I was recently lucky enough to make the acquaintance of a great PR Firm - Chic Execs. Even better, a number of the products they represent are available for purchase through Upromise Online Shopping. This is good news because it means that I can test drive some products and give you an honest assessment. 

The first products I took for a test drive? chicBuds.

These little bedazzled headphones are meant to spice up your audio listening whether you've got an iPhone, iPod, portable DVD player, or any other type of media player that you are looking to use. They're sassy, sophisticated and adorned with Swarovski Crystals for all you girls that are out there wanting to add some spice to your music.  Available in a variety of colors and patterns, you can really get them in whatever shade you're partial to.

What I loved ::

• The bedazzled look for one. The pair sent to me were white with pink crystals - or watermelon if you want to be precise. Packaged in a cute black tin, they have humorous label on the back - similar to a nutrition label. Very cute.
  

• I also liked the expandable cord, which you pull from both ends simultaneously to whatever length you prefer. I am forever getting annoyed at my iPod headphones with the one-length-fits-all cord that I have to wrap around the iPod a hundred times. The retractable cord allowed me to make it just the perfect length. No accidental dropping of the iPod because my hand accidentally caught the cord while I was walking.
  

• The sound quality is excellent and crystal clear, although it does not block out any other noise, so you may find yourself listening to your iPod a little louder than necessary depending on where you are.

Here's what I wish were different :: 

• The retractable cord is housed in a little circular casing, which makes total sense. But when you get the chicBuds in your ears, that casing tends to be a little heavier than you are probably used to. Now, to offset the heft, there is a handy clip on the housing so you can clip it to your shirt, thus counteracting the weight. The downside to clipping it to your clothing is that, if you are walking anywhere, the housing constantly swings and bangs against whatever it's clipped to, as well as your body.
  

• Also, there are no earphone covers or tips included, which means that your ears need to be a somewhat "standard size" to wear these without them teetering out. So, for all of that, I would definitely not run or workout with these.  Your other option would be to invest in the chicBudsJr (which my daughter has and loves!!) They have smaller ear buds and a lighter housing unit, although no clip to keep it them place.

Overall, this is a pretty great product and makes a fantastic accessory. Fun and functional, you will enjoy them and you'll surely get many a compliment. If you are an iPod user that enjoys music on the subway during a commute or just walking through town, you'll thoroughly enjoy the convenience of these.

They will also be great at the beach this summer. Magazines everywhere are touting their praises over this product and it landed on many gift lists this past holiday season. chicBuds also offers iPod casings and PinkTooth Wireless Headsets, all of which make great, chic gifts!

Shop for chicBuds via Upromise Online Shopping. Several retailers carry them so be sure to compare prices to get the best deal out there.

The sales this week are fantastic! Plenty of coupon codes - enough to make your head spin!!

Let's start our shopping venture at Ann Taylor Loft where you can get a second sweater at 1/2 price when you buy the first one at full price. It's a great chance to stock up on some really cute spring and summer sweaters and save money all at the same time. If you're not in the mood to shop for sweaters, you can always take 20% off whatever you choose with coupon code 104004175. Both sales end today (the 2nd), so you don't have much time to act, but it's worth hurrying for anyway. 

Old Navy is also cranking out their online only spring sale, giving you 40% off in every department through the 4th.

Shop at Kohl's.com by the 5th and take 10% off your entire order with coupon code NEW4600. I, of course, am salivating of the Simply Vera Wang spring collection, and shamelessly lusting over this gorgeous satin trench coat, as well as these twill straight leg pants, and this ribbed cardigan.

Ulta Beauty has tons of gorgeous cosmetics up for grabs as well as free standard shipping on any order over $25 and coupon code 22519; I'm thinking this makeup bag is worth a second look - too cute.  Finally, on the 5th, if you missed the chance to shop at Ann Taylor Loft on the 4th, you can use coupon code 104004175 25% off any full price order $75 or more.

Finish up your week of sales by shopping Lucky Brand Jeans by April 6th. Tons of coupon codes await you, like 30% off your order with code 9MARFAFF, 40% off your order with code 9MARFF4, or take free standard shipping on any order over $125. Grab this cotton voile printed camisole and the laguna belted cargo pants for a comfortable, casual summer look.  Give it a shot of color when you carry the butterfly patchwork tote.

Enjoy the sales and see you Friday!

Photos Courtesy of Kohl's & Lucky Brand Jeans.

Hello Kitty has her pretty little face on just about everything. Clothes, toasters, bedding, and every other thing. In fact, if you search for "Hello Kitty" on the Upromise Online Shopping page and you'll get 590 hits!

That's a whole lotta Hello Kitty.  And it's not just for little girls.

Try one of these items on for size.

The Hello Kitty Beach Cruiser available at Target. I love the color pink, and this bike fits the bill. I can totally picture myself cruising around the neighborhood on this baby!!

At first glance, you may think that this Hello Kitty pendant is for little girls, but at $295 and with real diamonds, it's definitely not something you'd hang around the neck of a little girl.  The same could be said of this Stainless Steel Silhouette Watch with Mother-of-Pearl Dial.

Hello Kitty Ballet Flats at Yoox. A little to princess-y for me, but you might like them. Personally, I think this grommet belt is a little more my speed.

No matter your age, everyone loves a little Hello Kitty; get yours today.