When shopping online, one of the problems a shopper can run across is the overabundance of online stores. The creators of Mable's Unique Gifts have attempted to address this by offering their services to the world.
Mable's was originally an online store specializing in vintage items, strange toys and other unique things, but it is now a search and review site that seeks out the same things on other shopping Web sites such as eBay and ThinkGeek. For instance, the "World of Fun" section has a feature on the iHome iPod radio that includes a link to the iHome Web site as well as links to auctions for the radios on eBay.
A nice feature of the site is the shopping blog that features a new product each day and provides links to sites where you can buy the featured items. The most recent postings include things such as a custom dog harness, a build your own robot kit and a water-powered clock.
Two other great features are the site's fun '80s style layout and simple navigation. By compiling all of the site's items into six categories, the site's owners have streamlined the process of finding what you want.
All in all, Mable's is definitely worth a look.
One of the sites featured at Mable's is FredFlare. Unlike Mable's, FredFlare is a heavily featured shopping site that specializes in cute items and clothing. In addition to the main store, the site also has a blog covering celebrity antics and product specials, a podcast and a "boombox" to listen to while you shop.
A downside to FredFlare is its layout. While everything on the site is labeled clearly and easy to navigate, the chances of finding an exact item on the site are pretty much non-existent, so it's hard not to end up just browsing around.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing. FredFlare has plenty of cute things in stock, including a kitchen timer shaped like a mushroom and earrings shaped like cassette tapes or cupcakes. On the other hand, those deliciously cute earrings could cost you a stomach-churning $40 a pair.
Thankfully, FredFlare's sale section usually has considerably deep discounts on discontinued items, such as the "Bling-Bling" safety pin and "E.T." necklace. The discounts tend to go as high as 80 percent off the normal price.
If you don't mind spending a little extra for something cute, give FredFlare a shot.
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