What Not to Wear makes life better, again
I was watching What Not to Wear on my DVR last weekend. I had about 18 episodes stacked up, and it was a glorious marathon, a time of deep personal reflection for me. I also killed a bag of white cheddar popcorn (healthy, until you eat the whole thing).
On an episode featuring a former teen model turned 40-something sk8ter boi, Stacy London and Clinton Kelly dropped some knowledge on us. They developed an acronym that I thought was so useful. When you're considering buying something, stand in front of the mirror and say:
BASE
B: Does this look good on my body? Or are these harem pants with the thigh cut-outs maybe not the most flattering item ever to grace my saddlebags?
A: Is it age appropriate? Sure, micro-shortie rompers are hot for summer, but are you 67 with 5 grandkids? Maybe you should reconsider.
S: Do you have the right situation for the outfit? If you're a commercial fisherman in Key West, you might not have occasion for a hot pink mohair sweater and matching gloves.
E: Is it worth the expense? I had to wrestle with this one Sunday as I carried a pair of $50 leopard pumps around TJ Maxx for an hour. They were marked down considerably, and they were BEAUTIFUL and comfortable. Ultimately, I decided I'd wear them constantly, thus getting an efficient cost-per-wear ratio. They passed the BASE test, and today they're on my feet.
Once again, thank you Stacy and Clinton. Don't ever change.
Deal Diva Stephanie
Photo: Our beloveds, TLC
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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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