Fun with fashion on Facebook

Ever since Facebook invited web developers to create applications for Facebook just a few months ago, we’ve seen applications pop up for everything under the sun – from sending free gifts, adding video and photos to your Fun Wall and even biting your friends and turning them into Vampires.

But did you know there are literally hundreds of fun applications for fashion and shopping lovers? Here’s just a few:

Stylefeeder
A social shopping website, Stylefeeder’s application lets you show off your personal style. Just bookmark any product as you shop online and add it to your profile and share your favorites with your friends.

Polyvore
I could spend hours playing with Polyvore. You can create fashion “sets” with real products from real stores, or browse what other fashion mavens have created and post them on your Facebook profile. On Polyvore.com, you can search by keyword and find relevant sets, for example “kimono” or “magenta.” The neatest thing is that you can click through to buy any item online, so you can complete your wardrobe or find the perfect accessories.

Social Shopping Mall

Mallicious is a deal-sharing website that created an application that allows you to surf its coupons and offers from inside Facebook. Find discounts, free shipping, coupon codes and even exclusive offers for Facebook users from top online stores, and share deals with your friends on your profile.

My Fab Bag
Ladies love designer handbags, but for most of us, these are a luxury we
can’t afford. But with My Fab Bag you get $5,000 virtual dollars for
Dolce, Vuitton, Coach or whatever your heart desires – to gift to your
girlfriends or display on your profile. This application has over 9,000
daily active users.

Fashion Trend Voting

Think HotOrNot meets Glamour Dos and Don’ts. Vote on clothing, accessories and celebrity outfits as hot or not and see how others voted. Hours of fun.

Our Guest Blogger, Linda Bustos, is an editor for Creditor Web, and blogs about credit cards, shopping and e-commerce.

Holiday cards with a delectable twist from Mango Ink

Has sending holiday cards become more of a chore than a pleasure? Take a fresh approach to the task with these delectable, retro designs from Mango Ink. Send your heartfelt wishes with style and a twinkle in your eye! View the holiday collection here, and get 15% off any holiday card order by entering code EARLYBIRD07 at checkout, now through October 31.

gumball ring from Lazuli jewelry

Looking for the perfect gift for that lucky girl who has everything? Whether she's a recent graduate, young professional or fashion-forward post-hipster, this aptly named Gumball Ring from Lazuli jewelry is sure to strike her fancy. The inlaid resin disc pops with color, and is sure to elicit complements from her envious friends! It's $55.00 from Lazuli.

Precious clips for baby's hair

I think I've encountered the absolute cutest barrettes for babies! They're small ( about 1 inch long), and grip nicely in baby's fine hair. In an array of precious styles, like ribbon, crochet flowers and butterflies, you'll find it hard to pick! Perfect for that lucky baby who already has everything; they're $9.00 at Bellaziza. Buy 3 clips, get one free! Just mention code "shopalicious" at checkout.

Buying Diamonds Online

Buying diamonds and diamond jewelry can be a wonderful experience. With the advancement of technology, finding a perfect diamond is just a click away. High mega-pixel digital photography allow details of each individual diamond that you are looking at to be seen and scrutinized with ease. No more running around from store to store in search of the perfect diamond.

There are also many options when it comes to choosing an online retailer. Decreased overhead allows online stores and retailers to bring these beautiful diamonds and diamond jewelry to the mass market at spectacularly low prices. The market is competitive so the increase in the number of online retailers has driven prices down.

That said, Abazias.com is a great place to shop for diamonds or diamond jewelry. I did a little online research of my own, and found these beautiful 0.5 carat diamond earrings very competitively priced at $489.00. Take a look -- you might find a well-priced treat for yourself or someone dear to your heart!

jewelry with nutty appeal

Not into the dainty, delicate look of most jewelry? Then these modern designs using actual hardware might be just up your alley. This beautifully designed bracelet uses fine quality nuts with gemstones inlaid, and would add a modern twist to a simple black dress. It's $140.00 from www.iweardoyou.com

Boots for pedicures on cold days

Ever had a pedicure on a cold winter day, then messed it up a bit by sticking your feet back into your closed-toe shoes? Well, here's the thing for you! Bootie Pies: Pedicure Boots for Posh Toes are stylish suede boots with a patent leather toe that flips up when you get your toes painted, keeping the rest of your foot warm and cozy! For serious pedicure aficionados, they're available for $128.00 exclusively from Bootie Pies.

knitted vegetable rattles for the baby with everything

If you're ever at a loss for a baby shower gift, these hand-knitted baby vegetable rattles are sure to please. They're hand knit in Peru of 100% soft vegetable yarn and the set includes carrot, peas in pod, cabbage, radish and tomato. They're on sale for $15.00 from Quiet Hours toys.

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two must-have nudes -- lipstick, that is

I'm on a perpetual hunt for the perfect shade of nude lipstick, and I've found two that I use interchangeably (the photos don't reflect actual colors). Chanel's Hydrabase lipstick in Tempt, for $24.50 from Saks Fifth Avenue, is a perfect brownish pink. It's creamy texture and slightly rosy smell are delicious. Sometimes, for a more glossy look, I have Sephora's gloss lipstick in #117. It's a slightly lighter brownish pink, with a more sheer finish. Two nudes, take your pick.

add UV protection to your laundry

Looking for another way to protect against harmful UV rays? Just add Rit Sun Guard to your wash cycle, rinse and dry as usual. Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation, using this can raise clothing's SPF to almost 30, and works even if your shirt is wet! I'd still slather on the sunscreen for added protection. It's available from Amazon for $20.00, and contains enough for 6 loads.

sniff out fake Bakelite

Bakelite was one of the first plastics invented and was a big trend in the 30's and 40's. What goes around comes around, and it's having it's day again. But before you stock up on retro cool accessories like this bangle, make sure you're buying the real thing. According to Araks Yeramyan of Lucky magazine, authentic Bakelite will have a heavy "clunk" sound when knocked together. Also, you can rub the item with your thumb until it heats up. Take a sniff, if it's a formaldehyde-ish smell, you've got the real thing.

swirl, tap, buff: bareMinerals makeup is amazing

Maybe I'm really late to the game with the minerals makeup revolution, but I'm impressed with bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation. It really is everything they promise! I ordered the starter kit for $60, and was swirl-tap-buffing in no time, thanks to the handy DVD included. Made from all natural mineral ingredients, the powders are silky, colours are natural, and can be layered to achieve the desired coverage. They cover blemishes beautifully, too, better than any concealer I've tried! It makes you look like you have great skin, even if you don't (like me). Try it for yourself, and post your comments here!

swaddle your laptop in style with a laptop sleeve

Just slip your laptop into one of these sleeves, and then into your regular bag, or over your shoulder with the detachable shoulder straps. It's well padded all around with convenient Velcro top flap closure and comes in several patterns and sizes, 13", 15" and 17". It's $36.00 from Brooklyn Industries.

On sale today: ZAGAT's New York City Shopping Guide 2007

Just as no foodie can be without the ZAGAT restaurant guide, now NYC shoppers have the ZAGAT New York City Shopping Guide. On sale today, this guide lists over 2,000 stores in 50 categories including electronics, baby gear, cosmetics, shoes, bridal, furniture, and much more. Shopaholic or bargain hunter, never say you can't find it again!

delight a kid with a Blabla backpack

Ever feel stumped by birthday gift-giving? Delight any pre-schoooler with this 100% cotton, hand-knitted backpack. They can stow their treasures in the cotton-lined interior and look as cute as a button. For $38.00 from Craftsbury Kids.

get organized with the MeBox

Plain old file boxes are never an attractive storage solution. These MeBoxes from Design Within Reach, however, add some graphic fun to your storage dilemma. Snap together the double-thick cardboard box, then punch out the perforated discs to create a number, letter or symbol to identify the box's contents. Stow away toys, clothes, crafts -- you'll have a sight for sore eyes!
(p.s. You'll save 10% until March 12!)

jot your ideas in a Moleskine journal

Ever had a good idea that just dissipated because you couldn't write it down? Keep one of these handy, and it'll never happen again. Moleskine journals are pocket-sized, acid-free, and just plain cool-looking. Hey, even if you don't become the next Hemingway, at least you can have fun writing down your grocery list.

p.s. If you buy one of these, and end up loving it, you must check out this blog

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polka-dotted Puddle Jumper Shoes to the rescue

I recently bought these cute-as-a-button polka dot Puddle Jumper Shoes for my 3 year old. Needless to say, she's in love with them. Not really a bargain at $42.00, but they're soft inside, well-made, with nice bouncy, gripping gum soles - perfect for her playground antics!

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keep little legs warm with BabyLegs

My 3 year-old daughter refuses to wear anything but tights and dresses (since princesses don't wear denim, she says). Luckily, our reader Janet M. has turned me onto the perfect solution to keep her warm -- BabyLegs! They've got great colours and patterns and fit infants through size 10, so there's no chance they'll outgrow them too soon. Fashion with function! Thanks for the tip, Janet.

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a donkey for Valentine's Day?

Do we really need another box of chocolates for Valentine's Day? Instead, how about a mosquito net, 100 kgs of cement or a donkey? WorldVision, a UK based website, has an alternative gift catalogue filled with various gifts to help some of the world's poorest communities make their way out of poverty. Ditch those calories and spread some humanitarian goodwill instead!

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