$29.99 Stuart Weitzman shoes

Ladies, it's time to get down to business. Are you wondering how I adopted the title the "Discount Diva." Well I've been known to snatch up a bargain or two in my day. I have one rule (and one rule only) when it comes to shopping. Never pay full price! And just to show you how diva I am when it comes to bargain shopping, here are a few of my fave bargain finds:

Do these shoes look familiar? You may recognize them from the profile pic for this blog. They are my first pair of Manolo Blahniks and I found them at Neiman Marcus Last Call for (drum roll please) . . . $57! The shoes were originally $645. I later returned to Last Call and found a second pair of Blahnik's (olive green, patent leather, pointy toe, kitten heels) for $177 (originally over $600) and a pair of Christian Louboutins (originally over $800) for $277. Top that!

Ok, so maybe I sound a little crazy, but these are my wedding shoes. No, I'm not married, but these are, nonetheless, my wedding shoes. When I found them, it was like heaven. Where in the world was I going to find simple, elegant, high end shoes for my future wedding? I wear a size 11 for crying out loud! But I found these Stuart Weitzman peep toe pumps with beaded embellishment for $29.99 at Nordstrom Last Chance in Miami (not to be confused with Neiman Marcus Last Call). I have never worn them. They just sit in shoe bags and I have them cleaned every year. I probably will change my mind about them when the "big day" comes, but hey, you have to buy them when you see them! On the same day I purchased these shoes, I bought a Juicy Couture, hooded, short sleeve, zip-up, sweatshirt dress in ash grey for my beach excursions for $15 and some gifts for some other folks. Then I rounded out my purchases by buying a black Swiss Army expandable suitcase (complete with wheels and handle) for a mere $20 to carry my goods home. Unfortunately, this fabulous store now only has one location in Phoenix, AZ.

My Betsey Johnson sequined blue sweater dress is one of my most special finds. I saw a clip on the news about the Buffalo Exchange stores, where you can sell your clothes or purchase lightly worn or new clothes and I thought I'd give it a shot. I got this dress for $22.50 and it hadn't even been worn yet. It originally retailed for over $300. I paid less than 10% of the retail value of the dress! It doesn't get any better than that. Plus, it hugs my curves just right. (I also bought a pair of Justin Vintage Western Boots for $50. While I was in the store, I Googled them to see how much comparable Justin boots were going for and I found out that they ran about $145. Another great buy!)

This Zac Posen for Target dress was so highly coveted that it sold it almost immediately in most stores. But because I preview all of the designer collections for Target online before they hit the stores, AND because I showed up at the store at 9am on the day Target launched the line, I was able to acquire this gorgeous little number. Now, typically, I cannot afford Zac Posen, but I adore his clothes. And while some divas are too high post to where designer pedestrian lines, I am am not in that club. I'm too fly to care. So I bought it for $74.99 and I get nothing, but compliments on it. Too chic!

For all of my SITC fans, you will remember Carrie's Christian Louboutin glitter pumps (pictured at left). In fact, they might have been the highlight of that most disappointing movie . . . but I digress. Yes, they were fab, but way out of my price range. So I grabbed a pair of the H for Halston glitter pumps sold at Bakers (another pedestrian line - I'm obviously a big fan) for $79. Check them out below. They definitely were a crowd pleaser.

In any event, these are just some of my more recent favorites. Clearly, I thoroughly have displayed my weakness for shoes. But don't fret-- my dynamic discounts are not limited to shoes and the occasional pedestrian line. So let's make a pact. I promise to update you all on bargain fashion finds as I discover them and keep you posted on the best places to find discount designer duds. All I need you to do is stay tuned! I'm just getting warmed up.

XOXO - Ms. Diva

Welcome Discount Divas!

Welcome to the Diary of a Discount Diva, home of the best tips to get the look for less. As a self-professed Discount Diva, I have many "tips of the trade" that I want to share with women everywhere who want to be divalicious on a dime. Let's face it, being fabulous costs money, and in this recession, there isn't a whole lot of that going around. But just because you have a limited budget doesn't mean you can't be just a s fabulous as the rich and famous. Yes, yes, I know what you are thinking. "Ms. Diva, how can I afford my champagne taste on a Kool-Aid budget?" In some respects you can't. If you only have a small amount of disposable income for clothes and home goods, don't expect to wear Louboutins exclusively. That doesn't mean you can't own any at all.

Take me for example. A year ago, you could not tell me that I could own some of the more high end items I have now. At the outset, I make a comfortable living, but I am by no means rich and I refuse to spend thousands of dollars on any clothing item. It's just absurd to me. A cotton shirt is a cotton shirt. Seriously. A name will not change cotton. You have to be realistic about some things. Plus, I have an unusual body type. I am six feet tall, wear a size 11 shoe and I am thick in the thighs, behind and hips. Designers did not have me in mind when they were creating clothes for the slim-line hangers they call models. So, while I love designer clothes, they weren't exactly made for me.

But as a marathon shopper. I have discovered that having little or no money,or being odd-sized is no excuse for lacking fabulosity. So I decided to start this blog to help all my struggling and rising divas around the globe. So please check in for my latest bargain shopping and fashion tips and get ready to unleash the diva in you!