Wednesday, June 19, 2013 10:42am
Does the sticky summer heat already have you dreaming about cooler styles? Hold onto your cash. The elusive sale season at Nordstrom is just kicking off.
As the high-end department store's sales are few and far between, they are not to be missed. For the men in your lives, Nordstrom's half-yearly men's sale currently is underway.
Even better, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts Friday, July 19, ending Sunday, August 4. This is your opportunity to score great deals on new merchandise just as it arrives for the fall season.
Consider packing lunch for the next few weeks, divas. That overpriced plate of calories could be the designer bag that you will flaunt for the rest of the year.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 2:05pm
Fun fact: Summer is a super busy season for birthdays.
Not so fun fact: I'm already out of gift ideas. Completely stumped, behind, desperate.
Fun fact: I found a website that will help!
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Monday, June 17, 2013 9:49am
Morning!
We're continuing our quest to diversify our photo settings, so here I am, outside! (It was Deal Diva Katie's idea.)
What do you guys think of the outfit? I decided to give myself a challenge this morning and not wear any black.
I settled on a cream blouse and some beige near-flats that I picked up from Kohl's a couple weekends ago for $13.99 (80 percent off!) But every outfit needs a little color, right? That's where the skirt comes in.
Not gonna lie, I've almost thrown it (this skirt) away many times.
For one, it's slighty too big (which, depending on the day can be supremely frustrating or a big self esteem boost) Secondly, as much as I love the paisley print, sometimes I feel like it can be too much (probably because my instinct is to pair it with a lime green top.)
This morning, however, it seemed ... perfect.
POOF, I'm in love again.
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Friday, June 14, 2013 10:44am
I remember the first time I watched Sex and the City The Movie.
At the very end, when Big gives Carrie her dream closet, she pulls out the most perfect pair of shoes I've ever seen in my life and gently sets them down on her sparkling shoe rack: a pair of royal blue Manolo pumps.
The next day, I sped to International Plaza like a mad woman trying to find those shoes. I knew I wouldn't be able to afford Manolo's $965 price tag, but maybe I could find some Steve Madden knock-offs.
No luck.
I've been on the hunt for those shoes ever since.
So when a press release about Sarah Jessica Parker's new shoe line popped up in my email, my heart fluttered.
The line, dubbed SJP, will launch exclusively at Nordstrom in January. The collection will include sandals, flats, pumps (!!!) and boots ranging from $200 to $400.
The greatest news: Manolo Blahnik CEO George Malkemus is helping Parker create the collection of runway-worthy shoes at "attainable price points."
Attainable for a pair of flats? Not at all. Attainable for my dream shoes? YES.
Hopefully this new line will have something similar. At the very least, we can all feel a little more like Carrie Bradshaw. …
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Thursday, June 13, 2013 10:45am
80s. Prom. Party.
Do those words make your heart flutter? They might, if like us, you were born in the 80s. Or if you went to prom in the 80s. Or if you just like fashion from the 80s.
In any case, even if none of those apply, you still might want to check out ARTpool Gallery's next show.
The event, from 8 to midnight June 22, is all about art, fashion, music and of course, the 80s. It's also kicks off a week of PRIDE events.
ARTpool tells us there will be a costume party, neon fashion show, and other surprises. Plus, there are prizes for the best 80s outfit.
Find more info here.
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Wednesday, June 12, 2013 11:24am
Living in Florida, we need to take sun protection seriously. But as any dermatologist will tell you, suncreen is the least of your defenses. If you can't avoid the sun during peak hours, it's better to wear protective clothing than to drench yourself in lotion.
Finally, designers are taking note. Sun protective clothing is finally getting cute.
The New York Times wrote this weekend about the plight of big-name designers stuck wearing hideous rash guards when they took up surfing. Inspiration struck. Now chic abounds in these lightweight jackets, which protect the skin from rubbing against surfboards. They also offer great protection from blistering sunburns.
Another option: Lands' End is selling an affordable line of swim tees, modeled after the uber protective swimwear long hot in children's clothing. Their sailor stripe shirt, $27.30, is attractive enough to go from surf to turf.
So how fast I get my order?
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Tuesday, June 11, 2013 11:40am
I had to call over to Sherry's YesterDaze and make sure my eyes weren't tricking me, inventing an alternate dream world in which tons of vintage stuff was all $5 or less. Rest assured, it's true.
This weekend, Sherry's is hosting a massive blowout sale at the Tempus Projects, 5132 Florida Ave. in Tampa. All items from Sherry's warehouse are $5 or less, cash only.
There are two options to shop:
You can go early from 5-7 p.m. Friday, but you need to get an advance ticket, which costs $10. You can get your ticket by stopping in Sherry's, or calling (813) 231-2020 and paying with a credit card over the phone.
If you don't want to go early, you can go from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to the same location (no ticket required) and shop your brains out. I have about a trillion things going on this weekend, but I am still working it out in my head how to get over there and see what they have. Nothing's more thrilling than a good vintage find, and there are sure to be loads.
If you go, let us know what you snag!
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Monday, June 10, 2013 1:47pm
Remember Deal Diva Letitia’s story of rediscovery and inspiration just by shopping her very own closet?
Well, it looks like her idea is a popular one that’s ready to take the Tampa Bay area by storm.
The Safety Harbor Library this week will kick off “Making the Most of Your Closet,” a free three-part series aimed at keeping your pesos firmly planted in your pocketbook by teaching folks how to spread the love among pieces they already own.
During part uno – “Dressing for Your Body Type” – set for 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, fashionistas will learn how to choose the most flattering outfits for their age and body shape.
Get schooled on pinching pennies during “Dressing on a Budget,” set for 6:30 p.m. July 11.
Then overcome the struggle of cramming all your new, inexpensive goodies into your armoire alongside your old faves during the “Closet Organization” session at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 15.
The 90-minute workshops, led by Safety Harbor wardrobe and fashion stylist Kara Beck (click the links to check out her website and blog), are free and open to the public. …
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Monday, June 10, 2013 11:27am
A few of us ventured out to Tampa Bay Fashion Week's Bright Nights summer party Friday night. The top-secret location turned out to be The Basement in St. Petersburg on Central Avenue, a gallery space and honest-to-goodness basement (in Florida? How?) on Central Avenue. It felt very HBO Girls-esque, warehousey and industrial. A bunch of folks from Tampa Bay's ever-growing fashion scene showed up, including models, publicists, designers Dolly Donshey, Kim Hendrix and Spathose, and MISRED Outfitters owner Sara Stonecipher. It was sweaty and dark, and we photoboothed, ate old-school rock candy and danced to Mariah Carey. It was a fun reminder of the action that awaits us in September for Fashion Week. …
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Friday, June 7, 2013 11:53am
J.Crew is more of a Deal Diva Katie and Letitia thing than a Deal Diva Stephanie thing. For one, they are more classic (classier, if you must). For two, I always walk into J.Crew and sigh after ten minutes when I don't see something crusted in sparkles and beads and fringe. For three, then I see the price tags and I'm like, "WITCHCRAFT. GET BACK." I need to work on my propensity to invest.
So it surprised me today when I was browsing the J.Crew site and found some stuff I can really get down with. And good timing. Everything at J. Crew is 25 percent off right now, in stores and online with the code SUMMER. You get 30 percent off if you open a J.Crew card, but our Deal Diva advice is to NEVER open a store card just to get a discount.
Check the slideshow for some looks that, while not dipped in feathers and sequins, are still pretty enjoyable. Prices are before the discount. Have a great weekend!
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Thursday, June 6, 2013 10:08am
Remember when I extolled the wonders of getting stuff from friends and gushed about my new favorite shopping spot, Katie's Closet?
Well now there's apparently an app for that.
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Wednesday, June 5, 2013 2:03pm
I've been going drooling over ads for the new Kate Spade line, a casual dressy look appropriately named Saturday. (How do you know me so well, Hulu?)
The look is beachy prep, with lots of color and chic stripes. Hello, happy! That is, until you look at the prices.
A t-shirt dress for $150? I don't think so. So I'm using the Saturday lookbook as a primer on how to turn staples into so much more.
Not sure what to do with a pair of pleated shorts? Shop for options in the Saturday collection. I love the concept of an orange sherbert, hot pink combo as a summer refresher.
My favorite look? A classic striped shirt paired with a floral skirt, a contemporary twist on two classics.
Thanks, Saturday. Now how about a good sale?
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Tuesday, June 4, 2013 11:42am
Back by popular demand (at least in our circle) is the spend $10 to get $20 Groupon for Revolve Clothing Exchange.
Looks like you'll need to hustle on this deal. More than 1,000 people have already bought it.
Revolve, for the uninitiated, is a consignment shop with locations in Tampa, Ybor and St. Pete near Crescent Lake.
We wear looks from their shops a lot. In January, I scored a great black workbag using this Groupon. (I'm still using it today.)
Did you, will you get it? Anyone have success stories from the January offer?
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Monday, June 3, 2013 11:15am
It's been a minute. Remember that time Macy's invited the Deal Divas to wear cute clothes and host a fashion show? I know we've hardly mentioned it, but do you recall how the event left us desiring the clothes we wore, how some of us purchased pieces of our look?
I loved the stuff I chose for the show: Bar III graphic floral dress ($90), Calvin Klein apricot fishscale heels ($99) and Bar III beige faux-leather moto jacket ($90). But I did buy any of the pieces that day (see prices).
The good news is I took my own hard advice of waiting before splurging, and it worked!
A few weeks later, I got the heels for $55 (still a splurge) and the dress for $35 (plus free shipping, y'all). Alas, the jacket is the one that got away, as it never went on sale and is out of stock.
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Friday, May 31, 2013 10:14am
Oh Target, how we love thee. You are there when we need apple juice, there when we need headphones for our iPhone, there when we need new bathroom towels, batteries, and when we are ready to spend too much money on summer dresses.
And now, you are also there for those of looking to put together an affordable wedding trousseau.
Yup. You read that right. Target is now jumping into the wedding dress biz,
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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 
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 
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 
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 
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