Friday, January 22, 2010

Top 5 Online Shopping Sites

Kelly's Korner is hosting her Show Us Where You Live series and this week is focused on favorite places to shop. I do most of my shopping online and wanted to share my favorites. I shop online to save time, but also because I am an odd size- plus size (not much longer!) and petite- and I just find a better selection.

Retail Me Not is a site for people like me to share coupon codes! You simply enter the site you are shopping and then it will list any codes available for that site. You can see the deal, like Free Shipping, the expiration date, and the reliability factor as posted by people who tried to use the code.

Being Resourceful is a blog run by a friend of mine that lists great deals and links to coupons. I have saved tons of money just by using coupons on her site. She posts daily and often the deal is good for just that day. It is a great site to check each morning and an easy way to shop for Christmas presents year round.

4. Etsy and eBay for unique items

I can kill hours on etsy and feature my favorites on Etsyetera posts. Just click on the Etsyetera logo on the right to see past posts. I love storing my favorite sellers in my etsy account and seeing when they have new items listed. It is also a great place to get ideas and make your own projects.

I also buy and sell lots of items on eBay. One of my favorite things to shop for is items typically sold at "parties". There are always good deals when a demonstrator/stylist goes out of business. Think of all those parties- Pampered Chef, Stampin' Up, Creative Memories, Beijo Bags, Silpada Designs, Stella and Dot. You'll find so many of these items at great prices.

3. Expressionary and Paper Source for paper and office goods

Expressionary is a central Texas company so I get quick shipping! They run great sales. I recently bought Christmas address labels and had them personalized with my family's name so that I have gift labels ready to go for the next few years. All sales items after Christmas were 70% off. I also bought personalized stationary from them. They have great options for children's stationary and I love the happi line by Dena. Their entire site is almost always 30% off.

I found Paper Source a few years ago when I went to work for a major real estate company and downgraded from an office with a view to a cubicle. It was a hard transition for a decorator and I had to jazz up my office decor. Filing is much more fun in a pretty folder! I also think we all need these and these in our desk drawer.

They also have fun silly gifts for kids like these drinking straws I bought my niece and nephew!
2. Old Navy and Gap for clothing

I love any site where I can shop for myself, my husband and my daughter in one cart. Plus, Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Piperlime Shoes and Athleta fitness clothing are all able to ship together for $7 flat! That saves me money!

Here are a few of my favorites on these sites right now:

Women's Ruffled cardigan from Old Navy, available in petite

and this baby girl dress from the Gap. I am a sucker for gingham!



1. Zappos for shoes and most everything else

I can't imagine buying shoes anywhere else. Zappos is like that car commercial where he wants a red car, under 50K miles, with a convertible. The site gives you so many options to just keep narrowing down to exactly what you want.

So, I searched for wedges, narrowed it down to shoes (not boots or sandals), picked my size, the color black and under $100. There were 262 options including these Keds. Love them! Zappos has more than just shoes- I bought this CHI blowdryer last month...... and this large casserole dish for our Thanksgiving feast. One of the best parts of Zappos is shipping and return shipping is always free! Once you buy a few items with them, you are a preferred VIP shopper and you will get free overnight shipping! I can buy shoes at night and they arrive the next day by noon. I can't get time etched out for the mall that quickly!

Two of my newest loves are Garnet Hill and Boden. I have yet to order from them, but have a wish list for both of these sites. I am certain I need this top and this jacket for the Spring.
Happy Shopping!