
   2. Hit up the local beauty school for bargain priced hair styling and nails.
   3. Schedule an appointment at one of the beauty counters at your local mall. Buy the lipstick so you’ll be able to touch up throughout the night.
   4. Plan a Mary K or Avon party at your house the afternoon before the prom, and invite all your friends over for free makeovers.
   5. Host a manicure/pedicure party at your house; it’s easier (and much more fun) when everyone helps each other!
   6. Search YouTube for hair and makeup tutorials. Practice, practice, practice!
   7. Don’t spend a small fortune on tanning sessions; grab some self-tanning lotion at your local drugstore and fake the bake at home.

TRANSPORTATION

   1. Have your heart set on a stretch limousine? You’ll save money — and probably have way more fun — if you split the cost with other couples.
   2. If you live in a big city, consider downgrading to a chic, chauffeured but more affordable Lincoln Town Car.
   3. Make an appointment for a cab. But shop around beforehand, or you never know what might show up at your door.
   4. Really don’t want to drive? Ask a responsible older friend (or non-embarrassing relative) to chauffeur you for the night.
   5. There’s no law against driving your own car to prom. Just make sure it’s clean. Look for coupons to your local car wash, or just bust out the hose and the vacuum.

DINING

   1. Cook a romantic dinner for two. It’s less expensive than a fancy restaurant and sets a relaxed tone for the rest of the evening.
   2. Invite a few couples over and make your own restaurant. Ask mom and dad to cook and serve. Set up a few small tables, add candles and soft music, and enjoy!
   3. Eat a hearty meal before you go out, but splurge on a fancy dessert in a restaurant — especially if you usually say no to dessert. Prom Night’s a perfect excuse to indulge.
   4. If you choose to eat a restaurant, don’t go in blind. Look at menus beforehand so you’ll know which eatery has the food you want at the price you can afford.
   5. Imagine walking into your local fast food joint wearing tuxedos and ball gowns. If this sounds like hilarious fun, why not do it? It’ll make a great story some day.

FLOWERS

   1. Get a price quote from at least 5 different florists before committing to a purchase. Bonus points for price-checking 10.
   2. Choose less expensive flowers. Carnations are a traditional choice because they’re cheap and easy to dye in various colors.
   3. Skip the fancy florist and head to the grocery store. The selection is usually smaller, but you’re sure to find something you like. They are flowers, after all.
   4. Don’t go overboard with a massive bouquet. A few tasteful flowers will suffice, and it won’t weigh heavy on your arm all night.
   5. Get crafty! Make your own corsage and boutonnière using a few inexpensive materials from a craft store and flowers from the grocery store.
   6. Take advantage of your region’s natural beauty. Pick some gorgeous wildflowers, or ask your neighbors for donations from their gardens.

PHOTOS

   1. Let’s be honest; a lot of those professional prom photos look awful. Ask an artistic friend or relative to take pictures before prom, and forgo the expensive train wreck.
   2. Don’t have a talented photographer in your social circle? Trying recruiting a photography student from the local university.
   3. If your photographer uses traditional film, ask if you can buy the negatives and have them printed yourself.
   4. If you photographer uses a digital camera, ask if you can buy the files and print your photos at home.
   5. This may sound crazy, but consider (gasp!) not taking pictures at all. Just put the cameras aside, get on the dance floor and enjoy your big night to the fullest!

POST-PROM PARTYING

   1. If you live in a medium to large city, just take a stroll downtown. You may find live music and street performers, or just some great conversation and people-watching.
   2. Find a safe, suitable outdoor space and organize an evening picnic for two. All you need is finger foods, a warm blanket and a sky full of stars.
   3. Grab 10 of your closest friends and head to the nearest beach or lake for an old-fashioned bonfire and barbecue.
   4. Not every prom night has to be romantic. Why not throw some bowling shoes on under that formal gown? Or does evening wear go better with roller skates?
   5. Assuming your parents are cool with it, why not just party at home? They’ll be relieved, you’ll still have a great time with friends, and it won’t cost a fortune.

What did we miss? Leave a comment below with your best tips on how to save money on prom!

My freshman year of college, I took one of the most risky leaps when it comes to hair: I chopped off my long locks into a 20′s style bob. I left the salon with chin length hair that was shaved in back with short pixie bangs in front.

The look was a blast, but I eventually missed the versatility of my long hair, which took a whole year to grow back. Now,when I get a hankering for short hair again, I’ll know just to do this look – a faux bob – sported by women in the 30′s. Very old Hollywood.

Short hair for a day without the salon visit or the year long commitment? Yes please!

What You’ll Need

1. Sponge Roller Set – about $10 at Target

2. Spray Bottle

3. Bobby Pins

4. Hair Spray

5. Hair Net

What to Do

1. Spray your hair damp with some water

2. Roll hair in sponge rollers (please see video below for placement)

3. Secure rollers in a hair net

4. Sleep on overnight (surprisingly comfy) or let air dry for at least 3hrs.

5. In the morning, remove rollers closest to the face and brush each out individually, smoothing with pomade

6. Remove rollers in back, pin back hair to the nape of the neck so it looks bob-length

7. Let the front curls frame your face

8. Hair spray!!

9. Just for fun, tell everyone you cut your hair

I highly recommend watching the video below by the talented LisaFreemontStreet that inspired me to do this look. She works wonders when it comes to vintage hair styling. I’ve been learning so much about how to use hot rollers, sponge rollers, pin curls, and pillow rollers just by watching her vids. Happy styling!

I had so much fun with this look, and it definitely makes a statement.

You’ll need to give yourself a little extra time in the morning and have plenty of bobby pins on hand (not kidding). The result is totally worth it! Sixties vintage for a new look!

What You’ll Need:

1. A homemade “Bumpit” (made from hair extensions wrapped in a hair net) – make sure it matches your hair color.

2. Fine Tooth Comb

3. Hair spray

4. Flower or decorative hair clip

5. Bobby pins

What To Do:

1. Part hair into three sections: Front, Middle (largest section), Back. Tie each into a pony tail

2. Pin your homemade “bumpit” securely behind the middle section.

3. Pin the back ponytail up to cover the “bumpit.”

4. Take the middle section out of ponytail an pin down over the hive of hair. This part should look smooth and flawless.

5. Untie the front section, make a sideways part and sweep hair softly across the forehead. Pin in place.

6. Hair spray EVERYTHING.

7. Pin a cute flower or clip on the side of the hive.

Before you begin, you must watch the tutorial below by Strawberry Koi Vintage that inspired this look. This is where I found the great homemade bumpit idea, and she’s got plenty more handy tricks and tutorials on her YouTube Channel and blog. Check her out!

I love having the Food Network as background noise whenever I’m cleaning my room or checking emails. It’s soothing to me in a funny way.

My favorite show to watch is Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger. I love how she uses healthy ingredients in every recipe and tells you a little bit about their nutritional value. It just makes you feel good about what you’re eating.

This weekend, she made a Peach Pie Smoothie that was just too delicious looking to ignore. I pretty much went straight to the grocery store to pick up the ingredients.

Here’s what you need:

• 1/2 cup nonfat or 1 percent lowfat milk
• 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
• 1 cup unsweetened frozen peaches
• 1 tablespoon honey, plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch ground nutmeg
• Pinch ground ginger

Blend all the ingredients in a blender and enjoy. If you’re like me, you’ll add a little whipped cream (or Soyatoo) and a straw for a heavenly concoction.

This smoothie has the essence of peach cobbler with plenty of added health benefits. Perfection. I’m now keeping those frozen peaches on hand for those lazy autumn days.

KB is at it again and has made her very own shark head costumes!!! KB has paired the crazy shark heads with some casual bottoms from Lulus.com so that she could be in costume and still comfortable on Halloweeeeeen!

FYI this is a perfect costume for any SHARKS FANS!!!!

If you are still out of a costume KB recommends using this Simplicity Costume Pattern for making these AWESOME shark heads!!!