Shopping Tips Online

If you’re JLo and you’re going to Tom and Katie’s wedding in Italy, you wear a pretty pink chiffony gown, opera-length gloves and a fur capelet.

If you’re not, you could find a similar capelet, in faux fur, for $29, at Newport News.

Think about this look for holiday parties. The little cape will keep shoulders warm, goes with any length dress, and would look great with jeans or slacks, too. If it’s good enough for Tom and Katie, it’s good enough for me!

Tom and Katie’s Wedding, Jennifer Lopez, Fur Capelet

Like nearly 80% of consumers polled in a recent survey by the
The National Retail Federation, I am planning on giving at least one gift card this Christmas. Gift card sales this year will total nearly $25 billion, up $6 billion over last year. They are huge business, and consumers and retailers both love them.

Gift cards are convenient, they show that I know what the recipient’s interests are, and they allow the person to choose exactly what they want. Since 14 year olds are nearly impossible to buy for, we will give our nephew an iTunes gift card.

The brothers-in-law will get a card from Cabela’s. I always give the card along with a little something – the iTunes card will come in an iPod “sweater,” and the Cabela’s card might come with a hunting cap. We will receive gift cards ourselves, which we appreciate. I usually wait until the after-Christmas sales to use them, so I get more for the “money.”

There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing gift cards. (more…)

From Thanksgiving through the New Year you will doubtless attend a lot of parties hosted by friends, family or business associates. When a hostess gift is called for, think outside the box of wine. Gifts with some personality say you care about the hosts, and really appreciate the invitation.

Why not consider a unique salt and pepper set with personality plus? I found two that are worth checking out. One set has a sweet, nostalgic flare, and the other with a modern, mid-century sensibility.

Fred Flare has these cute bear-shaped shakers for $9. They would be adorable on a breakfast table alongside the classic bear-shaped honey jar.

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I love Brian’s Belly. The web site, I mean. Their slogan is “Eat, Drink & be Heavy™” It’s a great site for all things manly, including recipes, beer, and a lot of laughs. I have successfully used many of their grilling recipes. Bob particularly loves the Brian’s Belly Baked Beer Burgers, and their description of them: “Anytime you combine beer and beef into any type of recipe you know that it’s gonna knock your freggin’ socks off.”

Brian’s Belly offers logo items through an affiliation with Cafe Press, including some sweet items for “that guy” on your list.

Won’t this apron look sweet on your guy while he’s deep frying the Thanksgiving bird at the end of the driveway – a beer in one hand and the fire extinguisher in the other.

Brian’s Belly, Gift Ideas, Man Gifts, Unusual Gifts, Apron, Thanksgiving, Deep Fried Turkey

Best Buy shopping trips are an assault on my senses. I realize I am not the target demo, because Bob can wander the aisles in there for hours and not be phased, whereas I want to scream and run after 10 minutes time. Well, apparetnly I am not the only woman who feels that way.

The Star Tribune reports that Best Buy will revamp their stores “with a woman’s touch.” In some 60 test stores, Best Buy has made atmospheric improvements such as wider aisles, softer music and even play areas for the kids. They have retrained their staff to communicate with women, too.

The big question in my mind is… WHY? If women are not primarily electronics buyers, why risk alienating your main demographic.

Opinions?

Best Buy, Electronics

I was in line at the grocery store, absently reading the headlines of the tabloids, when I felt a nudge from behind. I turned and there was a woman’s cart right up against me. I went around and stood next to my cart, thinking, “maybe she just doesn’t see me standing here.�? I went back to reading about who had whose baby, when suddenly my cart was bumped. I pulled my cart forward, trying to create more space between the front of her cart and the back of mine. Seconds later she bumped it again. I finally made eye contact and got a “sorry.�?

I have had similar experiences just about everywhere I have had to wait in lines.

People. We must learn to respect personal space while shopping. It’s especially important during the holiday season, when we are crushed together in malls, department stores and groceries. It’s the violation of this space that can make a happy Bob Cratchet turn into a miserable Ebenezer Scrooge. (more…)

The National Retail Federation has published results of a recent study about what will influence us to buy this holiday season.

A whopping 41% of shoppers surveyed said they were most influenced by word of mouth – even when it was the word of a complete stranger who offered product reviews and opinions online. In the survey, 33% said their holiday electronics purchases would be influenced by online reviews. When it comes to clothing, word of mouth is a big factor, too. Over 30% said word of mouth was an influencer.

Online retailers that allow for a consumer review are putting these kinds of statistics to good use. On Zappos, the (best) online shoe store, I have actually altered my purchase based on online reviews. Amazon.com has used consumer reviews and lists for a long time, and has developed a whole community based on that. Many other retailers understand the strength of word of mouth and have incorporated it into their business model. Those that have not, should.

But what about blogs? (more…)

I have always been suspicious of the “extended warranty” offered in the checkout lanes of some of my favorite retailers. I have always said no – it just seemed a little too scammy to me. Turns out my instincts were right.

Today, Consumer Reports is launching a full-on campaign to warn electronics buyers that extended warranties are NOT worth the money. Most retailers push the extended warranty, and for some of the big-ticket items, we may be tempted to shell out the extra money to reduce our risk. BUT, here’s what Consumer Reports says:

• Products seldom break within the extended-warranty window (typically around three years), our data show.
• When electronics and appliances do break, the repair often costs about the same as the cost of the warranty.

They DO recommend the warranty for certain items, so be sure to check out their site if you are in the market for electronics.

Electronics, Extended Warranty, Consumer Reports

Giving gifts can be a lot of fun, or it can be a major pain. Even for people you know very well it can be a challenge to come up with something that’s unique and personal. It’s hard not to fall into the trap of giving the same person the same kinds of gifts every year –Aunt Edna may collect bunnies, but how many ceramic rabbits does one person need?

I’m searching for unique ideas for Christmas and Holiday giving this year, and will share some of these with you. I’m doing a lot of my shopping online, but many of these ideas can be purchased on-premise as well.

You don’t have to have an avid stamp collector on your list to find something interesting and different at the U.S. Postal Service. Their online shop has everything from apparel, to plush toys and coloring books, to stamp collecting supplies. And of course, stamps. Here are just a few things I found that I thought were unique.

A mailbox bank, for just $4.95 is cute – I would put some change in to get the little guy or gal’s saving started. (more…)

I am a cashmere addict. I love the baby-soft feel and the lightweight warmth. I will never forget buying my very first cashmere sweater, one I still own to this day. I parted with some cash for that sweater because I had to – years ago, the low-cost retailers had not jumped on the cashmere bandwagon. Now, you can find cashmere just about everywhere you go, including Wal-Mart.

But, are they the same? In a word, no. Experts say you can judge cashmere by its softness. A very soft yarn is a sign of high quality. If it feels coarse or fuzzy, it is a lesser quality cashmere. Ply can be an indication, but not always. Cashmere sweaters are either one- or two-ply. A two-ply yarn creates a sturdier knit, but it still may not be high quality. A manufacturer may add a ply, but if the cashmere itself is of a lesser quality, then the sweater will be, too. Low quality cashmere sweaters will pill, and will not retain their shape over time.

Here are two, similar cashmere sweaters, both cable knit V-necks, both in a range of colors. The first is from Wal-Mart. Their George brand sweater sells for $34.88 online.

The second is J.Crew with a retail price of $148. Ultra-premium cashmere sweaters can go for as much as $600, so for some people, this is still considered a “low price.” But for most of us, $150 is not pocket change.

There is definitely a difference in the quality of these sweaters. The J.Crew sweater, at over 4 times the price, is a higher quality garment, an investment piece you would be proud of for years and years. The George sweater is not an investment piece. It feels soft, but not as soft. It’s a “disposable” cashmere sweater.

So, here’s my advice. If you are shopping for your significant other, go for the quality. She or he is worth it, right? If you just want to have a cute sweater, maybe in a color you wouldn’t normally buy, go for the less expensive sweater and just have fun with it. Throw it on over a tee shirt with jeans and top it with a cute hoodie. Or wear it with pajama bottoms to lounge around the house in. You’d never do that with a $150 sweater, right?

In this battle between low and high price, it’s your call.

Cashmere, J.Crew, Wal-Mart, Sweaters, Gifts, Christmas

The New York Times reports today that Uniqlo, known as “The Gap of Japan” has opened a 36,000 square foot store in SoHo. Here’s the company’s website. Check out the looks – basic, in an oh-so trendy way. With no big designer names to hang their tweed hunting hat on, there is speculation about the appeal Uniqlo will have in the U.S. (more…)

Now you have another payment option next time you buy a gallon jar of mayonnaise and a plasma TV. MasterCard Worldwide announced yesterday that they have formed a partnership with the warehouse club stores to offer consumers another option for payment. The company’s online store, as well as their gas stations, have always taken Visa® and MasterCard®, but in-store purchases were limited to cash, checks, their own in-house cards or Discover®.

“Our Members have told us that they like having credit options for their purchases at Sam’s Club and as we continue to focus on how we enhance their experience, the addition of MasterCard is a natural extension of our commitment to meet their needs,�? said Mark Goodman, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Membership and E-Commerce, Sam’s Club.

Why MasterCard and not Visa? (more…)

Haggar has answered my question about who they are targeting with their new “Gentleman’s Disagreement” contest as well as their current advertising campaign. Baby Boomers. Really?
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In case you were wondering where you could pick up a big, multi-colored pearl necklace, in the style of Nancy Pelosi, I have your hook up. The Pearl Source. “A beautiful 11-14mm Tahitian & Golden South Sea multicolor pearl necklace with a gorgeous variation of South Sea pearl colors. Each pearl is carefully hand-picked and matched precisely according to the theme of this pearl necklace.” The retail price is $3,999. Come to think of it, this might BE the necklace she’s wearing!

Shown: Nancy Pelosi, soon to be the first female speaker of the house, meeting with Minority Leader Harry Reid in her office, a day after becoming House Majority Leader. (Photo by Chronicle Michale Macor.)

Nancy Pelosi, Pearl Necklace, Female Speaker of the House, Democrat, Congresswoman

You know what they say. Do one thing and do it well. Kate Spade had that in spades. Cute, preppie, classic-with-a-twist designer handbags and totes. The signature black tag on the outside was the sure sign of great taste. But then she and hubbie Jack decided to branch out – way out – all the way to stationery, baby gear, men’s travel accesssories and more. And with that, the focus shifted away from their raison d’etre.

Kate Spade was a subsidiary of Neiman Marcus, and the retail giant has been trying to offload the brand for about 18 months. They finally found a buyer (more…)