Shopping Bag Hags by CouponWinner.com

Women and Children First!

 
It’s the other most wonderful time of the year—time for Nordstrom’s Half Yearly Sale for women and kids! Until May 28 you can get deep discounts on top designer brands, both online and in-store, and as the website says, “Hurry. It’s good stuff, and it goes fast!”

Get There Early: When you’ve dealing with a sale of this magnitude, it’s best to get to the store early. If you wait until too late in the afternoon you risk limited size options, parking issues, and long lines for the dressing room. But if you choose to bypass all of these possible unpleasant issues, simply fire up your computer and shop online.

Dress for the Journey: If you do decide to go the brick-and-mortar route, you’ll no doubt be spending the day dropping in and out of dressing rooms. That means that it's best for you to avoid wearing anything that has complicated zippers, buttons or buckles that will be hard to take on and off all day. A simple pull-overtop, a pair of jeans, and flip-flops that you can slide in and out of will be your best bet.   

Enjoy the Bounty: You will no doubt find something spectacular during the sale. So whether it’s a fabulous pair of shoes, the perfect pair of sunglasses, the business suit of a lifetime, or perhaps all three, remember to wear them with style, grace, and the knowledge that you scored a great deal.

Dana Robinson

Baby Boom

You’re pregnant? Congratulations! For the next nine months you have the honor of nurturing and caring for a new little life before he or she is welcomed into the world. And as you get accustom to the idea of answering to your new maternal roll in life, you can also take some time to get accustom to your new position as a baby-bump rockin’ fashion diva.  

Stay Fabulous: Just because you’re pregnant, that’s no reason to hop onto the frumpy, dumpy express. Retailers including Gap Maternity, Motherhood Maternity, and A Pea in the Pod, carry fabulous, fashionable clothes that you’d want to wear even if you weren’t pregnant.

So Much Color: When you’re pregnant you may subconsciously be drawn to scores of neutral colors, such as black, blue, and white. That’s all fine and good, but don’t be afraid to add some color to your wardrobe. Colors that are a little on the brighter side, such as red and purple, can not only make you look fabulous, but they can also help improve your mood.

Accentuate the Positive: There’s really no point in trying to use clothing to cover up your baby bump—especially if you’re past your second trimester. The best thing to do is go with the maternal flow and purchase dresses, jeans, and yes, even swimwear that accentuates your new curves and shouts out to the world that you’re a mama to be!   

Dana Robinson

So Polished!

 
Summer is synonymous with pedicure season. After all, it’s the only way to truly do justice to those new strappy sandals you scored at that shoe sale last week. And we all know that the key to a perfect pedicure is the perfect polish.

Go Wild!: ‘Tis the season to put away the corporate-approved neutral shades and go for something wild! Choose bold shades of brilliant blues, greens, and yellows, and don’t be afraid to break out metallic hues as well as shimmery shades that sparkle and shine.  For a bold look, check out the Butter London laquer collection. You can find the company’s collection of bold fashion-forward shades at SpaLook, and the site is offering a 20% discount on your first order until June 30. (code: 20FIRST.)  

Pass on the Match: The matchy matchy look is out…way out. Whatever shade you choose to use, resist the temptation to coordinate it perfectly to your shoes or your outfit. Please!

Use the Good Stuff: Cheap polish simply isn’t worth the money. It can flake and chip a day or two after it’s applied which means you’ll burn through more product at a faster rate. I typically don’t advocate spending extra money, but sometimes you just have to pay for quality.  

Dana Robinson

Summer Shoe Style Guide

Shoes! The word itself is synonymous with love, and joy, and everything that we hold dear. At least it seems that way sometimes. Summer brings with it a bounty of new shoe options, and as luck would have it, Payless Shoe Source offers summer shoes that are always stylish, sophisticated and on-trend. The company is even offering 20% off all orders until May 31. Not sure about which styles will work for you this season? Check out our summer shoe style guide for the latest and greatest options in summer shoes.

Wedges: Wedges are hot this season. They’re a little bit retro, oh-so stylish, and they give you great height while still offering support and comfort. (Bonus: The wedge will keep you from sinking into the grass at garden parties and outdoor weddings.)   

Flats: They’re practical, comfortable, and cute. What’s not to love?

Strappy Sandals: Not only do they give you a chic look and a great boost in height, but they’re also the best way to show off that new summer pedicure.

Dana Robinson

All Dressed Up

In a world that pressures women to be a size two or four, sometimes it feels like the options for everyone else are few and far between. However, plus-sized fashion has grown from limited to limitless, bringing you the hip trends and styles that you want. If you’re on a mission to find the perfect dress, these tips will help you figure out what styles will flatter your specific body shape and leave you looking and feeling your best. Happy shopping!

Pear-Shaped: Two-tone dresses with the lighter color on top will highlight your upper body, while slimming your hips and thighs. Halters and plunging necklines create a flattering silhouette that shows off your arms and shoulders. Or, try a dress that's cinched at the waist to accentuate your curves.

Hour Glass: Pretty wrap dresses in bold colors are the perfect item to flatter your bust and waist while skimming over your stomach and thighs. Find styles in colors that bring a smile to your face, like yellow, pink and lilac. Maxi dresses from Avenue will also work wonders for your figure, and you can get 25% off any purchase over $100 until May 31 (code: AV111096). Details such as belts, bows, or colored bands around the waist also create the knock-out figure that everyone loves.

Now pair any of these options with a set of fabulous heels, and you’ll be sure to be the belle of the ball!

Grace Cahalan

Fabulous Fragrances

Spring and summer are all about lightweight fabrics, fashions, and even fragrance. The heavier, muskier scents of winter are giving way to lighter, more floral scents that will stand out on the beaches, yet aren’t overpowering. The fragrance industry is absolutely teeming with fresh scents for the season. Check out some of the best resources for the scent of your choice:

ULTA Beauty: For a limited time ULTA Beauty is offering $10 off orders over $50 (code: SAVE10ON50). The company offers fragrances that range from florals to fruits to woods. Some of their best sellers include Clinique Happy, DKNY Be Delicious, and Ralph Lauren Romance.   

FragranceX.com: As the name suggests, FragranceX.com is all about fragrance all the time. Top brands include Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, and Dolce & Gabbana, and the company also offers a selection of skincare products and makeup.  And once you’ve found the products that are right for you, you can make use of the company’s $10-off coupon (code: 535FRGX). Until December 31, 2011 you can get $10 off your purchase of $100 or more.

Dana Robinson

Simple Skin Care

There are a lucky few women in this world who were born with skin that always manages to stay radiant and blemish-free. But the other 98% of us have to work at keeping our skin healthy and fighting back the signs of aging. No matter which side of the line you fall on, these basic skincare steps can keep your skin looking and feeling its best now and for years to come.   

Keep it Clean: Regular cleansing can keep your skin free of oil and dirt that can clog pores and lead to acne. Look for gentle, but effective cleansers like the Purity Made Simple liquid cleanser from Philosophy and Obagi Nu-Derm Foaming Gel. These products and other skincare essentials are available from SkinStore.com. And until May 23, you can get a 15% discount off orders (code: SUN15).    

Protect: Sun damage is a big contributor to skincare problems. The sun’s UVA/UVB rays can contribute to sunburn (ouch!), premature aging of the skin, and wrinkles. The experts say to use a moisturizer each and every day that has an SPF of at least 30.

Aestheticians: Seeing an esthetician from time to time might eat into your monthly budget, but the results just may be worth it. If you have a skincare condition that creams and cleaners won’t fix, there’s no harm in calling in the professionals.   

Dana Robinson

Ten Hut

It’s on the rarest of occasions that you can find a fabulous fashion accessory that has critical health benefits as well. We’re talking about sunglasses, people. Dark glasses will not only make you look cool and mysterious, but they can protect the health of your eyes for years to come.

Protection: Protection is the No. 1 thing to look for when searching for the right pair of sunglasses. It’s imperative that the glasses provide 100% UVA/UVB (ultraviolet light) protection. The sun’s damaging rays can contribute to a number of eye diseases, including cataracts and macular degeneration.

It’s Up to You: When you’re trying to pick a pair of sunglasses, you may hear that there are strict guidelines that you should adhere to regarding the shape of the frames and the shape of your face. Remember that these are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. If you have a round face and you prefer round frames (which is so against the guidelines), then go for it. Wear what you love.

Price Point: Price typically has very little to do with the amount of UV protection a pair of sunglasses will offer you. That being said, very inexpensive glasses may not be of the best quality. If you’re interested in good quality as well as reasonable prices, check out the variety of styles that are available at Sunglass Hut. Prices range from around the $50 mark all the way up to about $400+. And until May 31, you can get free next day shipping on your order (code: MAYNEXTDAYSHIP).  

Dana Robinson

Summer Style

Summer is upon us. Make sure that you hit the beaches in style.

Hair: Keep it simple this summer by letting your hair do what it does naturally, whether it’s straight, wavy, curly, or kinky. Warm weather is no time to be bothered with flat irons, curling irons, or any other electrical gadgets, when you could be spending that valuable time soaking up the sun or indulging in a hot summer romance novel.

Skin: Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize, and protect, protect, protect. As good as that summer sun feels, it will feel less good if you allow it to singe your precious skin and rob it of every last ounce of moisture. Slather on the SPF 30+ and don’t forget to reapply after a dip in the pool.    

Makeup: Minimalism is once again the theme of the season. Keep your summer makeup routine simple by sticking to the basics. A bit of tinted moisturizer for the face as well as a good waterproof mascara and liner for the eyes will make your best features stand out. And don’t forget to apply a simple gloss to the lips. You can stock up on all of your summer essentials at Elf Cosmetics and get a 50% discount off of your order up to $15 (code: WINNERELF) until May 30. Cosmetics at 50% off! What are you waiting for?!

Dana Robinson

Accentuate the Positive

The right swimsuit can make all the difference in the world when you’re out on the beach. These striking compositions of Lycra and nylon spandex consist of very little material, so it’s crucial to make every square inch count.

Color: The go-to swimsuit color for most women always seems to be black. And while it’s a classic color for a good reason (yes, it is very slimming) it can also be dull, dull, dull. Be bold this season with a more colorful suit. Don’t’ be afraid to try on suits in vibrant shades of canary or fuchsia. Check out Jessica Simpson’s collection of vibrant swimwear, and get 20% off all orders of $125 or more from her entire collection (code: HAPPY20) of bags, casualwear, and shoes, until May 9.    

Shape: Who knew that there were so many cuts and styles to choose from when it comes to swimwear? High-cut, boy shorts, French-cut, strings, halters, strapless, one-piece, two-piece…the variety can be dizzying. The good news is that all of those variations can increase your chances of finding the perfect suit. If you don’t know what style will fit you best, take as many options into the dressing room as you feel are necessary. When you’ve found the right suit…you’ll know.    

Fit: Once you’ve found the perfect suit, make sure that you purchase it in the right size. Remember that sizes vary from brand to brand, so don’t marry yourself to one particular number. After all, no one knows what size you wear, but everyone can tell if your suit is too tight or too baggy.

Dana Robinson