There is no doubt I love Costco. I go during lunch hour to sample all their treats. There is no denying when it FINALLY opened in Nashville, I was there for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Similar to the main character in Where the Heart Is, I could happily live in a Costco Warehouse instead of a WalMart. My fridge is stocked with Kirkland milk, my jeans are Calvin closeouts, and I watch How I Met Your Mother on their 60 inch Vizio TV; all purchased from Costco. My life is complete thanks to all Costco offers. If only I could take those advantages to another place, it would be the perfect one stop shop. Well much to my surprise, I now can take Costco with me on my next vacay.

Take Costco on vacay? Well not so much, but I can now use my membership for more than just a gallon of peanut butter. Costco offers a service called the Costco Traveler, to make vacations much more simple and affordable. They offer a selection of the world's most popular resort destinations, hotels, cruise lines, rental car companies and other vacation options. Currently for the month of April Costco Travel is running a promotion for 4 nights in Cancun, for $399 at Omni Cancun Hotel and Vilas. For about $100 a day, you will treated to all the perks of an All-Inclusive, an ocean view room, Resort credit to use on additional services. This is a great getaway for a quick break without breaking the bank. The promotion ends this April, but you don't have to travel until the end of August.

Looking for a bit more action? Costco can take you to the ends of the earth with vacation packages, or hotel deals. Wish you could experience the Changing of the Guard (or catch a glimpse of Prince William and Harry)? Costco can make it happen. Can't decide what place you want to visit on your next vacation? Costco has cruise deals from Europe to crossing the Panama Canal. Visiting family and don't want to be at the mercy of their car? Costco can arrange a rental car so you can escape when your cousins have gotten under your skin a few too many times. If you have a travel wish, Costco can make it happen. All your friends will be jealous when you come back from Cancun with that killer tan.

A Fresh Spring

Spring has sprung, and your wardrobe is drab. Exclusivly online, Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy are offering 30% off their new arrivals. Enter the code: NEW30 upon check out. I love these fresh yellow jeans; they will look great with a navy blue blouse or sweater. I WILL be purchasing this orange dress. I am going to pair them with my pale pink Tahari heels, I got for a rediculous discount at Filene's Basement two summers ago. I could also wear this cute tee-shirt with those yellow pants for a fun spring weekend.


As for the guys in our life, we know they need some help. They hate to spend money on clothes, so this deal is a great way for them to throw away that dingy shirt, and update their look. I absolutley love the one argyle diamond on this tee-shirt. It will look super current with dark slim jeans, and a pair of clean chuck taylors. I do not want to see the super worn ones that have holes the size of quarters coming out. My pretend boyfriend will wear this the same day I rock the yellow jeans. It is so hard to get dressed in the morning during spring, because it is still cold in the early hours, but once the sun is out, you start to melt. So men, get rid of your hooded sweatshirts, and replace it with this kahaki peacoat. It is the perfect weight for the chilly mornings, and once you take a layer or 2 off you will be just as comfortable in the afternoon. As for the bottoms, if you have pleated pants, GET RID OF THEM NOW! They are a fashion crime, that deserves years behind bars. Instead get your man a pair of flat front dress pants, like these. They are perfect for the office, nights out on the town, etc.



This deal only lasts until the days end, so hurry up and buy buy buy.

Saks 5th Ave Friends and Family

Print this cupon out or use online for savings at Saks Fifth Avenue. They are even offering discounts on Jewelrey and Cosmetics. This is a rare occasion, so please take advantage of it.

For My Beantown Babes

Thanks to the Thrifty Stylist, she enlightened me to some deals happening in Boston.

Equilibrium on Congress Street is offering FREE mini-spa-services on April 15.

Beauty Mark at 33 Charles Street, on April 9, the is offering a $75 spray tan for only $10! Look like you just deplaned from St. Tropez, for Jersey shore prices

The Loft Salon on the Newberry street is giving away FREE shampoo and/or conditioner during Earth Week (April 21-25) for bringing in 3 recyclable bottles, or BOTH for bringing 5! Hello, being environmentally conscience will save you a LOT of money in the long run.

Snack Time

It gets to be that time of day when I want to bust out of the doors and head down the street to crumbs for a massive cupcake, that could run me almost $5. $5 for a cupcake? Absurd, I know, delicious YES. We are obsessed with them, but a daily habit will put a hole in my wallet and a spare tire around my current spare tire of a waist.

So I was parusing my favorite diet site, Never Say Diet, and my favorite columnist on the site Linda Vongkhamchanh had just published a way for me to snack great healthy foods, for super cheap prices. Check out Snacking is a great way to boost your metabolism just as long as you make the right choices. Linda gives us 8 options that are light on the pocketbook, but pack a nutritional punch. Have a sweet tooth? She has trail mix and popsicles. Need something salty before you comandeer the vending machiene for all the potatoe chips? There is hummus and edamame to fill that void. If you wanted to make all her options it would cost you under $30 for all the ingredients. Each recipie makes a number of servings, so your pennies will be streched, not your thighs.

Move to the Head of the Class

I walked into J Crew this weekend with my friend from College who was complaining about how their items can sometimes be a little pricy. I responded with "Yes, but it does help they have the student discount." "What!?!" she spit out, and then a huge smile filled her face. I enlightened her to the fact that J Crew does in fact have a student discount. They even have one for teachers.

Many stores realize that students may not have the funds to purchase items from their stores at full price. By adding a cushion of 10 to 15 percent off may throw the balance in their favor. Its their way of showing you they appreciate your business and understand that you maynot have as much to spend right now. All you need to do is flash your student or teacher ID at check out. Already a graduate, or a senior about to enter the real world? Don't toss your ID, keep it for post graduation discounts. Here are some of the stores that offer discounts:
J. Crew: Student and Teacher 15%
Topshop: Student 10%
Steve Madden: Student 10%

Apple: Depends on the School

Ann Taylor Loft: Teacher 15%

Borders Books: Teacher 10%

Barnes and Nobles: 20% discount for teachers on hardcover and paperback books for classroom use. Doesn't apply to online purchases, DVDs, music, etc.

Know of others that are not on the list? Post a comment so others can use the benefits.

Filet Mignon for Hamburger Prices

I have been dying to go to Salt down in SoHo, since I first read about it on either Daily Candy or some review online, but when I went to Menu Pages, I figured I would save my visit for a special occasion.  Then miraculously my friend told me about this great special running on Restaurants.com where I can patronize eateries I have been savoring over for months.  The website is selling gift certificates to your favorite restaurants for a fraction of the value on the.  For only $5 you can get a gift certificate worth $25.  This is basically getting $20 worth of food for free.  However, most of the deals are $25 certificates for only $10.  This is still an amazing deal.  I went through all the places in my area participating in this program, and the places run the gamut from pizza joints, to romantic date spots.  In the mood for Indian tonight, but know you want Tacos tomorrow?  The cuisines offered will satisfy anyone's palette.  There are some stipulations such as can only be used for dining in or only during the week.  

This is a special promotion of the month of April.  However it does not mean you have to use the gift certificates during this month.  So guys if you have a big anniversary coming up in Ju

ne, impress your lady with a candle lit dinner at the most romantic place in town.  Ladies, you know your man will forget that the big 10 year anniversary is coming this June.  Drop some hints, and send him the link to Restaurants.com.  I will hopefully get some girlfriends together who want to hit up Salt.  Their seasonal menu looks amazing.  There were also a ton of places I frequent on a reg

ular basis, so I might as well keep some gift certificates on the back burner for when I eat there.  I might just treat myself to desert that night.  It will basically be free, guilt free too.  

Pampered for Pennies

Do you wish you could spoil yourself spending the day at the spa? Only ladies who lunch have the time and money to look refreshed 24/7. Well now us ladies who slave away at the computer from 9 to 5 trying to make ends meet can indulge for a fraction of the cost. SPA WEEK is coming up so soon. Check out the website to see if your local city is participating. This is your chance to get a spa treatments for only $50. This promotion is running from April 13-19th. I wanted to let you guys know about it before all the slots book up. There are tons of deals on the site. Remember it is vital for you to take care of yourself. When it is on sale its hard to say no. Please do not disturb me, I will be at Clarins getting their facial for a fraction of the cost.

Top This (Repost)

In honor of this monumental day in Fashion history I am linking you to an older story about my favorite British store, Top Shop:

http://ltloab.blogspot.com/2008/09/top-this.html#links

If you are anywhere near the NY area I strongly suggest you checking out their first US outpost.

Scarred to face the crowds but wish you could be their to gawk at how rediculous women get over a fashion deal and steal. Check out the coverage on Racked.

Once I build up the courage I will update you all about how great or how disapointed I was with the first US top shop

Let's Go To The Movies

So this Tuesday has passed, but clear your calendar to get over to your local multiplex next week. National Amusements have this great program that all movies, IMAX included are only $6 on Tuesdays. Bargain Tuesdays is a limited time program that offers great deals on movie tickets. With a deal like this I can wait for the weekend to pass and head over to the theater for a fraction of the price. Check out the blockbusters that made bank this past weekend. Or sneak into that movie you are dying to see, but got horrible reviews. This is only happening at select locations. So make sure you check out the site before heading over to your local National Amusements theaters. This is a great Tuesday activity, its not like there is anything on TV to stay home for.