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The Divas guide to blazering through RNC
Saturday marked the 100-day countdown for the Republican National Convention in Tampa, and officials are working really hard to nail down plans for security, transportation, construction and, oh yeah, that SWELTERING, SUFFOCATING August heat.
I'll leave logistics to the electeds and the Secret Service. But Divas, we need to talk about those feels-like-it's-100-degrees-out-here-why-God-why temperatures. It's important. You see, RNC is synonymous with blazertime, and I am both attending the event (working journalist, y'all) and obsessed with blazers.
I'm definitely not the only one.
That's Sarah Palin and Cindy McCain at the 2008 RNC in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Remember? Yes? Good, I was worried.
Democrats also love blazers, of course, but they're not coming to Tampa.
We, THE PEOPLE, must fight for our right to fight heat-related illnesses. We must secure lightweight options to counter the threat of our oppressor, Mother Nature. And unlike some burned by extravagant spending on campaign clothes, haircuts and jewelry, we won't be embarrassed by the receipts of our transactions.
LET'S VET THE CANDIDATES. ... Read more
My Outfit Monday: Fun Midwest finds
I popped up to Ohio recently for a quick visit. I'm originally from the Cleveland area, (Lorain County, for Ohio nerds), and most of my family is still there. This visit was not about shopping or coming back with lots of great finds. It was about seeing loved ones and spending as much time with them as possible.
Naturally, since I wasn't trying, I came back with lots of great finds! Isn't that always the way?
Find 1: SPARKLY GOLD JACKET.
Feast your eyes on this baby. While I was visiting my grandparents, I noticed a sleepy little garage sale across the street. Up north, garage sales go all day. It's not like Florida where you have to start at 5 a.m. and shut down by noon to avoid sun blisters and heat exhaustion.
I wandered over with a few bucks in my pocket. There were a lot of ceramic bunnies and old board games. Then, I saw this gold glittering thing straight up out of the 1980s, shoulder pads and all. It was $1. A DOLLAR. I had to have it. ... Read more
- Accessorize It
- Bags
- Betsey Johnson
- Forever 21
- garage sales
- Hair: Bad Day
- Hair: Good Day
- My Outfit Monday
- New York & Company
- Old Navy
- Shoes
Goodwill's Wedding Gala scheduled for June, hundreds of new dresses starting at $100
Here's the most important save-the-date for all you summer brides out there.
Goodwill’s Wedding Gala, a major annual wedding gown sale, is scheduled for June 9 in Brandon and June 16 in Spring Hill. The two Goodwill stores will offer more than 400 brand new wedding gowns in sizes from 2 to 26 with prices starting at $100. We're not talking poof sleeves and bad appliques. We're talking fresh off the design line. Proceeds benefit Goodwill's programs for people with disabilities.
The stock of dresses will be split between the two stores, about 200 gowns at each event. Brands include Priscilla of Boston, House of Wu and Melissa Sweet. These dresses were donated by Athena’s Bridal, CC’s Boutique, Diana’s Bridal, Olga’s Bridal Boutique and Priscilla of Boston. Some of the original price tags go up to $4,350, people. You heard right. Check out a preview of some of the 2012 gowns right here. ... Read more
I don't mean to make this a wedge issue, but...
I wear wedges a lot. Like, a lot of lot. Like, so much that I get teased for it.
But I can't help it. Those of you ladies out there -- especially my fellow vertically challenged sistas -- know the comfort a wedge can offer. No lie. It's all the benefits of a high heel without the sometimes-pain that comes along with those.
But, everything has its time right?
Which is why when I slipped on a pair of my go-to wedges earlier this week, I just KNEW.
The grip was off, the heel long chipped and grinded down to something totally unrecognizable from its former self. Discolored. Not even worth the cobbler's time.
They were done. Finished. At the end of their life.
Bwaaaaaaaaaaaah.
I should have taken a picture, but they're THAT embarrassing.
*Sigh*
There must be something in the water. First Deal Diva Katie's jellies, now my wedges...be careful out there people. The grim reaper of footwear is on the prowl! ... Read more
Forever 21 expands inside Westfield Countryside
I remember when Forever 21 opened inside Westfield Countryside mall in 2000. It was SWARMING with people who had never before seen this level of cheap-o fashion in such great supply. I still remember seeing a mean girl from my high school (who shall remain unnamed) barking at her mom to grab just about everything in the store.
It seemed massive and exciting back then, but years have passed and that Forever 21 has paled in comparison to bigger versions, including the more expansive sophisticated Forever XXI (Roman numerals, so you know it's good) at International Plaza.
It won't be a kid sister store much longer. If you walk through Westfield Countryside upstairs between the food court and JC Penney, you'll notice a HUGE section of stores walled off, destined to become Forever 21's new home. It even wraps around the corner where the old yogurt shop used to be. ... Read more
Another reason to love Target: the new "Shops"
Target has found a way to make us love it even more. I'm talking about "The Shops at Target," a campaign featuring partnership collections with smaller specialty stores around the country. Rolled out last month, the Shops now include a handful of retailers from New York to San Francisco.
One of the recently announced partners is Kirna Zabête, a clothing boutique featuring the likes of Lanvin, Thakoon, and Proenza Schouler. Then there's the hip Curiosity Shop in San Francisco, selling cool home and office wares that would make awesome gifts. There's even something for the pups in our lives at Polka Dog Bakery, which has Peggy and me both drooling over its colorful bowls, leashes and plastic go-fetch sticks.
Seriously, I may spend my entire day browsing through this stuff.
My favorite, for now, might be the Miami-based Webster shop at Target. Please, just see for yourself:
Want.
... Read more
Hello, high-low!
I can't get high-low skirts off the brain after catching a glimpse of one at the mall last weekend.
(Unfamiliar? You may know them better as mullet skirts, a look pioneering Deal Diva Stephanie introduced unto us last year.)
The one I liked resembled this effortless, slightly Boho skirt from dELiAs.
See? Flirty, accessible, breezy. And it makes me think about bell curves, and other mathematical things I long abandoned for word devotion. What could be so wrong?
... Read more
Trash becomes teen's prom night treasure
Prom checklist: Dinner. The limo. The corsage. The makeup. And, of course, the perfect dress.
With prom just around the corner here and elsewhere, teens and their parents are preparing to dish out some serious cash making sure the night they spend dancing away with longtime friends, possibly for the last time, is an unforgettable one.
Cue one ingenious teen from Michigan, who not only ensured the night was memorable, but no doubt also cut down on expenses.
Her secret weapon? Diane McNease created her prom dress out of 18,000 Starburst candy wrappers.
... Read more
My Outfit Monday: Am I on the air?
The chance of doing a TV interview today made me step up my fashion plan this morning. Unfortunately, it didn't work out due to scheduling conflicts.
On the bright side, it makes for a very prepared My Outfit Monday dispatch. So, uh, live from the Times' Tallahassee bureau, it's me!
To answer your first question, no, I am not wearing white tights. Why yes, that question did come from my own mother last night. Moving on.
I snagged the year-old tweed skirt from Banana Republic's Mad Men collection when it went on sale. I love the retro look and the curvy fit. ... Read more
Still need a gift for mom?
It's impossible for me to forget Mother's Day. That's because it usually falls on or around my birthday, May 13. Every year Mom gets a better gift than I could ever buy: ME!
But seriously, because the date seldom sneaks up on me, I usually get crafty and make my mom her gift. Last year I painted her a vase at Color Me Mine in Hyde Park. The year before, I went overboard decoupaging a 12-by-16-inch framed photo of the two of us.
This year was different. Out of nowhere, it was May. Then it was May 5. Then, OMG, the week of?!? What to get Mom? (See said mother to left, looking naturally gorgeous as usual.) ... Read more
About the bloggers
Looking for shopping deals in Tampa Bay? The Deal Divas are on the prowl, sniffing out hot fashion finds that won't leave your wallet in ruins. Now you never have to miss a shopping deal! Sign up for weekly Deal Diva Alerts by e-mail. by e-mail. And check in often for the lowdown on local bargains, as well as fashion advice, fun photos and style news. Because shopping should be all about the Washingtons!
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is produced by the editorial staff of the Times and is not tied to advertising.
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THE AUTHORS
Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.
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Katie Sanders foolishly spurned pretty dresses and shoes as a child,
tossing new clothes over her shoulder at birthday parties with a totally
rude "no, thank you." Her drab days of monocolor outfits are over now, and
she certainly knows better than to turn down free stuff. Her wardrobe mixes
classic with quirk. Think blazers with statement necklaces, and lots of
patterned ballet flats. She can
be reached at 850) 224-7263 or ksanders@tampabay.com..
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Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her
mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost,
but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan,
she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never
needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her
closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can
be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.
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A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.
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From camo pants and construction boots to sundresses, sweaters and sling
backs, Keyonna Summers knows how to make all of it rock -- at rock bottom
prices. A Detroit native, Keyonna delves into her urban roots to find
fashion pairings that give a nod to street fashion while maintaining the
class of the modern, professional woman. She believes in searching for
affordable clothes that look expensive and can easily be dressed up or
down. You won't find plaid shirts or fleece jackets in her closet; the only
hiking Keyonna does is to the bargain basement. She can be reached at (727)
445-4153 or ksummers@tampabay.com.
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Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.
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