Shopping Bag Hags by CouponWinner.com

Making Your Home Your Own

Change is good. Whether its a change in your routine, a change in your look, or a change in your career, doing things differently from time to time typically only brings about positive results. And when you decide to bring change into the decor of your home, know that crafting that new, fresh look doesn’t need to come with a big price tag. Zero in on a few minor aspects of the home that are in need of an update, and voila!—an original ambiance. 

Semi-Homemade Crafts: Zero in on small details in your home that look a bit plain, like drab lamps. You can give lamps a new lease on life by simply switching out the lampshade. Choose a shade with rich colors and patterns to give your home a updated, funky look.

Smell the Difference: Every home has a fragrance, perhaps of dinner roasting in the oven or flowers growing in the window. Give your home its own fragrance by using wall plug-ins. These litle devices are an easy, effective way of rejuvenating your home’s scent without saturating each room with a heavy, flowery spray. Go for something seasonal like pumpkin or cranberry woods for a cozy log-cabin vibe, or try dessert scents like mint chocolate, or oatmeal raisin cookie to achieve a comfortable, playful aura reminiscent of your favorite childhood treats. Luckily, all of the aforementioned fragrances are available at Bath & Body Works, and until September 15 you can get four home fragrances for only $20. It's a great price and a great way to freshen up your home.  

Naomi Kahlon

Naomi Kahlon is a frequent contributor to CouponWinner.com.

Brown is the New Black

 Leather has gotten a bad rep ever since the bad boys in the 1950s claimed it as their fabric of choice. But leather can be very stylish and sleek if worn in the right ways. Replacing the usual black leather with brown can open up several new fashionable doors. It’s a smart way to wear the style without looking like you're up to no good, as the softened shade ushers in a sense of class and elegance.

Boots, Boots, Boots: Sleek leather boots are the perfect introduction to the world of brown leather. The color tones down the sharpness of the leather and creates a cool, casual style you can wear every day. And a pair of comfortable, durable brown leather boots will work with almost anything in your fall wardrobe, from skirts, to suits, to jeans.

Bags, Bags, Bags: Leather messenger bags used to only be a part of business attire, but rusty brown leather bags are making a comeback on the fashion front. Roots carries a huge collection of leather bags, and until August 29 you can get $25 off your purchase of $100 or more. You only have a few days left, so check it out while you can!

Flirty Skirty: If you feel like trying something fun and flirty, look for a cute brown leather skirt to give your outfit an exotic flare. Wearing a brown leather skirt will make you feel warm, fashionable, and fabulous, but be careful not to go overboard with the look. If you're going for the leather skirt, don't pair it with a leather bag or leather boots. Remember, less is more when it comes to leather!

Saba Kerendian

Saba Kerendian is a frequent contributer to CouponWinner.com.

Scents of the Season

Say hello to the beautiful red, orange, and brown autumn leaves swaying in the refreshing fall breeze. This invigorating signal for the new season lets us know that changes are starting to happen. Not only is the weather getting chillier, but new looks, new scents, and new foods are on the horizon. Keep up with these changes by upgrading your scent and style to match the upcoming season.  

Wardrobe Change: Fashion can change just as rapidly as the leaves on a tree. It's time to pack up your swimsuit and unload the sweaters. Dust off that coat hiding in the back of your closet and take it out for a spin. This upcoming season, be on the lookout for classic fall colors, like beige, brown, and maroon. Don't be afraid to start trying on clothing made out of fall-inspired fabrics like leather and suede.

I Smell Pretty, Oh So Pretty: The bright floral scents of the summer are being replaced by the oaky, musky tones of the fall. Sync up your own fragrance to the deeper fall tones by replacing your old perfume with a new one to match the season. You can head to the department store, try on a few scents, and when you've found the one you love, purchase it for less online. Take advantage of FragranceNet.com's  current deal, which lasts until August 31, and allows you to take $10 off your order of $80 or more (code: FRAGRANCE10). You can tell your friends about this deal so you can buy your scents together to get the most out of the savings. 

Saba Kerendian

Saba Kerendian is a frequent contributor to Shopping Bag Hags  

Blazer Days

 

There is a kind of magic in blazers. They can dress up your outfit, make causal blouses professional, keep you warm, and flatter your figure. Blazers and suit jackets have been making a big splash on the style scene, so if you’re still trapped in the world of cardigans then it’s time to find the right blazer for your body and lifestyle.

Body Type: Before thinking about what will go with the clothes you already have, which is important, think about what looks good on you. You’ve probably heard fashion gurus say that a cinched waist is the most important thing for every woman’s body. And for the most part—they’re right. If you’re tall and thin, petite, or have an hourglass shape, then cinching your waist with a belt or scarf will work wonders. But if you want to hide a tummy, go for a blazer that flares outward at the waist or falls straight to give yourself a new silhouette.  

Reuse and Recycle: Use blazers to recycle your everyday looks from the summer. You’ll be able to continue wearing that flowing chiffon tank you fell in love with in July well into the fall and possibly winter. And the feminine look of the tank creates a nice contrast to the structured fitted look of the blazer.

Mix and Match: If you’re not sure how to really work a blazer outside of the office, here are some tips. Darker color blazers will dress up your outfit. Even ripped jeans take on an air of “chicness” when paired with a fitted black blazer. For weekends and causal environments, a lightweight, solid pastel blazer will keep you comfortable and looking clean. Blazers with prints and textures are perfect for events because they make you look friendly and welcoming. And you don’t have to max out your credit cards to maximize the magic of blazers. Banana Republic has a fantastic collection of  blazers to choose from, and until August 20 you can get 25% off orders over $100 and free shipping on orders over $50 (code: BR25OFF).

Naomi Kahlon

Naomi Kahlon is a frequent contributor to CouponWinner.com.

Shoes Glorious Shoes!

 
 

Fall will be here soon, bringing with it festive holidays, cozy sweaters, and a new excuse to go shoe shopping!

This season is all about classic shapes and colors, (think the traditional black suede pump) but with a few funky patterns thrown in, like leopard. And the Mad Men look (a.k.a looks from the early 1960s) will be in full swing—but, of course, with a modern twist.

There are so many styles and colors to choose from this fall, and the most efficient way to handle your shoe shopping needs is to have just about every color and style at your disposal. How else can you make an informed shoe buying decision? And the best way to have access to it all is to get access to Shoebuy.com. The site offers styles for men, women, and kids, so you can buy back-to-school shoes for the kids, while simultaneously picking up a few choice pairs for yourself. And until August 20 (you only have three more days!) you can get 20% off all orders (code: SCHOOL).

The season is just waiting for you to grab it by the stiletto heel. Take advantage of the savings and get a head start on looking great this fall.  

Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a couponing and beauty expert.

Bonding Over Beauty

 

Every new school year your tween or teen wants to look a little different than the year before. She wants those magical stares and sounds of friends’ flattery. And just because you won’t be next to her on the first day of school doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of the magic. In these final weeks of summer help your daughter reinvent herself for school and have a blast doing it!

In House Style: You don’t have to go anywhere for beauty these days. The two of you can start by watching hair and makeup tutorials on Youtube. Your daughter might already have a few favorite beauty gurus and some tutorials she’s been dying to try out. Take turns doing her hair and makeup and be sure to snap pics of cute styles she’ll want to wear during the year.  

Sense and Scents:  Once you create a look she absolutely has to be seen in, run over to the mall for some inexpensive fun outside of the house. To be sure you don’t over spend, leave your credit cards at home and just bring a small amount of cash for snacks. Have fun testing out all the new fragrances, even the expensive ones, and experiment until she finds her new signature scent—hopefully one you can share! Then, to make sure you get the best price, go online and check out Perfumania.com. For a limited time you can get 20% off of a single item (code: ENT12B).

Evening Stroll: End the day with a slow hike or stroll around the block. Walking in the evening will help you both wind down and will give you  a chance to hear what’s been on her mind. After playing and preparing for her new school year debut she’ll be more prepared to open up. She’ll love her fresh new look and you’ll love bonding over beauty.

Naomi Kahlon

Naomi Kahlon is a frequent contributor to CouponWinner.com

New Year, New You!

 

Saying goodbye to summer can be tough. The sweet smell of the ocean breeze will soon be gone, and anticipating the upcoming school year and the tireless routines can bring a tear to one's eye.  But fall doesn’t have to be full of boring routines and dreaded wake-up calls. The perfect time to help your children reinvent the upcoming school year is now!

Musical Mornings: Instead of having the kids wake up to that awful buzzing alarm each and every weekday morning, encourage them to change their alarm setting to play their favorite music in the morning (but not too loud). Waking up to the music  that they love and keeping it on while they go about their morning routine can not only put them in a good a.m. mood, but it can also help keep them there!

Wardrobe Assistance: A new school year means new friends and new experiences, which can be terrifying. But at the same time it enables your kids to learn and grow as individuals. Taking risks in the clothing they wear can give them the confidence they need to break the dreaded curse of the boring school year. If your daughter always wears the same jeans and flats to school, for example, encourage her to spice up the look a little with a mini wedge heel, or brighten up her style with an animal or floral print. If you’re stuck on where to look, check out Go Jane. They have hundreds of different styles of shoes, dresses, and accessories at an affordable price. Even better, they’re letting you take 30% off your order until August 11 (code: SITEWIDE30R).

Color Outside the Lines: Encourage your kids to step just a tiny bit out of their comfort zones this year. Encourage them to make friends outside of their clique, audition for a new sports team or the high school play, or even just try a new dish in the school cafeteria. Let them know that broadening their horizons and tapping into this continuous flow of new ideas will keep them sitting on the brink of excitement to get out of bed come Monday morning. 

Saba Kerendian

Saba Kerendian is a frequent contributor to CouponWinner.com.

Fun Fall Fashions

 

Your teenage daughter will have one thing on her mind this back-to-school season—shopping! She will, of course, want to have the latest looks and feel as though she’s a fashion standout amongst her peers, so here’s a fashion fashion cheat sheet to help you help her find the latest looks of the moment.

Clothes: This fall, expect to see a revival of knitwear, leather, and wide-leg pants. Provide her with the perfect styles that will not only get her noticed, but will also ensure that you’ll feel comfortable letting her step outside of the house.

Shoes: The shoe colors that were all over the runway for fall are black, gray, burgundy, dark blue, deep violet, chocolate chip, and beige. Whether she’s looking for a cute, all-season black flat or a chic beige wedge, let her explore her creative side a bit and incorporate the shades that will surely get her noticed.

Savings: Whether it’s clothes, shoes and accessories she’s after or anything from cell phones to handbags, from now until August 9, Ali Express is offering $5 off your first order over $100 Coupon (code: GMT-7). This online wholesale distributor offers more than 5 million items from over 20,000 qualified suppliers, so you can rest assured that you’re buying at the best price from the best distributor.

Naz Papen

Naz Papen is a frequent contributor to CouponWinner.com.

 

Never Judge a Book….

 
 
The name may throw you off just a bit, but don’t let the name “Loser Kids” keep you away from the amazing variety of clothing and accessories that this retailer offers. The funky, fabulous action-sports- and music-influenced collection of apparel, shoes, accessories, and backpacks for both guys and girls is reason enough to ignore the name and stock up on everything your kids will need this fall.

And to sweeten the deal just a little bit more, Loser Kids is offering 10% off plus free shipping on all purchases of $75 or more (code: B2S2011). That means that you can afford to get your kids what they need, and pick up a few things for yourself as well.  While your son will definitely need a new Billabong Extra Credit backpack as well as a jet black Nixon Rubber Player watch, you might just find yourself in the market for a new wallet!

And since the deal is on now and we still have a few more days of the summer heat to look forward to, you can also buy your kids a new swimsuit or two to replace the worn out ones that they’ve been wearing since May.

Happy shopping!

Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a couponing and beauty expert.