Official Blog of IMshopping.com

Are you thinking about purchasing a new iPod? As we know, everyone has an iPod. Individuals from around the world take their players with them while jogging, heading to college classes, jam with them while traveling, or plug it into a set of speakers to rock out with their favorite downloadable songs and videos anytime, anywhere. Over the last three years, the iPod Touch has been one of the most popular portable media players on the planet.

Why has the iTouch become popular? First, this is the first device in the iPod family of portable music players, to have a wireless link to the iTunes store and to Apple’s App Store. They also come with awesome features such as external volume controls, a contoured back, a place to plug in your microphone, built in speaker, Bluetooth support, built in Nike+, and iPhone OS 3.1 operating system installed. These come in 8GB, 32 GB, or 64GB of flash memory. Its multi touch graphical user interface is also a winning factor in the popularity of the iTouch. Since its release in 2007, the iTouch has sold around 20 million players around the world!

What makes the iTouch different from players such as Zune, San Disk, and many other portable media players, is aside from the obvious created by Apple, it boosts well over 70,000 different applications, ranging from games to movies. This is great for individuals who are waiting to catch their next flight and need something to do, to pass the time. It also comes with a mobile Safari browser, which has beatout the competition of Zune’s HD web browser with Bing Search. SanDisk does not have Wi-Fi or a browser to search the web with. However, the experts say the sound quality of the iTouch is average in comparison to several other MP 3 players out there, though the listeners seem to enjoy

The iTouch is sold at a variety of online and local retailers, such as Wal-Mart, Target, Amazon, Tiger Direct, New Egg, Sears, Radio Shack, and many others. 8 GB iTouch players start at around $190.00 on up to around $380.00 for a 64 bit player not including the software updates and applications, music, or movies. Come experience the iTouch MP 3 player, you don’t know what you are missing!

If you have ever purchased anything from a television infomercial, you know that the Snuggie is considered a cultural phenomenon. It looks like a combination of a blanket and a robe, the Snuggie is a great way to keep warm on these cold winter nights. These come in a variety of colors, and they are one size fits all. These are great to wear in really cold office buildings, sporting events, while at the movies, while traveling in your car and much more!

How popular are the Snuggies? Since these have come out on the market, everybody has been purchasing them. From the average Joe to famous faces like Kendra Wilkinson are buying these up like hotcake’s from the griddle. Groups on Facebook, MySpace, and even Twitter have them that focus on Snuggie fans! You can purchase a Snuggie from their website, and several fine online and local retailers, such as Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target, Amazon, and more! These are priced at around $20.00 each at most retailers, but on the website, they have a special for 2 Snuggie’s for $19.95!

Here are some fun facts about the Snuggie:

These were created in 1942, by John Snuggie, when he decided to turn his bathrobe inside out and wear it backwards. From that point on, he had made an entire empire off of this concept.

The Snuggie was also the model for the modern hospital gowns that we wear today.

Their first run was shipped out to soldiers during WWII to Veterans Hospital in Squagaw Connecticut.

He began using the phrase “Snuggle up with a Sailor” to inspire soldiers to share body heat with someone, by using their Snuggie’s!

Though for some of us, the Snuggie looks like an odd concept that we might giggle at, these definitely do the job of keeping America warm!

How many of us have ever been lost going somewhere or have been late to an appointment due to writing down the wrong directions?  This had become a problem for many people as they would try to find a certain place.  Now motorists do not have to worry about this issue any longer since the creation and popularity of the GPS System. Over the last several years, the GPS System has been a mainstay with travelers from all over the world which virtually has replaced the use of traditional maps. With high end trackers such as On Star that will not only tell individual directions, but also help them when things such as a vehicle breaking down or stolen, the GPS has become a staple for many people all over the world.

However, what exactly is a GPS? Known as Global Positioning System, these are used to assist motorists in finding places by entering an address into the system. It then uses satellite signals to find the most relevant directions to take the person to their desired destination. GPS systems usually come as a part of cell phones, and newer cars and trucks. However, you can purchase them at many online and local retailers. Some of the most popular GPS brands are TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan. Each of these brands has several awesome features that can help everyone get to their destination. Here is a rundown on what I call the big three:

TomTom- When you think of GPS Systems, TomTom is what comes to mind. The number one GPS manufacturer was created in 2001, and their products include PND’s (GPS systems for your car), in dash navigation devices, and software that are installed on Smartphone’s and PDA’s. Their maps are through TomTom Home, where they create digital maps and provide routing guidance. You can find their products at local retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target and at online stores, such as Tiger Direct and Amazon.

Garmin- Garmin’s are very popular with Commercial Truck Drivers and RV owners for their extra wide GPS systems. The company was created in 1989, has taken pride in creating easy to use PND’s for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and software for Smartphone’s/PDA. Their GPS System is powered by Mapsource for more accurate directions and allows motorists to find their destination within less than 3 meters. You can purchase Garmin products at a variety of local and online retailers for a really good price.

Magellan- They are known as the first company in the world to distribute the portable GPS System in 1989 and the first Global satellite Communicator. They connect by using NAVTEQ based maps for their navigation systems. They have taken pride in being the innovators behind our current handheld systems that we use today. Magellan’s have a wide range of nifty features that include:

I have never been one to fall for those seen on TV gimmicks, but I came across something while surfing the Internet, which would make the job of ironing almost nonexistent. For a lot of people, including myself, do not have the time to iron their clothes, nor the patience to perform the task. However, the Mr. Steamy Dryer Ball puts an end to stiff, wrinkled clothes. What exactly does it do you might wonder? The Mr. Steamy Dryer Ball is placed in your dryer to do the job of both a fabric softener sheet and an iron. When you remove your clothes from the dryer, they are extremely soft and wrinkle free.

How does the Mr. Steamy Dryer Ball work? It’s a really simple process. You add water into the Mr. Steamy Dryer Ball, toss it into the dryer, turn it on, and let Mr. Steamy do the job. It lets out steam into your dry, wrinkled clothes, to make them soft and less wrinkly. The Mr. Steamy Dryer Ball does the work of a steam dryer, without paying a small fortune. This is the perfect gadget for those of us who do not have the time or the patience to iron their clothes, like me. It comes with Fresh Spot for people who want to keep their clothes smelling fresh from cigarette smoke or other odors one may find offensive.

Many customers who have used the Mr. Steamy Dryer Ball have given mixed reviews on the product. Some are extremely satisfied, some are still pretty skeptical about the product, and some are waiting for the Mr. Steamy Ball to hit the store shelves, before they try it. You can purchase the Mr. Steamy Dryer Ball from their Website, which is running a special now. You can buy two Mr. Steamy Dryer Balls for $19.99 plus shipping and handling. This comes with two Mr. Steamy Dryer Balls and two bottles of Fresh Shot, for wonderful smelling laundry. This product is sure to become a hit with people everywhere.

A new year and a new decade is upon us, and chances are that a large number of people made resolutions when the clock struck midnight in hopes of making this year just a little better than last.  Some may have been related to work, others may have been about love, but most were probably focused on getting healthy.  At the beginning of every year, millions of people say they are going to live a healthier life and get fit, but they often lose motivation since they don’t know where to start.  Luckily there are plenty of simple options available on the market to help you get fit in 2010.

The Wii Fit
Whether you own a Wii or not, chances are that you have heard of the Wii Fit and the great success that it’s users are enjoying.  With the new style of active gaming that the Wii has created, you can literally play your way into shape in a number of different ways.  The Wii Fit platform is a fully interactive game that will help you monitor your progress as you work to achieve your weight loss goals, reach a healthy bmi and increase your balance.  It offers a variety of cardio workouts including hula hooping, jogging, step aerobics and even boxing.  There are also strength training and yoga exercises to help you warm up before your work or wind down after a stressful day.

The balance board that comes with the Wii Fit can also be used to make other games, like the popular boxing remake Punch-Out, more interactive and physically challenging.

Getting Toned
If gaming your way into shape doesn’t interest you, there are plenty of other inexpensive and highly portable pieces of exercise equipment you can use to lose weight and tone your body in 2010.  Yoga and Pilates both provide great ways to tone and sculpt your muscles from the privacy of your own home without expensive gym memberships or heavy duty equipment.  Picking up a pilates ball or ring, along with a yoga mat, is a great way to get the most out of your workout and reach your goals without breaking the bank.  If you are new to toning and balance exercises, grabbing a beginner DVD for one or both of these body toning workout genres will help keep you on track all year long.

Lose Weight with Cardio
The real key to achieving weight loss success and really trimming down is pairing a healthy diet with regular cardio workouts.  If you just shuddered at the idea of running or jogging 30 minutes a day in the crazy weather that 2010 seems to be ushering in, there are plenty of ways to raise your heart rate and lower your calories, without leaving your home.  One popular indoor cardio workout is step aerobics.  You can pick up an aerobic step and a workout DVD for under $100 which is a minor investment when compared to a gym membership.  If step aerobics don’t hold your interest, a tae bo or kick boxing workout DVD will give you the same great cardio workout without the extra equipment.

Always remember to take it slow when you first start a new workout routine.  Stretch and warm up your body and muscles with some yoga before doing your cardio, and then wind down with a few pilates exercises afterward.  If you jump into a full workout too quickly you can risk serious muscle injury so take it one step at a time.  With a bit of motivation and a few small workout tools you will find that keeping your resolutions and getting in shape will be a breeze in 2010.

Our first release in this year brings cool features and a bunch of user experience improvements welcomed by IMshopping users:

Ask and Answer Evolved

The new Bookmarklet that allows you to ask question right on any product page on the Internet and get your answer on IMshopping. Check it out (look for the “Learn More…” link on that page)!

Ask on any web site bookmarklet

Review Summaries

For users looking for reviews from a trusted source like Amazon, we provide a summary of pros and cons from Amazon reviewers so that you can focus on product features you are interested in. A time-saver.

Review Summaries

Personal Dashboard

For return users, new “personal dashboard” provides easy access to all your information: wishlists, questions, polls in one place:

Streamlined and more engaging user interface of the home page. It is now easier to see what other people are asking about and also ask your own question.

We made products recommended by IMshopping guides easier to find via the search function: the results page is now simpler and more functional. There is no need to switch between products and questions any more.

Stay tuned for more exciting stuff coming.

Happy shopping in the New year and please let us know what you think!

– The IMshopping Team

It’s one day before New Year’s and even though you’d originally decided to stay home in your Snuggie, you’ve all of a sudden decided that starting 2010 with other people is a great idea.

But what do you wear?

It’s not easy to throw together an outfit at the last minute, so maybe you need some ideas. Never fear! With a little looking around on imshopping.com, it won’t take long to put an outfit together that will let you ring in the New Year in a lot of style.

The main thing about looking great on New Year’s Eve is to pick out an outfit that flatters your best points. Do you have great legs? Go with a shorter dress. Great cleavage? How about  low-cut?

With this short of a lead-in time, it’s best to go with something that you can find quickly. If it’s inexpensive, that’s not such a bad thing, either. Why start your New Year in debt?

It’s pretty The first thing you should decide is what color you want to wear? Do you want to look red-hot in red, or sophisticated like Audrey Hepburn in black? Everybody can look good in either color. If you’re going to a more casual affair, you might want to forego the sequins and glitter and go for a more casual look, where a night out of dancing and lights calls for a dressier outfit.

Of course, the success of any outfit depends on the accessories. And since we’re kind of in a hurry, did you know that it’s not necessary to match your purse to your shoes? A really great purse honestly goes with any outfit, and if you’re really wanting to punch up either your red dress or your black one, how about trying a gold purse?

The great thing about gold is that it will go with black, red, or any dress you’re interested in. If you can find one like this one that one of our assistants found, it won’t set you back very much money and it will look great with just about any dressy outfit you can wear. Further, since you’ll only be using it a few times a year, its timeless style means that for only about $30 or so, you’ll have a purse that you can pull out time and time again. What a deal!

Now let’s talk about your shoes. Sticking with the red dress idea, you can go with a variety of colors. You can pick gold, if you really want to match that purse, but just how often are you going to wear gold shoes? Instead, I’d suggest black. They’ll go with any color of party dress and you’ll get to wear them well after New Year’s is over.

And did you know that you don’t have to wear heels, if they’re not something that you can wear comfortably? A pair of really dressy flats can also look great with a party dress and you can dance well into the wee first hours of 2010.

Whatever you decide to do or wear, make sure you have a fun and safe New Year’s Eve! Happy 2010!

With Christmas less than one week away, shoppers are naturally wanting their homes to look beautiful – and that means one thing. Decorations!

Even though many of us already have more decorations than a small department store, there’s just something about the Christmas season that leads us all to wanting our homes to be shinier, prettier and just more festive.

While it would seem that there would be nothing new along the way of Christmas decorations, there are indeed newer and more modern ways to decorate our homes.

A big seller this year is LED light strings. Unlike regular lights, LED lights burn brighter and take less energy. What’s not to love about that? And did you know that if you want to save even more money on your electrical costs, there is now such a thing as solar Christmas lights. That’s right! In the link above, a shopper was looking for solar lights that will not only make Christmas greener, but will eliminate the need for a lot of wires that will need connected outside your house.

They come in strings and in nets that will go neatly over the shrubs in front of your house, and they’re LED lights, so they’ll burn brightly and for a long time.

I think I’ll have to look those up during the after-Christmas sales!

Many shoppers are also looking for new Christmas trees this year. Many of them are replacing the artificial trees we all bought a few years ago that were prelit.

While those were convenient, those trees also had one problem – if one light in the string went out, the whole section of lights on the tree went out. My tree is just like that, so now I’m forced between buying a new tree or just stringing extra lights where the section of lights no longer lights.

The new modern Christmas trees come with the energy-saving LED lights, and even the ones that come with the traditional lights are now made so that if one bulb goes out, the rest of the tree still stays lit.

Finally, something that makes sense!

It was also nice to see at least one shopper looking for something funky for Christmas. When I was a younger person, we had one of those funky silver Christmas trees, with the color wheel that changed it to red, blue and green. At the time, I yearned for a real tree, but it was nice to see that someone besides me thinks a funky little silver tree would be kind of cool in a rec room.

So now that you have your tree, it’s time to think of decorations. There’s all kinds and styles out there, from the most ornate silver and gold to silly cartoon characters like Charlie Brown and SpongeBob SquarePants.

Sometimes, when looking for something to buy, a shopper will give us some great ideas too. For example, one shopper was looking for an idea to make her own Christmas centerpiece. What a great idea! With some craft items and some good creativity, it’s not hard to make a centerpiece that really stands out. For example, to make a great, inexpensive centerpiece, try this. Get a big clear glass bowl. Then get some ball-shaped Christmas ornaments. You can go with one color, multiple colors; one size or multiple sizes. The choice is yours. Put the balls in the glass bowl, attachment part down so all you see is the bottoms. There you go! A very pretty Christmas centerpiece that won’t cost you more than a few dollars.

Even with Christmas being just a few days away now, it’s not too late to add some great decorations to your home. After all, with all the company that drops in and out all the time, wouldn’t it be nice to add some eye-catching décor to your home’s look?

Do you have some great ideas for Christmas decorating? Or have you been able to find any great deals when you’re looking for decorations at your own home? We’d love to hear about them!

And whatever you decide or whichever way you decorate, be sure to have a blessed holiday season and a very Happy New Year!

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer, and by cheer I mean cleaning, cooking and then more cleaning!  Even the biggest of scrooges knows that deep down inside they love being involved in the preparation of the family’s holiday feast even if they dread the clean up.  If you are getting ready to start your holiday cooking extravaganza, here are a few things to keep in mind.

One great kitchen creation is the non stick pan.  While a high quality T-Fal pan might cost you a bit more than your every day run of the mill frying pan, it is an investment that you won’t regret.  Anyone who has ever had to pick at burnt on cheese with their nails will agree that a non stick pan is a real life saver in those kinds of situations.  If you don’t want to spend your Christmas evening in the kitchen while your family is enjoying the festivities, you might want to consider asking Santa to deliver a new set of non stick pans as an early morning Christmas gift.

For your oven baked foods, a nice set of glass cooking dishes or even some stoneware can go a long way.  Most of the baking dishes available on the market today are dishwasher and microwave safe, and some sets even come with lids for refrigerator storage.  There is nothing better than cooking and storing things in the same pan to cut down on dirty dishes.

Unfortunately, not everything can be stored in the same thing you cooked it in so it’s always a great idea to grab some extra tupperware on hand.  If you opt for the cheap disposable types you can reuse them or toss them out depending on your mood.  Tupperware is also a great way to send home left overs with your guests as well.

If you are in charge of your family’s holiday meal then chances are that you probably have a whole list of desserts to bake also.  It seems like the holidays really bring out the desire for cookies, pies, cupcakes and who knows what else.  While these tasty treats can be a lot of fun to create and even more fun to eat, they can lead to a real disaster in the kitchen.  One popular baking option on the market is silicone bake ware which is designed to offer storage flexibility and really quick clean up.

The key to enjoying holiday cooking, is to make sure that neither the cooking nor the clean up keeps you away from your family for too long.  If you can get them involved in the kitchen you can make it a true family event.  Hand your little one a spatula and let him stir the cookie batter while your significant other slices the holiday ham!

Zhu Zhu Pets are the hot item on every child’s lips at the moment.  Each holiday season there is that one special toy that parents are forced to search for relentlessly.  We’ve seen the Tickle Me Elmo craze, the Furbie insanity, Cabbage Patch doll riots and now we are faced with the shopping chaos that is known as the Zhu Zhu Pets hunt.

You have probably heard about these cute and lively little electronic hamsters that run around and make cute sounds, but if you haven’t, don’t feel bad.  You can get lots of great information on Zhu Zhu pets from experts on the topic.  Zhu Zhu pets come in several different character designs, each of which has it’s own name, unique color and a decorative design on it’s back.  Mr. Squiggles comes in brown with a swirl on his back, Pipsqueak is yellow with a star and the list goes on and on, the most rare however appears to be the elusive white Zhu Zhu pet named Chunk.  While you might think that the white pet would be unpopular since white toys are destined to a very dirty and stained lifespan, you would be wrong.  Some individuals are actually seeking out help so they can find that Zhu Zhu pet in particular.

The hard part of finding a Zhu Zhu pet, as is always the problem with these popular toys, will actually be tracking one down in your area that is available at a reasonable price.  CVS and Toys R Us have put these little fellows on sale for $9.99, but whether or not they will have them in stock when you get there is another story.  If you haven’t gotten a Zhu Zhu pet for you child yet, you may want to start looking now.  They are selling out faster than the stores can order them.  If you are an avid online shopper you may be able to track them down a bit easier, but you can expect to pay three times their retail price at least.  At this point in the shopping season some people are even seeking out places to buy them online for $25 which is much higher than retail.

If you are serious about getting a Zhu Zhu pet for your child then you don’t want to forget the accessories that go along with them.  After all what good is a pet hamster if he doesn’t have a cage and tunnels to run around in?  The list of accessories for our furry little friends is quite extensive, and entertaining.  The most obvious accessory choice is the Hamster fun House which will give your Zhu Zhu pet plenty of tunnels and room to run around in while your child plays with it.  You can also get a wheel (which no hamster is complete without), a pet carrier, a car with garage or even a skateboard for your toy hamster!

Another hot item, that won’t be quite so tricky to find, is the ever popular line of Webkinz stuffed animals.  These little guys are absolutely adorable and come in such a wide variety of designs, sizes and styles that you are guaranteed to find something for everyone.  If your little one prefers dragons or chimpanzees over hamsters, then Webkinz is probably the hot ticket toy for you this year.  Even though they are sought out by kids and collectors alike, they are still relatively easy to find so you shouldn’t need to worry about sold out signs or high markups for most of their animals. The price range on these little fellows will vary depending on the size and style that you are after, but you can generally find them online and in retail stores like Toys R Us or Barnes and Noble for $15 or less.  Webkinz are super cute, and super popular as well.

If Zhu Zhu Pets or Webkinz are on your child’s Santa list this year, then it is best to start shopping for them now.  The longer you wait the harder it will be to find them at affordable prices.  Keep your eyes peeled for announcements at your local stores, especially about Zhu Zhu Pets and get there early.  If you can’t track them down yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for help.  These two toys are incredibly popular and the longer you procrastinate the harder it will be to track down that perfect Zhu Zhu Pet or Webkinz animal!