The Cheap Diva

Maxi Dresses at Mini Prices from Macys

  A maxi dress is the keeper of secrets. It hides everything from the fact that I haven't bothered to shave my legs recently to the my high wedge shoes that make me look a foot taller. The maxi dess is also a major trend for summer so I picked out a few looks from Macys that won't max out your credit card.

This INC International Concepts Dress Sleeveless Chevron Stripe Colorblock Empire Waist Maxi for $89.50 takes a bold modern approach to the maxi dress without going over the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the right accessories this Fever Dress, Sleeveless Halter Tie Neck Crisscross Empire Waist Maxi  on sale for $24.99 could easily work for evening. It has a kind of relaxed elegance that looks is effortlessly chic and timeless enough to not look like an expired fashion trend  after one season.

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So many of the maxi dresses I looked at were made of cheap polyester which breathes about as well as Saran wrap in the summer. Which is which is why I was so happy to find this cotton Tommy Hilfiger Dress, Piper Sleeveless Surplice Smocked Empire Waist Printed Maxi on sale for $64.99. It looks cool and comfortable enough to beat the heat.

 

 

 

Be the Ultimate Beauty Shopper with ULTA

As much as I love popping into the local ULTA store to stock up on cheap beauty buys, I'm still tempted to shop on their online store. The 20% off sale they have going on through Saturday is nice but they are always having sales so that's not a big temptation for me. What has me reaching for my laptop and my wallet is the selection, free shipping and free samples. The ULTA.com web site stocks more merchandise than they could possibly fit into a brick and mortar store. There is free shipping on purchases of $50.00 or more and they give out 3 free samples with your order, which they do not do at the brick and mortar store.

 

 

 

  Electric blue eye shadow looks great on the models in the magazines, but in the real world it's more flattering to wear an eye shadow that draws attention to your eyes, not your eye makeup, try something more subtle like NYX eye shadow for $4.99. If you want to add a splash of color you can always do it with a colorful eyeliner.

Learning How to Shop Smarter Just Got Cheaper!

Listen up you cheapskates and frugal fashionistas, my entertaining and informative book The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  is now available in Kindle for just $4.26! It's also available as a paperback.

For the first time every you can learn the secrets to living better by spending smarter for just $4.26! This book is filled with easy strategies to help you shop smarter, dress fashionably for less, enhance your beauty, improve your home décor and have fun without spending a fortune. Whether entertaining at home, or stepping out to enjoy local attractions, take the hassle out of hosting fun get-togethers by using the cheap and easy entertaining ideas included in this book.

I’m sharing  my best tips and techniques on how to get the look for less by knowing where to shop for bargains, expanding your wardrobe options without buying a thing, and how to make good use of “bad” beauty products instead of throwing them away. I also discuss a variety of stylish home decorating solutions such as using affordable household furnishings in new ways to create a more personal look. 

In this helpful style guide you will learn how to make money as well save it. I reveal the secrets to getting the most cash for your clutter and how to create your own part-time job. The proven and practical strategies in this book are designed to save you time as well as money. There are no complicated budgets to keep track of. Just simple strategies that fit into your busy lifestyle with ease.

If you enjoy this book please write a short review of it on amazon.com. As a writer I really appreciate that king of support. Thanks!

Borders Going Out of Business Sales

Borders Books and Music stores is going out of business. Starting as early as this Friday and going through September they are going to start liquidation sales.

These kinds of sales always test my shopping skills. My inner shopaholic has wants to buy lots of things NOW before the store closes their doors for good. But my inner cheapskate tells me to take a closer look at the prices and be sure they are lower that what I would pay through other retailers before buying anything. 

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

My strategy for this sale will be to call the store ahead of time and ask if they are having any special sales. This is more tactful than asking of they are closing their doors next week and reminding the employee that they will soon be out of a job. I will make a short list of a few hot titles I want and track them down when I first enter the store. If the price isn't competitive, I will move on to things that only go on sale when a store goes out of business like magazines. Borders already had one location in my area go out of business and the merchandise got picked over pretty fast, so I plan on being there when the sales start.

Colorful Outdoor Lights

Upgrade the looks of your patio and back yard without spending a lot with beautiful outdoor lights. The simply chic Glass Globe Tealight Holder for $15.40 features two hand-blown glass halves come together in a glass ball that illuminate your evenings. Complementary colors (amber and green or turquoise and indigo) are paired for subtle, yet stunning effect. Can be used with either color on the top. Comes in small (5" x 5") and a large (7" x 7').

These nylon Soji Pod Solar Lanterns for $27.00 remind me of cheap tacky Chinese paper lanterns minus the cheap and tacky style. The fabric looks kind of silky and the simple elongated silhouette is very elegant for an outdoor light.

Plop this Moon Jar for $34.99 on a table, near steps or anywhere a little illumination would prevent your party guests from trippingand taking a nose dive into your lawn. It's solar powered with a LED light which is diffused by the frosted mason jar and give the appearance of sunlight emitting from the sun or a cool moon glow. There is a clever light sensor inside the moon jar that automatically activates the LED when it gets dark or the lights are turned out! However, there is a switch inside the lid to turn off the light when you dont want it on. Mason jars are water tight so they can  be left outside in any weather condition.

No More Visible Panties!

  Nothing ruins the look of a pair of cute white jeans or light and breezy summer top faster than your underwear showing through.  If you are tired of white panties and black bras upstaging your summer look, check out myskins.com. Myskins.com came up with a brilliant style solution of making bras and panties in 20 different skin tones so you can buy underwear that blends in with your skin even under lightweight clothes.

The scallop edges and seamless design of this T-shirt bra for $60.00 make it perfect to wear under your special outfits. They also have a convertible bra and a plunge bra.

 

Their bras are beautifully designed, but not exactly dirt cheap. If you want to be cheap and discreet, check out their Seamless Panties for $12.00 a piece. A pair of nude panties in your a shade that blends in with your skin tone is a must have if you wear white jeans this summer.

Fitness is Fun

Recently I started taking a belly dancing class with a couple of gal pals and I'm having a lot more fun than I even had walking on a tedious treadmill or doing sit ups.  A belly dancing class is a great way to burn calories and hang out with other women looking for a fun way to get fit.  So get off the couch and check out your local community centers for to see what kind of exercise/dance classes they offer and start shaking those hips! Paying for a class does not involve the the same financial commitment as joining a gym.

In between  classes you can perfect your shimmy with the help of a cheap and easy DVD like Belly Dance for Beginners for $7.99.

Sell Your Home Faster with Home Staging Strategies from Houzz

Houzz.com has officially replaced eBay as my favorite online addiction. In addition to offering thousands of inspiring home decorand landscaping photos, houzz.com also features lots of great articles.

For those of you on the move and trying to sell your house, check out their articles 20 Finds for Staging Your Home and Stage Your Home and Sell it Fast. For those of you not on the move, check out their seemingly endless supply of inspiring photos to improve the home you have.

Fabulous Flats from Payless

Lighten up for summer with silver and gray flats.  Black shoes can look heavy in summer, tan shoes can look weird against your skin tone which makes gray the perfect neutral for summer and Payless Shoes has some fabulous gray flats!

A cut out ballerina flat, like this Clarissa Chopout Flat for $22.99 is a summer essential. The cut out design gives your feet a little breathing room while still looking chic enough for a nice dinner out or office proper look.

 

 

 

Unless you are actually going to the gym, you do not need to wear bulky sneakers! This Champion Mesh Skimmer on sale for $24.99 combines the feel of a sneaker with the simple elegance of a ballet flat for a shoe that is both sporty and chic.

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The traditional jazz oxford gets a fresh new look for summer with this Billy Joe Jazz Oxford on sale for $17.99. This casual canvas oxford features a padded insole and flexible outsole so you can get your groove on whenever the mood strikes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy 3 Get 3 Free from Bath and Body Works

Bath and Body Works is famous for their fabulous scented products, and right now is a terrific time to stock up with their Buy 3 Get 3 Sale on their signature scents.

Summer fashion is all about bright tropical colors and dressing like you are heading to a destination a bit more exotic than the local mall. Keep the tropical vibe going with this exotic Into the Wild Fragrance fragrance mist for $12.00. The sultry scent  is an enticing blend of exotic mandarin, lush petals, and white woods inspired by a sultry tropical paradise.

 

 

 

 

 

Wake your body up with a splash of citrus. This Pomegranate Citrus Shower Gel for $10.00 is an energizing blend of burst of zesty citrus and fresh pomegranate. It's the perfect eye opener for those days when you are feeling more like a beach bum than a  sultry sun goddess.

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The bottle for this Country Chic Eau de Toilette  for $29.50 is so fabulous, I wouldn't care if the fragrance smelled like cow pies, I would buy it just for the bottle.  According to the description "Master perfumers have layered sparkling lemon, vanilla orchid, and juicy apple with bright spring woods to create this effortlessly sexy fragrance inspired by the fresh air and natural beauty of America's countryside."  So apparently they didn't take their inspiration from farmyard animals after all.

Keep Your Summer Clothes Looking Great

Want to know a secret to looking fabulous all summer long? Take good care of your clothes!  The better care you take of your clothes, the longer they will look great.

Swimsuits for example, should be rinsed in cold water after each wearing and air dried (do NOT use a dryer) out of direct sunlight. Machine wash on the gentle cycle with mild detergent like eco friendly Vaska Herbatergent after about five wearings.

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Every summer major fashion editors and stylists conveniently ignore the fact that white jeans are a stain magnet and insist they are a "must have" item for summer.  If you wear white this summer then eco friendly Oxygenbleach chlorine free bleach is a "must have" item for your laundry room.  All natural Oxygenbleach is safe on colors so you save money by using one type of bleach for whites and colors.