Junior Deal Divo meets Tim Gunn in person! We are so proud.

We just have to brag on this a little...

Junior Deal Divo Tucker DeGregory, who helped readers decide what to wear to see Tim Gunn's speech at the University of South Florida this Wednesday, had the pleasure of meeting the style guru in person.

In fact, Tim's peeps were so impressed with 11-year-old Tucker's article, they arranged for him to sit down with the Project Runway rock star before the event. Tucker, an aspiring fashion designer and 6th grader at Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School in St. Petersburg, got to show off his very own design sketches, which the incredibly gracious and enthusiastic Tim Gunn autographed. He also gave Tucker useful feedback, tips and resources for making his career happen.

So, what we're saying is this: When you are rich and famous and we're all paying big bucks for your designs, remember us little folks back at the blog, Tucker!

Deal Diva Stephanie

(Photo from Tucker's proud mom Lane.)

DEAL DIVAS HOLIDAY BARGAINPALOOZA!

WARNING: BIG FUN AHEAD!

Colleen and I spent Wednesday working from the malls (it's a hard job, but someone has to do it), finding you the best deals you can ALREADY get for holiday shopping. I know, I know, it's only the first week in November, but that's exactly the point. You can't walk into a store without seeing a heavy array of pine and glass bulb ornaments and snowflake window stickies. Just submit to the seasonal retail gods and take advantage of the sales that come with the madness.

An entire opus will run in the St. Petersburg Times tomorrow. We hope readers will take some notes over their coffee before hitting the stores. But for you, loyal Diva fans, we present a sneak peak. And if you've seen any good sales we missed, add them to the comments section!

HOLIDAY SALES BONANZA!

Deal Diva Stephanie

She said, she said: Why I sold my wedding dress

Dalia's turn: It's no secret that I've been trying to unload my wedding dress since I tied the knot nearly two years ago. After unsuccessful attempts to sell the gown in a consignment shop and on Craigslist, yesterday someone finally said yes to the dress! A friend of a friend named LaShonda, who is getting married in May, came to my house, tried on the gown, loved it and wrote me a check for my asking price, $250.

Over lunch this week, when I shared news of the transaction with the other Deal Divas, Nicole nearly choked on her salad. "WHY?!" she gasped.

So for Nicole and all the other haters out there, here are seven reasons why I said "I do" to selling my gown.

Tim Gunn dishes at USF about fashion, Project Runway and celebs who fake as designers

Tim Gunn is a busy man. He juggles jobs as the chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne and chief coach/cheerleader for the contestants on the deliciously addictive Project Runway. He also attracted a standing-room-only, giddy crowd of 1,000-plus people Wednesday night at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Anyone who watches Project Runway knows Gunn is a gentleman on TV. Well, having been among that happy audience last night, I can now attest: He may be even more gracious in person. After lecturing on fashion history and dishing about Project Runway past and present, he answered probably two dozen questions from students AND stuck around until nearly midnight signing copies of his book. Impressive!

Turns out, he's also a charming gossip who doles out juicy tidbits while peering over glasses that continually slide down his nose. For all you Runway junkies, some quick insider stuff: Gunn says Season 7 starts airing on Jan. 14 and "it's fantastic." Models of the Runway has grown on him. And he's interested to see what fans think about the outcome of tonight's show, when viewers will find out which designers get to show collections at Bryant Park. His reaction to the judges' picks: "Really? Are you sure?"

To tide you over until showtime, here are some more insights into the fabulous and funny mind of Tim Gunn:

Lady Gaga is the new face of MAC Cosmetics!

Yay! Yayayayayay!

Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper have been named the new faces of MAC Cosmetics, Women's Wear Daily reports. The “From Our Lips” campaign debuts Feb. 25, and MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipstick and Viva Glam Cyndi Lipstick, $14 each, will launch in North America on March 18. All the proceeds will benefit the MAC AIDS Fund, which is a great cause that has raised millions for AIDS organizations around the world.

MAC Cosmetics is my favorite makeup brand, and although a lot of people hate her, I'm a little obsessed with Lady Gaga these days. I have tickets for her Orlando concert in January, and I even dressed as her for Halloween, along with 8 million other people. See?

 

(Sure, it's a little trashy, but I didn't do squats for eight months to wear a snow suit on Halloween.) That's my main squeeze Jim under the Kermit mask. Ten points to anyone who can point out the cultural couple costume reference here.

Anyway, I'm totally getting the Gaga lipstick when it comes out (and, uh, Cyndi Lauper is cool, too.) Will you pick it up? Do you hate Gaga's style? Are you that sexy nurse in the background?

Deal Diva Stephanie

(Photo by the incomparable Dirk Shadd, Times photographer and Halloween host extraordinare.)

Ann Taylor Loft, Lane Bryant offer enticing deals

I took a quick spin around WestShore Plaza today and saw loads of sales. (And lots of Christmas decorations, too. Weird!)

Ann Taylor Loft and Lane Bryant are offering similar deals right now. At both stores, for every $50 you spend on regularly priced items, you get a $25 savings card to use on a future purchase. So, in essence, you get $75 worth of stuff for $50, or one-third off. Not the biggest savings ever, but worth taking a look at if you don't feel like waiting for your favorites to hit the sale rack.

The deal is good at Ann Taylor Loft through Nov. 29, according to the small print on the in-store signs. Though it doesn't include sale items, it does work for promotional items. My loot included two camis regularly priced at $26, but now on promotional for $12 each.

Ann Taylor Loft also has a special offer on pants for an annoying vague "limited time." Buy one pair of pants, get the second pair 50 percent off.

Deal Diva Colleen

(Photo: Look va-va-voom in this strapless taffeta party dress from Lane Bryant.)

Junior League Holiday Gift Market this weekend!

'Tis the season to get shopping for the holidays.

I'm a big believer in doing my holiday shopping early. Nothing kills the seasonal buzz like standing in a long line at the post office to overpay for shipping.

The ladies at the Junior League of Tampa are in my corner. Their annual Holiday Gift Market is taking place this weekend at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

I've never been to the event, but friends have raved about the unique and lovely gifts they found. Small merchants come from all over the state and country.

I'm not sure if the prices are deals, but it sounds like something work checking out, especially if you prefer to give your nearest and dearest presents that they haven't already priced out at the mall.

Deal Diva Letitia

Make plans now to attend Friday's International Hispanic Designer Fashion Show

It's Wednesday, a.k.a. time to start planning your weekend. If you're looking for a fashion fix but are tired of the mall, check out the International Hispanic Designer Fashion Show.

The event is Friday at the India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road in Tampa. There will be a networking social at 6:30 p.m., followed by the fashion show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30, with proceeds benefiting Moffitt Cancer Center. Get tix here.

More than a dozen local designers will compete in a runway show contest judged by industry experts Carlota Alfaro, Jorge Diep, and Marisu Miranda. We're told the clothing will be judged on "creativity, craftsmanship and wearable sellability," so this is  one fashion show that may feature clothes you'd actually wear. What a concept!

Deal Diva Dalia

Photos courtesy of Convergencia International. Check out these threads by designer and judge Diep.)

Rihanna wears an amazing dress on Glamour cover. We drool.

Our friends over at The Juice just posted this blog about Rihanna spilling her story of abuse at the hands of Chris Brown to Glamour for their cover story in December. I don't have anything else to add about the actual news, except...

I LOVE THIS DRESS. I covet it. Wow. GIMME. (I'm also really interested in that headline that says "How to Eat, Drink and Not Gain Weight." But that's for another day.)

 

I can't glean who makes the dress yet, so if anyone knows, chime in. My money is on Roberto Cavalli, but I may be dead wrong. Here's a photo gallery of the cover shoot, as well as a link to show you how to recreate the look, courtesy of Glamour. But I gotta be honest -- their interpretations are still on the pricey side. I need a Deal Diva worthy option. Without further adieu, here's a lace animal print strapless dress we found from Forever 21, price tag, $22.80. Not quite the same, but not tragic, especially for the price. I'll take it!

 
Deal Diva Stephanie

Photos: Forever 21, Glamour

Trend under $50: Where the "owl" things are.

At this point, I take it any self-respecting child of the 80s has seen Geoff McFetridge's masterpiece adaptation of the classic children's book, Where the Wild Things Are. But in case you haven't, here's your chance to pretend like you have.

It appears the debut has sparked a fashion craze of sorts. Owl motifs are popping up in fashion everywhere. In fact, Urban Outfitters recently released a line of owl-motif tees inspired by the movie. 

See pic to the left, $28 at Urban Outfitters.      

In all honesty this owl-imagery is nothing new. The bird was big in the hippy-peace-love 60s.

Personally, I dig the owl's mysterious nature. And when it comes to seasonal motifs, I'd have to say if parrots are the birds of summer, owls do work quite nicely for the semblance of Fall that we are enjoying right now.

Like this trend?

Check out this cute coin purse from Anthropologie and this hanging owl pendant at www.uniquevintage.com, all looks under $50!

Deal Diva Nicole

(picture: Urbanoutfitters.com)