I just got back from a girl's trip to Italy...a college sorority sister restored an old farmhouse in Tuscany (sound familiar?) and threw a magical housewarming party for about 100 of her closest friends!!

Nine of us were UF classmates, trapsing around Italy, reminiscing and laughing hysterically about days of old. I tried to photograph and video the antics, but most often I was laughing so hard, there was no keeping the camera still!!

Have you ever played "go around the table and describe your worst date ever" while consuming massive quantities of Chianti? (Chances are we will never be invited back to that restaurant.)

Next time, I'll be prepared. Look at these cool flexible tripods. They will attach to lots of things, or work like a traditional tripod, just to steady the camera when you get the giggles. I'll bet it would hold on to a Chianti bottle neck.

What a cool gift idea for the camera enthusiast in your life. I know I want one....before my next trip!

There are probably lots of flexible tripods out there, a co-worker got his for around $10 at Walmart. I surfed around the Internet and liked these by Joby, called Gorillapods. The smallest one, strong enough to hold a point-n-shoot, sells for $21.95 straight retail, both on Amazon and on Joby's website.

Now if you read this blog, you know we don't like to pay straight retail for anything. So let us know if you come across a better deal!! Hopefully...before I buy mine.

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One of the good reasons to shop the Coldwater Creek catalog is you can save money on returns if you take the item you don't want back to the local store. No packing it up and going to the post office. That takes a lot of the pain out of catalog or online shopping.

This is the second time I have returned clothing to the store at The Terrace at Town Center in Boca Raton. No problems. Everything went smoothly

The problem was the jacket I loved was cut too small in the sleeves. And the fitted blouse was way too fitted for my taste. (See them at right.)

Anyhow, my refund was minus the initial shipping charge, and I lost the $10 coupon that I used to make the purchase. But the saleswoman gave me this good advice: If you place a catalog order at the store, you don't have to pay shipping, and it will be sent to your home, not the store.

I called Coldwater Creek to make sure she was giving me the right info and it is correct. But when I checked on the coupon to see if I could get a new one, she informed me that it wasn't refundable. My best advice: Use those coupons to buy something in the store, if possible. You know the clothing is right and you won't lose the coupon's value.

You may want to check out the online specials at coldwatercreek.com. My jacket, which was $89.50 is now $43.99.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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