Sales and events

Sales and events All this month, when you purchase a pair of sandals or other toe-exposing shoes at Pumpz & Co. (Galleria, Edina, 952-926-2252, www.pumpzco.com), you'll receive a coupon for $10 off a pedicure at Rocco Altobelli Salon and Day Spa's Galleria location (952-920-5006). Convenient and a deal!

This Sunday (1 to 4 p.m.), you can shop one of the best actual sample sales of the year. Jewelry designer Karin Jacobson (Northrup King Building, 1500 NE. Jackson St., Studio 288, Mpls., www.superkarin.com) is offering at least 50 percent off discontinued and slightly irregular pieces. This silver and amethyst ring is normally $260, but will be marked down to $130. She'll be joined by handbag designer Adrienne Grahn (www.adriennegrahn.com) and Sean Tubridy (www.seantubridy.com), who will be clearing out his line of graphic T-shirts at 30 to 50 percent off.

Speaking of special sales, through Saturday, you can get the friends and family discount on the chic Alexis Hudson bags at www.alexishudson.com. One of the two designers is based in Minneapolis, and with the code AHFriend, you can get 50 percent off every available style.

As for staying beautiful in a tight economy, Juut (www.juut.com for locations) is launching express services. In under 30 minutes, you'll feel that much more beautiful. The signature service is a blowout, which starts at $35 (that's down $10 from past offerings). Other options include a shortcut hand ritual (starts at $20) and perfecting plant peel facial (starts at $65).

Best of bridal style When it comes to walking down the aisle, Michelle Hanson, owner of Flutter Boutique (720 W. Lake St., Mpls., 612-216-1926, www.flutterboutique.com), is an expert on bridesmaid dresses and bridal gowns. Here's her take on the latest trends:

Belts and accessories

Instead of sashes, try belts. A sweet yellow dress looked even sharper with a gray and white striped belt. Oversized flower pins also add personality to dresses.

Fashion-forward bridal parties will look toward the runways filled with gray. It's the new neutral, replacing brown, which has enjoyed several seasons.

Pockets

For brides and bridesmaids, they're a fun addition to the dress and a great place for lip gloss.

Vivid hues

Bright colors are also starting to replace jewel tones as colors of choice year-round.

It dips down slightly in front and has taken over the straight across strapless, because it looks great on a variety of body types.

Colored shoes

Some brides are doing colored shoes with their wedding dresses to add a bit of fun color to their look. Instead of matching the dress, bridesmaids are doing a complementary color such as dark purple with gray and bright pink with yellow. You can do the same color combinations with jewelry, handbags or wraps.

A white wedding

Brides are ordering short dresses in white or ivory for their rehearsals, making it a white weekend.