The Cheap Diva

Brilliant Colors Brighten Up Fall Fashions

I swear if I see one more leaf themed, rust colored piece of fall merchandise or depressingly dark and frumpy sweater I am going to swear off shopping until spring! Thank goodness Macy's has a refreshing colorful selection of sweaters that are sharp looking and chic enough to make me forget about falling leaves for a while. 

This INC International Concepts Top, Three Quarter Sleeve Colorblock Layered Look for $69.50 is also available in a petite and the petite size is on sale, go figure. The white "shirt" is actually attached to the sweater which eliminates bulk and looks a littly more polished than real layering because the shirt is always going to be perfectly lined up with the sweater.

There is something bold and sexy about this slim fitting INC International Concepts Sweater, Long Sleeve Colorblock for $69.50. The stripes demand attention and the rayon blend fabric hugs the body in a way that is sleek and chic.

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It's hard to find a cardigan that isn't loose and frumpy or flimsy and clingy. This Alfani Sweater, Three Quarter Sleeve Belted Wrap Cardigan for $39.98 is sophisticated enough to wear to a business meeting, yet relaxed enough to throw on with jeans for a girls night out.

The 10 Best Online Return Policies

 FreeShipping.com is  the largest resource on the Internet linking shoppers to free-shipping deals offered by over 4,000 online merchants. They were kind enough to send me the following information which of course I just had to pass on to all my shopping savvy Divas! 

1. endless.com
The online-only shoe merchant gives shoppers a full 365 days to return unwanted or flawed footwear with guaranteed free shipping both ways on domestic orders. Use the endless.com online returns center for proper processing.
2. L.L.Bean
There's no time limit on returns with L.L. Bean and no authorization is required. Simply download and fill out an online form or use the form printed on your packing slip. Return shipping is free for L.L.Bean Visa Cardmembers; just use a prepaid label for fast and free service.
3. Shoebacca.com
As with endless.com, Shoebacca provides totally free shipping both ways and a 365-day window in which to return or exchange your unwanted, unworn footwear or defective products. Returns must have the original tags still attached and shipped in the original packaging.
4. Lands' End
Want to return a purchase and replace it with a different size or color? Lands' End offers free return shipping with no end date for re-orders. For returns without an exchange, use the Easy Return Label for a flat shipping fee of $6.95. To get the best value, look for Lands' End free shipping codes when you purchase, and return unwanted items to any Sears store to avoid return shipping costs.
5. Zappos
Here's another great shoe deal. Zappos free shipping is good both for purchases and returns. Whether you're unhappy with a purchase or simply change your mind, Zappos will provide a full refund or exchange within 365 days of purchase. Returns must be unworn (unless defective) and shipped in the original packaging.
6. Overland
Use the Overland free shipping label provided online for a free return via FedEx. Purchases made with a credit card are charged back within 24 hours of receipt and refund checks are issued for orders paid for with cash or a check.
7. Macy's
No receipt is necessary when returning a Macy's purchase because the merchant has a program that identifies products in their system. The department store provides a full refund or exchange within 180 days of purchase, except for jewelry, which is limited to 30 days. You can mail the item back or bring your purchase into any Macy's store for a refund.
8. Kohl's
Kohl's free shipping offers come and go, but you can return your purchase any time for any reason. Lost your receipt? They'll let you exchange your purchase for a comparably priced item or give you store credit. No cash back is available, however, without a receipt.
9. Costco
Here's a rare deal for a warehouse store. Costco will not only refund the cost of your purchase but it will also pick up the tab for shipping and handling. Just return the item to any Costco outlet and they'll remit your refund in your original form of payment. Most items may be returned at any time with the original receipts attached and in the original packaging. Most electronics, however, must be returned within 90 days.
10. Toys R Us and Babies R Us
Children change their minds so fast it can make your head spin, so a hassle-free return policy can make all the difference. The "R" Us folks accept returns within 90 days for cash back, if you paid with check or cash. Shipping costs also are refunded, but online purchases must be returned within 30 days and electronics in 45 days. No receipt is necessary if the item was purchased with plastic or from a gift registry. Shipping costs are refunded if the product is defective or damaged.

Missoni for Target Ignites a National Shopping Spree

After weeks of hype and heavy advertising, Target's limited edition line of clothing and home decor from Missoni launched an national shopping spree so intense that many stores sold most of their Missoni stock within hours of the store opening and the target.com web site crashed and was down for most of the day the Missoni line launched.  Because this is a limited edition line Target will not restock this line. The good news is that you can still get you hands on some pieces of the Target for Missoni line. The bad news is that many of the shopper who snapped up Missoni pieces were eBay seller who bought products to sell at a profit. A recent search on eBay for Missoni for Target pieces turned up hundreds of pages of products. So it's possible to buy the coveted Missoni pieces but you will be bidding against other frugal fashionistas who didn't join the stampede to their local Target stores the first day the line was available. To narrow down you options try to be more specific in your search criteria and do a search for "Missoni for Target skirt" for example. (Missoni for Target Zig Zag pattern flats are pictured here.)

Hair Raising Halloween Bargains from Target

  Most of the Halloween decor out there is so tacky it's scary! I love Halloween, but I can do without the grisly and gory decor. Luckily Target has a nic selection of spooky yet stylish pieces a prices that aren't scary at all.

This 2-Tier Web Design Stand Black for $19.99 would look great with a bowl of goodies or a small pumpkin in the middle of each web.

 

Table linens with a holiday theme are a great way to make an impact with something compact that can be folded up and easily stored away. As much as I hate spiders, I do love the edgy graphic design of this Web Tablecloth for $14.99.

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The beauty of this Wine Goblet MS s/6 cl/smoke set for $17.99 is that the smoky ones look gothic enough for Halloween, but because they don't have any ghost or pumpkins in them, they simply look like funky glassware when it's not Halloween season and can be used year round.

Hats Off to to Afffodable Style fom JC Penny

Nothing tops off a chic cold weather look better than a stylish hat. The key word here is STYLISH! I have seen an alarming number of chunky knitted hats with catoonish eyeballs and animal ears on top that look like they should be worn by small children, not stylish women.  Thankfully, I was able to find some grown up looks at JC Penny that are both cheap and chic. 

It's often easier and more attractive to wear a major style statement, like leopard print, as an accessory instead of a head to toe look. This wonderful nutral colored Color Crazy Animal Print hat on sale for $22.99 would add an unexpected style twist when paired with a consevative black winter coat or go bold and pair it with a a fun coat in a bright color like red or hot pink to really make a fashions statement.     

This Wool Floppy Hat for $17.99 has a laid back bohemian, 1970's hippie chick vibe that practically demands a personalized hat band. Some women wrap a narrow scarf, a necklace with wide links or a some other type of hat band around th base of the crown. If you buy a hat like this I encourage you to get in touch with your inner hippie chick and ceate a simple hat band that expresses your sense of style.

 

 

 

 

 

With it's bold buckle and sleek styling, this retro "Roaring 20's" style Cloch Hat with Buckle hat on sale fo $17.99 looks throughly modern. This trim hat is a great way to polish you look and also the perfect alternative to the floppy, sloppy, chunky knitted winter hats on the market.

Magazine Rip Offs Revealed

I love style magazines so much I seriously don't know how many subsciptions to home decor, fashion and women's magazines I have. One thing I do know is that I have to pay attention to how I handle my subsciptions if I don't want to get ripped off. Some of the subscription renewals I get in the mail are pretty misleading. The wording makes it sound like I need to renew  my subsciption right now even though it doesn't expire for several months. Some promotional offers where they give me a chance to renew my subsciption and give a gift subscription are worded in a way that makes it look like I need to renew my subsciption, when in reality it's just a promotion. I think the biggest rip off I have come across was when I got a renewal notice for my Architectural Digest magazine at a "special rate" only to find out that the price for a new subscibtion is about $12.00 less than it for a renewal subscribtion for returning subscibers like me! I realized it would actually be cheaper to let my subscription expire and start over with a brand new subscription which is exactly what I plan on doing.  After all, 12 bucks is 12 bucks!

Warm Up Your Decor with Affordable Candle Holders

I love the fall season. Fall style is all about warm rich colors, cozy accessories and curling up on the couch with a good cup of tea to watch bad reality TV.  Chic candle holders fom Crate and Barrel are the perfect accessory to bring a warmth look and feel to your home.

The subtle golden glow of a candle emanating from this Hakkari Hurricane for $19.95 brings to mind the changing colors of fall leaves.  Tiny pinholes in a matte black iron exterior create two organic leaf-shape designs that reveal a glimpse of the gold interior. This candle features a broad leaf pattern on one side, the thinner mango leaf on the other.

 

I love the way this Large Marble Pumkin Candle for $16.95 makes a subtle reference to fall and  Halloween without screaming Trick or Treat! like a cheap plastic Jack O Lantern. It's even tasteful enough to put on the Thanksgiving table right next to the 1,000 calories a serving pumpkin pie.

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Fall colors such as bugundy and dark spice colors are so deep and rich that they can overwhelm dainty candlesticks. This iron Madera Hurricane fo $69.95 with an antiqued bronze finish and four ball feet with overlaping elliptical shapes around the removable cast glass cylinder has a strong enough presence to hold its own against a tablecloth in rich fall colors and it has enough style to look great for many seasons to come.

 

 

 

 

Scandal and High Fashion Rule the House of Versace

The most shocking revelation in new book House of Versace, The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival by Deborah Ball is not the brutal death of the famous fashion designer or the raging drug addiction of his sister Donatella. For me the most shocking revelation in this book is how Gianni Versace and his sister were so reckless in their lavish spending on mansions, jewelry and other high priced luxuries that they almost destroyed their own company.  House of Versace tells the compelling story of how the designer and his company rose from obscurity, suffered a painful fall and ultimately regained it's footing in the fickle wold of fashion as the Versace empire and its struggle to survive.

The House of Versace combines fashion, celebrity, business drama, opulent lifestyles, and a notorious crime to reveal the unfolding drama behind the glamourous company image. The name Vesace conjures up images of extreme glamour, decadent luxury and bold sexuality. Versace was a creative genius from a poor part of southern Italy who transformed the fashion world through his understanding of how modern women wanted to dress. This book about the legendary designer shows how Gianni Versace, with his flamboyant sister Donatella, combined his amazing creative talent and extraordinary ambition to help create the celebrity culture we see today. 

Gianni Versace was at the height of his creative powers and career when he was murdered in Miami Beach. The manhunt for his killer became a media obsession. Ball offers a compelling look at the behind-the scenes creative and business struggles of Donatella as she stepped out of her brother’s shadow and took control of the House of Versace. The book offers an inside look at the overwhelming challenges Donatella faced in living up to Gianni’s genius, her struggle with a drug addiction and her heated battles with her brother Santo.

Get Thicker Looking Lashes Naturally with Organic Wear Mascara

The eco friendly/all natural makeup books I have been reading lately make it sound like every time I dab on a little nonorganic makeup I am essentially plunging my face into a bucket of toxic waste. It's too expensive to simply throw every beauty product that's not organic, but as I use up my old favorites, I am replacing them with eco friendly substitutes like this Organic Wear mascara from Physicians Formula (available at mass retailers). This is a very good mascara for the price. It doesn't clump, it makes my lashes look thicker without looking like I piled on the mascara like a drunken drag queen and the price is reasonable.  

Fashion Night Out comes to Zona Rosa

For the first time in Kansas City, local shopping districts will come together in the name of fashion to offer a special shopping event in conjunction with New York City’s popular Fashion’s Night Out, scheduled for Thursday, September 8.

 Conceived two years ago, the City of New York partnered with Vogue Magazine and created Fashion’s Night Out as a promotion to gain excitement for shopping and restore consumer confidence. This year, Fashion’s Night Out will debut in Kansas City bringing together events at shopping districts from throughout the city.

Kansas City will be commemorating along with Milan, Atlanta and Los Angeles and many other cities throughout the world in a simultaneous Fashion’s Night Out celebration Thursday, September 8, 2011. Locally, the night will include special promotions in stores, live music, fashion shows, live models, celebrities, makeovers, food and drink sampling and more.

The fun begins with live entertainment at 5 p.m. and continues with extended shopping hours until 10 p.m. 

Celebrity insider, style maven, diva favorite, bestselling author and America’s top red carpet guru Steven (Cojo) Cojocaru is known for his memorable and intimate sit-downs with today’s biggest and most sought-after stars.  Cojo’s unique blend of quick wit, dish, fashion frisson and humor have made him a must-see presence at major media events, from the Oscars and Emmys to the Golden Globes, MTV Video Music Awards, the Venice Film Festival and more.  Cojo served as a weekly style correspondent on the “Today Show” and in 2003 became a full-time correspondent for “Entertainment Tonight”.  In 2004, Cojo expanded his diva duties on the ET spin-off series, “The Insider”.

Zona Rosa is pleased to welcome Cojo for Fashion’s Night Out.  Fans will have the opportunity to win a $2,500 Zona Rosa ambush makeover – with the winner selected by Cojo himself.  Be at Town Square at 7 p.m. and one lucky winner will receive a complete head-to-toe transformation including a new wardrobe, hair and makeup.

Musical Entertainment will be presented by Captain Fantastic, the premier Elton John Tribute Show.  We invite you to take a ride with the Rocketman as he dazzles you with an amazing musical extravaganza! "You're gonna hear electric music, solid walls of sound," as Captain Fantastic and the Rocketband perform stunning recreations of your favorite Elton John hits from the 70's. Captain Fantastic will amaze you with costumes that go from bizarre to breathtaking, and his amazing 5-foot baby grand piano will shower you with lights, smoke, lasers, and a few surprises. You may think you've gone down the Yellow Brick Road!  (*Additional music entertainment will be provided by D.J. Tim Arnold in the Dillard's Plaza.  Enjoy the best of yesterday and today with an amazing mix of your radio favorites!)



The fun continues throughout the evening, with giveaways, special events, entertainment, and more.  That said, make sure to register at Zona Rosa Guest Services beginning at 5:00pm for your chance to win a pair of DESIGNER SHOES!  Twelve, that's right, TWELVE lucky winners will be selected to choose their very own pair of beautiful designer shoes, all in the name of fashion and fun!

(This blog post is an edited copy of the Zona Rosa event web page)

New Foaming Haircolor Covers the Gray and the Roots

  I love everything about the new John Frieda Precision Foam Colour permanent hair color, except the color! What's new and exciting about this type of hair color is that it come out of the bottle in the form of a foam instead of a messy liquid. This made it possible for me to cover all my roots much more easily than with a liquid hair color.  My only issue with this product is that the "Light Natual Brown"  I picked turned out to be a dark chocolate brown that doesn't look particularly natural on me. The next shade lighter is a blond and I don't want to go blond, I just want a more natural looking shade of bown. I love the way the foam hair color covered my roots as well as a salon application and I will absoluteley use foam hair color products again, I will just look for a drugstore brand that has a wider color selection so I don't have to choose between chocolate bown and blond. John Frieda poducts are available at mass retailers.