Say that a few times quickly. The ladies who run the sales have opened up a boutique at 8032 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (not far from the Beverly Center).  Their wares run more towards sample sizes which tend to be small however they do have some selection in the medium and large range. Try them out for jewelry, fun tops, and that maxi dress you will probably only wear once. The Frugal Diva still has not found the perfect occasion for that garment. Too relaxed for work, too long for running around town, maybe just right for a leisurely brunch at some one’s home.

These are designer duds from 50 to 80 per cent off so this might be the perfect place to pick up that one splurge item.

Why wait for Black Friday when you can have clothing in any color at American Apparel. This weekend is start of the Factory Flea Market Sale from Friday, Oct. 21 to Monday Oct. 31 from 9AM to 9PM (except Monday, Oct. 31 when they close at 5PM). Hundreds of thousands of items will be up to 90% off with fresh inventory added daily. To make it more fun there will be music, food trucks, live T shirt printing and ideas for Halloween costumes. The location is 747 Warehouse Street, LA, CA 90021.

Here’s what’s going on at their website sale now:

Kids striped hoodie 40% off now $16.00

Adult Unisex windbreaker for $15.00

Silky Jumper pants for women at $20.00

Three pack of basic T shirts for $30

Poplin Cross Front Dress for $18.00

Fine Jersey Drape Skirt for $15.00

While teens are the target market, there are plentiful items for kids that include organic and natural play dough, organic cotton clothes, and fun hair accessories. Even if they are mocked on Sex and the City, a scrunchie keeps hair out of your eyes and off your neck while working out. Check out a store near you.

This clothing at great prices is manufactured right here in downtown Los Angeles employing 5000 workers. The ads are not my favorites however let’s support this local business and their efforts at not only manufacturing in the USA but keeping it sustainable, donating to local schools, giving their employees ESL classes, access to health care, benefits, and encouraging workers to bike or bus to work.

As The Frugal Diva leafs through fashions magazines, the question always pops up – who are these people modeling the clothes?  At 365Hangers.com, you don’t have to ask because the models look like someone you would see at work, shopping, or in your own mirror.  A size 10 dress most likely will be on a size 10 model.  So no more wondering if that style would look good on your body.

365 Hangers carries brand names such as DVF, I.N.C., Marc Jacobs, and French Connection and they guarantee 70% off on every designer label on the website. Let’s do the math – cute sleeveless top by Aqua for $68 is reduced to $20, dress from the A.B.S. Collection was $260 now it’s $78, and my personal favorite DKNYC has a $195 long sweater that was brought down to a more reasonable $59.

When buying clothing on the internet. the shipping and return policies are very important. For all our good intentions, sometimes items don’t fit like we expected or the color doesn’t work. 365 Hangers charges $7 for shipping the entire order and you pay the return shipping. Per their site regarding returns. To request a return send an email to support@365hangers.com to explain your reason for returning the item (damage, inferior quality, poor fit etc). The shopper will then be issued store credit upon receiving the returned items to use towards their next purchase. A 10% handling fee will be deducted from initial product purchase amount (excluding shipping charges) on all returns.

There are great deals here however make the utmost effort to be sure before you buy.

It’s fall and a young (and not so young) girl’s fancy turns to serious clothes. The Citadel Outlets have expanded to become a major shopping destination for Los Angelenos. Major in my book means a Starbucks where I can rest between shops plus the option of a meal if this turns into an all day adventure.  They have it all from a Mexican Grill, to Pho, to Subway, and more.

Check their events page for sales, freebies, and openings. If you are coming on a Tuesday night bring the kids they eat free at Ruby’s Diner.  Shop Old Navy during their Polos and Shorts mix & match sale. Buy One Get One 50% off. The Nine West Outlet is particularly great with prices that start low and then go even lower on sale.

Wear comfortable shoes and buy a back to school or back to work wardrobe at great prices!

The word diva practically screams out for fabulous pjs, robes, and slippers to wear for lounging and even for sleeping. Bed Head Pajamas answers the call with unique prints and lux fabrics. Normally they are a little pricey however you are in luck this weekend with not one but two different sales.

As part of the West Third Street Sidewalk Sale 11 PM -7 PM on Sat. Aug.6 and 12-5 PM on Sun. Aug. 7, Bed Head at 8336 W 3rd Street  (PH 323-653-8336) will be offering up to 75% off for styles currently in stock. Here you have all the accoutrements of regular shopping meaning dressing rooms and helpful sales people. Plus there is a gift for purchases over $125. They wouldn’t tell me what it was however given the cuteness of all their items, I’m sure it will be worth buying that extra pair of slippers or maybe something for the Frugal Dude.

If you need to do holiday shopping early, live in pjs (you know who you are), going to be in a dorm this fall, or just love the idea of a fashionable night time wardrobe, start at 8 AM till 5 PM on Friday Aug. 5 and Sat. Aug. 6 with the warehouse sale at 5200 Venice Blvd. at Cochran.

For those not in Los Angeles, take a peek at the sale page on their website, the further down you scroll the bigger the bargains. Pictured is a circa 60’s ruffle PJ set reduced from $142 to $64. How cute!

Disclaimer: I received a lovely nightshirt from the Bed Heads sale selection.

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.

A current exhibition is 19th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design February 8 – April 30, 2011. On view are actual costumes from over 20 movies from 2010. This exhibtion is free to the public and will be open Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  The Museum & Galleries will be closed April 22 through April 25 for Spring Recess.

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

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, slippers, and gift cards.

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. 

Now their loyalty program is tied into getting a GapCard and I only endorse the idea if you are going to pay it off every month.  They give you 20% off your first purchase and subsequent offers including free shipping off the website.  Please check with the website since offers are usually time limited.  You can also try the outlets for further reductions.

Now what did I find on sale at The Gap. Two lovely knit tops suitable for work that were half off and reduced to $24.99.  A great shirred T-shirt that concealed instead of revealing for $29. You can always wait for the next sale.  This was at the Marina Marketplace store, 13455 Maxella Ave in Marina del Rey, CA. Jessie helped me in the dressing room, giving expert advice on sizes and styles and Mark helped me at the counter telling me about all the deals – present and future. 

After years of not being in the shopping mode, I am rediscovering that looking good is part of feeling good.

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 with our hectic  lives to have attire without spending gasoline money.  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 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.