Shopping Tips Online

Have your kids discovered Webkinz yet? Webkinz are cute little stuffed animals that come with a code to unlock a whole world at Webkinz.com. They retail for about $13 or so, but that’s if you’re lucky enough to find them. Lately, it’s been a little easier, but a few months ago, we found ourselves desperate and searching all over for them.

When I could no longer find them at my local gift shop(Webkinz are not sold by mass retailers. They’re only sold by smaller, independent(but sometimes Hallmark) stores) I turned to the internet. Where did I start? ebay of course!
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The colors of Spring 2007 are a mix of soft and fleshy, bright and sherberty or stark contrasts of black and white.

But what are the shapes of Spring?

According to Omiru.com, Spring 2007 continues the big silhouette stories of this Fall/Winter. There is lots of volume, but it’s under control. That seems to be accomplished through the use of floaty fabrics and cinching at the waist. Speaking of the waist, it’s all over the place – either up high or dropped down. Baby doll, bubble trapeze and tulip are more key silhouettes.

How are mainstream retailers interpreting the designs seen on the catwalk? I went to JCPenny to find out.

I found a couple of examples of the Spring trends. This dress by Nicole Miller has both the volume of spring, plus the empire waist, and it’s on sale for $39.99. I also found this cute baby doll top that comes in three prints, on sale for just $9.99. This top would look great with a skinny pair of capris or bermuda shorts, playing with the proportions of full over slim.

So, with the silhouettes in mind, and with a little searching, you can find ways to incorporate the trends without breaking the bank.

JCPenney, Nicole Miller, Spring Trends, Spring Silhouettes

Outside my window right now it looks like the arctic tundra. Blowing and drifting snow, with much more snow on the way. The absence of color is startling – it’s all shades of gray, from the silver of the snow to the gray of the barren trees. It all seems pretty sad.

So, to counteract that view, I decided to check into what colors we’ll be wearing this spring. We know that shades of green will be in for Spring 2007, but what other colors will seem fresh?

I went to the
Spring 2007 Color Trend Report by Pantone, Inc.. Pantone is well known among designers and printers as the leader in color systems and products. They are also on the forefront of color forecasting for a wide variety of industries. They are showing an interesting mix of neutrals in almost cosmetic shades called “Silver Peony” and “Cafe Creme.” They also predicted a few surprising brights, like “Hollyhock” a less cloying purple than I have seen recently and citrus shades like “Golden Apricot. We know white and black combinations are going to be big for spring, but the contrasts work as well with a neutral like “Opal Gray.” Check out their full report, and more colors online.

To see if retailers are following these predictions, I went to Spiegel and L.L.Bean.

Spiegel’s Spring Look Book points to two trends that seem to fall into Pantone’s colorways. “Safari Chic” and “Feminine Neutrals” both pull from the pale neutral shades, sometimes with a glint of metallic, like this tank and jacket. Paired with white, they take on a sophisticated, polished look. L.L. Bean is showing some of the fresh, fruity brights, like this sweater. By contrast, when you pair these colors with white, they seem very perky and preppy.

Combat the gray skies and the blizzard conditions with a little tour around the Internet. You’ll see colors that will perk you up, and could soon be perking up your wardrobe!

Spring 2007, Color Trends, Spiegel, L.L.Bean

When I am sick and tired of all the heavy wool pants, tweed jackets and big sweaters, I start dreaming of lightweight fabrics, fun little tops, and the possibility that some day soon my arms will be uncovered outdoors without searing pain. That day is today.

This year, they say green is the “it” color for spring. In shades from light to bright, green is showing up everywhere.

While this dress from Rena Lange is lovely, the money tree in my back yard would have to bloom before I could afford the $4,000 pricetag. So, I am looking at a few green items a bit more reasonably priced that stand a better chance of making it into my closet this spring.

For some reason I am coveting these L.L.Bean Casco Bay Boat Slides in “Green Tea.” Not only are they green, but they play off another trend for spring – nautical. I would pair these with white jeans, and an offbeat “twinset” consisting of this baby cable cardigan (also from Bean), and a lighter green pima camisole.

So, while I look out my window at snow, slush and gray skies, I can get online and start ordering myself up some spring green clothes!

L.L.Bean, Rena Lange, Spring Clothing Trends

I ran across this article about another 80s trend that has reemerged, and I am clearly baffled. Clear handbags are back, and I’m not talking about cheesy beach totes, but cheesy high-dollar, designer name handbags.

Saks Fifth Avenue will soon start selling $895 clear bags from Chanel and a $1,695 satchel from Dolce & Gabbana made of transparent plastic and black leather. Neiman Marcus has stocked up on a slouchy $995 bag by Be & D that’s entirely transparent except for its leather handle. And Bergdorf Goodman has been displaying a $445 tote by Lambertson Truex made of clear PVC and trimmed with white leather.

I couldn’t believe it. So I went to Neiman Marcus online and sure enough, found a clear handbag at an unbelievable retail price of $645. It’s a Car Shoe clear acrylic bag with metallic leather trim.

The trend, so they say, is a reaction to airports banning certain items in carry-on bags, and passengers being required to put those items in clear plastic bags. Somehow designers like Chanel and Oscar de la Renta picked up on this and started showing clear handbags on the runway.

There is a discussion about the psychology of a clear handbag. The decision to display your personal effects to the world seems to be a sticky wicket. Sure, you will be able to find your lipstick because the bag is clear. Yep, it’s right there next to your tampon, see?

If I have $645 or more to drop on a designer handbag I’m clearly not going to go with clear.

Neiman Marcus, Clear Handbags, Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Bergdorf Goodman, Dolce & Gabbana, Handbags

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

Vodka used to be just vodka. Remember those days? Vodka originally comes from Eastern Europe, and has been produced since the the end of the 9th century. First distilled around 1174 in Khylnovsk, Russia, the potent potable was used mainly for medicinal purposes. There was no vodka produced in the US until the 1930s, but it really didn’t start gaining popularity until the 1950s (the golden age of the cocktail). Sometime in the 1960s we Americans figured out that the basically colorless, odorless and tasteless alcohol was immensely mixable, and we’ve been crazy for vodka cocktails ever since.

Manufacturers (and consumers) couldn’t leave well enough alone, of course. In my mind, the meeting went something like this: “Why water down perfectly good vodka with cranberry juice when we can put the flavor right in the bottle?” So, in 1986, Absolut introduced the first of many flavored vodkas, Absolut PEPPAR. Other manufacturers followed suit.

Now apparently we want our vodka to be a little less… vodka-ish? Enter Vodka O2, the first sparkling Vodka. You read right. This stuff has bubbles. The manufacturer says that the “infused bubbles create a lightly effervescent texture that gently tingles on the tongue.” Oh. Kay. Right now, Vodka O2 is only available in Canada and the UK, but look for it in the US after the first part of ‘07.

This is predicted to be one of the big drink trends in ‘07. The holding company that distributes Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Seagram 7, Johnnie Walker and others, is developing a process to naturally carbonate other non-bubbly-beverages.

Well, I’ll be. Sparkling vodka. Make mine a single malt scotch. Hold the bubbles.

Vodka O2, Drink Trends, Sparkling Vodka, Absolut