10 (Almost) Blank but Really Impressive Billboards (Minimal Design in Shopping)

Minimal design is about omitting all extra (non-essential) elements that don't really contribute to… [more]

10 (Almost) Blank but Really Impressive Billboards (Minimal Design in Shopping) 10 (Almost) Blank but Really Impressive Billboards (Minimal Design in Shopping)

5 Reasons Shopping is Better Than Sex

Sex is a great thing. But do you know what can be even better? No.... not chocolate (well, okay, that… [more]

5 Reasons Shopping is Better Than Sex 5 Reasons Shopping is Better Than Sex

Coca-Cola’s Funniest Fails

Who doesn't know the world's dominant (and many people's favorite) soft-drink Coca-Cola? Ok, that… [more]

Coca-Cola’s Funniest Fails Coca-Cola’s Funniest Fails

9 Awesome Reasons to Buy That Expensive Gadget (Print Ads)

In the era of high tech, advanced gadgets are so wide-spread that we have dozens of them at homes. But… [more]

9 Awesome Reasons to Buy That Expensive Gadget (Print Ads) 9 Awesome Reasons to Buy That Expensive Gadget (Print Ads)

Why Hasn’t the BP Oil Spill Led to Widespread Gas Boycotts?

by J.M.

bp oil spillCredit: BigStockPhoto.com

I don’t know if I’m quite ready to say the BP oil spill drama is “winding down,” but I definitely don’t hear as much about that man-made disaster as I’d expect to — and I mean from friends, family, and other everyday folks rather than the news media. Other than retweeting the occasional smart-alecky remark, joke, or video I don’t hear much about it in everyday life. And that makes me wonder. Why?

When gas prices went through the roof people here boycotted the gas stations. They took fewer road trips. They bought more eco-friendly cars. I’m not sure if it’s just a local thing or what, but I haven’t seen the same kind of outrage over the oil spill. Where are the BP boycotts? Better yet, where are the boycotts in general?

My Local BP: Are the Times A-Changin’?

empty gas pumps

Credit: BigStockPhoto.com

This question first came to mind not after watching the news for the latest oil spill updates, but after visiting my own local BP station. The fuel pump was leaking little bits of gasoline on the concrete next to me as I moved its handle to my car. All kinds of jokes came to mind, but I’m not a comedian so I’ll spare you. But then I looked around. There were maybe one or two others there. And I thought to myself, “Why the hell am I patronizing BP right now?” [click to continue…]

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What Type of Online Shopper Are You?

by Kate

types of shopperShopping online has been a hot topic for the past decade. Its rise has been overwhelming: number of Internet shoppers has been up 40% in 2 years.

Almost everyone uses Internet to do shopping research (if not buy) online.

However, naturally, (like with “traditional shopping) it varies for different people.

Shopping online is fun for some people and the unexplored area for others.

So what type of an online shopper are you? Can you tell?

First, please take the following quiz and then we’ll see who is who!

“What Type of Online Shopper Are You?” quiz built with ProProfs Quiz Maker

E-Shopping Newbie

E-Shopping Newbie

Your strong point: Shopping online is new to you but learning new things is so much fun!

Your weak point: You are vulnerable because you are an inexperienced new surfer. You may fall prey to sales tricks and scams. Do your homework before actual;;y buying anything!

How can online retailers appeal to you? Clearly built, small retailer’s site is the best start for you. It is easier to figure them and easier to make a purchase.

Shopping Skeptic

Shopping Skeptic

Your strong point: You are never scammed or ripped! You never waste money on things you don’t need. You are frugal and savvy!

Your weak point: You can miss out on good opportunities due to the fact that you are too careful. Taking risks may be both fun and useful sometimes!

How can online retailers appeal to you? Huge stamps belonging to trusted authorization service, privacy and security policies may make the Skeptic trust the ecommerce site.

Shopping Geek

Shopping Geek

Your strong point: Your browser is the power shopping platform: you know what where to buy and how to find the best deal. You are well-organized and well-acquainted for shopping online!

Your weak point: Maybe, you just spend too much time learning and trying all those new wicked geeky shopping tools…

How can online retailers appeal to you? Some fun interface features (like sliders and complex search filters) may make you want to play at the site and ultimately buy something!

The Enthusiast Shopper

Shopping enthusiast

Your strong point: You know how to have good time shopping and how to enjoy buying stuff!

Your weak point: Your enthusiasm is great until you find yourself spending too much money on useless things.

How can online retailers appeal to you? “Related products” as well “Most popular products in the category” will make you browse more and more and spend more and more money. Adding things to cart is so much fun!

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10 (Almost) Blank but Really Impressive Billboards (Minimal Design in Shopping)

by Kate

Billboard advertisers are idiotsMinimal design is about omitting all extra (non-essential) elements that don’t really contribute to the essence of the overall composition in order to emphasize what is important. It is believed to be the easiest to implement but the hardest to brainstorm.

Minimal design is the clearest and the most compelling when it comes to conveying an idea or a concept.

This post looks at minimal design in billboard advertising: 10 (almost) blank but really impressive billboards:

1. Almost Nothing

These billboards have tiny animals on them. The copy reads, “Soon, you won’t be able to see them at all.”

1. Amost Nothing

[click to continue…]

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10 Creepy School Supplies You Don’t Want Your Kids to Have (“Back to School” Edition)

by Kate

No matter how much we want to protect them, our kids are surrounded by violence and cruelty these days. This post showcases some bizarre and creepy school supplies you don’t want your kids to have.

So unlike most of our collections, this “Back to School” edition is about what NOT to buy! Stay away from these!

1. Doll Eye’s Pencil Sharpener

First, it is just cruel and secondly it might scare your kid away from using a pencil:

Doll Eye's Pencil Sharpener

2. Animated Girl / Boy Pen Holder

It may seem funny but if I were a teacher I would surely ban those (see this video as well to watch that bizarre thing in action!):

Animated Girl / Boy Pen Holder

3. A Cigarette Pen

I am sure with the pen like this, hiding a real cigarette is even easier. Besides, it actually promotes smoking. doesn’t it?

A Cigarette Pen

[click to continue…]

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Shop by Color: Visual Shopping Search Engines

by Kate

Color shopping searchIt happens so often that you just can’t put into words what you want to buy but you can clearly see an image. Or that you can match the color of your shirt to the color of your new handbag.

Luckily there are quite a few visual search engines to come in handy.

This post lists the coolest and the most popular of them: shopping search tools that allow to search by color!

Happy color-shopping! [click to continue…]

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What’s Your Facebook Friends’ Selling Power? Are YOU Being Sold?

by Kate

Social shoppingShopping with friends is the common favorite habit. We easily trust our friends when it comes to a product review or opinion. Our friend’s word is by far the most reliable thing we can base our judgments on: someone who is not biased, who has tested the product and has no reason to lie.

Who’s your social media friend?

But is this the case with our social media friends? Most of us have already 500+ friends on Facebook who can easily get in touch with us via a direct messages, who can see our personal updates and photos. However we don’t even know who the most of our Facebook friends are.

When you open your friend list in Facebook, do you even recognize all the faces? Do most of them look even familiar?

The social media world has changed the meaning of friendship. While our “real-world” friend is the person we can trust (because we think we know him well), our “social” friend is a stranger we can trust because he has no idea who we are and thus won’t judge us or make our secret public (as we just don’t have any acquaintances in common). [click to continue…]

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5 Reasons Shopping is Better Than Sex

by J.M.

shopping

Credit: BigStockPhoto.com

Sex is a great thing. But do you know what can be even better? No…. not chocolate (well, okay, that too… sometimes). I’m talking about shopping! And do you know what? That doesn’t just apply to my shopaholic gal pals either. Whether you’re a regular at the mall or an in-and-out type of shopper, it has some perks even sex can’t compete with. Let’s take a look.

Here are five reasons shopping is better than sex:

1. Instant Gratification

instant gratification

Credit: BigStockPhoto.com

Sure, you might still have to go through the pursuit if you’re looking for that killer pair of shoes or that perfect deal. But when you really want something right now, you can just go out and get it. No begging or pleading. No excuses. No waiting around on someone else’s interest to be piqued. With shopping you can often get what you want when you want it. Are you as lucky in your sex life? (For your sake, I’ll hope you are.) [click to continue…]

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Coca-Cola’s Funniest Fails

by Kate

Coca-Cola FailsWho doesn’t know the world’s dominant (and many people’s favorite) soft-drink Coca-Cola?

Ok, that was a rhetorical question. I guess the drink is known by everyone as well as most of the company’s stupid fiascoes like New Coke, for example.

That fail was not funny at all. This post lists only funny ones instead.

So enjoy: Coca-Cola’s top funniest fails: [click to continue…]

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9 Awesome Reasons to Buy That Expensive Gadget (Print Ads)

by Kate

reasons to buy a gadgetIn the era of high tech, advanced gadgets are so wide-spread that we have dozens of them at homes.

But it seems you can never have enough of them.

So if you still want to treat yourself with a cool new gadget but you are running of reasons why you would need one, take a look at the below print ads.

Here are 9 more reasons to by an expensive gadget:

1. To See What You Wouldn’t Be Able to See Otherwise:

gadget print ad

[click to continue…]

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5 Things You Aren’t Buying Online but Should

by Kate

Buy onlineIt’s no secret that you can buy pretty much anything online these days.

But while you’ve learned to turn to Amazon for books and check eBay instead of heading to the flea market to spend your antiques allowance, there are a few things you’re still stubbornly picking up at your local drugstore.

Join the 21st century, save money and find out what you aren’t buying online but should be.

What: Car tires

Buy car tires online

Why Buy Online: It seems counterintuitive, but there’s no reason to spend all day in a smelly tire shop to get new wheels. National stores like Discount Tire or Tire Rack actually have websites where you can enter the make/model of your vehicle (and a few other details) and get a huge list of all the tires available in your area. This system lets you compare warranties, view ratings and prices, read reviews and — most importantly — take time to consider your options, far away from the icy stare of the mechanic at the checkout counter who wants to go home for the day. Simply choose and pay for your tires, then book an appointment to have them installed whenever it’s convenient for you.

What: Photos

Buy photos online

Why Buy Online: You’ve finally set aside the time to go through several gigabytes of digital snapshots, and now you want something to hang on the wall. Instead of driving to the local photo place with your CDs in tow, why not upload your pics from home, edit and crop them ’til your heart’s content, then cruise by to pick them up on your way to dinner? Most people don’t realize that discount stores actually have super printers that spit out some of the best-quality photos around, giving you proof-positive that the baby looks more like your side of the family without forcing you to shell out for premium prints.

What: Makeup

Buy makeup online

Why Buy Online: You may be used to stopping by the drugstore to restock your supply of mascara, but online beauty product retailers keep you from paying convenience store prices for your war paint. Since you already know what brands and shades you like, there’s no need to try them on — and this way you can get free shipping your purchases, as well as tons of free samples. Big online retailers also have the flexibility to let you return products if they turn out to be the wrong shade (even if they’re used).

What: Gift cards

Buy gift cards online

Why Buy Online: It’s easy enough to pick up a gift card for your niece’s birthday, but ordering online makes the most practical present in the world (a.k.a., free money) more personal by letting you customize the design on your card, or even upload your own images to display. Plus, you don’t always have to pay full value. Sites like Offers.com use gift card coupons and deals to get you extra discounts (i.e., you pay $65 for a $75 card) and send the cards directly to your recipients, in case you can’t make it in time.

What: Shoes

Buy shows online

Why Buy Online: In case you haven’t heard, online retailers like Zappos and Road Runner Sports have revolutionized the footwear business by all but opening a shoe store in your bedroom. With free shipping both ways (some of the fastest shipping we’ve seen anywhere, incidentally) and a 60-day guarantee that lets you wear your pairs for up to 2 months and still send them back if you want to, it’s better than a brick-and-mortar shoe store any day.

Stop wasting money, and start saving by shopping online for these 5 items.

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