Boutiques.com is a tease/pretty useless

In Google's quest to rule the world it was inevitable the search engine empire would expand to the world of fashion. Enter Boutiques.com, a site that asks users a series of questions about their style preferences in order to arrive at a personalized cyber "boutique."

Who doesn't want a boutique where you like everything? My guess is no one, especially if this boutique is a virtual one, which requires no actual physical movement to get there and allows for browsing during work hours.

It would seem like Google genius has struck again, and yet, Boutiques.com is a huge disappointment.

It took me about 18 minutes to complete the click-through questionnaire about which silhouettes I prefer, which colors and prints strike my fancy and which celeb's style I most identify with. At the end of this process I was presented with pages upon pages of merchandise I'm supposed to like, according to the shopping criteria I'd just selected.

And to my surprise, I did like a lot of it. Plus, the system offers the option for me to click "hate" if I'd rather some item not taint my custom ecommerce paradise.

Brilliant, I thought, as I clicked a bronze sequin skirt by Chloe, marked down to $110.25. It's perfect for the holiday party circuit, paired with a black short-sleeved turtle neck and some black tights.

Only, Boutiques.com giveth, and Boutiques.com taketh away. When I clicked on the image of the beautiful skirt, not only was the price then $122.85 but it was also "unavailable." Disappointed, but not discouraged, I shrugged that off as bad timing and scrolled on.

One look at the dreamcicle-colored cashmere sweater dress by Dolce & Gabbana and I'd already forgiven the Chloe skirt incident. On sale for $117 I clicked feverishly to purchase the garment...only to be welcomed by "SOLD OUT" in big, red letters. Strike two for Boutiques.com.

Surely, I thought, the fashion fates had denied me my first two purchase attempts so I could see the brown booties by BCBGeneration for just $61.02. Click. Instead of taking me to the product page for these lovelies, it took me to a page with the same booties in black for $110.95.

Strike 3, Boutiques.com, you're out.
What's the point of a site that offers you everything you want but can't have?
Trust me, I have enough of that in my life already.

If you'd like to see for yourself, click here.

Your Indy Guide to Black Friday Deals

I may have to turn in my shopaholic card for this but I usually skip Black Friday. Like with most people, Thanksgiving for my family involves much eating of carbs, drinking of adult beverages and staying up too late; behavior that doesn't lend itself well to waking early. And diving into a desperate mob of bargain shoppers doesn't really sound good to my hung over, bloated self.

But this year, there's a certain black cashmere sweater waiting for me at Saks Fifth Avenue, whose price will rise after 12 p.m. So friends, I'll see you on the battlefield.

I've outlined some deals by local merchants below to help get you in the shopping spirit.

Aeropostale is marking its entire stock 50-70 percent off.

At Apricot Lane everything is buy one, get one 50 percent off.

Bebe is taking 20 percent off your entire purchase before noon.

The Best Chocolate in Town is offering 50 percent off its hand-whisked hot chocolate at $1.43 a cup. They're offering their original milk hot chocolate as well as a spicy version with cinnamon and cayenne pepper.

The Children's Place is taking 30 percent off your total purchase before noon. Global Gifts will be donating 10 percent of their sales on Friday to The Wheeler Mission and The Julian Center.

H&M will have Black Friday Fashion Finds from $5.

J.Benzal is taking 40 percent off all merchandise including suits and winter coats, dress shirts are buy one, get one free and if you spend $500 or more you get a $100 Style Certificate.

J.Jill is taking 25 percent off your entire purchase.

Mass Ave Wine Shoppe will be open from noon to 9 p.m. to welcome weary shoppers with wine, craft beer and snacks.

Pampolina is taking 15 percent off winter coats and snow suits.

Saks Fifth Avenue is making rare--and deep--markdowns for shoppers making purchases before noon. Coffee will be served as you browse the Chanel and Louboutins.

Trade Secret is selling the CHI 1=inch flat iron and Pro Dryer as a pair for $149.99. Regularly $269.90.

Holiday Gift Guide Vol. 2: The social media guru

Are you buying for someone whose iPhone is attached to their hip, er, hand? Let's face it, that's everyone, besides maybe my weird friend who refuses to own a cell phone (you know who you are. You're a freak but I love you).

Anywho, I've gathered some must-haves for the friend who Tweets so much you want to slap their digital device away while you're trying to tell them about your blind date.

The social media guru by gposhadlo featuring echo gloves

Echo 'Driver Touch' Wool Blend Gloves
$35 - nordstrom.com
Echo gloves »

HP 210 Butterfly Lovers Digital Clutch
$598 - anthropologie.com

Trick Camera Lenses
$8 - urbanoutfitters.com

Flip Video - UltraHD Camcorder - Black/Chrome - U2120B
$140 - bestbuy.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors Wallet Clutch for iPhone - Black Patent - Apple...
apple.com

True Bamboo iPad Case - Geniune bamboo, precisely crafted into a truly...
boxwave.com

The Trashion Refashion Show needs entries

For those unfamiliar with the terms "trashion" and "refashion," a glossary:

Trashion is the result of creatively turning discarded items into fashion.
Refashion is the result of modifying existing clothing into something more fashionable.

Cool, now that we've got that out of the way, all you creative types have until Feb. 1 to submit your designs for the juried show on March 26th. The only criteria is it has to be from 90 percent recycled materials.

There are no conventional prizes, but every participant is a winner, since proceeds from the event will benefit the Center for Sustainable Living in Bloomington.

The show, which starts at 7pm, will cost $15 in advance, $20 at the door and $10 under 18. There will be two runway shows, a silent auction, community art project, live music, cash bar and information about the Center for Sustainable Living. It is free to submit a design.

Watch a slide show from last year's event here.

For information or to submit an entry, write to bloomingtontrashion@gmail.com

Nikki Sutton stars in a potential Super Bowl commercial

Doritos - "The Collector" Crash the Super Bowl ALT from Mays Entertainment, LLC on Vimeo.

Check out the above entry for the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest, in which the winner's commercial airs during the Super Bowl.

You'll notice local creative-gurus Kipp Normand and Nikki Sutton are the stars. Who knew they could act, among their many talents?

I've been on this huge "Royal Tenenbaums" kick (by kick, I mean I fall asleep to it nearly every night) and this commercial captures that type of genius rather well. In fact, I think I might watch a feature-length film starring Emilio DeChamplain, famous chip collector.

Using what I'm sure she already had lurking in her closet, Sutton has styled herself as a beautiful, yet eccentric wife of a genius gone a little bonkers...maybe channeling Jennifer Connelly's Character in "A Beautiful Mind."

Anyhow, I'd tell you to vote for it, but it's not that kind of contest, so instead, just cross your fingers for the home team!

Holiday Gift Guide Vol. 1: The cheese lover

"The person who has everything," I feel, seems to describe about everyone these days. So in turn, what to buy for said person becomes increasingly difficult. And I find most gift guides (for him, for her, for mom, etc.) are much too generic and thus rather useless. So this year I'm trying something new. Each week I'll display a series of gifts (in most cases locally available) appropriate for a certain type of person. After all, identifying a unique trait within a friend or family member is the best place to start when choosing a gift. When they receive it they'll love it--and you--because you truly "know" them. The first edition outlines gifts for those after my own heart (hint, hint friendies): the cheese lover.

for the cheese lover by gposhadlo on Polyvore.com

Laguiole Cheese Knife Set - Anthropologie.com
$32 - anthropologie.com

French Cheese Plate, Set of Four - Sur La Table
$30 - surlatable.com

Cheese Dome | Crate&Barrel
$27 - crateandbarrel.com

BIA Cordon Bleu Cheese Markers with Pen (Set of 6) - Bed Bath & Beyond
$17 - bedbathandbeyond.com

The Cheese Lover’s Companion: The Ultimate A-to-Z Cheese Guide With...
borders.com

Goose the Market gift card
goosethemarket.com

Win a pair of Louboutins, or Blahniks, or Choos

I've posted before about how wonderful Shop It To Me is; a fact they only keep proving with on-going promotions. Sure, they're aiming at attracting new users, but who can blame them? And when the reward for signing up is a chance at a free pair of Loubs, it seems like a no brainer. Sign up today by following this link and you'll be entered to win.

Each friend of yours who signs up thereafter will enter you again.
Ready, set, go!

Dossier Item: Discovery Ball Shopping Open House

Planning to attend the American Cancer Society Discovery Ball? Then you'll need something to wear. Best go shop with other attendees at Clay Terrace.

In honor of Veterans Day, a clothing collage

Veterans Day by gposhadlo featuring military pants

To all of those who have valiantly served our country and those who continue to serve: thank you. It's easy to take for granted the luxuries we all enjoy, and it's because of your efforts we continue to enjoy them.

The fashion world regularly shows its gratitude by imitating military looks season, after season, after season. And it's no wonder; y'all look darn good in uniform.

God bless America.

Go to "Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection"

I often feel sorry for women in politics, because unless you're the First Lady, there seems to be extreme pressure to quash all feminine tendencies, including wearing fabulous clothes, applying attractive makeup or sporting a current hair style.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (the first female to fill that role) didn't play by those rules, however.

Sure, she still wears the suits but she's never without a gorgeous pin. It was the meanings and stories behind the jewelry, as well as its obvious beauty, that has made her collection utterly famous.

Any woman who dares make a statement with some show-stopping costume jewelry I can certainly get behind, regardless of her political views.

View more than 200 of the politician's pins at the IMA's "Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection," Which runs now through Jan. 30 in the European Galleries on the second floor.

Wondering where she got each piece and what it means? Ask her yourself at the Q&A session on Thursday at the IMA.