MissAutumn you can save up to 6 outfits I think on your avatar. For past event items not found in the shops check out the member's yard sale ( Click on Forums tab above and then under The Exchange title go to "yard sale").
My strategy is start at the bottom then focus on middle and top. The more combo's you get from them dropping the higher your score goes. If you switch to match two rows you only get 5 points for each but if you have one match cause another to drop in place then you get 5 for the first match and 7 for the next match and if those drop others into place you go up 2 points for each new line you match up. I think the highest I've gotten is 15, but generally 11).
I DO turn the sound OFF when I play the games though!
Have your fiance join and play the events because the event items often don't show up in the shops...or are just briefly in the Lazarus shop ...and you want those items!! Summer event should be coming up soonish.