Tampabay.com
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

Deal Diva Challenge: Zara!

The Deal Divas love a good challenge. So when we got word that Zara (a DD favorite) would be opening at International Mall we were inspired.

You see, we truly believe it doesn't have to cost a lot to look good. A wardrobe is built with great pieces. So, we challenged each other to find a piece at Zara that spoke to us and complemented our wardrobe. The fun part: it needed to be under $40.

Could we do it? I'll admit...I had to restrain myself. I wanted to buy buy buy the most expensive items in the store, but I didn't. Instead, I found a cute sweater that is comfortable and stylish to boot. Look below for a peak into the world of Deal Divas!

Deal Diva Colleen, Zara blouse, $39.

Colleen I gotta say, I felt pretty cool one day recently sporting my new silk Zara blouse. I love its loose look (though I bought it in a smaller size to avoid looking too loose), the pattern and the color palette. Crimson, eggplant and gold against a cream background offer a great transition into fall. I paired it with jeans, a chunky wood necklace and wine-colored kitty heels. But it could totally be dressed up for a classier occasion.

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Deal Diva Letitia, Zara's chunky knit cardigan, $39

Letitiazara This is not your grandpa's cardigan. Cute buttons and a fitted top make weekend comfortable chic. And a cotton sweater is a year-round wardrobe enhancement in Florida, where air-conditioned rooms often approach freezer temperatures in the summer.

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Deal Diva Stephanie, Zara's charcoal grandpa sweater, $35.

Stephaniezara This sweater exemplifies my love for Matlock reruns and stamp collecting. Kidding! I'm obsessed with cardigans and have them in every color. I love how they make an outfit feel complete. They're a little old fashioned, a little sexy-secretary. Pulled together, yet soft and approachable. I love this one's details, like the modern length and mother of pearl buttons dotting the sleeves. I'll wear it all season, and probaby for a few years to come.

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Deal Diva Nicole, Zara' short-sleeve striped sweater, $25.

Zarasweater These days I'm going for comfort, fit and style -- in that order. At 5-months pregnant I love that this top is extra long which gives me a leaner silhouette. The material is not too thick, but does provide some warmth, making it perfect for that transition into Florida's so-called Autumn. Did I mention it's gray and striped -- two of my favorite things! I also like that it has got a casual-vibe for jeans and flats, yet girly enough to be paired up with a wool skirt and tights.

~ Deal Diva Nicole

(photos: courtesy of Deal Divas)

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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!

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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.

Emily Nipps As a sullen teenager, Emily Nipps refused to wear anything but black, olive green or burgundy, preferably ripped. She has since added color to her life but still experiments with her dark streak. A product junkie, she has tried tons of overpriced face creams and hair products but loves drugstore brands that work the same. She's an Aries and a bassist in a punk band. She has a pet pig, seven chickens, three cats and a rabbit. And just as many lip glosses. She can be reached at (727) 893-8452 or nipps@tampabay.com.

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.

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.

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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