Top Internet Browsing - best sites for shopping

November 2007

TOP INTERNET BROWSING
The Best Sites For Shopping
By Leah Jayasanker

Clothing
The best designers, latest fashion, key looks, express global service, and free returns, packaged all under NET-A-PORTER.com . Undeniably a shopping experience that offers superb customer service via their well informed online stylists and customer care. If you lack stylish sense eyeball their online zine that offers up-to-date news and views on current trends.
What we love: The Editors’ Notes that assist to create a flawless ensemble with advice on how to mix and match accessories.

eLUXURY.com is the premiere online boutique for frills and fun fashion. From highly sought-after handbags, apparel, and shoes to exquisite jewelry and beauty, this site caters to all ages, sizes and tastes.
What we like most: Their long-standing brand relationships offer a guarantee that eLUXURY is an authorized e-commerce retailer for all featured labels.

Figleaves.com sells lingerie from La Perla to mid-level sexy frocks by Jezebel, carrying something relevant to satisfy all frames. Navigation wise, the user friendly sorting allows for instant access to preferred brands and reveals some of the newest technologies available in the lingerie market.
What we love: Whether you’re an A cup or an H cup there is certainly a size and style that’ll suit your bust.

Piperlime.com is the ultimate shopping destination for shoe lovers brought to you by Gap Inc. It is easy-to-use (even computer clueless surfers can adjust) and includes fresh tips from trendsetting experts.

What we like most: View shoes in any angle possible with the high tech zoom feature.

Beauty wise
A modern approach to beauty shopping comes in tiny bubbles via ebubbles.com . Founder Karen Wilkinson says, “We've searched the world to bring you unique bath and body specialty brands and products that are luxurious yet affordable indulgences for yourself, family and friends.”
What we love: The free samples and free gift wrap for first time purchases.

Travel Bookings
Kayak.com scours more than 100 websites to find the best deals on airfare—for flights from 140 plus websites—and searches hotel rooms and cruising destinations. Results link to visitor reviews for hotels which are very helpful when selecting the proper place to sleep.
What we love: The capability to narrow a search to the exact time of day for both departure and arrival flights.

If you're picky about your plane seat assignment, SeatGuru.com provides all-inclusive tidbits by airline and type of aircraft of what to expect while soaring in the sky. Things like, the amount of legroom, the location of video monitors and exit rows and whether there are power ports on board, are just a few items to research.
What we like most: The mouse-over icons on seating charts give real reviews on what to ‘be aware of’ on specific carriers.

Food fanatics can revel in Food411.com , a gigantic database linking to all things food-related via the web—essentially a list of ‘lists’ that is very well organized and comprehensive. Locate gourmet books, magazines on food and recipe sites.
What we like most: Health food junkies can satisfy their cravings via the numerous links to organic food sites.

For special occasions and holidays RedEnvelope.com is one-stop shopping for creative and hard to come by gifts. Inspired by an Asian tradition in which gifts are often presented in a simple red envelope—their concept of gift giving—no matter what the occasion or circumstance—is pure fun.
What we love: A large majority of their products can be monogrammed which is a great way to personalize a gift.

GiftCertificates.com serves more than 30,000 corporate customers and three million consumers with certificates to hundreds of merchants including many popular stores (Gap), airlines, hotels, theaters, restaurants, and more.
What we like most: This is the ultimate paradise for gifting sans the work.

Products featured:
Pink Studio Donatella ($100), Frye Lisa 8L Pleat ($268), Dolce Vita Monaco 19 ($100), Sam Edelman Baxter ($98, piperlime.com)

Robert Rodriguez Open Back Sequin Dress ($495, eluxury.com)

Me! Bath Ice Cream Bucket of Bath Ice Cream ($40), Daub & Bauble Tarocco Orange and Clove Hand Wash with Aloe ($9), CUCINA Chef's Soap & Kitchen Fragrance Set ($30.50, ebubbles.com)