“We don’t see a lot of change in the economy versus our outlook last quarter,” he said in a call with analysts. “I think we remain in a slow growth economy for business in North America and that’s really driven by high unemployment and fear of the future.”

Revenue at stores open at least a year is a key indicator of a retailer’s health because it excludes results from stores recently opened or closed.

Revenue for Staples’ North American delivery segment, which delivers office supplies and break room supplies to businesses, increased 1.8 percent to $2.6 billion. Its North American retail unit revenue was flat at $2.7 billion, with revenue at stores open at least a year down 1 percent on a slight decline in customer traffic and flat average order size.

Analysts expect 2011 earnings of $1.39 per share on revenue of $25.29 billion.

Its shares dropped 57 cents, or 3.7 percent, to $14.80 in afternoon trading.

The company’s international revenue slipped 1.9 percent to $1.3 billion or 7 percent on a local currency basis. Staples said revenue at European stores open at least a year dropped 12 percent, with sales also soft in Australia.

In addition, Staples said it now anticipates buying back about $600 million of its stock for the full year, up from its previously expectations to repurchase $300 million to $500 million of its shares.

Revenue rose 1 percent to $6.57 billion from $6.54 billion, but analysts expected higher revenue of $6.71 billion.

“We continue to be impressed by tight expense control, and favor the company’s strong free cash flow generation,” said S&P Capital IQ analyst Michael Souers. He kept his “Buy” rating on the stock. “We think Staples is attractive, trading well below out target price.”

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. Staples Inc. said Tuesday that its profit climbed 13 percent in the third quarter, helped in part by improved sales of office and break room supplies to businesses.

Still, the company has been outperforming its smaller rivals OfficeMax Inc. and Office Depot Inc., both of which reported small sales declines in the most recent quarter.

The earnings met Wall Street’s expectations, according to a survey of analysts by FactSet.

Staples expects fourth-quarter earnings of 39 cents to 43 cents per share, with flat to low single-digit sales growth.

Office suppliers have suffered during the recession and its aftermath, as consumers and small businesses continue to hold back on spending, something that is not likely to change soon, CEO Ron Sargent said.

Analysts expect earnings of 43 cents per share on revenue of $6.59 billion.

But overall revenue came in short of Wall Street expectations and the nation’s biggest office supply company cut its adjusted earnings forecast for the full year as its international performance weakened a bit.

For the full year, Staples now anticipates earnings of between $1.35 to $1.39 per share, excluding a tax refund of about $21 million in the second quarter. The retailer previously predicted adjusted earnings in a range of $1.39 to $1.45 per share. It expects a low-single digit percentage rate increase in revenue.

Staples, based in Framingham, Mass., reported net income of $326.4 million, or 47 cents per share, in the three months ended Oct. 29, up from $288.7 million, or 40 cents per share, a year ago.

The lining is chiffon - so delicate and lovely! You can wear with a layered long tank top and jeans or for a date with a nice top. The knit sleeves are roomy but also very tapered to the arm. Great fit, excellent evergreen piece and worth slapping down another shopper if need be to own it! To find a Zara store near you, click here.

Chanel is a one of a kind label; made so well and can’t be copied the same way…but…retail chain Zara managed to replicate the luxe label’s staple jacket so lovingly in cream. With a price point of $149, the coat might be hard to snag, but if you’re lucky, someone either returned one to Zara or they had a random jacket sitting around the store in your size.

See which celebs are fans of the luxe label!

Left your Spanx at home?

If you wander into the dressing rooms at Ann Taylor Loft, they’ve offered you a great service. Sara Blakely, the creator of Spanx, has a lower-priced line of body slimmers called Assets and popular styles like the Fantastic Firmer Camisole, Girl Shorts, and Mid Thigh Shaper are available outside your dressing room.

Purchase information: Buy it here.

Sometimes it’s nice to have a slimmer on hand so it can take you in an inch or two. The price ranges from $14 to $24. So get ready to boost your bum and create curves while your trying on great fall duds that may need that extra control.

You can thank the myriad of celebrities whose only shot of color and texture in their day-to-day looks come from wrapping an oversized scarf around a neutral tee and destroyed denim. But sometimes the prices of a yard of fabric around their necks come at a step price.

Scarves have really come into their own this year.

Purchase info: Buy it here.

Thankfully, Old Navy steps in and has made the celeb staple available in 12 colors, including blue moon, purple velvet, blink pink and urban dwelling grey — that are perfect to coordinate with every look in your summer wardrobe while still allowing you to have some change left to purchase a slushie.

Old Navy’s Women’s fringed gauze scarf measures approximately 72″L x 23 1/2″W with 3″ fringed ends. 100% rayon.

“An urban fairy tale.”

“And back in the USSR!”

“With Virginie [Mouzat, of Le Figaro] and Mathilde after our visit of the Kremlin, which I highly recommend—especially the jewelry treasures.”

“The Christian Dior exhibition at the Pushkin Museum, 110 historical Dior garments, 60 pieces of art—a masterpiece!”

“Roger Vivier vintage snake pumps. J’adoooore!”

Photos: Courtesy of Camille Miceli

“The great intelligentsia: Virginie and Kris [Van Assche, of Dior Homme] in the Soviet version of the egg chair.”

“Uniform, uniform, uniform.”

A massive show of vintage Dior opened today at Moscow’s Pushkin Museum. Inspiration Dior—and, of course, its lavish opening party—drew Russia’s fashionable elite, including Natalia Vodianova, to the museum last night. Camille Miceli, the label’s artistic director for costume jewelry, hit the Russian capital for the occasion—she sent back the following snaps from her visit abroad.

“The always elegant Delphine [Arnault, of LVMH] and tsarina Natalia at the opening fête.”

And once you’re done buying these, check out some other looks Zoe created, such as her amazing faux-fur vests and her beautiful oversized sequined clutches that can work for day with its chain strap and easily transitions for cocktail hour.

I have to say, I had been waiting for something like this from stylist-to-the-stars Rachel Zoe for a long time.

Her QVC line has delivered these amazingly affordable, oversized plastic sunglasses to keep the sunshine out of your eyes and to keep the paparazzi going crazy wondering who you are. I love the scale, the size and the gradient lens that makes you appear like a VIP. The cut of the frame is so good, in fact, that it works on most face shapes. They come in gradient black, brown, purple and red.

These $34 swoon-worthy sunglasses are basically modeled after all the vintage eyewear that she used to style on her girls — including Nicole Richie as well as herself.

Buy it here.

Bravo, Zoe!

This bag is hot, and it’s only $19.99

I like! It’s cute, it’s inspired by Coco Chanel, and it’s cheap. I love that it comes in four different colors — black, fuchsia, ocean blue and purple!

Another creation that’s faux leather, it’s got an extra zip inside and has a nice shoulder strap. And … you still have enough money to buy that latte you’ve been craving after being parched from shopping!

PRODUCT DETAILS
Accessorize your style! Make a fashion statement with this Candie’s quilted shoulder bag. Available in a variety of colors.

- Quilted pattern offers a unique look
- Faux-leather construction provides long-lasting wear
- Roomy interior with extra zippered compartment organizes your belongings
- Size: 6 1/2″H x 12″W x 2 1/2″ D
- Snap closure
- Shoulder strap

Buy it here.

J-adore! I remember this fabulous Casio watch when it was unaffordable on my $17,000 a year salary. Now it’s totally attainable at $79.

The colors are sick — Kanye West prefers the hot pink version — and the watch actually has amazing features. It’s truly a forever timepiece. Grab an armload!

Purchase info: Buy it here.

Buy it here.

By Sasha Charnin Morrison for UsMagazine.com. To peruse more of the Recessionista blog, press here.

Looking as a more budget-friendly alternative to almost sold out $675 Freja shoe, with its 120mm stacked heel, mirrored insert and rounded open toe? Aldo to the rescue! At roughly $89.98 and sized 5-11 you can obtain that look for less! If you like Camel and Grey, you can ascertain that also (by a slightly higher cost). This edgy shoe can be worn with leggings, pants, trousers, or a beautiful bright clothes as a little nightfall sizzle.

Of lesson I have said I am highly inspired along anything Rihanna wears, and she’s been out in the Alexander Wang edition months before the rest of Hollywood. Then came Kim, Tinsley Mortimer, Victoria Justice ashore Nickelodeon, and Miley Cyrus. Add in about every prototype and fashion editor in the affair and you have a revolution.

These Freja boots designed by Alexander Wang have become a somebody and a fan preference — Kim Kardashian wore them all overSydney during a recent tumble Down Under. Each season, this guy creates material that’s tall in demand simply for he designs what he likes and what his girls like. He doesn’t actually emulate trends, he sets them. And in the process, makes Hollywood, models and every woman swoon.