My living room needed an overhaul, so recently we scraped together what we could to purchase two new sofas. They're my dream pieces, but their spare mid-century design screamed for a little adornment, and our investment left little in the way of a budget for throw pillows. Additionally, I forgot to account for the cost of what seemed to be simple decor items (often $100 or more) and the fact that Read more

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen stepped out in NYC this morning for an exclusive JCPenney event held at Pier 57. The designers dressed in shades of black and gray, with each sister carrying one of their own luxury handbags from The Row. They were on hand to support their lower-priced brand, Olsenboye, which is sold exclusively at JCPenney. Today's event brought out a fashionable crowd, with Read more

Winter can call for a little — OK, a lot — of creativity. Get some help (and get your kids away from the television) with these five supercreative new toys. From an affordable, make-your-own model that your lil one will spend hours designing online to a book with incredible disappearing-ink technology that requires some fun and time-consuming interaction, these toys are totally worth the Read more

Gisele Bundchen returned to her Boston home after a trip to Whole Foods yesterday. She's hanging on the East Coast while Tom Brady preps for his big game with the Patriots on Feb. 5. The team will face off against the NY Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, which will feature a half-time performance by Madonna and multiple exciting ads between plays. Gisele's fellow model, Adriana Lima, will be the star Read more

With student loan costs rising to astronomic levels, those on a quest for learning may be forced to find less expensive alternatives outside the traditional classroom. Thank your lucky stars for iTunes U's free online classes, now neatly compiled into an awesome iPad app so you can take your lessons on the go. Apple announced the new iTunes U iPad app this morning during its education-themed Read more

Working out shouldn't cost a fortune, but with fitness pants running almost $70 (or more) a pair, it can. Scoping out sales is one way to find less expensive options, but it takes a little legwork. Instead of scouring the clearance rack, look for all-around affordable brands. Here are some tried and tested, inexpensive, and stylish capris, leggings, and compression tights that all fall under the Read more

Not so fast — we hope you haven't made any concrete New Year's resolutions to cap your Winter retail therapy . . . yet. The online shops are overflowing with covet-worthy pieces at even more enticing prices. We've combed our favorite sites for can't-resist discounts on cold-weather essentials that, well, you've just got to grab before they disappear. Think faux coyote fur vests, Alexander Wang Read more

I have yet to meet a job hunter who doesn't dread writing cover letters. They're time-consuming and tedious, and unfortunately, they're unavoidable. It's easy to break cover letter etiquette if you're not careful. Those errors can cost you the job, so check out some common mistakes to be sure you're playing by the most important rules. Read more

The best way to save money on Christmas shopping is to give your loved ones homemade gifts. The presents you make don't have to be the traditional cookies or knitted scarves; there are plenty of ways to be creative and thoughtful on a budget. One of my favorite gifts this season is the terrarium, which is basically a plant arrangement set in a glass or plastic container. It's a simple yet Read more

When it comes to the man in your life, no one else holds a candle to your dad. If you choose to buy a gift for him this holiday season, don't fret over how much it's going to cost. Choose from our picks of the best affordable gifts for dad. Read more