The Tastemaker Diaries is pleased to welcome guest blogger, Sarah, brought to you by Victoria’s Secret PINK. She’s a professional stylist who will be sharing her favorite picks from the VS PINK fall line.

Ok ladies, let’s discuss a vital component of our wardrobe that is often ignored: bras. Believe it or not, the bra you’re wearing can totally change the way you look, for better or for worse!

So let’s make sure that your bra is working for you, rather than against you. My top bra pet peeves: 1) When you can see the fabric of your bra underneath your shirt — lumpiness is not attractive. 2) When you have to wear the wrong size bra because they don’t make your size. 3) When you have to decide between paying your rent and buying a new bra. Victoria’s Secret PINK has finally come up with a solution that satisfies all of these common bra problems: their new 2 for $32 Wear Everywhere T-Shirt and Push-Up bras.

These bras are brilliant in every way and are the ultimate basis for any outfit. Perhaps the most amazing part is the pricing — they come two to a pack (either black and nude or black and white) for only $32 dollars- and this is for the same high quality as other Victoria’s Secret bras!

Push up:

This is great for when you need a little extra va-va-voom, but still keeps it classy. It gives the perfect amount of lift and shape.

T-Shirt:

This is the best basic bra there is, holding up to daily wear beautifully, and it converts into a racerback to expand your options even more.

I am sure I am not the only woman who always seems to be single by the time Valentine’s Day rolls around each year. I, like many others, have wallowed in V-day depression in the past.

It’s hard for single people this time of year when advertising bombards us with images of happy couples gifting one another with luxury gifts to show their undying love for one another.

Why not ignore the advertising and lovey-dovey couples this year and indulge yourself?  That’s right, gift yourself…who says that you cannot? There is no rule against gifting yourself every once in a while.

Here are some gift ideas for the single gal that I have found online.

Why not make yourself a yummy chocolate goodie using this cookbook? The Deep Chocolate cookbook is only $19.95 from Fredflare.com

Making your own chocolate goodies is better than getting the semi-stale boxes of chocolate from the supermarket from a last-minute shopping boyfriend, right?

Next, why not light some candles to relax? Like these:

This 6-piece candle set from Overstock.com is only $55.99 and would set the mood for a long soak in the bath.

Once the candles have set the mood, it’s time to prepate a bath with wonderful scented bubble bath.

A Diet You can Live With Gift Set by Philosophy at Sephora.com gives you three great scents to add to your tub: Pink Frosted Layer cake, Creme Brulee, or Fudge Cake. Quite an indulgence for just $30.00.

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Whether you have a significant other or not, everyone needs to spend some quality time at home eating delicious food, watching good movies and getting some old-fashioned relaxation.

The key to relaxing at home after work or on the weekends is to have proper loungewear. Abandon those Juicy sweatpant combos and try a chemise or slip instead. Fashioned like a dress, but far more comfortable, pajama-like and yes, even sexy.

Here are some of my favorite affordable chemise/slip choices.

• The Gap sleep shirt below is a good choice if you want something to lounge AND sleep in. It looks like something you might have taken from your boyfriend (or ex-boyfriend) and neglected to give back.
• I also like the affordability of this Forever21 chemise.
• This Forever21 slip has a cool crinkle effect on the fabric, and black flatters all body types.

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That’s THF and I. We both look kinda tired…I remember some Ikea trips and errand-running that weekend. In fact, most weekends we are too exhausted to do anything more exotic than sit around and watch movies with a bowl of popcorn. Wild, spontaneous dates and exuberant gift-giving aren’t an option when you have limited time and resources.

But, naturally, Valentine’s Day presents an opportunity to make all the romantic gestures you missed out on the rest of the year become a reality, if only for one day/night. And, although the holiday may be cliched and commercialized, you still can’t help but get caught up in it.

For THF and I, it’s the perfect excuse to relax, do something we don’t usually do and give each other meaningful gifts.

Like these for her (or buy them for yourself!):

Can’t find the right words to write to your sweetheart? Need some inspiration to jump-start your romantic mood? This book is filled with actual love letters, so there’s bound to be something useful. It’s only $22.50.

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Shopping for my friends and family around the holidays is super-stressful. Lately I’ve been putting off my Christmas shopping, saying, “Ahh, I’ll just do it tomorrow…or next weekend…”

That kind of denial only gets me into trouble. Instead of going to buy a gift for my mother, I’ll procrastinate and stay home, curled up in my warm bed reading a good book. My justification? “But it’s been such a long day!”

But, shopping online for gifts instead is a great alternative. I can stay in my PJ’s, and it’s basically killing two birds with one stone–shopping and wrapping done at once (most online retailers offer free gift wrapping near the holidays).

The Mark by Avon Little Black Box can be customized with whatever combinations of makeup you desire. There are some pre-selected options, but it’s more fun to create a unique combo, don’t you think? It’s a great deal (about $6) and perfect for stocking stuffers for friends/cousins/nieces/etc.

My best friend Lisa is a make-up fiend. She adores Eyes Lips Face (E.L.F.), as do I, for their unbelievably inexpensive make-up. This “Ultimate Kit” is only–wait for it–$15. I know Lisa would just love this…and because she lives on the other side of the country, this kit would be easy to ship, as it isn’t perishable or a weird-shaped item.

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