Author Archives: Xenia

Shopilly: a (short) retrospective

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Shopilly

It’s hard to believe it, but a new year is upon us. Before we close the door on 2012 and leap into 2013, we want to take a moment to look back and reflect on what we’ve accomplished at Shopilly in the past few months.

Shopilly officially launched in October to good press reviews from NBC News, San Francisco Chronicle and Fast Company. NBC singled us out as “the most-promising and spiffiest” of online services designed for the brand communications experience. Netted by the Webbys captured our essence well with its headline “Outside the Inbox – Turn Marketing Emails into an E-Boutique with Shopilly.”

That was great since Founder and CEO Anirban Datta has focused on visuals and design to create a better shopping experience for consumers. But his vision goes far beyond a better type of email to allow people to create their own personalized brand network for discovering and accessing the latest offers, promotions and new arrivals in a beautifully designed interface.

He also takes inspiration from the way we all create and share personalized music and TV show playlists:

“Like music and TV shows, there is something innately personal about shopping, and there is also a lot to discover out there based on our interests, social influences and editorial curations,” he said.

And so – Shopilly brings these capabilities to the world of shopping.

Shopilly is still developing and improving, but we’re pretty excited about the features we’ve released so far:

  • Visual inbox: View promotional emails from the retailers you’ve given your email address to in an organized visual inbox. Promotional emails never looked so beautiful.
  • Window shopping: That’s right, we took window shopping virtual. Shopilly allows you to browse deals and offers from retailers in a variety of categories, including Shoes & Bags, Sports & Outdoors and Home & Décor.
  • Follow: Not the leader, but your favorite brands. Shopilly collects and saves the latest offers, promotions and new arrivals of your favorite brands on Brand Pages so that you don’t have to do the hunting yourself. That means that you can streamline your shopping by checking a specific Brand Page before you shop online or visit its store.
  • Editorial Picks: Every day, the Shopilly editors are hard at work hand-selecting deals for you. Keep up with their editorial picks in the Home tab of your Shopilly account.

But that’s not all! We’re working on mobile apps that allow you to access your favorite Shopilly features – the latest brand offers, promotions and your shopping receipts – on the go.

We welcome any and all feedback from you as you test out our service. Building Shopilly is all about providing you with the best possible shopping experience – offline and on, so please let us know how we are doing.

As 2013 rolls in, we look forward to another great year with you!

-The Shopilly Team

Cheers, Prost, Saúde!

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Ah, the holidays. Never is there a time of year with more to toast to: family, friends, gifts, never-ending holiday treats and the promise of a fresh start with the coming of a new year.

As you gear up to celebrate Christmas tomorrow and the New Year in just another week, we’ve compiled a mini guide on “toasting etiquette.” Read on to learn how to properly cheer in the holidays:

Use Proper Stemware

While we think (and we’re betting most people will agree) that sparkling wine is tasty whether served in a glass, mug or jar, the proper way to serve it is in a slender, flute-shaped glass. Schott Zwiesel Pure Champagne Flutes will do the job; for a less traditional look, the flared Zwiesel 1872 Enoteca Champagne Toasting Glass is a fun choice. Both are available at Sur La Table.

White wine should be served in a U-shaped wine glass like the Riedel Vinum Chardonnay Glass. An alternative is the DuraClear Osteria Stemless White Wineglass, which is great for butterfingers – it won’t crack, shatter, break, cloud or discolor. Both are available at Williams-Sonoma.

Red wine has more complex aromas and flavors than white wine, so it should be served in a glass with a larger surface area so that the wine can come into contact with more air.  If you’re toasting with red wine, serve it in a round wine glass that has a large opening – try Anthropologie’s Frosted Panes Red Wine Glass or Frosted Panes Tumbler, both of which feature beautiful etched patterns.

Serve Wine at the Correct Temperature
Most people know better than to put ice in their white wine (at least in public), but how much do you actually know about the temperatures at which different types of wine should be served?

Sparkling wine should be served well chilled. Put a bottle in the fridge 3 hours prior to serving, or a minimum of 30 minutes in ice water, if you’re running short on time.

White wines should also be served chilled, but not to the degree of sparkling wines. As a rule of thumb, refreshing white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio should be chilled to 35 or 40 degrees before serving, while richer white wines like Chardonnay should be chilled slightly less, to about 55 degrees, before serving.

Lastly, red wines should be served at a cool 65 degrees. If you keep your reds in a cool, dry environment like a cellar or basement, you may be able to serve them immediately. If not, you can chill them in the fridge for about 20 minutes before serving.

Don’t Overfill Glasses
…at least not during the first round. This will help prevent spillage as everyone clinks glasses and, as a bonus, you’ll look like a true wine expert. Joanna Goddard, who blogs over at A Cup of Jo, wrote a great wine etiquette post (complete with illustrations!) to help clarify the do’s and don’ts of drinking wine. She writes that red wine glasses should be filled 1/3 full, white wine glasses ½ full, and sparkling wine glasses ¾ full.

Now that we’ve filled your mind with wine knowledge, we’re going to give you one last piece of contradictory advice – if all else fails, throw all etiquette out the window and just enjoy toasting with your loved ones this holiday. We promise we won’t judge.

Happy Holidays,
The Shopilly Team

Photo credits: surlatable.com, williams-sonoma.com, anthropologie.com

Decorating for the Holidays

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Although winter brings cold weather and drastically shorter days, it also brings one of my favorite morning rituals: starting my day with a run and seeing all of the holiday lights and decorations in the early morning calm. Some of the houses in my neighborhood go all out with decorations – lights synchronized with Christmas music; roofs topped with all of Santa’s reindeer; yards full of candy canes, waving Santas and inflatable snow globes. Then there are the less invested folk – me included – whose holiday “decorations” consist of store-made wreaths and pumpkin pie-scented candles (and, let’s be honest, those are actually leftovers from Thanksgiving).

Whether you fall into the former or latter group of holiday decorators, it’s not too late to spread a little holiday cheer. We’ve highlighted some of our favorite decorations below, so if you need some inspiration to decorate your place, ditch the Scrooge attitude and take a look at our picks!

Photo credits: horchow.com, homedepot.com, potterybarn.com

Dressing for an Office Holiday Party, Part II

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The holiday season is in full swing, so today we return to the topic of office holiday party attire, but with a focus on the fellows. Jeans or slacks? Tie or no tie? Vest and jacket, or just a button-down? Read on for our attire suggestions for a spectrum of dress codes:

  • Casual: If your office environment is casual and the holiday party invitation indicates that the dress code is “festive” – or another ambiguous adjective – feel free to dress as you would for work. Leave the polo and flip-flops at home, though – it’s a party, after all! Dark denim and a nice sweater are always a safe bet. Banana Republic’s Vintage Straight jean is universally flattering and available in 11 washes. Pair it with a classic Marled Wool V-Neck Sweater or this Slim-Fit Dress Shirt by Kenneth Cole (on sale now for 2 for $60), and you’re good to go.
  • Semi-formal: Sometimes semi-formal is also written as “informal” on event invitations, but don’t be fooled – both require a suit and tie. Armani Exchange is offering 30% off blazers and shirts, so if you’ve been meaning to invest in a basic piece like the Tuxedo Style Blazer or Herringbone Jacquard Shirt, now’s the time to do so. If you want to purchase a full suit, take a look at the selection from Hugo Boss. It offers five fits – classic, modern, slim, extra slim, and big and tall, so you’re sure to find something for your body type. Hugo Boss also has an impressive selection of neckwear, so don’t forget to pick up a tie or bow-tie to round out your outfit.
  • Formal: For a formal or black tie event, it’s time to break out the penguin-wear. Nordstrom is a good place to look for designer tuxedos – think Zegna and Dolce & Gabbana. J. Crew offers some more affordable options, as does Perry Ellis. Many of the pieces in the Perry Ellis “Dapper Dressing” category are now on sale, including the Brushed Twill Slim Fit Tux Jacket, so head on over if you’re looking for a good deal.

Happy holidays from the Shopilly team!

Photo credits: bananarepublic.gap.com, armaniexchange.com, perryellis.com

Dressing for an Office Holiday Party

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With Thanksgiving behind us, it’s time to focus on the year-end holiday parties coming this month. Between the family traditions and celebrations with friends, you may hardly have time to get your holiday shopping done. But don’t let that get in the way of your wardrobe selections – especially when it comes to your office holiday party. If you’re having a hard time choosing a festive but appropriate outfit for your that event, take a look at these options, and then kick back with your co-workers and indulge in the holiday spirit!

  1. A nice sweater, fitted pants and pumps make a lovely combination that you can wear straight from the office to the party. I love this sophisticated draped cowl-neck sweater by Banana Republic in festive red. Pair it with bootcut pants like the Gretchen Black Bootcut Pant or, for a dressier feel, a high waist skirt like the Midi Knit Skirt (both bottoms by Bebe). Finish the outfit off with Nine West’s Caress pumps, available in safe solid colors or in gold glitter if you’re so inclined, and you’re instantly party-ready. By the way, Nine West is offering 30% off your entire purchase until 11:59 pm EST tonight, so hop to it!
  2. If your first priority is to stay warm, followed closely by appearing stylish, you can kill two birds with one stone by choosing a sweater dress. J. Crew’s Tee Dress is Italian cashmere, so you’ll stay cozy all night long. Another good option is French Connection’s wool-blend Milla Milano Dress. Pair either dress with tights and boots to shield your legs from the cold as well. The Martta Boot by Coach is a beautiful riding boot for those who prefer flat footwear; if you want a few extra inches, the Tres Chic Boot by Kenneth Cole is now 50% off.
  3. A dressier venue gives you the perfect excuse to invest in a new dress, and Express has a good selection of holiday dresses that won’t break the bank. This Long Sleeve Sequin Embellished Dress is great for anyone who gets cold easily, while the Ponte Knit Sheath Dress is flattering and does double duty as a must-have basic piece for any wardrobe. Some more formal options include this show-stealing Draped Long Silk Dress by Mango, or the intricately detailed Caridad Ruffled Dress from Anthropologie.

Fellows, if you’re feeling a little left out, sit tight – we’ll have office holiday party dressing tips for you next week!

Photo credits: bananarepublic.gap.com, bebe.com, usa.frenchconnection.com, kennethcole.com, express.com, shop.mango.com

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

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If you were one of the brave souls who headed out in the wee hours of Black Friday (or even shortly after Thanksgiving dinner) to take advantage of the sales, our hats are off to you. If you chose to sleep in or just prefer shopping from the comfort of your couch, it’s not too late to catch up now – it’s Cyber Monday, after all!

As you navigate all of the great deals for your holiday gift shopping, take a look at this gift guide we’ve compiled for the special people in your life:

The Clothing Maven
Open anyone’s closet, and you’ll encounter a world of colors, patterns, fabrics and fashions. Rather than taking a (risky) stab at pinpointing a person’s style preferences, give him or her some peace of mind in the form of closet organization. The Container Store offers a plethora of closet organizers – the Milano 6-Compartment Hanging Sweater Bag keeps those pesky shoulder bumps caused by hangers away. Target sells a convenient Tie and Belt Hanger that keeps accessories organized, and for the jetsetters in your life, a GarmenTote Garment Bag (available via Bed Bath & Beyond) keeps dresses and suits wrinkle-free.

The Tech Lover
Thank your go-to tech expert for all of the times he or she saved your computer/phone/life with a cool accessory for his or her latest gadget. Amazon carries Speck’s line of eye-catching, protective and budget-friendly iPhone cases. A pair of Klipsch Noise-Cancelling Headphones from Brookstone is sure to make any audiophile’s ears happy, and Nike’s Jordan Gadget Gloves make it easy for your tech lover to fiddle with a touchscreen without risking frozen fingers.

The Foodie
‘Tis the season for good food, and lots of it. Treat your beloved gourmand to some seasonal delicacies. Williams-Sonoma makes a fantastic Peppermint Bark, and its Italian Food Lovers Gift Set makes throwing together a good pasta dinner easy as 1-2-3.  Cheese enthusiasts will appreciate one of Sur La Table’s many cheese samplers, and Wine.com makes it easy to ship a good bottle or two to any holiday table.

The Athlete
Nothing gets in the way of this person’s fitness goals – neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor overconsumption of holiday treats. Guarantee that your athlete doesn’t get caught in the elements unprepared. A proper baselayer is key for retaining body heat, and Patagonia has a good selection of baselayers for women and men. For those below-zero days when leaving the house seems like a workout in and of itself, your athlete can still get a good workout in with a video like Jillian Michaels: Ripped in 30 DVD, available from Gaiam. Lastly, the REI Outdoor School offers a wide selection of programs and classes for budding and experienced climbers, cyclers, kayakers and more.

The Artist
When displaying your artist’s work on the refrigerator just doesn’t cut it any more, show your appreciation with the gift of framing. Art.com’s Photos [to] Art program allows you to upload a photo and customize it into a work of art, such as a poster calendar, canvas print or mounted photograph. For the crafty, Papyrus does custom printing, so your artist can design and print his or her own stationary and cards. Lastly, Z Gallerie has a wide selection of art, and if you purchase a piece and enter the promo code GIVE20 today, you’ll receive 20% off your purchase.

Happy Shopping!

P.S. Is holiday shopping already causing your wallet grief? Here’s your chance to win $700 from Shopilly – invite your friends to join Shopilly by December 11th, and you’ll receive 5 entries into the holiday giveaway per invitee! Details here.

Photo credits: target.com, brookstone.com, surlatable.com, patagonia.com, art.com

T is for Thanksgiving and Table Setting

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If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner this week, chances are by now you’ve finalized the menu and perhaps even started prepping some of the dishes. Between the turkey roasting, potato mashing and pie making, you might not have much time to dedicate to table settings. But don’t neglect the tabletop – it’ll be one of the first things your guests notice when they sit down for dinner.

If you’ve had your nose nestled too deep in recipes to think about decorating your Thanksgiving table, fear not. We’ve compiled a little list to help you assemble a beautiful table setting before the first guest hits the doorbell:

Happy Thanksgiving from the Shopilly team!

Photo credits: cb2.com, williams-sonoma.com, anthropologie.com

A New Look for Shopilly

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As the seasons change, so do we. Log into your account, and you’ll notice that we’ve given Shopilly a bit of a makeover to provide you with an even more visual, seamless shopping experience this holiday season. Take a look at some of the changes we’ve made:

Navigation

Now you can access Window Shop, Inbox, Brands and My Stuff from the top bar on any Shopilly page. The top bar is also where you can navigate to the Settings, provide us with feedback, read up on some FAQs or log out. Just look for your Shopilly ID on the right side of the bar and click on it to view your navigation options.

Include Your Friends
Can’t wait to tell someone when you find a great deal? Invite your friends to discover your best-kept shopping secret by clicking on “Invite Friends” in the top bar.

And, when you’re window-shopping and find a deal you like or you think a friend will like, you can easily share it via Facebook or Twitter. Just mouse over the deal to reveal the sharing buttons. How’s that for being a good friend?

Customized Editor’s Picks

That’s right, the Shopilly editors are hard at work hand-selecting deals for you. You’ll find the Editor’s Picks in Window Shop, next to My Brands and Other Brands. The picks are updated daily, so check back every day!

Link More Email Addresses
You told us that you love the email import feature so much that you want to be able to link more email addresses. Well, we’ve listened – introducing: the ability to link more email addresses to your Shopilly ID! Simply visit the Settings and click on Email Import to link additional email addresses.

Contact Us
Tell us, how did we do? We’d love to hear your feedback about these recent changes. And, as always, stay tuned for even more Shopilly updates and improvements.

Happy shopping!