Shopping Tips Online

Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep are in the clutch here. Mirren was nominated for three, count them, three, Golden Globes – two for her roles as Queen Elizabeth (I and II) and one as Detective Superintendent Tennison on Prime Suspect. Streep’s nomination, best performance by an actress in a musical or comedy film, was for her performance in The Devil Wears Prada. Seen here on the red carpet prior to the awards ceremony, the two veteran actors are carrying cute metallic clutch bags.

Helen’s is silver, with crystals on the clasp – and here’s one from Zappos that’s very similar. It’s silver silk with the same style pleats, and it will hold a teeny cell phone, a lipstick and a dime to call your mother. Retail price is $198.95.

I found one similar to Meryl’s at Macy’s for $49.99. The shape is sleek but structured like hers and it has the little hidden chain shoulder strap for when you need or want it. I like the oyster color – it’s got the same feel as the gold, and it’s also very versatile.

These bags are classic styles, so you might try vintage retailers or online auctions to find the shape and color. You can’t go wrong with a little clutch, they’re always perfectly in style.

Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, Golden Globes, Clutch Handbags

SeenON is the latest in a number of sites out there that are celebrity-clothing-obsessed, but this one is a little different. It is a resource for finding the exact products you see on your favorite TV or movie characters or celebrities. This site gets its information directly from networks and studios, so it’s not the top “like” Bree Van De Kamp was wearing in that episode, it’s “the” top she was wearing.

More than clothing, the site features everything from furniture to cars, with links to the sites where you can make the purchase. They also gather available fan apparel and accessories, so you can find the Dwight bobblehead doll or your Heroes T-shirt, too.

One note. The site, launched in Novenber, may may still be working out some bugs. I tried clicking on a top from the ABC store, and instead of taking me to a product page, the link took me to the shopping cart, which was empty. I had to click around on ABC to find the products page, and then still wasn’t able to locate this top that I found on SeenOn. On the other hand, I did the same thing with the “famous” Martha Stewart handmade poncho, and was able to get right to the product ordering page.

Write yourself into an episode of Desperate Housewives, be a guest on Martha’s show – or at least look the part. Check out SeenOn.com.

Desperate Housewives, Martha Stewart, SeenOn, Celebrity Fashion

Now there is no need to ask, “Do these jeans make my butt look big?” Levis® has introduced their Perfectly Slimming 512™ Jeans. The cotton and spandex fabric is cut to flatten and provide control around the tummy. They are bootcut, which also helps to give a long, lean look, and darker washes also help provide a slimmer appearance. The jeans are available at Sears.com and are on sale right now for $29.99 (regularly $34.99). That’s cheaper than a gym membership, and much more fun than a diet.

Jeans, Levis, Slimming Jeans, Bootcut, Sears, Sale

I shop (and browse) online a lot, as you would imagine. I have my favorite online stores – they’re my “go tos” for things I like and need. Many of these online retailers have a ton of bells and whistles, tools supposedly designed to make my shopping experience more enjoyable. But do they?

An interesting study shows that retailers like their shopping tools more than we do, and undervalue the things we really like and use.

A story on InternetRetailer.com called Are You Listening? summarizes the results of a survey including 2,472 online shoppers, around 2,000 of whom had made 2 to ten online purchases within the previous 6 months.

Retailers valued their shopping tools much higher than the survey participants:
“What’s New” – Retailers, 73% vs. Consumers, 51%
“Top Sellers” – Retailers, 74% vs. Consumers, 39%
“Gift Suggestions” – Retailers 63% vs. Consumers, 35%

Retailers are off base on the value of product comparison, and customer reviews, too:
“Product Comparison” – Retailers, 33% vs. Consumers, 64%
“Consumer Reviews” – Retailers, 39% vs. Consumers, 60%

The one area consumers and retailers agree on is free shipping.
“Free Shipping” – Retailers, 76% vs. Consumers, 89%

What is causing this disparity? (more…)

It’s very hip to be up on the latest flavors, whether you’re a gourmet cook or just like to sprinkle a little something on your microwave popcorn. McCormick®, the spices, seasonings and flavors company, just released their top 10 flavor trends for 2007. And you might find them surprising. The combinations are intriguing, with a sweet taste combined with either a salty, smoky, bitter or sour herb or spice, hitting the tongue in different places.

Their top ten are:

Clove and Green Apple – Crisp, refreshing, and warm, this healthful pair is an ideal accent to light flavors and foods.
Crystallized Ginger & Salted Pistachio – The palate-pleasing combination of salty and sweet goes upscale with this pairing.
Thyme & Tangerine – When thyme and tangerine come together, the result is, at once, sweet and savory.
Cumin & Apricot – Cumin and apricot are a perfect example of the yin/yang nature of flavor pairings.
Tellicherry Black Pepper & Berry – The distinct flavor of black pepper becomes twice as nice when paired with berry.
Toasted Mustard & Fennel Seeds – When mustard and fennel seeds join forces, the result is a mighty punch of flavor and texture.
Sea Salt & Smoked Tea – This chic coupling is the next evolution of the classic salt and smoke combination.
Wasabi & Maple – The ultimate in sweet heat, watch out when wasabi and maple team up!

Recipes are provided for each flavor profile. I may have to try the Ginger-Pistachio Crusted Chicken with Tangerine Sauce or the Peppered Filet Mignon with Blackberry Sauce.

I think what’s interesting about McCormick’s forecast is that these flavor pairings are not specifically ethnic, that is they are not “Southwest” or “Asian” or “Mexican.” Rather, they are fusions of flavors from different parts of the world. This could begin to make you think about making your own unique combinations, or taking a favorite recipe and putting a new spin on it.

There are many spice companies available online, so do a little surfing and see what you can find. McCormick products are available at most regular grocery stores, and some of their newer products are available to buy through their website.

Flavor Trends, McCormick, Spices, Herbs, Recipes

In 1969 Nixon was inaugurated president, the Mets beat Baltimore in the World Series and Midnight Cowboy won Best Picture and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Oh yeah, and the first Gap store opened in San Francisco.

Thirty-seven years later, we’re asking the question. Is the Gap still relevant?

In one of my previous articles I reported about the Gap’s holiday advertising, and the confusion it was causing among consumers. Fifteen year olds liked the hip-hop music but not the clothes, older consumers (like me) didn’t get either the ads or the clothes. While the commercial was popular, same store sales were tanking over the holiday season. The company reported a 4% drop in net sales for the five-week period ending December 30th compared to the same period in 05.

Now, the Gap is suffering from a major identity crisis, as this Washington Post article points out.

A 24-year-old shopper was quoted as saying, “I used to shop there, like, all the time when I was younger,” she said. But lately, “I haven’t really seen anything there that has jumped out at me.”

That’s been my experience, even though I am…ahem… slightly older. I love the Gap. I grew up with the Gap. It was cool stuff in a modern-slash-classic way. Back in the day, I used to wear their men’s jeans exclusively – I could get the length I needed, and they were just the right shade of blue. And that was super-cool. But I have noticed that now, more often than not, I leave the Gap without a shopping bag. The stuff is just too… I don’t know, young? Strange? Trendy? Have I fallen through the Gap?

The “Simple Idea�?

Don Fischer, founder of the Gap said, “I created Gap with a simple idea: to make it easier to find a pair of jeans. We remain committed to that basic principle.�? He stepped down as the company’s chairman of the board in 2003.

Poor Don. I think the current management has lost sight of his founding principle. Case in point. Women’s jeans: Fashion denim, boot cut curvy, boot cut original, flare curvy, flare long & lean, flare original, straight boyfriend, skinny fit, classic fit, reverse fit and cropped jeans. That’s eleven different fits. And the “fashion denim�? category has a dizzying array of jeans like drawstring, trouser cut, cargo… the list goes on. I can’t even go back to men’s jeans because it’s just as confusing. Slim, straight, loose straight, boot, loose boot, industrial, easy, relaxed, baggy and carpenter – ten styles of men’s jeans.

How is this making it easier for me to find jeans? It’s not simple. It’s frustrating and confusing. The company says the Gap brand stands for “iconic American style for customers of all ages.�? I think this may be a leftover brand positioning statement from an era when they actually knew who they were.

Time to Close the Gap?

Sadly, I just spent an hour walking around in our nearly-empty Gap, Gap Kids and Gap Body stores – they are closing this month. And they’re not the only closings coming. For 2006 Gap estimated opening 35 new Gap North America stores (U.S. and Canada), and closing 85. At the same time, they estimated opening 85 new Old Navy stores, while closing only 20 and opening 40 Banana Republics while closing only 10. Store closings are not always tied to performance, but in the case of recent closures, I would guess that low sales were more often the reason than not.

There are rumors circulating that the company is going on the block. No one from Gap will comment. However, they will admit that they are doing whatever it takes to turn the company around, and have hired Goldman Sachs to do a survey of both Gap and Old Navy brands. Paul Pressler, president and CEO of Gap Inc. said, “Given that we did not gain the traction we had expected, the management team, with the active involvement of our board of directors, is currently reviewing Gap and Old Navy’s brand strategies. We are committed to making the necessary changes to improve performance.�?

I’m Not Giving Up On You, Gap

Dear Gap: I know you didn’t ask me. But I am a consumer, a long-time customer, and I read and write about the retail business. So, I may not be qualified to address your financials, but I do have thoughts about what you could do to re-capture some of what you’ve lost. Here are my ideas: (more…)

Today Gap Inc. announced two major changes in management at Old Navy and Gap. On the heels of a rotten holiday season, and stinky sales overall since about 2004, this doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. The company just hired Goldman Sachs to do a review of both brands.

The president of Gap Adult, 47 year old Denise Johnston “is leaving the company” effective Friday. Old Navy’s Executive Vice President of Product Design, Ivy Ross “will leave the company” – for some reason she gets to stay until the 17th.

Expect more in-depth on this from me tomorrow.

Gap, Old Navy, Gap Inc., Gap Management Changes

In a magic kingdom everyone has magic stuff. Teapots that dance. Dressers that talk. Clothes that fly around by themselves. Candlesticks that hand out relationship advice. You know, stuff like that. Now there’s another inanimate object imbued with magic powers. The iPhone.

Following a whirlwind of rumors and speculation (which were all true), Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone Tuesday at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco. The iPhone operates without traditional buttons – instead, a touchscreen allows you to navigate through the phone’s seeming zillions of functions. Jobs clearly LOVES this thing. Check it out:

Mr Jobs said the iPhone was a “revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone”.

“It works like magic… It’s far more accurate than any touch display ever shipped. It ignores unintended touches. It’s super-smart.”

Go to Apple’s site for details – they have a very slick, thorough intro on it. The phone will retail for $500 - $600, and comes in 4 or 8 gig models.

Were I the magic kingdom type, this is the phone I would have to wave my magic wand for. It would look lovely with my glass slippers and my pumpkin carriage!

Express your opinion, make your point, get on your soap box or just say “good job” and you could win CASH! Here’s how it works.

Every comment made on any 451 Press site between now and January 31st is entered in a random drawing. Each comment is an entry – there’s no limit as long as you leave a quality comment (no spam!).

Prizes:
451 Press will award six prizes to the six randomly chosen comments from this month. There will be one (1) $500 cash prize and five (5) $100 cash prizes. We will contact the winning commenters using the email address they enter with the comment. Comments made through January 31st will be entered in the contest and the winners will be announced on February 1st.

Here’s the official announcement from 451 Press.

Links to all the other 451 Press sites are located at the bottom of this page, so leave a comment here first (that’s an entry, remember!), then check out all the great content available on the other sites in the network.

Good luck!

Contest, Comments, Cash Prizes

Can a personal protection device be the perfect accessory to complete your look?

Taser International has introduced a fahsionable, consumer-friendly stun gun, the Taser C2™ Personal Protector. The first thing you notice is how un-weapon-ish it looks. To me, it looks like a slick cordless electric shaver. It’s small enough to slip into a jacket pocket or your handbag. And, it comes in colors. Pink, blue, silver or black, to reflect your personal style. Perhaps you want to match it to your cell phone?

All kidding aside, purchasing, let alone using, a stun gun is pretty serious stuff. Taser calls the C2 a “safe, effective and responsible” option for home self-defense. It has an effective range of to 0 to 15 feet and a 30 second cycle, presumably so you can get away after your attacker has been stunned. They also built in some safety features so it can be safely used by a consumer, not just a law enforcement officer. The stun guns used by police deliver 50,000 volts of electricity, but the literature I downloaded did not specify the volt delivery of the C2. The C2 will not operate until it is activated following a background check.

The subject of stun guns or other “non-lethal weapons” is very controversial. Stun guns have had a ton of bad press, and critics link these devices to dozens of deaths. However, Taser International and supporters say that stun guns actually help save lives by preventing the use of firearms.

No one ever imagined that cell phones would end up being “sexy.” They used to be very utilitarian. So were cameras, computers, personal music devices and other electronics. I look at the Taser C2 as falling in line with this trend. Whether or not you agree with it – now that’s another story.

Taser International, Stun Guns, Personal Protection, NLWs

Sometimes when you least expect it, you can find a super-bargain clearance in-store that beats the online price. And that’s what happened to me today. A quick trip to my local Wal-Mart netted me four George cable cashmere sweaters for five bucks each. I grabbed one in light pink, light blue, charcoal gray and black.

Yes, these are the same sweaters I wrote about in a previous article comparing more expensive cashmere to what I refer to as “disposable” cashmere. My philosophy is still that you do get what you pay for in cashmere, but at $5 each, these were priced lower than some cotton long sleeve tees that were on the same rack. I can wear these with jeans, a skirt or dress pants, layered with a collared blouse, under a jacket – really any old way I want.

The same sweater is on clearance on Wal-Mart.com, but is priced at $16. Compared to the original price of $35, that’s not a bad deal at all.

The in-store inventory of the cashmere sweaters was extremely limited, so this was most likely a blow-out. Online, while the price is higher, you stand a better chance of getting the size and color you need before they run out.

Now is the time to scour clearance racks in stores. The pickin’s might be slim, but the prices will keep your checkbook fat.

Wal-Mart, Cashmere Sweaters, Bargains

Sadly, after only a year, Marilyn Manson and his dancer wife Dita Von Teese are divorcing.

If I had been invited to the wedding, I would have given them these awesome “Cannibal Kingdom” plates from French Paper. They are heavy-duty melamine, and the set of four, featuring very strange images of cute little animals all set to devour some red meat, retail for $40.

I am now glad I didn’t get that invite because who knows which of them would have ended up with these incredibly cute plates.

Marilyn Manson, Wedding Gift, French Paper, Dita Von Teese

If you have a craving for something tasty and a bit offbeat, check out Pixie Girl Shop. The sushi bracelet and earring set runs $30, and comes in a carry-out container. If you’re really hungry, there are other sushi products to choose from, including fun and funky sushi pillows. If sushi isn’t your thing, no problem. Pixie Girl Shop offers an unbelievable variety of jewelry, accessories, and home decor including fine art prints. Most of the products skew toward teens or twenty-somethings, but the Lego® jewelry (yes, they are made out of Legos) is wonderfuly nostalgic and appeal to those of us who are… well, quel certain age.

I love running across these kinds of online retailers. Pixie Girl Shop is a network of artists who hand craft the items sold on the site. They are offering fresh, unique items that just can’t be found in most areas of the country.

The founder of the site says:

My goal is to give people an alternative to shopping at chain stores, while exposing people to talented artists and the new modern craft world!

Sushi like this can be very satisfying!

Shopping, Sushi, Jewelry, Artists, Pixie Girl Shop

The swearing in of the new congress January 4th took a back seat to Nancy Pelosi taking the gavel as the first-ever female speaker of the house. But what are people talking about today? The way she looked. And most people agree, she looked great. Well, what else are we going to talk about? If she hadn’t looked good, we would have been picking that apart as well.

Pelosi loves her pearls, now, doesn’t she? She had been seen wearing a particular multi-colored South Seas pearl necklace on several occasions, so back in November I sourced an online dealer for you if you were interested in adopting the look for yourself. Since then I have noticed “Pelosi Pearls” popping up all over the place.

Yesterday with her non-partisan plum suit she wore a strand of champagne pearls. Good choice. White would have been too contrasty, and after all, we’d already seen the multi-colored ones. So, in an effort to help you build your Nancy Pelosi Pearls wardrobe, I am directing you back to the Pearl Source for a similar champagne necklace of golden South Seas pearls. This one goes for $3,799.

Seem a bit steep? To get the look and still be able to buy groceries, try these from Amazon – for $35 you get the necklace and the matching earrings. Gavel not included.

I just learned that another 80s oddity is back and, according to the company who developed the new line, better than ever.

Clothes that change colors while you wear them. I didn’t get it then, I don’t get it now.

That’s right. Body Faders has introduced a new line of tees, hoodies, sweatshirts and polos that literally change colors with the heat from the sun or body heat. They come in sizes for men, women and kids, so you can dress the whole family in their trendy tops. Hypercolor, the first brand of color-changing tees and shorts were all the rage in the 80s. Body Faders claim to have improved on the technology, so the color-changing effect will last as long as you follow their laundering directions.

So, if you feel the need to leave a discreet (or not so discreet) hand print on your guy or gal, by all means get on this bandwagon. I have no other ideas for what color-changing-clothing would be good for.

Body Faders, Hypercolor, Color-Changing Clothes