Great Fashion for My "Average" Size Gals

As you know, I'm a reseller.  I sell on eBay, eCrater & Bonanza.  Today I wanted to share a few of the beautiful items I got on consignment from a new client.  These are listed on  eBay, eCrater & Bonanza but I have a lot more to list in the upcoming weeks as I want to have at least 90% of my client's items listed by Christmas.

        NWT Bigio Chocolate Dress 16                NWOT Dana Buchman Tweed Coat 14

            

NWOT Dana Buchman Tweed Jacket 14            NWT Margaret Godfrey Suede Skirt 12

  

 NWT SOCA by St. John Zebra Silk Blouse XL     NWT St. John Sport Corduroy Pants 14

      

NWT Lilly Pulitzer Adeline Skirt 14                       NWT Chico's Silk Italian Cliffside Jacket M/L

         

Let The Give Aways Begin - After Christmas

Let's kick off 2011 right - GIVE AWAYS, GIVE AWAYS, GIVE AWAYS!!!

Woo Hoo!  Now that we officially have more than ten (10) followers we can let the give aways commence. 

What do you have to do to win?  Just come follow my blog and interact here, on Facebook or Twitter for your chance to win one of the many great prizes to be given away.  There will be handbags, wallets, jewelry, clothing, gift cards, etc.

Want an extra chance to win?  Refer followers to my blog, Facebook & Twitter (have to follow all 3) for an extra chance to win something special.  Just tell your referrals to post to this post with your name (your name here or Facebook/Twitter names).  The most will get a special prize.  If you are also the big winner for the drawing - you'll get two (2) prizes or I'll upgrade your win prize (I'll let you chose the 2 or the upgrade).

So get out there, spread the word and let's get this party going!  Woo hooo.......

 

For the animal lover in you or your family - Great Stocking Stuffers

When we shop, we often do not even think of where our money goes or what the company may do or fund.   I think we should all think about it from time to time and spend our money where it matters.

I see a lot of items around the holidays large and small. But once  in awhile I'll come across something that I find unique and love to  share with my friends and now that I have the blog, can share with  everyone who comes to my blog.

No only are these so cute, unique and cool, but the money you spend here also goes straight to fund Food for Shelter Animals.  It's a WIN/WIN for everyone!

Shop where it matters: http://tinyurl.com/FashionJewelrySale-AR


The Animal Rescue Site - Orders Fund Food For Shelter Animals!

"Love Me, Love My Dog" Spinning Steel Ring

On Sale Was $14.95, now $4.95

The  dog lover's clever solution to fidgety fingers -- a unique ring within a  ring that is as durable as your enduring love for your pet. The subtle  purple paw pattern shows your support for animals in shelters and  sanctuaries with every spin.

"Love me, love my dog" appears  around the center band of sturdy stainless steel, with our signature  enamel purple paw print at the end. Inner band allows the engraved band  to spin freely.

Materials: stainless steel. Choose U.S. ring size  6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. For conversions to other countries' ring sizes, see  our Ring Sizes Page.

 

"Pets Leave Paw Prints" Heart Necklace

On Sale! Was $15.95, now $7.95!

Your  companion animals are part of your very heart and soul. Our  eye-catching pendant proclaims this happy affliction in signature style.

Custom-designed  asymmetrical heart reads "Paw prints on my heart" on one side, and TheAnimalRescueSite.com on the other. A small signature purple paw  charm is attached to the extender.

Silver-tone pendant measures 1.25" L (3.2 cm) and comes on an 18" (45 cm) faux suede necklace with a 3" extender (7.6 cm).

"All My Children Have Paws" Bracelet
On Sale! Was $14.95, now $8.95!

 

They also ship Internationally!

For bulk pricing on these and other items, please contact our Customer Service department at customerservice@greatergood.com.

The most counterfeited brands of the season—and how to avoid getting ripped off.

by Joanna Douglas, Shine Staff, on Thu Dec 9, 2010 10:50am PST

Luxury items from big-name brands are ultra-popular  holiday gifts, but with so many impostors out there, it's extra important to be sure you're buying the real thing. Shopping online places greater distance between you and your purchase (which allows serious room for scams), but these days it's even tricky to spot a counterfeit item in person. The online consumer site SiteJabber has put together a list of the top 10 counterfeit items and brands for the holiday season. If you're looking to buy any of the goods listed below, you'll want to be extra careful about where you buy the item and examine it closely or check the store's return policy before you commit.

Coach bags are some of the most frequently copied. Photo courtesy of Coach.

Behold! The top 10 most counterfeited items of 2010:

1. UGGs
2. Coach handbags and leather items
3. Tiffany's
4. Athletic jerseys
5. Perfume
6. Nike sneakers (especially Air Yeezy and Air Jordans)
7. Ed Hardy and Juicy brands
8. Watches (like Rolex, Omega, and Tag Heuer)
9. North Face
10. DVDs (especially box sets of TV series)

So, how do you know if your purchase is a fake? Many websites like UGG Australia and auction sites like eBay offer up guides and tips on how to spot counterfeits, but there are some essential ways to identify an inauthentic fashion or beauty item:

• Labels. Be sure to know exactly what the real logo, label, and/or hang tag looks like, and check to see if they are spelled correctly, in the proper fonts, and located in the right positions on the item. Also check out the point-of-origin tag. Louis Vuitton bags are not "made in Taiwan."
• Seams and stitching. Most designer bags are made carefully so all-over prints continue evenly around the sides. If you see something that doesn't match up properly or stitching that looks uneven or crooked, it's probably not legit.
• Lining. Knock-offs often skimp on the interior materials to cut costs, so the real bag may be lined with suede, whereas the fake one will use cheap synthetic fabric.
• Soles. If you're buying footwear be sure all identifying marks (ie, the designer's name and logo) match up on the bottom.
• Details. Make sure zippers are working, threads are the right, matching color. Many brands include authenticity cards and instruction booklets with their merchandise—you can check with the company directly to find out if your purchase should have these.
• Expiration dates. Discounted designer perfumes could be authentic, but so old that they've actually gone bad years ago.
• Packaging. Is the item you're buying supposed to come with a dust bag or logo shoe box? If it's not included with your purchase something is wrong. And remember: just because something is sealed in plastic does not mean it's real. People have been known to fill perfume bottles with household cleaners—or even urine—and shrink-wrap them.

The majority of UGG boots sold on eBay are fake. Be extra careful when purchasing online. Photo courtesy of UGG Australia.

To avoid complications, you should try and shop from the real, licensed store whenever possible, or a reputable website. Never buy luxury items on the street or from a random site online. Search engines cannot screen for sites carrying knock-offs and the pictures you see may vary from the actual item you receive. Do some research ahead of time to know exactly what your item should look like. If a vendor only accepts cash, this is also a red flag. Keep receipts and use a credit card so you have a record of your transaction.


If along your shopping journey you do feel tempted to buy a fake item, perhaps for a good deal, don't. Counterfeits are illegal, and they are typically made under poor and unfair work conditions. They lessen the value of the brands you're essentially trying to support and negatively impact the overall global economy—the counterfeit industry removes tens of thousands of jobs and costs an estimated $600 billion of legitimate revenue a year. Not to mention you'll be missing out on the thrill of owning the real thing and have no warranty.


So when out trying to buy the real thing this holiday season, stick to authorized retailers and examine everything before you buy it. If an item looks suspicious in any way, walk away. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!

With that said, let me add my $0.02 worth here... there ARE reputable sellers on eBay... like myself, hfinn, hermesgoddess, fashion*boulevard, betty*blackbent, piwykit and azalicia just to name a few off the top of my head.  If you aren't familiar with a designer and their clothing, shoes and accessories, you should take some time and go to the various stores that sell the brands/items you are interested and familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of that item(s).  The hardware, the zippers, the fabric's feel, movement, etc.  Check the size, the length, colors and how the logos are on the item, what the font looks like, etc.  The more you know, the better your chances of scoring the legitimate item when purchasing off eBay, eCrater, Bonanza, etc.  I do have a ME page on eBay that aids in giving pointers and information regarding specific brands. 

Boots: Three Annoying Problems and How to Solve Them

Find out how to make your favorite pair fit, find your size and protect your boots from the weather. 
 By Yolanda Wikiel

My Favorite Pair Just Doesn't Fit"
A good shoe-repair shop can make surprising alterations.

Stretch the shafts up to a half inch: $25 to $50. 
Widen the shafts by adding up to three inches of extra material: $50 to $200.
Insert an elastic gusset in each boot: $40 to $120.
Take in the shafts up to six inches: $80 to $140.
Widen the toe boxes up to a half inch: $15 to $25.
Shorten the shafts: $40 to $100.

"I Can Never Find My Size"
Do your feet fall on the small or large end of the spectrum? Bookmark these especially accommodating sites.
BarefootTess.com: sizes 9 to 15.
Endless.com: sizes 3 to 16.
JildorShoes.com: sizes 4 to 11.
Nordstrom.com: sizes 4 to 14.
StuartWeitzman.com: sizes 4 to 12.

"I'm Worried That Rain and Snow Will Ruin My Boots"
First pretreat leather and suede styles: Spray them with a silicone-free water repellent, such as Vectra-16 Spray ($13, footwearetc.com). Reapply at least twice a season. Have a cobbler attach rubber sole protectors (about $20) to the bottoms so that water won't seep in.

When boots get wet: Stuff them with newspaper to preserve the shape and speed the air-drying process. Next, condition leather with colorless Kiwi Leather Lotion ($7, shoetreemarketplace.com). Or remove water marks on suede or nubuck with a suede eraser, and restore the nap with a brush. (Kiwi Suede & Nubuck Kit, $9, shoetreemarketplace.com.)

If boots get stained with salt: Combine 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water. Using a paper towel, dab the solution onto the spots until they disappear. (Suede boots should be cleaned by a professional.)

Eight (8) AWESOME Black Friday Deals!!!

By Melinda Fulmer

MSN Money

Forget those hours of waiting in the predawn cold for stores to open for after-Thanksgiving sales. This year, you can go holiday shopping right after you polish off the pumpkin pie.

"I think this year will be slightly better than last year," says Brad Wilson, the founder of BradsDeals.com and BlackFriday2010. "There are many legitimately all-time-low prices in this year's ads."

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Robots Bumblebee Helmet

Original price: $39.99

Black Friday price: $9.99

Discount: 75%

Store: Toys R Us

Tom Tom XL335T GPS with lifetime traffic updates

Original price: $189.99

Black Friday price: $79

Discount: 58%

Store: Target

Kenmore 4-cubic-foot washer/7.3-cubic-foot dryer pair

Original price: $1,398

Black Friday price: $599.98

Discount: 57%

Store: Sears

Westinghouse 40-inch 60 HZ 1080p LCD HDTV

Original price: $549.99

Black Friday price: $298

Discount: 45%

Store: Target

Canon PowerShot SD 1300 IS 12.1 MP Camera

Original price: $179.99

Black Friday price: $99.99

Discount: 44%

Store: Toys R Us

Silver Bulova Date Function Watch for Him or Her

Original price: $225

Black Friday price: $99

Discount: 56%

Store: Macy's

Toshiba BDX1100 Blu-ray disc player

Original price: $99.99

Black Friday price: $59.99

Discount: 40%

Store: Best Buy

Barnes & Noble BNRV100 Nook e-reader

Original Price: 149.99

Black Friday price: $99.99

Discount: 33%

Store: Best Buy

Looking for Black Friday Digital Gear Deals?

11/2010 By Kim Kommando (komando.com)


Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is one of the BIGGEST shopping days of the year.  Retailers will offer smoking deals to lure in the pre-Christmas shoppers.  Due to the sluggish economy, Black Friday is no longer a one-day event.  This year, Black Friday deals can be had the entire month of November.


You can save hundreds of $$$ on the hottest digital gear from laptops to tvs to e-books (readers); and the deals are not limited to just the B&M (brick-and-mortar) stores.  Online retailers are also running specials.  Here's a look at what you can expect this holiday season.


TELEVISIONS
HDTVs will drop to as low as the $200 range because manufacturers have an abundance of HDTVs this year.  You will find deals in all sizes. 


If you're in the market for a secondary tv set, you can get a good deal at Best Buy or Wal-Mart.  Best Buy will offer the 24" Dynex (1080p) for $190 and Wal-Mart will have the 32" Emerson (720p) for $200.  You won't have all the bells & whistles with these sets but they're great secondary tvs for spare rooms, kids and even in the kitchen.


For the better quality tv sets and the newer HDTV (LED-backlit) sets, you're going to find deals there as well.  Amazon will offer the 55" Toshiba LED-backlit (the new HDTV) for $1,200 (that's 50% off the retail price).  32" Samsungs will be around $300 and 46" Sonys will cost you about $800.

When looking at televisions, opt for a 1080p model. This is the highest resolution available. You also want a high contrast ratio and plenty of HDMI inputs. An LED backlight offers a better picture, if you can swing it. You may be considering a 3-D HDTV. With little content available, you might decide to wait.

LAPTOPS

As always, expect deals on laptops. Best Buy will reportedly sell a Compaq laptop for $350. This will suit general users and kids just fine. But those needing a powerful machine will want to spend more.

When looking at computers, select one running 64-bit Windows 7. Get as much RAM as possible. Go for an Intel i3 or i5 processor. Or get an AMD Athlon II for desktops or Turion II for laptops. Also, make sure you're not buying an underpowered netbook. Netbooks generally run Intel's Atom processor.

PERSONAL ELECTRONICS

There will be plenty of personal electronics on sale. Expect to see e-readers well under $100. They don’t have all the bells and whistles of the more popular models. But look for sales on the Kindle and nook. Also expect some e-readers to come bundled with books.

Digital cameras are always big draws on Black Friday; you'll see models under $100. Look beyond megapixel count. Look for low-light abilities, HD video and plenty of modes in a point-and-shoot. More advanced users will want an SLR with video capabilities and a good zoom lens.

You'll also see deals on gaming consoles. Look for the Nintendo Wii to drop to $100. And you'll see Blu-ray Disc players around $50. Of course, you'll find plenty of discounted games and movies.

MAKING THE MOST OF THE DEAL

If you want to strike it big with Black Friday deals, do your research. Start with sites that post advertising circulars from major retailers like Target and Wal-Mart. (BFads.net, BlackFriday.info, and TheBlackFriday.com). Keep in mind that these ads are leaked by company insiders. They can change.

Check these sites regularly for new deals. You can also learn about Black Friday deals on Facebook and Twitter. Follow your favorite stores and Black Friday ad sites. Check prices on price comparison sites for better deals. (Pricegrabber, Shopping.com, and Nextag).

Have a clear idea of what you want and what you want to spend before you hit the stores. Remember that some things won't be on sale. For example, don't expect big discounts on Apple products. You may only see 5 to 10 percent off some Apple products.

Finally, a piece of personal advice. If you're happy with a product's price, buy it. Don't hold out for a better deal. If you're on the fence, though, wait. Prices generally go down as the big day approaches. An extra $20 off may be all the convincing you need.

It's Sweater Season....

I put together a look that I feel speaks of cold weather, with a classic simple visual and one that speaks I'm from the City and I can go from work to play in a blink.  Come review my look and post and vote.  Thanks, Tilcia

Bluefly Sweater Weather Contest Sponsored by Bluefly

Jennifer Lopez's Twins Make Modeling Debut!

By Us Magazine | Thursday, October 21, 2010, 11:10 AM

Jennifer Lopez with her twins, Max and Emme

Us Magazine/Gucci

Oh, babies!

Jennifer Lopez's 2 1/2-year-old twins, Max and Emme, make their modeling debut as the faces of Gucci's new children's line — and UsMagazine.com has your first peek.

They appear in the ads along with mom.

"It's the first time I have worked with my kids in that way," Lopez, 40, tells the new Us Weekly (on newsstands now). "It was a totally special experience."

In honor of the collection (with pieces ranging from $80 to $1,600, in stores in November), Gucci donated $1 million to UNICEF's Schools for Africa initiative and $50,000 to Lopez's charity the Maribel Initiative, which promotes greater access to health care for women and children worldwide.

"It's exactly why I'm excited to be a part of this," says Lopez, who admits she and husband Marc Anthony were hesitant to have their kids participate until they learned of the charity connection. "Now there are two Gucci spokesbabies for a beautiful cause!"

Lopez tells Us the twins "had fun" posing.

"I did a photo shoot when they were 3 weeks old, but now that they are 2 1/2, it's totally different!" Emme is already showing signs of a fashionista.

Says mom, "Emme picks out her own outfits and likes to sleep in her princess dress." As for her son, Lopez admits, "It’s hard to get Max dressed. He prefers to run around the house with no clothes on."

Unhear it and Start Anew

Ever get a song stuck in your head?  Sometimes it's a good tune and you're just happily going about your day singing softly to yourself, humming or whistling the ditty while you're out and about.  But then there are those dreaded times when you get a God-awful song stuck in your head and nothing... I mean absolutely nothing you do can erase the torturous lyrics from your brain!

Well now you can unhear it  ... yes you read that right - you can UNHEAR those torturous lyrics.

There's a website called UNHEAR IT (yes click the name whereever you see it in this blog and it will take you directly to their webiste) that will give you an equally catchy fun tune to replace the one you hate in your head.

Their motto:  "Using the latest in reverse-auditory-melodic-unstickification technology, we've been able to allow our users to “unhear” songs by hearing equally catchy songs. So really all we're doing is making you forget your old song by replacing it with another one... sorry."

I think this is a neat fun website... I have unheard some song stuck in my head from lunch - can't recall it now because now I have Under Presser stuck in my brain.  LOL

So check out http://unhearit.com/# and let me know your thoughts.

My Plus Size Gals - get $50 off $50 or more purchase

Whether you wear a 12W or 44W - you can find something at Woman Within.  I can't vouch for the quality but what have you to lose?  It's $50 off $50 (or more) purchase so in rehetoric you're only paying for shipping... it's a great deal.

Use CODE 48580 at checkout - it's that simple.

If you purchase something - please come back and share your experience with us.  It will be greatly appreciated.

What Can You Get for $15? Something Awesome

What can you get for $15? Oh, just something awesome.

If you love deals and surprises, then you have to fly on over to CMP favorite Darlybird and snatch up one of their very limited and very discounted Bags O' Goodies.

Yes, a Bag O' Goodies.

Here's how it works: Pay $15 for your Bag O' Goodies, and the web shop's own curator, Rachel, uses her exquisite taste to hand-pick at least $45 worth of accessories, stationery, vintage tags, and other adorable extras just for you. That's a 66% discount, mamas.

[don't miss a special CMP discount after the jump!]

Some of the goods are limited editions, some have never been listed, and some are one-of-a-kind. Rest assured that, as with the rest of the store, if you love whimsy, you're in very good hands; our readers who gave it a shot last year wrote to us thrilled with what they got.

How much do I love the concept? I just ordered one myself, and one of these gorgeous vintage bracelets, too. I don't normally do what birds tell me to, but this little bird is onto something good.~Delilah
Order your Bag O' Goodies now (HURRY!) and check out the other whimsical finds from Darlybird. In fact, save 20% off all purchases except the grab bags (which are already cheap cheap) with code DARLYCMP.

Gap's New Logo Confuses But Also Outrages Many

New Gap logo mystifies customers

The many negative reactions include 'awkward' and 'very boring.' Now the company is soliciting other ideas.

Posted by TheStreet Staff on Friday, October 8, 2010 10:00 AM

 

By Kali Geldis, MainStreet

A new logo for the Gap (GPS) showed up on the iconic clothing retailer's website Wednesday, prompting a flurry of negative reactions from Facebook and Twitter users.

Though the company issued no comment Wednesday to explain the change, some site visitors were quick to label the new logo as "very boring, no imagination" and "awkward." One commentator said, "I made something better on WordArt today."

Another message read: "Dear Gap, I have but one query: Did you actually PAY someone to come up with this?" As customers soon discovered, it seems Gap doesn't want to pay for the redesign.

By Thursday morning, Gap's Facebook page was updated with this message: "We've had the same logo for 20+ years, and this is just one of the things we're changing. We know this logo created a lot of buzz and we're thrilled to see passionate debates unfolding! So much so we're asking you to share your designs. We love our version, but we'd like to see other ideas. Stay tuned for details in the next few days on this crowd sourcing project."

The comment outraged many professional designers.

"If you seriously intend to pursue a logo change, several firms specializing in this area should have been consulted," said Facebook commenter Jacqueline Turcotte Keefe, a designer from Wisconsin. "Don't insult your company and the design industry by throwing 'whatever' up against a wall and seeing what sticks. This is amature (sic) and so is the new logo."

Gap received the Brand of the Year and Retailer of the Year awards from the American Apparel & Footwear Association in May, prompting questions about why the company wanted to change its look in the first place. The old logo (pictured) remains on the company's Facebook and Twitter pages.

The First Supermodel Walks Runway Again (At 71)

How cool is that?  Finally some diversity on the runway.  I personally would love to see more variety on the runway both in ethnicities and especially regarding AGE!  Just because a woman is 35, 40, 45 or 50 doesn't mean she's not model or runway material - doesn't mean she's old and washed up - doesn't mean she's not beautiful and elegant.  Age is a number and personally as someone over 40 - I think I have a bit of a life and experience under my belt that makes me a much better person today than I was in my 20s.  Plus when I look through the magazines for wardrobe ideas, I really don't want to be trying to picture something on my curvy frame that is on a stick thin 17 year old.  Seriously - the idea of classic tailoring for work and fun for me is completely different from some 15, 16 or 18 year old.

Any woo, back to my original story about Veruschka and her debut on the runway at London's Fashion Week.

First Supermodel Walks Runway

71 year-old Veruschka proves beauty is ageless.

Posted by Kristin Larson Thursday, October 07, 2010 6:09:55 AM

 
The time when teenage, waif-thin models ruled the fashion scene may be over.

That was the sign when 71 year-old supermodel Veruschka walked the runway at Giles Deacon's fantastic Spring/Summer 2011 fashion show during London Fashion Week (Bing: See photos of Veruschka's best modeling years)

Wearing a feather boa headdress and long, bow-print gown, the 1960s icon, considered the world's first supermodel, staged the finale—proving everyone can look fabulous at every age.

Deacon's brightly-colored show featured other star models too—and they weren't rail-thin like typical fashion shows.

The cast included bikini-clad Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio, Karolina Kurkova, sporting a short disco dress, and Kelly Brook, flaunting her voluptuous figure in a low-cut printed dress. Coco Rocha, who has taken a strong stance against too-skinny models, also made an appearance, wearing a stunning long brown floor-length dress.

Photo of Veruschka at Giles Deacon Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Show courtesy of Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images.

Veruschka von Lehndorff Is London’s Top Model

• 9/24/10 at 6:00 PM
• Comment 1Comment Comments

 

Photo: Imaxtree

London's runways are typically a launch pad for newbies. In seasons past, Kirsi Pyrhonen, Julia Nobis, and Tati Cotliar all made their catwalk breakthrough via the Big Smoke's innovative shows. This season proved to be another story.

New Jersey's Kirby Kenny had a strong showing, opening for Erdem and House of Holland and closing for Sass & Bide. Runway fixture Lisanne de Jong hit it big this week when she opened for Burberry, while Burberry Beauty face Nina Porter closed out the show in the most memorable way possible. Good ol' Aggy opened for Giles, but it was the show's closer, the legendary 71-year-old Veruschka von Lehndorff, who takes the crown. Giles Deacon has a habit of dragging out some of fashion's most iconic faces for his shows, but booking Veruschka was easily his most impressive casting coup to date.

Spaghetti Tacos Sweeping the Nation

It's what's for dinner if your kids have they say about it.

It is sweeping across kitchens every where due to it's reoccurance on the popular kid's show Nickelodeon

Spaghetti Tacos Sweeping the Nation

Rent A Polished Look for Your Next Event!

You thumb through the monthly fashion magazines, you watched with envy and love the items drolled out at the New York and Paris fashion shows and now you wistfully dream of wearing some of those fabulous creations.  Oh how you wish you could wear them to this event or that event... but the hard reality is with your modest salary - everything high-end is just beyond your reach unless you skip next month's rent/mortgage, shave the utilities and cut out the eating part of your life for a month or two...which won't happen because priorities, priorities, priorities.  Not to mention you're level headed, you're smart and best of all you're one savvy shopper!

BUT NOW!!!  These frocks are within your reach - they're just a mouse click away as the neatest concept ever has come to your computer screen! You can now rent a designer item without having to scrimp and save and best of all - you don't have to fret over facing the sales lady when you return it, knowing you only wore for one night!

How?  Well you can RENT it instead of buying it and you can rent the perfect handbag to go with it as well!  Below I tell you how, give you the break down and let you decide for yourself if it's something worthwhile.  I will try both in the near future so I can give you my honest take on my experience with both venues.

[Note that any time you see words in RED - you can click on that word or section to be taken immediately to the website being discussed]

HANDBAGS & ACCESSORIES:

If you watched the movie Sex and The City, you without a doubt heard Carrie's assistant state that she rented her bag from Bag, Borrow or Steal.

Well it wasn't just a movie statement.  It is an actual company has been around for a few years.  I heard about them some years ago, looked around but didn't put much notion into it.  Now years later, they're still around with a very successful business!  It speaks volumes to be featured and talked about in a movie!  So I once again am browsing around the site.

They have handbags by Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, D&G, Chloe, Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Valentino and YSL.  Jewelry by Chanel, Trina Turk, Fendi, Gucci and Tiffany & Co.  Sunglasses by Chanel, Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Prada and Tom Ford.  Watchers by Chanel, Gucci, Juicy Couture, Toywatch and Michael Kors.  These are just a few of the names in a long list of designers that Bag, Borrow or Steal has available.

At Bag, Borrow or Steal, you can rent a designer handbag, sell your designer handbag, have it repaired & cleaned or even buy a slightly used designer handbag.  Their site has designer handbags (of course), jewelry, sunglasses, watchers, and features Hot Picks, Designers and gives you New Arrivals, as well.  They even have daily private sales at prices up to 70% off!

DRESSES & ACCESSORIES:

But the renting doesn't stop there.  Now you can rent that favorite dress from the runway or your favorite fashion magazine!  That's right now you can rent that gorgeous designer dress at Rent The Runway.  There are over 95 designers to choose from for every "black tie gala, wedding, date, holiday or night on the town at 90% off retail prices."  Plus, they rent jewelry that will compliment your dress.

You can even choose by body type!  How is that for a smart cool feature?!

It seems relatively simple - enter your event, size and shipping address.  Each dress will have a calendar that shows availability (in white) and unavailable dates (in gray).

Not sure what size you need.  Don't fret, you get a back up size for FREE!  So problem solved!  Not sure if you need a 6 or an 8.  Well you can specify a different size will be your back up.  Best of all - your back up size is FREE!

Can't pick between two (2) different styles?  Well no problem there either!  You can order a second style for an additional $25!!  

But wait, can it be - yep, return shipping is absolutely FREE!  Yes, FREE!  You just have to return it the day after your event is over in their prepaid packaging!  They even take care of the dry cleaning!!!

What if you damage the dress you ask?  Well don't fret, the $5 insurance charge covers any potential damage to the dress!  Seriously, probably the best $5 you will ever spend!

They have a full money back satisfaction guarantee policy as they built their business for smart savvy shoppers like you and ME so we can try new brands and new trends...and feel like the beautiful princesses that we are!

So the next special night out or event you have coming up - don't fret about having to run to various stores for something special to wear.  Rent The Runway has designer names such as Alice + Olivia, Badgley Mischka, Blugirl, Catherine Malandrino, Diane von Furstenberg (my favorite!), Gryphon, Herve Leger, Just Cavalli (my favorite!), Missoni (another favorite), Moschino Cheap and Chic, Nicole Miller, Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti, Proenza Schouler, Robert Rodriguez (both Black Label and Collection), See by Chloe, Tibi, Theory, Tracy Reese and Yigal Azrouel to name a few.

So remember, the next time you have a special event coming up and need to look smashing, your designer look is simply a mouse click away - and all you have to worry about is what shoes you will wear!

One website takes a screwdriver to Apple's latest gadget and finds a chunk of storage.

Posted by Kim Peterson on Thursday, September 30, 2010 4:35 PM

One of the most notable features in Apple's (AAPL) new Apple TV device is the storage -- or, more specifically, the lack of storage. That's one reason the device, which brings online video to your television, is so tiny and affordable.

The previous Apple TV had a 160GB hard drive, but Apple now wants people to rent movies and TV shows instead of buying them, thus eliminating the need for storage.

Or so we thought. The tech website iFixit got hold of the new gadget and took it apart -- only to find 8 gigabytes of storage space included.

Why would the we-don't-need-no-stinkin'-storage Apple TV have an 8GB Flash chip? The iFixit guys think it's to cache TV shows while they're being streamed. A perfectly reasonable explanation, but you don't need 8GB for that.

What else is the mystery storage for? The Wall Street Journal speculates that when you combine that storage with the Apple TV's operating system, you open the door for future applications.

Perhaps Apple is planning an App Store for Apple TV? The company has given no hint of this, of course. Even if that doesn't happen, all of the ingredients are there for hackers to jump in with their own programs.

One thing is clear: Putting that much storage on the device shows that Apple has some bigger plans for Apple TV.

Gymboree stock surges on possible sale

An analyst says strong cash flow, a healthy balance sheet and good brand recognition could make the children's apparel company an attractive acquisition.

Posted by TheStreet Staff on Friday, October 1, 2010 12:34 PM

By Jeanine Poggi, TheStreet

Gymboree's (GYMB) stock is surging on rumors that the children's apparel retailer may put itself up for sale.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday night that the retailer is exploring a possible sale to private investors.

"Given strong cash flow generation, a healthy balance sheet, core brand recognition and growth potential, Gymboree represents a palatable potential private transaction," Susquehanna analyst Thomas Filandro wrote in a note.

Filandro upped his price target on the stock to $60 from $48.

Shares of Gymboree were soaring 16.1% to $48.24 in midday trading and driving up shares of rival Children's Place (PLCE), which was gaining 5.3% to $51.35.

When magazine headlines shout "steal this look!"

Some take it literally!!!!  I would love to say that I have never taken any thing but I doubt there is any one of us out there that can say that at all.  For instance, we have all at some point taken something as a child from somewhere or someone.  OR we have taken a pen (or other office supply) from work, the bank or restaurant...whether consciously or subconsciously.  Perhaps it was something so minor that we never even thought of it as stealing.

Stealing beauty: Cosmetics top list of swiped goods

Oil of Olay skin creams a favorite of sticky fingers

By Melissa Dahl
msnbc.com
updated 9/30/2010 8:27:02 AM ET

National surveys show that beauty products top the list of the most shoplifted items in the country.

When magazine headlines shout "steal this look!" — some women are taking that literally.

Turns out, cosmetics top the nation's list of shoplifted items.

"Health and beauty care items" accounted for 20 percent of all items stolen from supermarkets in 2008, according to the most recent survey from the Food Marketing Institute.

Are vain people more likely to be criminals? Or do criminals just want to look hot in their mug shots?

More likely, it's that slipping beauty products into a purse is more doable — and worthwhile —than, say, ripping off a 12-pack of toilet paper.

Just last month, Caroline Giuliani — the 21-year-old daughter of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani — was caught swiping $100 worth of beauty products from a Manhattan Sephora . The Harvard senior must complete one day of community service to pay for her beauty-stealing binge. And although we don't know what Giuliani stole from the high-end beauty shop, experts say shoplifters are just as discerning as consumers when it comes to what they take.

"Consumers gravitate toward certain items, and so do the criminals," says Joseph LaRocca, a senior advisor for the National Retail Federation. Among the top shoplifted items are pricey hair care brands like Pureology and Bumble and Bumble, according to the group.

Also among the most stolen items: Oil of Olay's Regenerist line of anti-aging products, LaRocca says. "We hear that over and over again; it's one of the top targeted items," LaRocca says.

That's surely in part because of the attention the Regenerist line received after an American Consumer Union review of the drugstore line found that it outperformed much more expensive brands such as La Prairie Cellular, which sells a 1.7-oz. anti-aging cream for nearly $580.

Highly shoplifted items like the Oil of Olay skin care line are increasingly being stashed under locked display cases — an annoyance for the customer who must track down an employee to unlock the $24 wrinkle serum.

"Unfortunately, many of these theft deterrent tools are inconsistent with good customer service and a good shopping experience," says Lisa LaBruno, the vice president of loss prevention and legal affairs for the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

The padlocks may be making a dent, however. Bucking the economic downturn, overall shoplifting rates dipped in 2009; still, retailers still lost $11.7 billion from shoplifting last year.

Rhett Asher, the vice president of industry relations for the Food Marketing Institute, says the group is working on a report looking into why amateur shoplifters swipe what they do. In terms of beauty products — why pocket a $15 lip gloss and risk serious legal consequences?

"You have to look at it as a specifically self-destructive kind of behavior, a statement of rebellion — it's more about that kind of statement than it is about mascara," says Dr. Gail Saltz, a New York City psychiatrist and regular TODAY contributor. "I think that if you’re stealing stuff, than probably you aren’t happy and you may feel it’s about the way you look."

But for teen girls, pocketing nail polish from a drugstore can almost be a rite of passage — even actress Megan Fox went through a sticky-fingers phase as a teenager, and was reportedly banned from a Florida Wal-Mart after stealing a $7 tube of lip gloss. (Keep in mind that's according to tabloid reports, and Fox's reps have refused to comment on the claim.)

"For young girls, it often is these makeup items they're taking, because ... it's not about beauty — it's about doing something wrong," Saltz says.

Another theory: Maybe some petty thefts steal the stuff they're too embarrassed to bring to the register. Among the top shoplifted items according to the NRF are Alli weight loss drugs, pregnancy tests, Nicorette products — and Rogaine.