The Cheap Diva

The End of The Cheap Diva

I hope your New Year is filled with plenty of opportunities to live better than ever. In this new year I am ready to start a new chapter in my life. I have been thinking about creating a home décor web site for the greater metro Kansas City area for some time and decided that 2016 will be the year I take on this new venture. In order to dedicate the time and energy needed to succeed at creating a new web site it's necessary to shut down the Cheap Diva blog.

After over 1, 500 blog posts it's time to say goodbye to the Cheap Diva blog. I have enjoyed writing this blog over the years and I appreciate all the frugal Divas who gave their time and attention to read it. I hope the blog has been a source of inspiration and useful information to all my fabulous readers. If you would like to stay up to date on my stylish projects, please click on the Pinterest button on the top left corner to follow me on Pinterest. Thanks!

Stay fabulous,

Stephanie

 

 

Flea Market Fabulous: Designing Gorgeous Rooms with Vintage Treasures by Lara Spencer is that rare book that uses budget friendly furnishings to create a well designed space that does not looks cheap. Lara Spencer has a flair for creating spaces that seamlessly blend the owner’s personality with practical elements that make the space livable.

The good news is that the book focuses on nine distinctly different rooms, including bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms and more. The bad news is that if you have seen Lara Spencer's TV makeover show on HGTV you have already seen 95% of what is in this book. The sensational spaces featured in the book range in style from a sophisticated dining room that gets a glamourous makeover in soft grays and white, a playful kitchen done in festive colors, a den that is warm and inviting, to her very own multipurpose studio that packs a lot of function and style into a small space.

Lara Spencer guides readers through the decorating process so they can envision the possibilities for doing their own home makeover. Throughout the book Lara Spencer shares her strategies on planning, shopping smart, and applying imagination to create beautiful homes that are as stylish as they are comfortable. She identi­fies the design dilemma for each room, creates a decorat­ing plan, makes a mood board for inspiration, compiles a shopping list, scours flea markets for the right furniture and accessories, restores and repurposes the pieces she finds and brings all the elements together in an attractive and functional space.

For all the DIY projects featured in the book, it emphasized pretty pictures and inspiring ideas over practical how to advice. The book includes before, during, and after photographs of her room makeovers. While there are a variety of helpful hints on turning flea market finds into more sophisticated looking furnishings sprinkled throughout the book, it doesn't go into detail on how to transform furnishings and accessories into the kind of polished treasures featured in the book. For DIY advice you can watch Youtube videos. For inspiration on how to turn low cost furnishings into a high end design look, read this book.

Savor the Simple Pleasures of the Season

The simple pleasures of staying home provide a pleasant escape from gloomy winter weather and a hectic holiday season. Here are some quick and easy tips to enjoy nesting at home even more.

• Brighten up you space on gloomy days by displaying groups of pillar style electronic LED candles on tables and dressers. LED candles mimic the intimate and inviting glow of real candles without the messy wax drippings of real candles, and they are reusable.
• Fill you space with flavorful and fragrant scents. A mix of spices such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, all spice, and nutmeg and simmering in a pot of boiling water on the stove creates a comforting smell coming from the heart of the home, the kitchen.
• Nothing beats the winter blues like getting lost in an engaging book and a hot cup of tea. Find a cozy spot to curl up under a warm blanket to read a good book and enjoy a hot beverage at your leisure.
• Make the bedroom more cozy with warm flannel blankets on the bed, Drape an attractive quilt or extra blanket at the foot of the bed for extra warmth and style. A quilt that looks like it came from grandma's house or a fuzzy blanket that begs to be touched creates the look and feeling of warmth when not in use.
• Play soothing but upbeat instrumental music at a low volume. Places like Bed Bath and Beyond often have displays of instrumental music CD's that you can sample before purchasing or you can find music of all types on popular music web sites. Instrumental music playing in the background creates a relaxed mood and filters out less pleasant noises like traffic from outside.

 

Shopping the After Christmas Sales

Any serious shopper knows that the Christmas shopping frenzy doesn't stop Christmas day. After Christmas sales bring out the bargain hunters in droves. Here are some tips for getting the most out of after Christmas sales.

• Know exactly what you want ahead of time and know that shopping for certain items is a waste of time. The best Christmas cards and prettiest wrapping paper was snapped up before Christmas, so don't bother looking for these items at department stores. Although you may have some luck at dollar stores.
• The cutest clothes in the most popular styles probably sold out before Christmas. Your best bet for getting the most attractive pieces at the best price is to hope someone returned that item or that the item you coveted is still available at the retailers online stores.
• It only looks like the entire population is at the mall returning items the day after Christmas. Some people wait days, even weeks to return unwanted gifts. Shop your favorite stores frequently after Christmas to increase your chances of snapping up coveted items that have been returned.
• Certain one size fits all items like scarves and gloves are easy to find in abundance because retailers stock up on them for the holiday season. Think of affordable items that are often bought as gifts, such as gift baskets filled with scented body lotions and beauty products or even food items like candy, and shop for those.
• Pay cash. Those "bargains" can add up fast and leave you with a high credit card bill. Go shopping with a specific amount of cash on hand. When you run out of cash you are done shopping, period.
• The weekend after Christmas is no time to shop if you are in a hurry. Between the hoards of bargain hunters shopping and the hoards of people returning items, time will stand still as you wait in line to get rung up by the cashier. Deal with it. Bring along a book of Sudoku puzzles to work on, charge up your smart phone and go ahead and start on that great American novel you have been meaning to write. Whatever you do, don't complain, be happy about all of the bargains you found!

How to Get a Refund for Online Purchases

Need to get a refund for something you bought online? To reduce your chances of of getting ripped off or stuck with a purchase you don't want just follow these simple guidelines.

• ALWAYS READ AND UNDERSTAND THE RETURN POLICY BEFORE BUYING. Having worked in the returns department for an online retailer that sells women's clothing I can tell you that the number 1 mistake shoppers make is that they don't read the return policy! Certain item such as panties and wigs may be nonreturnable due to health regulations. Some items may be final sale items because they are on clearance or for other reasons. 
• ALWAYS RETURN ITEMS WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. If the return policy says there is a 30 day limit you might get away with returning it on day 31, but retailers often refuse returns when you try to return things weeks or months past their time limit.
• SHOP WITH THE SAME SELLERS CONSISTENTLY. If you have a problem with an item the retailer can look up your  buying history and see that you are a good customer that has repeatedly bought from them without incident and you don't have a suspicious history of repeatedly claiming that you never received your packages or that everything you buy is supposedly defective.
• IF YOU SHIP A PACKAGE TO RETURN AN ITEM TO A COMPANY ALWAYS KEEP YOUR SHIPPING TRACKING NUMBER. If there is a shipping problem and the company does not get the package the shipping tracking number proves that you did send the package to them. If the company has no package and no proof you sent a package to them they probably won't give you your money back.
• ALWAYS USE A CREDIT CARD OR PAYPAL, NOT A DEBIT CARD. I recently ordered some DVDs through eBay and never received them. I contacted eBay and got a full refund. I believe I got a refund partly because I paid through Paypal. The fact that the seller did not provide a tracking number when  asked to verify the package was sent and I have purchased many items on eBay without incident may have also worked in my favor. 
• ALWAYS RETURN ITEMS IN THE CONDITION YOU RECEIVED THEM. Trying on a piece of clothing for a few minutes to check for fit is usually fine as long as you don't leave makeup or deoderant stains on the item (provided it's not a final sale item). The retailer wants items back in a condition that allows them to be resold to another customer. So handle with care when you are checking out your new purchase.

To learn how to live better for less, pick up a copy of  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!  You can buy Kindle version for only $2.99 and start living like a cheap diva today!

Stay Warm and Save Money this Winter

Thanks to unseasonably warm weather, my heating bills are ridiculously low. As good as it feels to get heating bills smaller than a car payment, I am still taking measures to save money on my energy costs this winter. Here are some of my favorite strategies for saving money on heating.

• There is no reason to keep your home toasty warm while you are out at work all day. Turn down the thermostat by 3 to 5 degrees when you are going to be gone for extended periods of time.
• Invest in a decent space heater. If you know you are going to spend a lot of time in one room, say working on the computer in the home office or embracing your inner couch potato with a TV marathon, use the space heater to keep that room a little warmer than the other spaces in your home.
• Block drafts with old worn out towels. Roll up a towel lengthwise and lay it up against doors that connect to the cold outdoors. Do the same for any windows that are so drafty you can feel the cold seeping in where the window meets the bottom window sill.
• Keep your winter coat on indoors. Just kidding! Dress in layers. Leggings under stretchy pants, a turtleneck under a long sleeve shirt etc., will help retain body heat and help you feel warmer.
• Keep blankets and throws near places you like to camp out, like your favorite reading spot. A stylish throw that looks good enough to leave out does double duty as home décor.
• Get moving. Pop an exercise DVD into the player to heat up your body and keep the calories from holiday goodies from going straight to your hips. Simply walking up and down indoor stairs is also a fast and easy form of exercise.

 

 

 

Movies Provide Cheap Holiday Entertainment

Unless you party with the funniest people on the planet, after a while holiday gatherings can feel like a never ending marathon of small talk and big calorie desserts. To keep things fresh and interesting, interrupt the chatfest and play a crowd pleasing movie. There is a movie for just about any crowd. Here are a few of my favorites.

Dr. Seuss - How the Grinch Stole Christmas DVD is a holiday classic for many reasons. It's short enough to appeal to the short attention span crowd (kids and internet junkies who will simply DIE if they have to wait longer than an hour to check their email/Facebook page). It's strikes the perfect balance between sweetness, whimsy and humor which appeals anyone who is a kid at heart. The story and animation are simply entertaining, even after all these years.

What I love about A Christmas Story is that the story is told from 9 year old Ralphie Parker's point of view.  This delightful holiday gem tells is set in the 1940's and tells the story of Ralphie's efforts to obtain the ultimate Christmas present, a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot, Range Model Air Rifle, in spite of the fact that every adult that he tells warns him he'll shoot his eye out. Meanwhile The Old Man just got a strange award (a lamp shaped like a woman's leg), Ralphie's not too bright friend gets his tongue stuck to a flag pole, and Ralphie accidentally blurts out the f-word in front of his father.

Toy Story appeals to the kid in all of us.This animated classic celebrates the joy of toys with humor and a sense of adventure. Cowboy doll Woody is the favorite toy of little boy Andy, and the leader of all the other toys. His fun filled world is suddenly turned upside down when Andy gets a Buzz Lightyear action figure for his birthday. Suddenly, Woody is in danger of being replaced as Andy and all the toys give Buzz their attention. Worse yet, Buzz doesn't know he's a toy. He thinks he's the real Buzz Lightyear. When the two toys get lost, the adventure begins as they work together to get home before Andy moves.

What better way to celebrate a season of shopping that by watchingThe Devil Wears Prada? You don't have to be a style insider to enjoy this fashionable farce. This clever, funny movie features Meryl Streep as Miranda, the ridiculously demanding editor-in-chief of Runway, an elite fashion magazine full of size-0, fashion obsessed slaves. The smart new second-assistant Andrea (Anne Hathaway), has more brains than style which makes her stand out like a pair of fuzzy slippers. Andrea aspires to be a serious journalist and looks down at the shallow fashion world, yet she finds herself seduced by the perks of the fashionable life. Miranda is the boss from hell, but Streep's underplayed, brilliant comic timing make her a fun and fascinating character watch.

 

Holiday Displays Provide Free Entertainment

The holiday season is filled with the splendor of colorful displays that make the season shine. Some of the best, brightest and most beautiful indoor holiday displays are all conveniently located right next to each other in downtown Kansas City.

What better way to celebrate the traditions of the holiday season than a visit to historic Union Station. Union Station is a majestic piece of architecture in it's own right, but the embellishment of holiday themed decorations takes it to a whole new level. A tree of epic proportions takes center stage near entrance bursting with brightly colored ornaments and decorations. This towering tree greet guest near one entrance while a profusion of festive garland and wreaths hang from the ceiling and upper level.

For all it's holiday finery, the big attraction at Union Station is found way in the back. The collection of miniature train displays in back is a fun attraction for kids and anyone who is still a kid at heart. The different miniature train displays reflect the skills and personality of the people that created them. Some train sets are perfectly scaled and historically accurate while some take a more whimsical approach with a random mix of out of proportion toys tossed into the display just for fun. 

Take a leisurely walk across the glass covered bridge from Union Station to arrive at Crown Center without ever stepping out into the elements. The main entrance in front of the escalators has a larger than life holiday wreath that is at least one story tall. Throughout Crown Center and the adjoining hotel you will find an assortment of eye catching holiday decorations. Window shopping at the many Crown Center stores carries out the Christmas spirit, with many stores showing off holiday themed displays.

After an inspiring visit to Crown Center, stroll down the street and take a sentimental journey through the history of Hallmark at the Hallmark Visitors Center. This small and intimate museum showcases a variety of Hallmark gift related products from decades past to the present. The tree display is a must see. These are no ordinary trees. Over the years the creative minds at Hallmark have produced unique Christmas trees made of ornamental woodwork, quilts and a variety of other materials with the ornaments reflecting the theme of the tree. After checking out the trees, be sure to visit the machine that makes bows and take home a souvenir of your memorable visit.

 

Celebrate in Style with Drinkware from Pier 1 Imports

  Nothing gets the party started like a glass of sparkling champagne or mug of something hot and spicy. Pier 1 Imports has a stylish selection of holiday drinkware sure to impress your guests.

This hand-painted and etched Etched Stemware - Tartan Red glass barware takes a modern twist on traditional tartan for a festive look that will bring a touch of color and good cheer to your holiday table.  

Serve up hot cocoa or spicy cider with a tasteful Christmas Tree Stackable Mug Set. These four ceramic mugs fit neatly one on top of the other to build a decorative tower. The colorful graphics create a festive holiday presentation. Each mug is unique so everyone has their own slice of the complete picture.

Here's a bright idea, after the first toast top off your wine or other bottled beverage with this LED Christmas Light Bottle Stopper. The easy to grab rounded shape of this popular holiday icon is both attractive and functional. Turn on the LED light to keep the festive mood going long into the night. Decorative bottle stoppers help preserve spirits longer and prevent spills.

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

On Tuesday, December 8 at 9:00 PM central standard time catch the hottest show of the holiday season, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on CBS. What I love about the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is the emphasis on show. The "fashion" show features hot models in skimpy costumes that bear a passing resemblance to lingerie, often accessorized by huge angel wings. The clothing isn't wearable, but that's the whole appeal of the show. It's a fantasy. The fantasy fashion show includes popular pop stars, production numbers staged like something out of a glamorous Broadway musical and behind the scenes footage of what goes into creating such a sexy spectacle.