I’m not talking about super-dark navy and ink blues, but rather lighter shades of blue, both muted and bright, like French, indigo, air force, cobalt, sapphire, sea, cavalry, bluebird and chambray blue. Tops in lighter shades of blue look okay with blue jeans, but they look a lot punchier with black bottoms in Autumn and Winter. So think black jeans, black Ponte de Roma knit pants, black slacks or a black skirt when you’re wearing a blue top.

Think further and pop a mid-tone blue top under a sleeveless black frock. Wear blue shoes or boots with black bottoms, leggings or a black dress. Add a blue handbag to an all black outfit. Wear a blue coat over a flop proof LBD.

For more punch I like to mix in white or cream into a black and mid-tone blue palette. White acts as a bright and adds a refreshingly crisp touch. This can be as subtle as a camisole that peeks through from under a top, or a skinny belt that breaks up the expanse of a blue tunic. My favourite ways of adding white are with pearl accessories, white specs, a white watch or white button down. But there are countless combinations so give it a whirl if you like to wear blue. Brunettes, I hope you’re listening.

There are ruffles and frills on everything at the moment. You’ll see them on T’s, blouses, shirts, knitwear, bottoms, dresses, jackets, coats, skirts, shoes, boots, bags, scarves, underwear and necklaces. I adore ruffled items and I’ve been sporting them since I was a little girl. I like the textural integrity that a soft self-colour ruffle adds to a garment. It’s feminine, pretty and baroque looking.

But now that it’s a hot trend, fashion retail is killing the look. It’s reached the stage where you’ll battle to find a top with interesting, non-ruffle, style detailing. I have clients who do not fancy ruffles and it’s been a challenge to find them suitable tops, especially since some of these ladies are well endowed.

Variety is an important component of a great fashion season and so far, I don’t think we are getting that in the styling options for tops and knitwear. Too many ruffles. I’ll be happy to continue wearing the items in my closet, but I’m not purchasing anything else with ruffles this season. I guess I preferred ruffled items when they weren’t mainstream fashion.

How do you feel about ruffles? Have you noticed the epidemic in stores? For those of you who do not live in the US, are ruffled items a hot trend in your neck of the woods too?

I believe that one can be stylish on almost any budget, and although I love bargains as much as the next person, that’s not the focus here on YLF. But there are some fantastic budget-oriented sites out there, and great bargains to be had, so we thought YLF readers might enjoy a weekly roundup of opportunities to save in style.

• The Budget Fashionista is giving away a Freya camisole set. Freya designs undergarments that are cut to fit those who have a little extra around the bust line so it’s well worth a look.
• The Budget Babe spotted an adorable toffee-coloured bomber jacket at Target for $30. Weather resistant, casual and super fab.
• The Frugal Fashionista’s inspiring summary of chunky necklaces caught my eye. Bib necklaces are still a great way to add textural interest to a neutral outfit. Flop proof.
• Ann Taylor’s cotton cashmere silk wrap cardigan is deliciously avant-garde and versatile. It’s interesting details make it look like its straight from a prêt a porter collection. Available in black and grey, it retails for $95 but you’ll get 50% off another item if you purchase any of their knits.
• Keep checking out the sweaters, jeans and coat collections at bluefly.com. They run marvelous extra discounted 10- hour sales every few days.

Here are some sales and specials now on at YLF affiliates:

• Boden: Receive 15% Off Plus Free Shipping and Returns on the Men’s Collection at Bodenusa.com today! Valid through 10-31-2009.
• Macy’s: Save more on sale prices with red hot dollars at macys.com. This offer is valid 09-30-09 through 10-04-09.
• Bloomingdales: From October 1, 2009 through October 4, 2009 take 25% off over 1500 Items and take an EXTRA 20% Off With Friends & Family Code BLMFRIEND at Bloomingdales.com! Exclusions Apply.

Share your own bargain tips in the comments.

Today’s guest post is written by stylishly bohemian Cathy who lives in California. Cathy is a writer, music teacher, Mum of two delightful gals and a long time YLF supporter and forum member. She recently organized a YLF gathering in her neck of the woods and this is how it went down.

Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Los Gatos is a charming Californian town named after the wildcats that roam the surrounding slopes. Its pedestrian-oriented downtown boasts a vibrant mix of shops, salons, galleries, and restaurants–a perfect venue for the first Bay Area YLF gathering.

On an overcast, slightly muggy Saturday, I met Lori, Marianna, Srujana, Lisa (cyan45), and Lisa’s friend Cindy in front of Gap. The first thing I noticed, besides the group’s high style quotient, was the fab assortment of colorful handbags: pink, purple, gray, cordovan, yellow, and white.

We first stopped at Gap to check out the new line of 1969 denim. I raved about the 1969 skinnies I was wearing. Lori tried on some boyfriend jeans but was undecided on this trend. Next was Banana Republic, where Marianna picked up the best deal of the day: a beautiful cobalt sweater for $7.97, down from $58. The rest of us pawed through the sale rack but could not match that bargain.

As we strolled down the main avenue, a “50% discount storewide” sign at the Anjou boutique caught our attention. I tried on a fun bohemian dress, which was unfortunately too large. Srujana bought a gorgeous lariat necklace that featured two translucent agate leaves. The saleswoman told us about a going-out-of-business sale at a nearby “L.A. ghetto” shop. Intrigued, we went off in search.

Along the way, J. Crew distracted us. Lori was wearing the gray ruffled J. Crew tank that Angie blogged about, and I wanted to find one. The tank was sold out, but we had fun trying on other goodies. Lori supplemented her fall wardrobe with pieces including a black ruffled cardigan, ribbon-embellished t-shirt, and mustard-colored pants.

Lori had to leave but pointed us toward the L.A. ghetto store, which turned out to be Karma Boutique: “Bringing L.A. to the South Bay.” We exclaimed over the True Religion denim, sequined t-shirts, Ed Hardy tattoo wear, and leggings printed to resemble distressed, studded denim (Angie would have an apoplexy).

Having worked up an appetite, we were faced with the most difficult decision of the day: gelato or pastries? Lisa suggested the award-winning Fleur de Cocoa patisserie, which met with universal agreement. It was pleasant to sit and chat while savoring exquisite French pastries and sipping coffee and tea.

Marianna and I left soon afterward. On a whim, Cindy, Lisa, and Srujana visited White House | Black Market, where Srujana scored a silver-and-cream beaded camisole (the last one in stock, on sale) and a gray ruffled corduroy jacket with a mandarin collar. Cindy had been looking for a cardigan all day and found the perfect one on the sale rack–a black 3/4-sleeved ruffled bolero-style number.

I had a blast hanging with these fashion-savvy women. As we shopped, it was so helpful to have realistic style feedback. And I loved how our conversations leapt from fashion to work, movies, music, family, and food. I hope to meet more local style mavens at the next Bay Area YLF gathering!