You probably don't watch Gossip Girl. But betcha your teenagers are watching the perils of Serena, Blair, Chuck and the gang every Monday night at 8 p.m. on the CW. I'm not the demographic, but I just love these underparented, overfunded Upper East Side kids.

But I digress -- once again. Sorry. Anyhow, if you don't want to spend a fortune, but want to make your kids happy in their Gossip Girl fantasies, check out this link.

One of my fave items is Blake Lively's Sky Blue Cocktail Ring. It features an attractive smoky chalcedony blue hue surrounded by pale blue enamel. It contains small clear, aquamarine, and sky blue colored rhinestones in the enamel. And the cost is only $40.

Tell your own Gossip Girl that you wish her only blue skies like the ring. XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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If you're foolish enough, like me, to head to frigid New York City on a winter holiday, at least visit the many holiday markets the city has to offer.

I went to the one at Union Square where I found painted cooper earrings by Bora from Greece for only $20 and a lovely silk-strewn necklace with a cascade of small gems for $47. You'll also find Christmas decor, unique leather goods and lots of fun gifts for children at the Holiday Market.

Similar markets can be found at Bryant Park, where you also can ice skate, Grand Central and Columbus Circle. So, wherever you land in the city, there is a holiday market to shop.

The markets feature booths from stores around Manhattan as well as the outreaches and independent vendors. While I wouldn't count on a return policy, I found the shopping experience more fun and interesting than the overcrowded department stores with faux sales (20 percent off and only $800!).

South Florida retailers might do well to copy this NYC idea. After all, our weather is much more conducive to outside shopping. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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On my shopping list this weekend are some warm jammies. Not only has it been a little chilly lately for this reborn Floridian, I occasionally head north during the holidays where I know I'm going to be freezing my fanny off.

No Victoria's Secret here. Something solid like J.C. Penney. My mother bought me a pair of pajamas a few years ago from JC Penney or Sears -- two department stores reliable for relative gift giving because items can be returned in other cities.

These PJ's look cute, for $24.99 to $28.99. I may look at these and possibly use JC Penney's $10 off coupon this weekend for items $25 and over.

I want to be warm, but since I fully intend to return to better weather, I don't want to pay a lot for it! -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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No time to shop when we have lines to stand in to vote!

But after you cast your ballot today, check out Kohls.com for 15 percent off everything with only 99 cents shipping per item (unless there's special handling involved.)

Enter the code Election15 to get the special discount.

If you're a Phillies fan -- or know one, you could buy this World Series T-shirt through Kohls.com.

You also can enter to win a $10,000 grand prize in a Kohl's sweepstakes. First prize is a family vacation for four at a Disney World resort and tickets to Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba show in Orlando.

Let's see I've voted, so what shall I buy? Maybe I'll just enter the sweepstakes. It's my birthday week; maybe that's lucky. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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I had to go to the place "where bargains were born," Filene's Basement, now that it has opened in Aventura.

It's nothing like the flagship store in Boston. I remember going there with my friend Lynn. It was a mess but a fun mess. Clothes on racks all over the place. I found a slinky black dress for some ridiculously low price.

Aventura is a bit more tame. Clothes are nicely organized on racks sporting designer names. The prices? A bit more steep than I remember in Boston.

Still, there are bargains to be found. The biggest is probably Filene's choice of designer jeans, many for less than $40. A variety of earrings and necklaces are easy pickups as well and designer sunglasses such as a pair of Oscar de la Renta's for $12.99.

Fantastic prices on women's and men's suits, if you're in the market for that.

I fell in love with a wrap dress from Barney's New York, but it was still too pricey for this bargain hunter at $130. But I'll be back. It's worth the drive. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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Here's an easy gift for mom, the sisters or a good friend: Sterling silver jewelry, earrings, necklaces and bracelets, on sale for 65 percent to 70 percent off at Kohl's in Boynton Beach.

I overheard a man shopping for a birthday present for his wife. He was going to get her a Citizens watch -- also on sale. I wanted to scream at him: No! No! Something romantic, stupid. But I just let the saleswoman gently suggest a more elegant watch instead.

But back to the jewelry: lots of choices, both traditional and modern. Great for gifts for others -- or yourself! -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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If you have an overwelming appetite for accessories, For Love 21 is your destination.

The sister store to Forever XXI is at the Dolphin Mall in Miami. As my shopping sister Kathy recently wrote, we had a great time picking up jewelry, belts and other items -- mostly under $10 -- at For Love 21.

I tried on a cute hat and bought some belts, but passed on some really fun boots (why didn't I get those! Only $36.) What's great is that anything in this store won't do too much damage to your wallet.

Great place to find holiday gifts for the young fashionistas in your life. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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Looking for a fun afternoon with girlfriends?

Hit Delray Beach. Not the famed Atlantic Avenue, but NE 2nd Avenue, the entrance to Pineapple Grove.

I discovered that many great little shops and restaurants have opened up along Pineapple Grove. The street is a bit like Atlantic Avenue used to be: Full of unique shops and friendly and less expensive restaurants.

My friend M. and I had a fine breakfast of frittatas and french toast at Joseph's Wine Bar. After buying my quota ($20) of craft fair jewelry, I checked out the shops.

I found upscale jewelry and art at Spotted on 2nd, unique gifts at Conversation Pieces, Fatboy outdoor cushions at Museo (see right), and monogramed gifts for baby and children (lunchbox, $25, or backpack, just under $40). Pricey, but a unique present for the doting aunt or grandmother.

Met up with two friends, C and A, on Pineapple Grove and they also had a find: Kismet, a consignment shop with "gently worn" clothes. C found the little black dress she has been looking for, $35. Big shipment of designer dresses coming in Nov. 13, the shop told C.

So hit the boutiques in Delray Beach for an enjoyable day and you'll also be supporting small business, which makes the South Florida economy go 'round. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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Last week I promised to let you know about the Miami mall a cute hip young fashion writer recommended. We thought we'd check it out first. It's an easy drive if you follow the Homestead signs driving south on the Turnpike. We didn't...don't ask.

Hardly an undiscovered gem, the huge parking lot was full, full, full. But, wow, well worth the drive. It's huge....and doesn't seem as picked over as local Sawgrass Mills.

It has some of the same big flagship stores as Sawgrass: Neiman Marcus Last Call, Off Fifth Saks Outlet, Burlington Coat Factory, T J Maxx, Marshalls, Bed Bath and Beyond. In total there are over 240 stores and restaurants.

Fellow blogger Marcia and I only had a few hours...we could have spent the whole day! Heck, you could spend a week there! We happened to walk in the entrance that took us to For Love 21, the Forever 21 accessory store. Huge selection, amazing prices. I bought a beaded necklace with a cheap charm on it, intending to replace their charm with an old locket I've had. Marked $4.95...scanned in at $1. Like a treasure hunt!

We ran out of time after Neiman Marcus Last Call...walking out for a previous engagement was sheer torture. The store signs were like the mythical sirens summoning us: Michael Kors, Coach, Calvin Klein, DKNY, DSW, Ann Taylor.....

But we'll certainly go back. And soon!

Dolphin Mall

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Ready to save more money? Then sign up today at Shopittome.com.

This cool site is like having a personal assistant who browses the Web for you looking for the best sales and coupon alerts, including codes. You can get an e-mail alert daiily, twice a week or weekly.

You'll find discounts on brand names like Ralph Lauren, Prada, Jones New York, Addias, Dana Buchman, Jimmy Choo, Liz Claiborne and Ann Taylor.

Ask for e-mail delivery on Fridays, when most online retailers mark down clothing, ShopSmart magazine suggests.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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My hair stylist, Francesca Guerrera at Echo, lives in my condo complex. She's a glamorous Italian gal I often pass in the parking lot when I'm coming home from work tired and bedraggled. She's usually headed out, looking like a million: great dress, hair and makeup perfect, accessorized to the max.

My big Las Vegas wedding is this weekend, so I went in to get a last minute haircut. I was whining about my recurrent problem...my hatred of shopping for cocktail dresses, especially for weddings. If you read this blog, you already know about my problem. Once again, I'm out of time, and no new dress!!

You'll never believe...she let me in on a little secret of hers. "Take a plain simple dress and load up on jewelry from Forever 21 at the Boca Town Center. It's so cheap, even if it discolors in a few months, who cares? It'll look good at the wedding. Wear lots pearls and chains, all shapes and lengths, you'll look fabulous, and no one will ever know."

Forever21

I thought Forever 21 was for kids. Anyone else shop there? Have you been holding out on us?

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I'm sharing this with you because the jewelry looks beautiful and the discount is good, but I'm also warning you that the Web site is kind of a mess to navigate.

I got an email from steelcouture.com announcing that you can get 35 percent off your entire purchase until Labor Day. The jewelry choices look fab -- everything from trendy cuff bracelets to chandelier earrings.

Here are a few tips for using the Website:

When you first open the Web site, it looks like nothing is there except a side rail. Scroll down a page view to see the choices.

Click through to "I want it" to see the price of the item clearly.

Your discount isn't clear until you go to the checkout and enter the code "Summer 35".

The model at left is wearing items form the Cyd Collection. Regular price of the cuff is $70 and the earrings are $68.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Are you as addicted to big, chunky jewelry as I am?

Thank goodness it's easier to find now that the fashion gurus have anointed it as "in style for fashionistas." But, knowing how fickle this industry is, I am stocking up on the big stuff while I can still find it.

So, as an ode to Vogue, Bazaar and WWD, here is one of my fave finds. I haven't bought it yet, but wanted to share this cool necklace I discovered this past weekend.

This mult-gem (faux and real, of course) bib necklace includes a combo of natural stones and turquoise resin with metal. It sells for $79, but looks ike it costs far more. Check www.bananarepublic.com and click on jewelry.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Summer sales are in full swing at Town Center in Boca Raton this weekend. Here are some items worth checking out:

Belts, thin and wide, on sale for $19 and up, at Nordstrom's. Ralph Lauren and Italian-made leather can be found in the sale section.

50 percent off leather purses at Clark's for a sale price of $50-$60. Nice styles and colors available.

70 percent off jewelry at Coldwater Creek. I picked up a shell necklace threaded with gold for only $19.99 -- my indulgence of the weekend.

Stopped by Bloomingdale's "final sale" but found nothing. Even at 50 percent off, $100-plus for a blouse is over this shopper's budget. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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I'm a fan of InStyle magazine http://www.instyle.com/instyle/
I'm a much bigger fan of any help that gets me to that state of fabulosity (Kimora, thank's for coining that word). So when I heard that the magazine's editors created Instant Style, I had to buy.

Although I know what looks good I don't always do justice while shopping or getting dressed (there have been a few fashion faux paux). If your fashion impairment has to do with putting an outfit together, then start turning these pages.

The book's useful layout is full of pictures and explainations on what works for different body types. There are tips on wardrobe pieces that are a must.

These suggestions won't be soon outdated because as every fashionista knows, classic pieces of clothing, shoes and accessories are timeless. Not that your wardrobe doesn't need the occasional update, but if you invest wisely, purchases go a long way.

The book retails for $29.95 at major book stores like Barnes & Nobles http://www.barnesandnoble.com/index.asp but there is currently an online offer for $23.96 and members pay $21.56. Check Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/ for prices ranging from $19.77 or less for used copies.

Wishing you a stylish life,
Heather.

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Pier 1 Imports has re-invented itself once again. It has returned to its roots as a great place to buy small gifts as well as decor items. When I visited last weekend, I found a lot of things that would make great Mother's Day gifts.
Here are a few of them:
These snakeskin bangles look like they cost far more than $7 each. At his price, you can buy mom three or four and a few for yourself.
Check out the faux flowers like this peony arrangement in a ceramic vase for $20. It's perfect for a small area like a powder room or mom's dressing table.
There are also other cool objects like this glass purse than can be used as a decorative object or a planter. It's $25. You may also find some decorative frames for $12 or three small jewel boxes for $10.
For more ideas, see pier1.com.
XOXO--Shopper Girl

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Jay Strongwater doesn't design as much jewelry since he decided to concentrate on the home. But I go crazy over the limited pieces he does create.

I bought a beautiful Strongwater pin in Charleston that gets tons of compliments. It looks like a piece I inherited from my grandmother, who wore it in the 1920s.

Your mom is special so why not give her something like this "Suzette" Pave Pansy Pin? It is handcrafted enamel over metal with gold trim and his trademark multicolor Swarovski crystals. The pin is 1 1/2 inches high and 1 1/2 inches wide. It sells for $150. See jaystrongwater.com.

It's so cool I may order one for myself.

XOXO-- Shopper Girl

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What I love more than anything is finding something on a shopping trip that looks like it costs more than I paid for it. How about you? Isn't it a rush?

This past weekend I went to Town Center at Boca Raton. (And, yes there was security all over the place -- inside and out to put us shopoholics at ease).

I went into Talbot's to get a gift card for my friend in Philadelphia, when, of course, I spotted something for myself. Isn't that always what happens? I compare it to finding the man of your dreams when you weren't looking.

Anyhow, my find is a silver bracelet with a Greek key pattern for only $35! It has earrings to match, but they were out. They do have them at www.talbots.com. Tempting, isn't it?

By the way, the gift card at Talbot's doesn't expire.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Love to sparkle and shine?

Then check out the bedazzling baubles at House of Lavande.

 It's a new Palm Beach shop chock full of vintage couture jewelry. 4,000-plus pieces, in fact.

 And a long list of designers -- Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli among them. Very cool stuff. Hot enough for celebrity clients -- Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox and Carolina Herrera.

 Everything from '30s Bakelite bangles to Christian Lacroix ’70s earrings and tons more. Prices: $300 to $6,000 or so.

 And you should see the shop. Yards and yards of white silk, rather like a Parisian boudoir, which is intentional. It's like diving into your own personal jewelry box only a lot more fun -- and with a lot better jewelry.

 The shop is at 317 Peruvian Ave., Suite 201, Palm Beach, 561-802-3737. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weekends by appointment.

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Check out our latest Divine Find -- it appeared in Sunday's Sun-Sentinel.

MUSHKA

180 NE 39th St., Buena Vista Building, Miami; open by appointment and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month for the neighborhood gallery walk; www.mushkadesigns.com

Owner: Sarah Wilson

Wow factor: Discovering this tiny glass-walled shop on the second floor of a Design District building feels almost magical. Inside, display cases are loaded with the hand-made designs of the 27-year-old Wilson, whose work is clearly inspired by the natural world. Almost all of the metal in her designs has an oxidized or brushed finish.

Editor’s picks: In the Blossom collection check out the sterling bud vine necklace ($97) and earrings ($95) — part Japanese, part old-fashioned feminine. Her new Love Tags (starting at $120) are miniature dog tags that can be customized with the names of your children or with Wilson’s ready-made endearments: doll face, cupcake and love bug. Sterling pendants from her Earth collection ($45 to $300) feature a bit of nature dangling from a chain. The Antique Earth collection includes a striking piece inspired by a ginkgo leaf and fabricated in red brass ($72-$147).

Design for less: Many pieces are less than $50. But almost everything can be made in sterling silver, red brass, bronze or 14-karat gold. Wilson rarely used precious stones.

Trivia: Mushka is the nickname given to Wilson by her Polish-speaking grandmother. It means “little fly.”

--J.T.

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