By Guest Blogger, Claire B, www.tutusfortoddlers.com
All right, Valentine’s Day is upon us and maybe some of you are looking for a gift your husband/significant other would really love. And perhaps things have been a little lackluster in the bedroom since your kids were born (sleep trumps all other bedroom, ahem, “activities” in my book!). You’re looking for a way to spice things up, but wouldn’t be caught dead in a shop on South Blvd. named “Priscilla’s” or “T&A Lingerie”. Maybe the thought of inviting your neighbors and church friends to a home party seems a little uncomfortable as well (Do you really want to know how kinky the president of your book club is?). What’s a girl to do? I have got the place for you- “Karen’s Beautiful Things”!
Karen’s is located on Highway 51 and Park Road Extension in Pineville, in the Black Lion Shopping Center. From the outside this looks like just another Boutique shop: Lamps and small furniture, jewelry, fancy tops and skirts. Nothing to be embarrassed about here- just another Charlotte gift shop. It’s in the dead center of the store that things get interesting. Located discreetly behind wall dividers adorned with oil paintings and gilt mirrors for sale is a section of fantastic lingerie and adult toys they call the “Strictly Exotic” room. Karen’s carries a wide variety of garments from classy to racy in sizes small to plus-size. There is a wall of bustiers, racks of negligeès and night gowns, teddies, thongs, and even some pleather (Yes, pleather. I know, I’m blushing a little too). Additionally you can get furry handcuffs, long feathers, and Astroglide, as well as many other fun accutrements to liven things up with your partner.
Karen’s is definitely a store you will feel comfortable in. First off, all the staff I have encountered there are helpful, but not pushy. Imagine your mom’s cooler, more laid back friend helping you find the right thing for your husband’s
anniversary “gift”. We’re not talking women that work in the Red Door by day, the Gold Club by night. These are older, professional women that don’t giggle when they say things like “would you like a feather boa or gold lamè with that?” There is a private dressing room behind huge, floor to ceiling drapes that has flattering light (read: no fluorescent bulbs to highlight every crease and bump your children bestowed upon you while taking up residence in your belly) and a full length mirror. The saleswomen offer to help, but also give you plenty of time to try things on and make your selections without passing judgement on what you hand them over the counter to ring up. Everything is wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a non-descript bag. You could easily pick up some fancy home furnishings and cool jewelry while you’re there and no one would be the wiser about what else you may have in your shopping bag.
Karen’s Beautiful Things is open Monday through Friday from 11a.m. to 6p.m. and on Saturdays from 11a.m.-5 p.m. For directions and more information, you can check out their website at http://karensbeautifulthings.com/about.htm. Even better than that, when you visit the website, you can enter your email and receive a coupon for 10% off your first purchase. Sexy and thrifty? Now you’re talking!
So ladies, if you really want to avoid scouring the Valentine aisle of your local drugstore pondering a singing stuffed gorilla or a heart shaped mug for your guy, head down to Karen’s and get something he will really like.
