Birthday Bucks

In honor of my 32^nd birthday on December 1 (yes I’m honoring my own birthday) I’ve compiled a list of some fun nationwide retailers that offer discounts and gifts to birthday girls and boys!  If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite treat-yourself birthday activities is a little shopping spree.  These discounts make it all the more fun!

Howell You Shop?

Erica Howell

·         Victoria’s Secret: $10 off any purchase when you sign up for mail/e-mail

·         White House Black Market: $10 off any purchase if you are a Black Book Member  

·         DSW: $5 off any purchase as a member of the DSW Rewards loyalty program

·         American Eagle: 15% off purchase when you sign up for AERewards

·         Sephora: free gift for Club Sephora members

·         Aveda: free gift for Aveda.com members  

Narciso Rodriguez at Kohl's

Following suit behind Target, Kohl’s carries apparel lines & accessories from well-known designers.  Simply Vera by Vera Wang, Rock & Republic and Jennifer Lopez all have lines specifically designed for the retail store.  Ok it’s a bit of a stretch calling the last one a “designer”. 

The newest designer to join the Kohl’s family is Narciso Rodriguez.  The limited edition series is now available in stores for a limited time only.  Right now Kohl’s is offering 30% the entire Narciso Rodruguez Collection for Women.  Check it out!

Howell You Shop?
Erica Howell

My Little Secret

Victoria’s Secret has been my favorite store since high school when I’d sneak off to the mall with girlfriends to make secret purchases.  I love their signature colors of pink and black, I love the glamour of their stores, and I love, love, love all the pretty, silky things in the store.  When I put on VS lingerie, I feel sexy…even if I’m the only one who knows I’m wearing it.  If you are a woman in your 30s, like I am, you should follow these simple rules: (1) Your bra and panties should coordinate (2) Cotton underwear is meant for working out (3) Wear it for you!  Victoria’s Secret is so much more than just lingerie though.  I wear their body mists and lotion, cuddle up in their cozy pajamas and my wardrobe includes a few cute tops and dresses found on their online store.  With the holiday season fast approaching, it is time to get out those catalogs and mark your favorites!  You better believe I already have!

Howell You Shop?

Erica Howell

Victoria’s Secret has a slew of great offer codes right now.  They change frequently.  I just got $15 off, free shipping and a free panty on my last order.  Act fact because some will expire very soon!

·        FALL12: $15 off $100/$30 off $150/$75 off $250/$150 off $500

·        SPARKLE75: Free sparkle clutch with $75 purchase

·        DAZZLE: Free sequin tank with $75 velour purchase

Secret Reward Cards are like playing a free lotto!  You receive one with every separate $10 purchase online or in store now through November 28.  They are redeemable from November 29 through December 20.  You can either call customer service or go in store to reveal if your card is worth $10, $50, $100 or $500.  I’ve always ended up with $10 but it’s still a fun surprise.  Could you imagine what you could get if you had a $500 card?!  My head is swimming!

The holidays are right around the corner.  You want to be on Santa’s nice list but you want to be on his naughty list.  Here are some great finds for the Naughty and Nice in all of us!

Naughty

Nice

With chilly weather brings warm nights by the fire…cuddling in cozy VS pajamas.  I’m highlighting 3 of my favs that I hope to find in my stocking this Christmas.

Angel Sleep Tee—available with matching slipper socks

Fireside Long Jane PJ—available with matching ballet slippers

Pillowtalk Tank PJ—available with matching slippers

As a long-time customer of Victoria’s Secret, I have to highlight two of my go-to favorites.

Very Sexy Bra is available in various fabrics, colors and patterns.  It has just enough lift to provide the perfect amount of cleavage.  I'm really hoping Santa leaves this one under the tree! 

Welcome to the world of cheekies…the new thong!  I find these to be much more comfortable and far sexier than a thong. 





I have these in hot pink!



Halloween Costumes: Sexy vs Scandalous

Halloween Costumes: Sexy vs. Scandalous

It’s that time of year again…Halloween!  Perhaps Lindsay Lohan said it best in Mean Girls: “Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it”.  You just have to visit your local Halloween shop to see what she was talking about…most of the costumes for women are butt cheek-skimming short, skin tight and made of cheap, highly-flammable shiny material.  But whether a grown woman wants to squeeze herself into such an outfit is her prerogative.  One of the glorious things about being a woman is having a good, strong head on your shoulders with an amazing body below that.  Well Halloween isn’t about flaunting what’s going on above the shoulders!  As a formal chubber, I fully embrace women using Halloween as the opportunity to show off the body they’ve worked hard to achieve/maintain and to so justly torture a few men in the process.   However, there are some unfortunate lost souls out there that while picking out that sexy costume just do not know when to say when.  Sometimes less is more and sometimes less is just less.  This entry is in no way an attempt to serve as an actual guide for Halloween costumes to my readers. I think most would find these a bit ridiculous.  But we’ve all seen that girl that took her Rainbow Brite costume from sexy to slutty.  I’ve created a short list of some common costumes showing when Sexy becomes Scandalous.  So sit back, grab some candy corn and have a few laughs.  I imagine my male followers will enjoy this either way!

Howell You Shop?

Erica Howell

Nurse: Look like you can cure a disease…not give one!

vs.

Police:  The difference between having it on lock down vs. being locked up. 

 vs.



Ref: Call that sack…not get called easy in the sack. 

vs.

Super Hero: Leave his Spidey senses tingling!

 vs. 

Minnie Mouse: Welcome to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse…not Whorehouse.

 vs.

Gangster: Make an offer he can’t refuse.  

vs.

 

Golfer: Forgot your set of woods?  I bet he’ll let you borrow his!

vs.

Oh and if you’re wondering…this girl will be a very cute Minnie Mouse this Halloween!  Next year I’ve got my eye on the golfer costume!

Here are a few more of my top picks!!

High Heels and Low Prices

High Heels and Low Prices

Target is where it’s at for some super cute shoes at super low prices.  I may have been slightly biased on the selection I’m showing below…come Fall I’m all about suede boots and heels! 

Howell You Shop?

Erica Howell

Suede Heel Booties

I first bought these in black about a month ago.  Yes, the heels are stiletto-esque but these booties are super comfy.  These look great with jeans and skirts!  Naturally, I couldn’t resist when I spotted them in tan later! 

Mary Jane Heels

A Mary Jane heel is always a cute choice for Fall/Winter.  These work great for work because of the thicker, sturdy heel.  The heel isn’t too chunky and the suede keeps them from looking like your 5-year-old niece’s pair.  Go for them in red and liven up your career wear!

Modern Day Cowgirl

These boots have a cowboy boot essence to them but with some really great modern additions.  I love the double buckle and work boot soles.  This color will go with absolutely anything!

Chic Hiking Boots

Walking anywhere in these might be a bit of a hike but they are oh so cute!  I absolutely love the red laces!  These can really make a sweater and jeans combo super sexy without looking like you are trying too hard.

Classic Merlot

Every woman should own a couple pairs of standard pumps.  The suede makes it a bit more sophisticated and the merlot shade really adds a great pop of color to your Fall wardrobe!

Biker Babe

I saw these and immediately thought about how fab they would look paired with my faux-leather jacket from Express.  I love the buckle detail and the fact that they are a wedge! If you can rock a skinny jean, these would pair perfectly!



Save The Ta Tas!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Approximately 1 in 8 women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.  At this time, there are more than 2.9 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.  I doubt that there are many reading this that don’t know a brave woman or family that have fought or are fighting the battle against the ugly C-word.  But you don’t have to know someone to support this great cause.  Every day they’re getting closer to a cure and that happens starting with just one person’s support.

I am so happy to report that there are a huge variety of Breast Cancer Awareness products out there!  Due to the large volume, I chose to focus instead on large retailers that carry a good selection of apparel, accessories, beauty products and more which all support the cause.  I happen to be a big fan of the color pink and there is no shortage of goodies in all shades of pink to be found this month!  So grab yourself a yummy-scented candle,  gorgeous lip gloss or sassy scarf and support the cause!

 

Howell You Shop?
Erica Howell

(1)    Ulta: http://www.ulta.com/

(2)    Belk: http://www.belk.com/AST/Boutiques/Boutiques_Primary/wk33_BCA.jsp?cm_re=HV1-FeaturedShop_BreastCancerAwareness-_-P1_ShopBCA

(3)    Sephora: http://www.sephora.com/search/search.jsp?keyword=breast%20cancer&_requestid=27656

(4)    Nordstrom: http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/breast-cancer-awareness

(5)    Target: http://www.target.com/s/breast+cancer

(6)    Ford: Warriors in Pink: http://www.warriorsinpink.ford.com/

(7)    Macy’s: http://www1.macys.com/shop/womens-clothing/pink-shop?id=55212&edge=hybrid&cm_sp=us_women%27s-shops-pink-shop-_-the-pink-shop-at-macys

(8)    Coach: http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/genWCM-10551-10051-en-/Coach_US/StaticPage/breastcancer?LOC=SR