Saks Fifth Avenue sale on jeans. We think.

Um, I'm hardly the type to buy my jeans from Saks Fifth Avenue. My last two denim purchases came from Old Navy's shove-it-in-there-good clearance section ($18), and the Levi's rack at Dillards ($29.99). Anything much pricier than that and I start to hyperventilate and turn all blotchy. Then, the seams on my cheap jeans rip and my quadriceps get all huge and I stomp on things. HULK NO LIKE WALLET MOLESTATION.

Ahem. That said, we know some of you Divas out there will pony up for quality, and we don't ignore your sale needs. You like a bargain much as anyone else, right?

Here ya go: Through June 29, select denim is on sale for 25 percent off at Saks Fifth Avenue, in stores and online. There's a Saks in Tampa's Westshore Plaza. For example, you can get these trendy, high-waisted 7 For All Mankind jeans for a mere... gulp... $123.75.

GASP. Riiiiip. Oh beans. It's happening.

~ Deal Diva Stephanie

Photo: Artistic rendering, "Stephanie Spends the Afternoon in Saks," Times files

Cache cocktail dress: To splurge or not to splurge?

A handful of years back, I fell in love with a strapless gold cocktail dress at Cache... I mean, LOVE. Like, leave-your-husband kind of love. I must have tried it on four times. But it was $175, and I was in my college phase of POOR and DESTITUTE, an era when I once wrote a CHECK for a WALMART gift card, then filled up at the WALMART gas station using the GIFT CARD, knowing the CHECK would FLOAT until PAY DAY.

Yeah, that sucked. Anyway, no money, no dress. I still lament it sometimes. I wish I had just, like, sold my brother or something to get it. It was so perfect.

These days, though definitely not wealthy and still proficient at "creative banking," I'm gainfully employed and tuition free. I'm also attending a glam wedding in Washington D.C. on July 4, and I've been thinking I might have to head back to Cache. Yes, it's a little Cougar Town. And yes, they recently had a one piece purple jumpsuit on display in the window at the Countryside store. I die.

But they have some fierce evening gowns, beaded and shiny and springy and slinky. Mostly, I think I just owe myself a belated expensive cocktail dress as a reward for putting myself through college and eating all that pasta.

I popped on the website for a preview, and was pleased to see a selection of dresses that won't play my wallet for a total fool. Here's a cute one for less than $70. This one's completely hot for $90.

Should I do it? Or should I stick to my Forever 21 instincts? Or should I go to an independent boutique? Or do you think the gold dress still exists somewhere? All these questions...

~ Deal Diva Stephanie

Photo: cache.com, beaded shoulder dress, $198.... uggggh.

Christian Louboutin knockoff alert

The other day, I saw a banner ad for louboutinbox.com. Given my animalistic attraction to Christian Louboutin (the shoes, not the man, though I'm sure he's sexy as well), I clicked like a mofo.

I almost needed a pacemaker. Christian Louboutin shoes for $150!!!! Now, loyal readers know I am not one who pays $150 for anything less important than a hospital bill. But seriously, for a pair of the most beautifully constructed shoes in the world which can cost thousands, I would cough up that bank in a hot second.

As I contemplated the credit card, my inner-journalist kicked me in the teeth and said, "IDIOT, you know better." I clicked around some more.

I saw this: Welcome to the louboutinbox Shop - a Nature Shop website offering a comprehensive range of Christian Louboutin shoes. Aside from our highly competitive pricing, we offer Free&Fast shipping worldwide included in all of our prices; a 100% products original packagement. Find out why Christian Louboutin the worlds fastest growing brand and shop with us today.

RED FLAG CITY. What in the name of good gouda is "products original packagemet"? Also, there was a totally shady picture of, like, insects with people's faces photoshopped over boxes of shoes. Nightmares.

I zoomed in on the shoes. As the former owner of several back alley Louis Vuittons, I just had a feeling. These weren't luxury items. These were like a watch spelled "Rolecks." Google confirmed all suspicions. Read here. Or here. Or here.

So beware of fakes, people. Do your research, take your $150 to Payless and leave with an armload of cheapies instead. Don't get swindled by a creepy site with bad grammar.

Your diva in the field,

Deal Diva Stephanie

photo: louboutinbox.com

Sing for spring with these six trends

Each time a new season rolls around, I get a major shopping itch.

Unfortunately, this spring's itch coincides with a downright cruddy economy. That won't keep me from shopping, but it will make me shop smarter. 

Here are six fun spring trends. Some of them seem worth spending a little extra on, while others are more suited for picking up at affordable retailers.

Worth the Splurge

1. The hobo bag: Roomy without being the size of a suitcase. Can be dressy or dressed down. Everyone needs a little hobo in their lives, no? Try on this Chinese Laundry bag for size.

2. Statement necklaces: I'm still loving this is a carry-over from '08. Big jewelry spices up solid tops in a way that gets noticed. And this Banana Republic coin bib necklace would be a versatile piece to add to your accessory arsenal.

3. Dresses: Say yes to the dress! Why suffer through hot days with pants or shorts sticking to your thighs? Consider a well-fitting dress as an investment. It's an instant outfit that makes getting ready for work easy.

Seek the Cheap

4. Florals: Springtime makes its way to your closet with sweet floral prints. You might work a mini floral like this Forever 21 top, or get your feet in on the action with these adorable flats from DSW.

5. Ruffles: Go girly with ruffles, but keep them away from spots where you don't need extra bulk. This J.Crew shift dress has a subtle ruffle neckline (and it's on sale!), and this shirt from The Limited is aptly named the ruffle explosion top. Sounds a little dangerous, but we'll go with it.

6. Cool in blue: Bold colors are in. As a blue-eyed girl, I already have a bias toward anything azure. I'm happy it abounds this season and, with declining retail sales, there should plenty of clearance items to choose from. Perhaps we can convince Dillard's to go ahead and send these hot Jessica Simpson heels in caribbean blue to the sale rack?

~ Deal Diva Colleen

Cutting-edge fashion at Talbots, Ann Taylor, Liz Claiborne???

Turns out, this recession has a silver lining. Or two, or three. The names: Talbots, Ann Taylor and Liz Claiborne.

This is where a real friend would get in my face and remind me I don't want to ever hit the Talbots and Liz demographics. (I'll confess that Ann Taylor has been a BFF for years, but I'm an old soul.)

That was then. Now is the news that these companies are rolling out high-profile new designers and hope to woe over the set for whom splurging on Chanel and Vera Wang is now decidedly out. (Vera for Kohl's is tre chic.)

Izaac Mizrahi is already making a splash with his spring collection for Liz Caliborne. (Psst, some items have been out long enough to hit the sale racks.)

That's just the start. Ann Taylor has hired a designer away from Club Monaco who is pulling together affordable "perfect pieces" that promise to polish and tie together an outfit, like black pants and cardigans.

And here's how the New York Times describes the designs coming this fall to Talbots, a store that seriously needs a shake-things-up mid-life crisis: "(They) offer a stark contrast, one that is more in line with the broader trends of fashion, like a chic black cotton knit dress with delicate draping for $129 and tweed lady jackets for $219 that captured the same manor-house vibe as Miuccia Prada’s fall collection."

Prada meets Talbots? I'll believe it when I see it, but I'm seriously intrigued.

~ Deal Diva Letitia

(Photo: Left, Ann Taylor is looking fresher for spring. Right, Isaac Mizrahi breathes new life into the Liz Claiborne line.)

Hot for Florida: OPI nail polish introduces South Beach Collection

OPI nail polish is feeling the Florida heat.

A fav for salon quality mani-pedi's, OPI nail polish has looked to South Beach for the inspiration for its Spring/Summer 2009 collection. Fellow Divas of the Sunshine State, this is a not-too-shabby compliment. For its fall line, OPI paid tribute to France. Last summer hailed the rich hues of India.

The South Beach colors are hot enough to chase away any recession blues. Pick them up for cheap at a local beauty supply store, then follow our tips for a DIY mani-pedi that looks as good as any professional treatment you could splurge on.

Half the fun of picking an OPI nail polish color is reading the names. Try Miami Beat, Overexposed in South Beach, or Bronzed to Perfection. (Psst... the OPI-obsessed should check out this interview with the source of those wacky, fun names -- did you know that the company started out in dentures?)

Don't be shy about telling folks where those sizzlin' hues on your tootsies came from. No one knows hot like Florida chicks.

~ Deal Diva Letitia

(Photo: OPI nail polish)

How to use makeup when you're poor

When you're broke as a joke, that 99-cent lipstick with the broken cap in the clearance basket at Walgreens looks pretty freaking good. But how does it look on your mug? Will it turn you into a jolly clown, like the photo at left? By the way, that's adorable Guest Deal Diva Helen Anne Travis, modeling the latest in mega-lipliner.

For tips on how to squeeze savings from your makeup bag, I interviewed Tampa's Lyz Brice, a professional makeup artist who spent eight years beautifying anchors at WFLA-Ch. 8. She's now a freelancer who works with models and guests on the Home Shopping Network. Read the whole story in Saturday's Personal Best, a cool new publication from the St. Petersburg Times!

~ Deal Diva Stephanie

Quality canvas
When it comes to foundation, don't pinch pennies. A department store makeup specialist can help match your perfect shade, and you can test it out before buying. Step outside and check it in the natural light to ensure you're not pulling a Marcel Marceau.

Try before you buy
Ask for samples — and we don't mean a streak of eyeliner on your hand. Makeup counters often have freebies at the ready, but you have to pipe up. Some salespeople will give you a squirt of makeup in a Dixie cup. Brice said she's even sought samples at drug stores with her own Tupperware in tow.

Name counts
Spending a dollar or two more on a name brand may pay off when you realize Bob's Brand Mascara turns you into Tammy Faye. "There are a lot of no-name brands out there, and I think you run the risk of not necessarily buying something that has the testing behind it and has the quality standards behind it," Brice said.

Time your buys
Most makeup counters offer free gifts by the boat, but you have to time it right. Need to spend a few bucks on your favorite moisturizer? Hold out for a good promotion and you'll come away with free swag. Not to mention the 8-millionth makeup bag for under your sink.

Skip sponges
Think about it. They're designed to absorb. And what good does all your really expensive department store foundation do inside a sponge? Instead, opt for a broad, blunt foundation brush for smooth application. Use sponges for blending edges.

Every last drop
Use a lip brush or Q-tip to scrape out the dark dredges of the lipstick tube. Clip the upper corner of the lip gloss like an icing bag to squeeze one more application. That blush you dropped and shattered? Dump the powder in a baggie and proceed. "I am the queen of using the compact until the very end," said Brice. "It's broken, but it's not ruined."

Back to basics
Don't forget a good moisturizer and sunscreen, Brice said. And guzzle water. Your skin will look so good, you won't need to spackle on the motherload. "You're saving yourself tons of money."

Photo: Keri Wiginton, Times photographer

Blush review: Don't look like a zombie!

I used to think blush was stupid. My cheeks flush when I get embarrased, excited, encounter a mild climate change, breathe, drink a Diet Coke, blink, etc... Who needs more pink?

Then one day, I realized I have no cheekbones or skin pigment. And in the sliver of life when I'm not flushed, this means I look like a zombie with a vodka hangover. These days, I'm a blush convert. Seriously, it's the quickest, easiest way to bring your face alive.

There are some gimmicky new blushers on the market now, and to save you the trouble and money, I test drove three. The results!

Clinique Quick Blush, $21.50

This hurt my brain. The blush is smashed into the cap of the stick for on-the-go ease. But when I took the brush out, there was no powder on the end. I tried to extend the brush and stick it back in (this is sounding dirty), but the bristles splayed all over the place. I brushed it on anyway, hoping there was some magical Amazing Jonathan shape-shifting cosmetic at hand. But nothing. I was late for work, so I threw it down in a huff.

Grade: FAIL! Who has time for on-the-go?

Estée Lauder Fleur De Lys Shimmer Powder, $32

This would make a great gift for a makeup fan. It looked so pretty, I hated to mash it up with my giant blush brush. This is billed as an "allover glow" powder. I'm telling you now, DON'T DO IT. The top color is quite bold and bright, and while it looked lovely and smooth on my cheeks, I would have looked like the second coming of Lucifer had I gone for an "allover glow."

Grade: PASS! Just don't get carried away.

NYC Mosaic Color Wheel in pink cheek glow, $4.99

I know what you're thinking. "She's crazy to think I'm gonna fork over $30 of Double Stuf Oreo grocery money on blush." I hear you. For a cheaper alternative, try drugstore staple NYC. The Mosaic Color Wheel also sits at the "allover powder" lunch table, but the company at least throws the word "cheek" in to steer you the right way. For a cheap powder, this color packs a punch and lasts most of the day.

Grade: PASS! Go buy cookies!

~ Deal Diva Stephanie

Suit up like Obama in Hart Schaffner Marx

My husband has a "problem" that most women would love to have. He's too tall and lanky to fit into the majority of off-the-rack suits sold at department stores and retailers.

A solution is on the horizon, thanks to Dillard's and President Obama's preferred suit maker, Chicago-based Hart Schaffner Marx. On March 11, from 2 to 9 p.m., the Dillard's store at International Plaza is hosting a "Made to Measure" event that will give men with atypical proportions (and normal-sized guys, too) the chance to get custom-made HSM garments that actually FIT them. Guys get to pick out the fabric, color and pattern (likely with help from their significant other) from more than 200 possibilities.

Pay 25 percent of the cost when you place the order, then get billed for the rest if you are pleased with the product that arrives three to four weeks later. I'm told the suits will run between $800 and $1,600, about the same as the nicer ensembles we saw on a recent trip to Dillard's and Nordstrom. Not cheap, but a quality investment.

~ Deal Diva Colleen

(Photo: AP. The Prez wore Hart Schaffner Marx on Inauguration Day, starting with a black suit and cashmere overcoat to take the oath of office, then changing into a custom-made tux for his looong night of dancing.)

Lipstick: A splurge for any budget

Vogue calls it the lipstick effect. When the economy hits the skids, lipstick can feel like a big-time splurge. And who wouldn't be willing to pucker up to update a look without a heavy hit to the wallet?

Let history be our guide. During the rationing of World War II, lipstick sales went up. "In today's credit crunch, a Chanel lipstick is a far more affordable luxury than a Chanel bag," Vogue observes in the February issue.

Ok, reality check. Most of us weren't buying Chanel bags in the glory days of, say, two years ago. Coach, maybe. At the outlet mall.

But the trend-setters at Vogue are onto something. Since the economy hit the skids, I've had a hard time justifying the expense of my favorite MAC dust. So I've started shopping for powder and blush at CVS and Walgreens.

I'll confess, not only am I really impressed with the quality of L'Oreal products, I've gotten downright giddy when they're on buy one, get one sale and I can "splurge" on an extra like new eyeshadow.

Is the lipstick effect legit? Do share and tell...

~ Deal Diva Letitia