When we’re sharing trends we often forget to share some of the basic staples we all need. Like a good fitting, quality tank top.

Fashion is fickle. But Everlast fitness and workout apparel gives you the timeless combo of great fit, comfort and durability. I was surprised at how deliciously soft this poor boy rib is, yet thick enough to give you shape.

Double the style and double the coverage, this top-selling tank with a fashion-forward layered look, hides your midriff, elongates your torso and moves right along with you.

Psst! They’re also on sale right now for $10! 

I know most of my The It Lists readers are pretty savvy when shopping online, but I still love to add tips or new sources whenever I can.

Smart online shoppers have always known the cost of shipping can make the difference between a good deal and a really great deal. But finding out which online retailers are offering free shipping deals has not always been easy, and it can be very time consuming.

  On my Virtual Mall page you’ll often find I feature partners and friends’ coupon offers & promo codes- and many of those mean free shipping. Enjoy!

Another options is FreeShipping.org, who puts at your fingertips their handy website with a huge list of free shipping offers all in one place. It’s the largest all free shipping resource on the Internet with free shipping coupons to over 600 stores.

From Target Free Shipping to Home Depot or Nordstroms dealios too.

FreeShipping.org is working hard to bring you the biggest and most up to date free shipping list on the internet, and because free shipping is becoming more and more popular for both consumers and retailers, their list is growing every day.

If Twinkle’s velvet dresses have you debating velvet, but you already have that perfect cocktail dress…

Any budget can affford to ALSO add this frugal fashionista version of velvet.

Old Navy has this little number on sale for $30. Moose brown or classic black.

Carols or torch songs? Eggnog or champagne? Whatever your vision for the perfect holiday party may be, make it a memorable one in this voluptuous velvet dress. The surplice V-neckline and empire waist create a stunning silhouette that’s sure to turn heads.
 

I have to credit Off the Rack for a great find. They featured Rachel Bilton looking adorable int this Theory Caplet. Ah, Theory. Theory dishes out some of the best suits and adult clothes. That instant I am woman feeling.

But to justify $395 for a trendy piece - well that’s still hard to do. But here’s a substitute at heck of a deal. I’m impressed at the budgetista offering at Forever 21 for $30.

So here’s the good news - Sephora’s Friends and Family 20% discount (between November 18 - 26) - enter coupon code F2006.

The bad new is that the best deal is sold out until January 2007 (but maybe the coupon will work towards backorders). Check out: Sephora Blockbuster Palette, I have no idea what I will do with 64 eyeshadows, 32 lip colors, 7 cheek colors, 1 translucent shimmer powder, and a bunch of brushes. That’s more color than most girls can handle!

Sephora always has dealios on my two fav’ "make me prettier" brands, Stila and Benefit. I just replenished a Stila Lipglaze in Guava, but wouldn’t mind this gift set of gloss.

But if I was looking for a fun purchase there’s always the Sephora Monopoloy game. Advance to go for winning a shopping spree, and best of all - go to jail for bad hair days! No really.

And if you want a real splurge to use that 20% off towards - then go for the "it" hair dryer. The Tourmaline Professional Ionic Hair Dryer (this gal’s long tresses make me a firm believer in ionic power). There’s alot of buzz about this dryer as it’s quickly becoming a cult favorite.

Before you bloat on turkey - inspire yourself to skip the stuffing so that you can dazzle in that cute little dress you’re going to wear thru the Christmas party circuit. First you have to get the dress, right? - so start looking now!

One of my best purchases was a moss green chiffon number from Rampage. I spent $90 and I wore it to a ton of parties by just messing around with accessories. I’ve got a handful of cheaper stores that are 90% hoochie (or maybe I’m just too old to shop there) and 10% gold mine: Rampage, Heart Moon Stars, Hot Kiss, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe and Zara.

The trick to buying from cheaper stores: the material and detail in the right places. Chiffon, crepe, lace, and shiny can be more forgiving. Budget finds are often simple in the back and save the detail for the front, but if you’ve got an expensive pashmina shawl to wrap - does a plain back matter? (retorical question). Here are two perfect examples of great deals on little black dresses that you can add your luxe touches to:
 
Bonus: One more dress here. It’s not a dress, but here’s a cute top at Hot Kiss that falls into the 10% goldmine category! Scoop Neck Lace Top.