Well, it's the holiday season and I am in a giving mood. With gas prices soaring through the roof and budgets tighter than ever, I did some soul searching as to how I could help make things a little easier on you this season... and it hit me. FREE SHIPPING!

Shipping has become a huge expense in e–tailing, due to the rising cost of gas, and though you recognize I have not increased my shipping and handling fees in years, I still want to make getting fabulous beauty and style boosting COS products into your hands and all wrapped up for the holidays. So we are offering free shipping with the purchase of any two or more COS products.

This FREE SHIPPING offer includes fabulous Cents of Style Accessory Suite and incredible Andy Paige Cosmetic Brush Sets. Save $29.00 with the purchase of the COS gift of Beauty and Style. This already discounted coupling of a brush set and accessory suite will additionally get FREE SHIPPING bringing your savings to 25%!!

I hope this helps make your season a little brighter and your choice to shop with Cents of Style a little easier. At this time of Thanksgiving, I want you all to know that I count among my many blessings, you! My wonderful and loyal customers/clients who continue to support and value me in my purpose. As always, thank you! I remain dedicated to offering creative and beautiful ways to look like a million without spending a fortune!

You know what the Friday after Thanksgiving is don't ya? The World Series of Bargain Shopping! BLACK FRIDAY!

Black Friday got its name from retailers years ago as THE day on the calendar that tipped their yearly revenue from the red into the black. Big retailers live for Black Friday and the holiday shopping season, so as you know, they are all out to vie for your attention and gift giving dollahs!

Over the years I have developed a keen strategy to make the most out of Black Friday and the one–time–only savings that it offers. These tips are tried and true and can insure you take home exactly what you were looking for at rock bottom prices.

So enjoy your turkey, sip cider with your loved ones and nap in front of the game... but don't let your Thanksgiving get away from you without planning your glorious day of bargain bagging!

• Comb the Thanksgiving Day newspaper for all of the big sales.
• Gather all of the ads for the items you wish to buy. This will serve as proof, if you get to the store and they tell you the item is not on sale or if you want another store to match the advertised price of an item.
• Create a priority list of the most wanted and least expensive items.
• Have a budget of what you can spend and stick to it!
• Watch the register CLOSELY while you are checking out to insure that advertised pricing is being honored at check out.
• Ask for a gift receipt. This is a quick and easy way to get a copy of the receipt that could come in handy. Put the gift receipt in the bag or box with your items and the regular receipt in your purse. Having two never hurt and you never know when the extra will save you a bundle if you have to make a return or exchange.
• If you are shopping with your bankcard, choose the CREDIT option and not the DEBIT option. By choosing credit, you are forcing the store to pay the finance charges. If you use your bankcard as a debit card and enter your pin # you can be charged a processing fee from your bank. ALWAYS CHOOSE CREDIT, NOT DEBIT.
• Plan on getting up super early and having breakfast before you head out. Stopping to eat is not an option; have Power Bars and bottled water at the ready!
• Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing. The stores get packed with people and it gets hot. You then end up lugging your coat or sweater for the rest of the day which saps your energy.
• Wear a backpack or hands–free purse for a more comfortable shopping experience.
• Once you hit the stores do not be lured away from finding your must have items first. When you have those in tow, you can look through other things that catch you interest. Stay focused on your list!
• If you are shopping at a mall, organize a hand–off time with a friend or relative. You can hand off many of your purchases to someone who will drive them back home while you continue to shop. This is extremely helpful. Shopping when you are loaded down is exhausting and taking the packages to your car is a pain and can be unsafe. You will be amazed how freeing this can be and how much more you can get done.

HAVE A GREAT TIME!

I discovered the original wrap around Purseket a few years back. For those of you that don't know what a Purseket is, it's a multi–pocket handbag organizer that wraps around the inside of your handbag creating easy access to your goodies; making changing your bag a snap and finding your lip gloss and keys a breeze!

I confess I really didn't like the wrap around version. It took up so much room in my bag and it didn't work in many of my favorite styles. But I love the new Drop–In!

The creative team at PURSEKET developed the Drop–In that works in narrow bags, tightly divided bags and modern slouchy hobo style bags and it's great! It's not designed to wrap around, but to be Dropped–In, keeping all of your crucial needs organized and easily accessible.

The Drop–In measures 7" from the top of the key post and is 8" wide. It has 2 gusseted pockets on both sides and comes in a fun array of great colors and patterns. The brighter colors additionally help in locating those tiny things that always get lost in the bottom of your bag!

Be sure to check out my own brand of fashion advice and sweet–lovin' guidance dished out each week to soap stars in Soap Opera Digest. As a member of the STYLE SQUAD I have a hoot telling it like it is and poking a little fun at the red carpet mania. Let's hope they didn't spend a fortune to look that bad!