The Cheap Diva

The Softer Side of Home Organizing

The problem with the perfectly organized spaces I see in glossy magazines is that they are not only empty of clutter, they are empty of color, texture and personality. The look is as cold and impersonal as a store display. I want my space to feel warm and inviting and that requires soft textures, warm colors and elegant lines that are pleasing to the eye.

The natural looking color and pattern of this Magnetic Bamboo Board makes it look more like a home decor accessory than the typical office white board. This board is perfect for displaying notes and pictures, keeping your keys handy and keeping the clutter off your desk.

Make the most of corners and limited counter space with these Stacked Apothecary Jars. You can put whatever you like in these jars, but I suggest you pick items that look good when on display. Notice each jar is limited to one type of item in one color.

Do your filing and storage boxes give you a warm fuzzy feeling? This one might! By using a pliable material more closely associated with crafts than the corporate world, this Felt Storage Bin takes a softer approach to storage, with a more homey look and feel.

Insider Tips for Using Travel Booking Websites

Before you go broke booking that next vacation, read this money saving article sent to me by Andrea Eldridge. Andrea is the CEO and co-founder of Nerds On Call, an on-site computer and laptop repair service for consumers and businesses.

Many of us have already started perusing various travel sites, on the lookout for the perfect get-away. A few years ago, my sister and I were looking up flights on Hawaiian Airlines together, planning a family vacation.  We found a flight we were interested in, but weren't ready to book the tickets yet.  The next day when we logged in, we saw that the price had jumped by $40 per ticket.  Whoa!

At first we thought the cheaper tickets for that flight were simply selling out, until we logged in from a different computer and discovered that the lower price was back.  Turns out, some travel sites (even Travelocity) will store a cookie on your machine to track your browsing history.  Then, they raise the prices on the particular trip you've been keeping your eye on.  You think tickets are selling out fast and you rush to buy them quickly before the price goes up even further.  Meanwhile, the airline’s just made a few extra bucks.

Has the price of your trip increased while you shopped around?  After completing your research and just before you book, clear your browser history and delete your cookies.  If that doesn’t work, try booking your travel from another computer – one that you haven’t used to peruse travel deals.

Take advantage of the “flexible dates” option when you’re searching for flights.  Often, flying a day before or a day after your goal dates can save you a bundle since certain days of the week are less popular travel days.  According to a study done by Fare Compare (www.farecompare.com), the cheapest days to fly domestically are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday (with Friday and Saturday being the most expensive).  Internationally, Monday through Thursday is cheaper than Friday through Sunday.  The cheapest time to fly is the first flight out in the morning.  Yes, this means waking up at 4 AM or catching the red-eye, but it may be worth it if you save a couple hundred dollars on your flight.

Don’t overlook the “search surrounding airports” option.  I’ve found some serious deals when I was willing to fly into a larger airport an hour or two away from my ultimate destination. Adjusting your travel itinerary to fly through an airline’s “hub” airport can also make your flight less expensive due to the larger number of flights going in and out of that airport.  Wikipedia has a list (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airline_hub) of all major airline hubs around the world.  If your departure or final destination isn’t near a hub, you can still garner some savings by flying through one, or driving to or from the hub.

When you buy is also pivotal.  You may think buying your airline tickets a year in advance is a good idea, but you may actually pay more than booking closer to your departure date.  Additionally, tickets bought within 14 days of travel are typically the most expensive because the travel industry gets to gouge business travelers flying last minute.  Airlines don’t begin actively “managing” their prices until three or four months prior to a departure for domestic flights and five to six months for international.  Buy tickets sooner than that and you’ll likely pay too much.

Most travel experts agree that booking airline tickets early in the week will yield the best fares.  Specifically, Tuesday at 3 PM Eastern time is your best bet.  Why?  Major airlines announce their fare sales late Monday, other airlines scramble to join them so they stay competitive and the price matching and fare wars are generally complete by Tuesday afternoon.  These fares tend to be removed by Thursday night in preparation for the price-gouging that generally occurs over the weekend (a really bad time to buy).

Budget Friendly Beach Accessories

Lounging around a balmy beach is a fun summer fantasy, but for me the reality is that for me the nearest beach is an expensive plane ride, car rental and hotel stay away. Even if collecting sea shells and checking out the cute life guards is not part of my summer plans, I can still express my inner beach babe with the right accessories and a sunny attitute.

I love retro cat eye sunglasses, when they look modern and stylish. Sparkling rhinestones adorn the corners of an ombre frame that fades to a champagne color gives these classic cat eye sunglasses a fresh and fashionable look. Women's Cateye Sunglasses- Brown from Target are puurrrfecty priced at $12.00.

Sparkling stones embellishing straps as thin as a super model make these  Glo Women's Blingy Embellished Slingback Thong Miko for $16.99 look like you just picked them up at a fancy shoe store and are now stepping out to some posh pool party at a private estate. 

A colorful bag is supposed to look "fun" but it's no fun when those candy colors clash with your wardrobe. Leave the candy colors to the kids and go for bold pattern instead with a chic black and white Joe Boxer  Women's Spring Break Tote Bag - Zebra for $12.59. Animal prints are timeless, trend proof and yes, fun!

Vertical Shoe Storage Makes the Most of Your Space

Given all the blog posts I've dedicated to cute shoes, I decided it's time to write about how to organize and store all those cute shoes. Crate and Barrel has a nice selection of vertical storage units that maximize your space while keeping your shoes organized and easily accessible.

I hate it when fashion stylists suggest taking pictures of your shoes and taping the image to the shoebox to identyfy the shoes inside. I suggest skipping that ridiculously tedious and time consuming approach, and instead invest in a set of  Large Clear Shoe Boxes Set of Four which lets you see exactly what you have, no camera needed!

The benefits of this 4-Tier Chrome Shoe Rack go beyond it's sleek good looks and space saving design. After a long day of absorbing your perspirtation and body oils, shoes need to air out to help regain their shape and stay in good condition. This rack gives your shoes space to breath and avoid contact with object that might scratched or dent them.

One of the few dowsides of wearing cute shoes is that they tend to get dirty on the soles. This  Grey 10-Section Hanging Shoe Bag won't show dirt like a shoe racks in lighter color. I also like the idea of a dark color shoe rack that virtually disappears in a closet letting the shoes be the main attraction.

Top off Your Summer Look in a Flattering Tankini

For those of us not built like a super model, a tankini is a stylish swim option that looks good making a splash at the pool. A tankini swimsuit top covers the tummy and creates the illusion of a 1 piece swimsuit. Because it's a separate top, you can choose the style of bottom that's flattering on you and it's comfortable through the torso because it's doesn't pull on the bottom like a one piece does. Kohl's has a selection sure to satisfy any beach babe.

Be the hottest thing under the sun in this spicy red Apt. 9 Solid Ruched Halterkini Top.

Prowl the pool scene with wild abandon in a Dana Buchman Cheetah Halterkini Top.

 

 

This bold and beautiful Dana Buchman Swirl Bandeaukini Top is awash in cool summer colors.

Enjoy Beautiful Benefits at Beauty.com

Flambouyant country singer Dolly Parton, famous for her exaggerated makeup style once joked "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap!" That attitude works if you are a rich entertainer, but for us Divas on a budget, every dollar counts. One of the best places on the web to stretch a beauty buck is beauty.com. Beauty.com entices beauty queens to shop more by piling on the benefits the way a drag queen piles on mascara. The list of beauty benefits include:

• Everday free shipping when you spend $25 or more on eligible products.
• Three free samples of new and favorite products when you make a qualifying purchase.
• On every order, you earn 5% back in drugstore.com dollars to spend on a future Beauty.com and drugstore.com purchase.
• A nice selection of gifts with purchase from your favorite brands.
• Your Beauty.com account works with your drugstore.com account. You can get prestige beauty and everyday basics together. Shop both sites, check out and everything ships together
• If that beauty buy turns out to be a beauty blunder, you can take advantage of the beauty.com 100% satisfaction guarentee and send it back within 30 days for a full refund.

 

Save Money and Time on Your Next Move

I love fantasizing about moving to a home with no noisy neighbors and a walk in closet the size of 3 car garage. If that dream ever does come true I will make the smart move and use the strategies mentioned here, sent to me by www.unpakt.com.

In honor of National Moving Month, Unpakt (www.unpakt.com) has put together some moving tips for your readers to help them save time, stress, and money this moving season. 

Unpakt (www.unpakt.com), a comparison pricing website and online booking tool for consumers searching for a moving company, allows consumers to plan and book a move in a matter of minutes.  Create a home inventory, compare local moving companies, find the best deal and lock in a set price that will not change on moving day.  It’s that easy.  We hope you share the following moving tips with your readers!  For additional tips, check out Unpakt’s blog.  We’d also be happy to offer your readers a 5% discount on their next move.   

Timing Your Move

-        Spring or late Fall are the best times to move;

-        Avoid the first, last and middle of the month if possible;

-        If you are booking a Summer move, book at least a month in advance, for Spring, Fall and Winter, book two weeks in advance;

-        Consider the weather for your area!

Organizing Your Move

-        Color coordinate with a designated colored sticker for each box based on the room it should land. The movers will know where to put everything when you arrive, so you don’t need to direct traffic. Alternatively, try giving each family member a color to keep belongings organized;

-        Pack a box of “must-haves” separate with a change of clothes, toothbrush and basic toiletries. This way, you won’t be forced to search through boxes after a long day of moving;

-        Keep like items together to alleviate time when unpacking.

-        Keep important documents with you during the move to ensure their safety.

Saving Money on Your Move

-        Declutter your home before you move to help eliminate moving unnecessary items;

-        Read reviews – bad movers can cost more in the long run;

-        Consider purchasing insurance to protect valuables you can’t afford to replace;

-        Prepare a budget so you know what you’re willing to spend;

-        Consider recycled boxes or rent plastic bins instead of purchasing new, cardboard boxes;

-        Tax breaks – if your move is job-related, you may be able to deduct moving expenses depending on how you itemize your deductions;

-        Measure twice, move once! If you can’t fit your couch, don’t spend money on moving it;

-        Use as much luggage as you can – you can quickly fill duffle bags and suitcases with “don’t forget” items that could get lost in a box for days.

Moving With Children

-        Pack up your child’s favorite belongings in one box

-        Pick up some fun stickers and let the kids label their boxes

-        Pack with your child in mind (pack necessary items you will need for your children in a separate box)

-        Keep the kids away from the moving site (set up a play date/ask a family member or close friend to take your children to their favorite places)

-        Unpack your child’s room first

And don’t forget to tip your movers for a job well done!

Cute Shoes from Designer Shoe Warehouse

Designer Shoe Warehouse, known to shoe addicts everywhere as DSW, has an amazing selection of brand name shoes at discounted prices. Even if you spend more time at your local DSW store than their sales people, it's worth checking out their web site to enjoy the kind of selection no brick and mortar store can offer. Here are a few favorites for spring.

 

Beautiful aqua color is in full bloom on this fun and flirty CL by Laundry Ilena Wedge Sandal for $39.95. The cork heel provides a nice neutral base for the lovely organza upper.

Crystal embellishments adorning a sleek and modern design make this Impo Elegant Wedge Sandal for $49.95 the ultimate in casual glamour.

Every Diva needs flats that are both fun and functional. This lipgloss shiny SM Heaven Patent Flat for $39.95 comes in a variety of colors so if hot pink leaves you cold, try it in trendy teal, deep purple or basic black.

Designer Showhouse offer Inspiration and Entertainment

I remember walking into a beautiful room at a designer showhouse and a feeling of peace washed over me instantly. That's the power of a experiencing a well designed space first hand, not through a picture in a magazine or on the web. A parade of homes tour with homes open to the public or a designer showhouse can generate a feelings of being inspired, provides an opportunity to learn more about design possibilies and what speaks to my personal sense of style, and it's fun to see how the oth er half lives! If you live in the around the Kansas City metro area you have access to one of the best designer showhouses in the country, the 44th Symphony Designers’ Showhouse. The showhouse is running through May 18 so if you haven't had a chance to check it out, now it the time! Spring a summer are popular times for designer showhouses and parade of home events. To find a showhouse, house tour or home expo in your area type word like "designer showhouse" and the name of your state into your favorite search engine. I hope you find something that inspires the Decorating Diva in you!

Mirrored Frames From Target Reflect Passion for Style

Somehow candid pictures of me always end up looking like my awful driver's license photo. In spite of this, I love pretty picture frames. After all, I can always frame a personal note or nice word, such as Welcome and put it in a frame in the entry hall of my home and simply not display my mug shots.

If your home decor style is traditional and classic, a shiny mirrored frame can look too slick and modern for it's environment. To complement a classic space, it helps if the frame has a little patina on it, like this Threshold™ Distressed Mirror Frame - Silver (4X6") from Target.

It's the coaster that lets you multitask! Display your boring vacation photos to unsuspecting guests, make it easy for guest to check their hair and makeup with the mirrored finish, and protect your surfaces from unsightly water marks with this Threshold Beveled Mirror Photo Coasters 2x2.

An elegant curvy silhouette and sleek mirrored finish adds up to one glamourous frame!  As a style blogger I'm probably not supposed to play favorites, but this fanciful Xhilaration Scalloped Mirror Frame 4x6 is definitely a favorite of mine.