Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a great place to visit, shop, and explore an interesting area of downtown LA. Now for the Diva it’s always more fun if there is some discount shopping involved and FIDM has a wonderful Scholarship Store with some of the best deals in town.

All the merchandise sold in the Scholarship Store is donated by over 400 successful manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers, many of whom employ FIDM Alumni.  They send overstock and end of season items at great prices.  All the money you spend goes to scholarships so feel good about splurging.  There is even a video on the site to show you what great finds they have.

Now they also have exhibits of movie and television costumes plus a gallery devoted to perfume. The FIDM Los Angeles campus houses a Permanent and Study Collection of over 12,000 costumes, accessories, and textiles from the 18th century through the present day, including film and theatre costume. It is one of the largest such collections in the United States, and top designer holdings include Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, and Lacroix.

Check it out and watch Project Runway like a fashion insider.

It can be a little pricey here so now is the time to shop at the Brentwood Country Mart at San Vicente and 26th. They are having a semi annual sale that lasts until January 31 and items are up to fifty percent off.  Parking is free, they have a little food court including Barney’s Burgers, Frida’s Mexican Food and Reddi Chick Rotissarie Chicken.

They have some great little boutiques including James Pearse of the super soft t shirts, Jigsaw an established London designer with an eclectic mix, Calypso for clothes and accessories from around the world, and many more. There is a Diesel Book Store where they have free author readings and talks. There is also an adorable little post office that is generally uncrowded. 

Now the hours during the week are only till seven for the food court and six for most of the stores so you might want to check out the sale on Saturday or Sunday. It’s out doors, the food is good - so even if you don’t buy it’s a fun day.

We used to call them foundation garments because you built your wardrobe over them. Now it’s a much more complex relationship. Underwear has become outerwear at times. Underwear has become your ally when you do sports. Underwear comes in more colors and styles that could ever be imagined.

Now I still think of it as a foundation because let’s face it - when your underwear doesn’t fit properly nothing else will go well. Riding up, straps slipping, this is not a way to go through life. Fitted but not binding, minimal pantie lines, comfortable but still on the job. Who knew that Target would be the answer to my dreams. Bras - basics for under t shirts, sports for when you’re bouncing around , fancy for nights when you want them to show, and everything in between - are their business. We all knew that Target was now designer central with fantastic clothes, shoes, and accessories however now we know that this is place to feel like you are truly supported. Let’s hear it for underpants - bikinis, hipsters, thongs (I still don’t get those but each to their own), and granny panties (sometimes you just want a wall of cotton between you and the world).

This is an area where the right size and fit matter - don’t ruin your day by having to tug and reach for areas better left alone. Figure out your favorite styles by going to the store and if they don’t always have your size - sit back on the internet and order without the distraction of having to plow through aisles and aisles. And if you are internet shopping look for a $5 off $50 at Target on couponcabin.com good till March 31, 2010. The discount will be taken at checkout (only online).

 Have fun and look forward showing off your assets.

Really you ask, is this where a diva goes shopping?  It is when they have beautiful cashmere sweaters on sale for $40 in store and buy one get one free online bringing the price down to $35 each with free shipping. That means one for you and one for gifting.  

And the colors are fabulous, rich purple, hot pink, deep red and the basics - black, grey, dark brown, and even a luxurious white.  The styles are classics with a V neck, turtleneck, and a cute cardigan with matching buttons.  Imagine a white cardigan with a beautiful pair of black or textured pants and you are dressed up for the holidays. Maybe a purple turtleneck with jeans for a fun week end look.  Jaclyn Smith you are still an angel for these great buys.

Now while I was in cashmere heaven, the Frugal Dude wandered in to men’s wear and found a warm (by Los Angeles standards), water resistant winter jacket for $25 and great gloves with insulation for $7. Since we seem to be having more winter then usual, this was a super buy. In general men’s wear looked sturdy and I loved the Basic Edition sports wear including a long sleeve partial zipper heavy cotton top.  Right now it is $9.99 on line. and about the same price in store.

Save on the men’s wear and splurge on the cashmere, after all we are The Frugal Divas and we need a little softness in our lives.  Happy hunting!

Shoes have many good qualities. They are loyal. Gain a few pounds and your jeans will turn on you.  However you have to gain a lot of weight to out grow your favorite pair of pumps.  They wait quietly at the back of the closet until that perfect occasion when only red heels with white polka dots will do.  And you can try on endless pairs without taking off your clothes.

The best place to spend countless hours looking, trying on and maybe even buying - DSW. So much more than those three letters. It’s a place to hang out and meet other people. If only they served beverages and light snacks, one could easily spend the entire day there. I don’t know whether it’s the sheer choice of all those aisles or the friendly salespeople or the unbelievable prices that make this a such a great destination.

And like everywhere else, it’s more fun if you join the club. It costs nothing and you start getting little notices. Before you know it, points start accumulating, coupons are in the mail, and you are on your way to even greater savings.

This is the type of hunting that I’m talking about. They send me a $10 coupon good for any purchase over $10, I buy a $55 pair of Anne Klein loafers (listed at $79 on the AK website), that are reduced another 50% on clearance to $27 and use the coupon - bringing the grand total to$17 dollars and change plus tax.  

Tell them your birth date and they send you a $5 coupon good for that month. Hey, it may not seem like a lot but it’s more then the other stores are doing for me. DSW, a company that helps you look good without spending too much money.

And this is a great place to buy gifts items-socks, bags, and gift cards.

Shopping for clothes online has never been a favorite Frugal Diva activity.  However, after getting some tips from friends, I see where it is quite nice during the hectic holiday season to have attire land on your doorstep.  And at a significant discount.

Let’s start with Shop It To Me.  Instead of being overwhelmed by too much choice, they allow you to customize your shopping experience. Alerts arrive when those brands have sales items in your size.  If you are brand loyal, this site will work very nicely.

Now I scoffed at the Home Shopping Network until a friend started showing up in amazing clothes and said they were from HSN. Even Badgley Mischka of red carpet fame has a line with glamour items for holiday parties and beyond.  Look  around for bargains in the clearance section and remember returning an item means paying for shipping.

Amazon.com is not the first name for clothing however there are a significant number of brands from AK Anne Klein to Zen Trend.  And many qualify for free shipping. This also a great way to send gifts out of town and even in town.

Check out your favorite brand online and see what they offer on discounts, free shipping and returns, and online only specials. This is a whole new world for me however many divas swear by the experience. Let me know what sites work for you. And remember be careful out there, the most expensive item you own is one you never wear.

This is so exciting! Junior Drake has opened an outlet store at 700 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. These are beautiful leather bags in fabulous colors, some are as low as $60, all are reduced from what you would pay retail which reaches into the stratsphere around $250 to $400.  The bags are overstock from other seasons and colors that did not sell out. The selection is huge. The Frugal Diva has to admit that she has a thing for bags.  When you are a fairly conservative dresser nothing makes an outfit  like a punch of color from a bag. It can pull a whole look together.

The bags are amazing and include small dressy bags, large hobos, clutches, and everything in between.  And up to 80% off.  Shop an outlet store without having to go downtown. The store is conveniently located a few blocks from the Santa Monica Promenade with street parking available.

The Gap is back!  They have made some great choices and gone back to basics this season and it is a pleasure. Good cuts, interesting little details, and friendly salespeople make this a fun experience.  And the store sales make this a great place for the whole family. Kids, babies, men, and women shop the great offers for savings.  Read the rest of this entry »

Now you might wonder why a Frugal Diva would cross the threshold of an upscale department store. Here’s why - fantastic sale, coupons that give you $25 off for every $100 that you spend, and the need for a new dress for a very special occasion.  So at the Beverly Center Bloomies, I went to the 3rd floor ready to just walk in and walk out.  These clothes looked perfect if you were young, thin, and trendy. Luckily for me, I was helped by Pamela Ruday (if I misspelled your name, please email me and I will correct it).  Read the rest of this entry »