The olympics is officially beginning in eight days!! We can now start to get excited! I know I CANNOT wait for ice skating to start!!! So it’s time to start talking about all of our favorite olympic related items. Such as, THE GOLD MEDAL. Hanahula made a great list to stress the importance of winning, so be sure to check out Going for the Gold!!

Gold. The thrill of victory. The goal of every Olympic athlete. The precious metal that outshines every other. The gift that glorifies everyone, pros and amateurs, athletes and fans, lovers and friends alike.

See more of my Going for gold list at ThisNext.

You can always count on FashionistaDivagrrrl to make some awesome fashion lists. She certainly knows how to find some hidden gems. Her Bitchin’ Tees list is no exception. It has some awesome and hilarious tees and we all know that you can never have too many t-shirts. SOOOOOOOO don’t forget to check it out!!

Pimped out t-shirts!

See more of my Bitchin’ Tees list at ThisNext.

Get excited because today we’ve got some great news. We’ve just announced our acquisition of Stylehive. What that means for you is that there’s an awesome new product discovery site joining the ThisNext family. If you’re not familiar with the hive, but are into women’s fashion, I’d advise checking it out immediately.

With the acquisition, we’re also excited to announce the launch of Curatemedia. It’s the new parent company for ThisNext and Stylehive; our mission is to continue to develop a diverse portfolio of product discovery sites.

What this all means for ThisNext is very great things. We will continue to remain dedicated to redefining the online shopping experience. Our focus will stay on you, our users, and always bringing you the best and newest products around. Plus, in the months to come, we will be rolling out some awesome new features and a site redesign that you’re sure to love.

Thanks for everything and be looking forward to a wonderful year of social shopping.

Don’t worry the interviews are still here! This week we get to know AngelPhillips18, a 2009 maven. AngelPhillips18 just updated her blog so be sure to check that out also, BoysBeCool.

1. Can you write a haiku about you, your blog, or what you do? And/Or in one sentence describe yourself?

Chic pilgrim of style, online

Shopping wizzrd is happy to share

Her chic-onomic secrets

2. What are the last five things you purchased and what is your next dream purchase?

I am an avid fan of members-only sample sales sites. I’ve got these fabulous cropped skinny Radcliff jeans from Ideeli.com, incredibly chic Dior sunglasses from Editor’s closet and groovy Inky Dink tees for my little hunk from HauteLook.com, all at the ridiculous fraction of the retail price, which fills my frugal heart with the well deserved pride. I also noticed a peculiar thing: ThisNext wishlist makes my dreams come true. NO kidding! I wishlisted Tory Birch’s whimsical shirt with all-over elephant print and Nanette Lepore’s embellished LBD, just for the sake of fashion and style appreciation. Then, suddenly they’ve been marked down almost 70% on CUSP.com, you know “the last one and this size only” crazy sale. So, previously completely out of reach, yeah, yeah, budget, recession etc. they suddenly became available, so, guys, Dream Big! Dreams come true and not only in the shopping department!

So, I live what I preach: you can put a stylish look together on a shoestring budget, for the entire family. My next dream purchase is DVF’s Stephanie slouchy chain hobo. I’ve been lusting after this bag since the moment I laid my eyes on it, with an optimistic hope for the miracle. Hello, almost $900! Let’s see if This Next will pull it for me again. Yes, it’s been wishlisted as well as the incredible Robert Rodriguez Diamonte Bead Chain Necklace. 

3. What is your favorite movie about shopping and why?

I am positive, everyone would mention the classic scene from Pretty Woman. This is a perfect Cinderella shopping spree, if Cinderella went shopping on the Far and Away Rodeo Drive. Prince Charming announcing an absolutely indecent amount to be spent; arrogant sales persons swarming around the triumphant victim of their snobbery; dazzling 80-s fashion show put on by gorgeous Julia Roberts and, of cause the sweet redemption scene in the end…Yum!  An iconic Devil Wears Prada with sublime Meryl Streep. Clothes and accessories featured make me weep with desire.

4. What has been your favorite ThisNext discovery?

Besides the wishlisted items, that became a reality, it’s the Modular fish tank/ DEVICE. It’s is an absolutely insane giant hamster house made for fish. Just imagine how happy this fish must be swimming around this structure made of interconnecting glass and channels and globes! Pets’ Fifth Element! Surreal!

5. Tell us a little how you got your blog started

I looooooove fashion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No, it does not completely take my life over, I learnt to resist it, but it’s definitely a huge part of who I am. So, when my son started growing out of the adorable baby clothes I realized the striking inequality between the girls and boys fashion. The sparkling creativity of the girls’ clothes was all lost on the boys’ gloomy corners filled with boring “gender appropriate” garbs with ever-present trucks and baseballs. Cool, groovy clothes were completely out of reach. $120 for the pair of hip toddler’s jeans or $45 for a tiny funky t-shirt, please! So, I had to find alternative ways to dress my son like a star without having a bank account of one, unfortunately… maybe in the futureJ.  So creative and resourceful I’ve become in my chic-onomic quest that my son is a head turning “style authority”, his hand- downs are highly coveted by Moms who do not consider a $40 t-shirt a crime against humanity.

So, I’ve realized that I had very valuable knowledge and skills to share when the recession hit hard putting an end to the insane consumerism for I’ve been living in the recession mode way before the economy crumpled. This is how BoysBeCool blog was born. Basically, the main idea is that you don’t have to be a celebrity to dress your kid like one. My blog is for the chic-onomic parents who raise stylish, cool and confident boys on a tight budget. I share my resources, informing about upcoming sales on the members-only sample sites, mining the sales on numerous sites, pointing out the pieces worth my readers’ hard earned dollars. Some Moms/Pops don’t have time to surf all these sites, sometimes they simply are not sure what to buy and how to mix and match the new pieces with those already in their boys’ closets. I show how to put effortlessly stylish outfits together, how to “coolify” plain, basic pieces, how to utilize under- worn pieces etc.  There are many perks for the BoysBeCool.com readers, like special offers and discounts and many more wonderful things that make life of boys’ raising stylistas on a budget a lot easier.

6. If you could be any animal what would you be?

I would be Panther Bagira from Kipling’s “ Jungle Book”. Though in the Disney’s classic this character was gender confused, it’s a FEMALE in the book. Bagira is wise, accepting and very nurturing but fierce at the same time. 

Thanks AngelPhillips18 for your awesome answers!!!

Mostly once you reach a certain age birthdays stop being cool, but the only things that make it cool are…..BIRTHDAY PRESENTS!!! Sooooo, naturally I compiled a list of the best items to THINK about getting me for my upcoming birthday. So just ya know, browse through!!

WELLLL its officially a month until my birthday and while getting older sucks, the prospects of presents sounds pretty cool.

See more of my My Birthday!!! list at ThisNext.

Roses are red, violets are blue, Valentine’s Day is approaching, what should we do!? With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what to get the people you love and we want to help! So, we’ve assembled a Valentine’s Day gift guide created by the community. No matter who you are shopping for, let ThisNext help you find that perfect valentine’s gift! 

User FlamingJune has been making some awesome recommendations lately! And some even more awesome lists. Shes got a unique sense of style to add to the ThisNext community. In particular, my favorite is HER list of favorites! So be sure to check out her profile and keep those awesome lists coming FlamingJune!!

Mom. Suburban Mom. Refuse to let previous statements proclude me from identifying good design and hip detail.

See more of my Favorite Finds list at ThisNext.

My most favorite time of the day is that time I get to eat snacks!! Who doesn’t love a bag of cookies or chips. But sometimes it’s hard to think of that snack that will just hit the spot. DON’T WORRY Perlanegra to the rescue. She made a great list of some super snack (nutella!!) to eat when you just can’t pick.

Here are some sweet products I discovered at ThisNext. Check them out!

See more of my Food list at ThisNext.

Who is ready for our first 2010 giveaway?! ThisNext and the fantastic folks at Aspinal of London want to give you a new wallet to start your year off right! A limited edition patent leather wallet that is in the shape of the union jack flag making it both practical and fun. To enter recommend some of your favorite Aspinal of London products. This shouldn’t be hard, they have a little something for everyone! And then be sure to tag your items, “TN London.” Show us what you’ve got!

Here are some sweet products I discovered at ThisNext. Check them out!

Happy Thursday!!! You know what that means, new episode of the best television show ever created, The Jersey Shore. Another week of fake tans, overly angry men and AMAZING outfits. Recently I’ve been wondering, how did I live my life before The Jersey Shore existed??? All I know is, I hope it nevers goes away, that’s The Situation here.

the best show ever.

See more of my Jersey Shore list at ThisNext.

Today’s interivew is new user, SarahLynnBurke. SarahLynnBurke has only been a user since August and already made 218 recommendations and provided some great fashion tips. So don’t forget to check out her profile! Especially for good items for getting dressed during the holiday season!

1. Can you write a haiku about you, your blog, or what you do? And/Or in one sentence describe yourself.

Glamour obsessed fashion addict with a style all her own.
I’m a young fanatic with big dreams.

2. What are the last five things you purchased and what is your next dream purchase?

- Hello Kitty band-aides
- Vegan cookbook
- Biker boots
- Leather jacket (faux of course)
- Bag of studs for DIY purposes

Next dream purchase would be something by Alexander Wang.

3. What is your favorite movie about shopping and why?

That’s hard to say. Whenever I watch a movie with great fashion I tend to ignore what’s happening in the movie because I’m so fixated on the clothing, jewelry, etc.  But movies like Breakfast at Tiffany’s are classic, Confessions of a Shopaholic made me laugh and I love the adorable little outfits in the movie Lolita.

4. What has been your favorite ThisNext discovery?

Discovering that I’m not the only one completely and utterly captivated by fashion.

5. Who is your celebrity fashion icon?

I could never narrow it down to one but I tend to enjoy those who aren’t afraid to take risks even if it could land them on the worst dressed list.

6. What is your favorite winter trend?

Knee high boots with a leather jacket. It’s biker chic!

7. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

When my younger sister and I would watch cartoons I liked to imagine myself as Wonder Woman. Her outfit is just fantastic!

 

If you haven’t already purchased all your Christmas presents, you might be in a serious bind. However, we’re aficionados at last minute shopping and we’ll let you in on a little secret, it’s all about flexibility. Shipping or tracking down a particular item could get tricky. So, be willing to choose from a few different options. Definitely check out our Holiday Shopping Guide for some great options. If you’re really desperate, just go with a Gift Certificate.

I never thought I would be an eco-chic kind of girl but lately I have been opening my ears and eyes a bit more and have learned that there is a lot of crap in beauty products. Not literal crap, but chemicals that can cause some serious damage to your body. Up to 60% of what you put on the surface of your skin, ends up in your blood stream. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want chemicals in my blood.

So I am starting (slowly) to look into natural/ organic beauty products. In fact, I am starting to get rid of my old chemical laded stuff and am replacing it with natural products. Here is what I have purchased, used, and loved so far …

See more of my Eco Beauty Queen list at ThisNext.