OnlineShopping

H.Bloom Launches Weekly Flower Service in Manhattan

In search of the perfect gift to celebrate a birthday, Mother's Day or another special occasion? Look no further than H.BLOOM, an online floral company based in Manhattan which offers a weekly subscription service.

"We heard over and over from people who love flowers, that they can't afford expensive arrangements on a regular basis," says Bryan Burkhart, the 35-year-old co-founder of H.Bloom. "It is also a great gift because it is the gift that keeps on giving."

Gallery: More from H. Bloom

Burkhart and co-founder Sonu Panda, who met as undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania, launched the business after noticing there was a need for a premium floral product available online. "We saw that there was no 'Barney's of flowers' online---there was only K-Mart," says Burkhart. Their business model is much like that of Netflix, as there is no long term commitment. It is easy to pause the service or direct the delivery to someone else.

Tags: Florist, Flowers, H.Bloom, Manhattan, New York, OnlineShopping, orchids

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St. Cupcake Offers Bespoke Mail Order Cupcakes - Yum!

by Deb West (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Children

Sometimes things that qualify as a luxury item are big and obvious; they are encrusted with diamonds, have a well known name and an expensive price tag. Other times luxury can be defined as something small that you do for yourself or a friend. A small Portland, Oregon bakery called St. Cupcake falls into this category of small personal luxuries.

This local bakery has started an online delivery service for their incredibly popular cupcakes. The luxury for the consumer lies both in the incredible wide range of flavor choices and in the fact that you can have home baked taste delivered to your door without lifting a finger. The inspiration for the mail order cupcake business came to owner Jami Curl after customers themselves mentioned trying to ship her delicious baked goodies to friends to taste. Jami thought that "we could develop some packaging and a technique that would allow us to ship the cupcakes so they arrive on the recipient's door step fresh and perfect."

Hence the wonderful and unique online cupcake builder was born. Customers can choose their cake flavors, their icings and their sprinkle colors creating a truly bespoke cupcake. Often this allows for even greater freedom as customers have come up with unique combinations never anticipated by the owners and not sold in the bakery. The cupcakes come in three possible package combinations of 3, 6 or 12 cupcakes. Flavors of cupcakes include the basic vanilla and chocolate as well as more esoteric flavors such as pumpkin spice, carrot and vanilla toffee. A true west coast shop there are even vegan selections for those with dietary restrictions. The buttercream frosting selections include unusual flavors such as mint and fudge while the sprinkle choices vary from standard jimmies to rainbow nonpareil and toasted coconut. It seems that the shopping ends up being as much fun as the receiving.

The cupcakes arrive in an adorable kit with an icing wand and decorating tips. A perfect gift idea for a birthday or even to send to your own family when you are too busy to make home made treats for your children. A simple little luxury ranging in price from $10.00 for three cupcakes to $35.00 for a package of twelve.

Gallery: Bespoke Cupcakes

Tags: birthday, chocolate, cup cakes, CupCakes, mail order, MailOrder, online shopping, OnlineShopping, St. Cupcake, St.Cupcake, vanilla

iGourmet.com: Specialty Cheeses, Fine Foods, and Exquisite Gifts

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Can you shop online and have your specialty cheeses and fine dining too? iGourmet.com thinks so, and it seems plenty of others agree as it has been nominated for a Luxist Award in the Best Gourmet Food category and was named 'best gourmet food website' by Forbes for five years in a row: from 2003 to 2007. It's a family business that originated from three generations of cheese importers and started as a mail order business (known as "International Gourmet") well before the internet was even invented. With no "brick and mortar" shop, igourmet.com has an extensive website complete with large photos, flavor descriptions, usage ideas, and recipes in an effort to not only offer exquisite edibles but also educate its customers so they really get what they're shopping for.

iGourmet.com offers everything from meats to sweets to oils and vinegars, but they especially pride themselves on their extensive line of gourmet cheeses imported from France, Italy, Sweden, and every other European country that exports it. They also offer a wide array of unique gift options for the holidays or any time of year in the form of luxe and beautifully packaged gift boxes, gift baskets, and cheeseboards plus a selection of 6 different gourmet monthly club options including Cheese of the Month (of course), Tea of the Month, and Connoisseur of the Month clubs.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed in Gourmet Foods. Readers' Choice Awards for Food will be announced on November 30th.

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Tags: awards-main, cheese, dining, food, food-awards, igourmet, igourmet.com, luxist-awards, online shopping, OnlineShopping

ShirtsMyWay - Men's Custom Shirts Online

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

For the typical upwardly mobile, successful man of today custom shirts are a must. Yet, finding the time to locate the proper store and make a myriad of decisions can be tough in a busy schedule. ShirtsMyWay provides a great solution offering premium custom shirts through online shopping with free international shipping. You can visualize the fabric, colors, patterns, cuts and details with their digital model. Simply make your choice, send in your measurements, and voila! Original, well-fitted shirts that suit your style needs. Did I mention they have seven trillion different possible shirt designs?

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Tags: custom shirt, custom shirts, CustomShirt, CustomShirts, online shopping, OnlineShopping, shirtsmyway

Portero Creates Private Sale Site

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Luxury auction retailer Portero has created a new private sale site. Portero Private is currently in beta and is an invitation-only site similar to Ideeli or Gilt Groupe offering 24- to 72-hour sales with a limited inventory of luxury brands at special prices.

Like most of these private sale sites Portero Private is starting off small. a select group has already been invited and each member has three invitations. The first sale event,starts on Thursday and will sell Hermes scarves. The Examiner reports that future sales will include Temple St Clair, Montblanc, Chanel, Cartier and others.

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Tags: luxury brands, LuxuryBrands, online shopping, OnlineShopping, portero

Secret Shopping? Online Consumerism Posts 12% Increase

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Fashionista's theory is that amidst tough economic times, ~~fashionistas~~ recessionistas are turning to online shopping to get their fix semi-anonymously. WWD reported a 12% increase in online sales as compared to last year, and it makes sense considering gas prices and the general cutting back that's happening across socioeconomic lines. But I like Fashionista's rationale -- that shame is keeping shopaholics from venturing out to do any damage.

It's kind of the equivalent of ordering way too much Thai food when you're home alone on a Saturday night, but at least there's just the delivery guy to keep quiet.

[via Fashionista/WWD]

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Tags: online shopping, OnlineShopping, recessionista

Cheap Chic: Anya Hindmarch for Target

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

In its latest design collaboration, mass-retailer Target has teamed with handbag designer Anya Hindmarch, famous most recently for her cheeky and impossible-to-get "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" tote. This group of faux patent bags is a bit more styled and features options ranging from an oversized clutch to a chic yet roomy tote. Though the collection won't hit stores until October 12, shoppers will be able to purchase online at Anya Hindmarch's site from October 8 through October 12. Mouses, on your marks.

[via Racked LA]

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Tags: anya hindmarch, AnyaHindmarch, handbags, im not a plastic bag, ImNotAPlasticBag, online shopping, OnlineShopping, target

Baller Toys: "Nothing is Too Extravagant"

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars, Decor, Gadgets, Garden, Sports, Holiday Guides, Children, Men's Style

Climatech 1001 Climate Controlled Cabinet Humidor, $4,695.00

Baller Toys is a new website designed to bring you the very best in glamorous home entertainment--and we're not talking TVs and stereos!

Above is the Climatech 1001 Climate Controlled Cabinet Humidor. At $4,695.00, it is the least expensive of the four humidors available from Baller Toys.

Some exclusive items from the luxury website include:

Mars Made and MartinBauer custom billiards tables ($35,000-$100,000)

Teckell crystal foosball tables ($7,500-$10,000, other designer foosball tables up to $27,000)

The International Dance Party, one-of-a-kind party machine ($67,000)

VirtualGT Racing Simulators ($18,995+)

Keep an eye on Baller Toys for great things now and in the future. We love their motto: "Nothing is too extravagant."

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Tags: baller, baller toys, billiards, cigars, foosball, humidor, online shopping, OnlineShopping, pool, pool table, toys, virtual racing

Artnet Online Auctions

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Art

Artnet recently launched an online art auction (still in beta mode), featuring photography, prints, works on paper, sculpture, and paintings. At a glance there were several hundred works posted, and there's info on the home page for art dealers on how to become an authorized Artnet seller. The site is straightforward and seems to work much like any online auction -- place a bid (U.S. dollars or euros) or just add to your watch list. There are starting bids, estimates, and end times. While the site is just getting started, I bet that with people shopping more and more from home (saving gas), even shopping online for art will become commonplace.

Tags: art, Artnet, online auctions, online shopping, OnlineAuctions, OnlineShopping, paintings, photography, sculpture

Nordstrom "Designer Collections" Handbags

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Nordstrom has a bit of this and that -- uptown to downtown, and great shoes. But did you know that it also has a "Designer Collections" shop on its site? I just discovered its handbag shop. As I write, there are 195 designer handbags offered, in brands that include Burberry, D&G, Kooba, Roberto Cavalli, Versace and a select few others. Fall styles are out -- get shopping! And/or see the gallery * for a few styles I picked at random.

* Note: Gallery pictures open to full size once you click on them.

Gallery: Designer Handbags Available at Nordstrom

Tags: designer, handbag, handbags, Nordstrom, online shopping, OnlineShopping, purse, purses

Alexander McQueen AW '08: Online Shoppers Rejoice

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style

Alexander McQueen -- bestowed high honors from the Queen herself as well as the late ruling monarch of fashion, Isabella Blow -- has just granted devotees across the globe, or at least those with functioning laptops, their wish come true: online shopping via his website. As of yesterday, McQueen's Autumn/Winter 2008 Collection is available for purchase online. Featuring seemingly life-sized models posing in various Fall looks, the site's menswear group appears en route to an obscenely chic hunting party in the English countryside. One can waste a good portion of the afternoon viewing catwalk video from the Fall show, each look an exercise in sleek, fashioned from luxe black tulle and mohair and often with intricate crystal detailing. Oh, and there's free shipping in the U.S. Same day messenger service available to Manhattanites. How befitting.

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Tags: Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueen AW08, AlexanderMcqueen, AlexanderMcqueenAw08, Fall 08 Shows, Fall08Shows, McQueen, online shopping, OnlineShopping

The Animal Rescue Site, Charity of the Day

by Star Sutherland (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Charity, Charity of the Day

The Animal Rescue Site has harnessed the immense power of the Internet and put it to use for a good cause. The site features a button that visitors can click as many times as they want to provide much needed food to the millions of animals in shelters across the US. The food is payed for by sponsors that advertise on the site, and it's distributed by volunteers. So, next time you're bored at work... click away! Like most charities The Animal Rescue Site has an online gift store, except this one is more like and online gift mall, I was blown away by how much cool stuff they have (jewelry, cute clothing, home and garden supplies and pet accessories and much more), I put the shopping link in my favorites, I will definitely check back next time I'm buying a gift! If you're going to be shopping online it feels good to know you aren't just fueling the mass consumerism lifestyle, when a portion of the money goes to a good cause it makes shopping so much more enjoyable! Plus I can justify spending more knowing the proceeds go to animals!

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Tags: animal rescue, animal shelter, animal shelters, AnimalRescue, AnimalShelter, AnimalShelters, charitable, charity, charity of the day, CharityOfTheDay, clothing, dogs, gift ideas, GiftIdeas, gifts, jewelry, online shopping, online shopping site, OnlineShopping, OnlineShoppingSite, the animal rescue site, TheAnimalRescueSite

Schoolpop.com, Charity of the Day

by Star Sutherland (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Charity, Charity of the Day

Want to support your favorite school every time you shop online? Schoolpop.com offers internet shoppers an easy way to donate to the school of their choice, while conveniently buying their everyday shopping items. Since its inception, Schoolpop has contributed more than $200 million to over 30,000 schools nationwide! Choose from hundreds of your favorite retailers, Arden B., Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, L'Occitane, Pottery Barn....and hundreds more. Check out the Schoolpop website to see if the school you'd like to support is listed, chances are ....it is! If you're kids school needs a simple and effective fundraiser, get them listed on the site! Some purchases kick back as much as 20% of retail price to the school. I love this site, what an easy way to contribute to the education of future generations.

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Tags: charity, charity of the day, CharityOfTheDay, donate, donations, internet, internet shopping, InternetShopping, online, online shopping, OnlineShopping, school fundraiser, SchoolFundraiser, schoolpop.com, schools