Shopswell is an easy, fun way to curate shoppable lists of products or wish lists around a certain theme – that update dynamically no matter what.
Unlike Pinterest, which is frozen in time from when the original Pinner pinned the product (for years!), on Shopswell you have the ability to integrate a product’s price so it updates on the image as the price changes. No broken links. No item not found errors. No clicking through and finding that the price is totally different from what you suspected. Lists of items that are actually shoppable – still. Christmas wish lists that are updated. Beautiful layouts that are embeddable in your blog, no plugins necessary. You can even watch videos and reviews in the interface to make an informed decision before buying anything. It’s really the best of all shopping worlds – come together in one website.
Shopswell is so easy to collect products around a certain theme. Register on Shopswell and then click on your profile photo on the top right and choose “My Lists.” From there it will bring up a list of all your Lists, along with a Create New option.
I chose to create a list based on Fall – and themed it around affordable fashion under $50 (because as we all know, that is totally my mantra over at Chic Steals).
Then it came time to add products to my list, which I did through just typing the name of the item into the search bar. When an item came up I liked, I chose to add it to my list – plus checked the “Track Price” checkbox so I would be notified if the price changed (so I could swoop in on a sale as it was happening!).
Then I chose the list I wanted it added to – and BOOM! It was added to my list, that simple.
I could also hit the plus sign to the right of the search bar and enter the URL of a product I’d found on a site on the internet. Shopswell pulled all the info about the product without me having to do anything else (no entering keywords, title etc. – thank goodness!)
Within just a few minutes I had a cool, curated shopping list, that will live forever here – and I don’t have to do anything else for it! No commenting, no SEO’ing…no nothing. Awesomeness.
A review of the Shopswell website would be incomplete without mentioning that Shopswell’s monthly giveaway. The Shop.Share.Win Program gives away $10,000 every month (yup, you read that right) in rewards to the members who share and interact with other community members on the site. You earn credits by inviting other members to the site, creating helpful content, creating lists, and upvoting other members’ content. (Specific details on how to earn credits are here. The current leaderboard showing who’s earning the most credits this month is here.)
So what are you waiting for? Get in on the action and start putting together wishlists that will link to your picks permanently – embeddable, beautiful curated content.
I have a love/hate relationship with Target…well, really more like LOVE since I can’t go into one without filling up my shopping cart with amazing, affordable finds. Like these, for example.
And BTW, Target is running a GREAT promo from now until 4/4/15:
Spend $75 and save 15% on Home items – Plus get an extra 10% off when you use promo code MOVINGDAY at checkout!
I actually picked up the above gorgeous Hamilton X-Slat desk (to use as a vanity table in my bedroom!) for a sa-WEET $99 after all the discounts…and I’m pretty thrilled with the quality (and the styling possibilities!)
And don’t forget to use that Cartwheel App to save even more on already-reduced merchandise!
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you click and buy something through one of the links above. My full Disclosure Policy is here.
Have you guys checked out Hatch.co yet? No? It’s a curated marketplace for independent makers who love to personalize their artisanal products based on customer requests. They were just named one of TimeOut’s Best New Shopping Sites and one of Time Magazine’s Top 10 NYC Startups!
Unlike Etsy, the Hatch.co site is curated, which means their team recruits only the top artisanal makers so the products are of the highest quality. Every one of their items is made-to-order and customizable, so our makers take the time to create each order to the customer’s exact specifications!
In full support of independent makers, they are waiving their normal 5% fee for this weekend only in order to give their makers 100% of the sales that they make on Hatch. It’s their way of supporting Small Business Saturday.
Check out my picks above, fully customizable for all your gift-giving needs:
I’m also partnering with Hatch.co to offer $15 off any purchase of $50 or more with exclusive code ChicSteals14. (Just email discount@hatch.co with the words “ChicSteals14” after you make your purchase and you’ll be reimbursed for $15)
In this way, you can cross off everyone from your Christmas shopping list, all at one site.
The Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday trifecta has snuck up once again this year (how did that happen??!) and I’ve made a large shopping list for all my holiday giving. Just like last year, I’m taking advantage of some major steals going on this weekend. Here are some things I have my eye on:
Of course, you could celebrate Black Friday as Buy Nothing Day instead…and just make something awesome. Start with my 200+ DIY tutorials for ideas!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone – and enjoy the deal-filled weekend!
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission when you click on a link and make a purchase. My full Disclosure Policy is here.
The brand-new Canadian line, TRENDiY Art, was recently kind enough to send me one of their fun DIY kits to review.
TRENDiY Art is a new line of art and craft activities for tweens and teens, and is all about making cool jewelry and fashionable accessories. They provide not only all the materials to make these projects in the kits, but also a full-length fashion magazine with styling ideas and DIY possibilities. I decided to open up the Mexican Bracelets kit and try my hand at some embroidery thread-wrapped bracelets. They were super-easy to make and a cute, colorful addition to my stack of arm adornment. Here’s how to make them:
You Need:
TRENDiY Art Mexican Bracelets Kit / scissors
How To:
1. Start by double-knotting one thread around your bangle.
2. Wrap the thread around multiple times.
3. Change color by tying a new thread to the old one with a double knot, then cutting off the old thread.
4. Wrap the second color around, covering up the end of the old color and the end of the new color.
5. Continue all the way around, until you reach the beginning of your wrapping.
6. Add a third contrasting color wrapped around your base colors for texture.
7. When done, tie your final thread to the tail of the thread you tied on in the beginning, and snip all extra ends.
You can use 2 or 3 different colors rolled together for different looks, switch up the colors frequently, or tie many colors loosely around (even finishing your bracelet with a handmade tassel!) Plus you can hand-sew on some crystals, or even thread on some beads as you wrap for a totally different look.
Make it your own, make it colorful, and make it fun!
These kits make it very easy to create your own DIY projects since they come pre-stocked with everything you need. Totally on-trend and fun, TRENDiY Art kits are a great gift or engaging activity for any avid DIY’er in your life.
Currently only available in the UK, you can get your hands on 3 of these exclusive kits by entering the giveaway below!
Giveaway
One lucky reader will win 3 TRENDiY Art Kits! Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below:
FTC Disclosure: I was sent 4 DIY kits to review from TRENDiY Art. I have received no other compensation for this post. The above opinions are my own. To read my full Disclosure Policy, click here.
Carly J. Cais I am a DIY’er, designer, sewist, maker, and marketer. Chic Creative Life is where I share what I do, and help others bring their unique style into their own lives.
Shopswell is so easy to collect products around a certain theme. Register on Shopswell and then click on your profile photo on the top right and choose “My Lists.” From there it will bring up a list of all your Lists, along with a Create New option. 
Shopswell pulled all the info about the product without me having to do anything else (no entering keywords, title etc. – thank goodness!)
I have a love/hate relationship with 
Have you guys checked out 
Happy Shopping!
The Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday trifecta has snuck up once again this year (how did that happen??!) and I’ve made a large shopping list for all my holiday giving. Just like last year, I’m taking advantage of some major steals going on this weekend. Here are some things I have my eye on:
The brand-new Canadian line, 
I decided to open up the Mexican Bracelets kit and try my hand at some embroidery thread-wrapped bracelets. 
They were super-easy to make and a cute, colorful addition to my stack of arm adornment. Here’s how to make them:
TRENDiY Art Mexican Bracelets Kit / scissors
1. Start by double-knotting one thread around your bangle.
3. Change color by tying a new thread to the old one with a double knot, then cutting off the old thread.
You can use 2 or 3 different colors rolled together for different looks, switch up the colors frequently, or tie many colors loosely around (even finishing your bracelet with 
Make it your own, make it colorful, and make it fun!
