Shopcade Blog | Shopping, News, Reviews and Latest Trends

Share videos and images of products you ‘want’ on Shopcade

Posted By Geri Sancho on Wednesday, June 12

Breaking news! Shopcade has now launched a new feature on site where you can upload videos or images to products.

Share your knowledge with the Shopcade community by uploading multiple views of a product you ‘want’, ‘How to style it” videos or even some great fashion shoot images on how to wear it like —
Well, you decide!

All you have to do is:

find an image/video from the web
copy the URL (link) and paste it into the comment box of the product

The link has to be of the image itself and not a webpage with lots of other images on it. Your image/video will load and by clicking on ‘Comment’ will be posted straight away.

Your content will then appear below the main product image as an alternative thumbnail to view and other users will be able to see what you’ve shared and comment back. Simple!

Want to show what that dress looks like when it’s worn? Upload multiple views of the product
Want to show how to apply that specific eye shadow you love so much? Upload the latest how-to style guide on getting the best smokey eyes

So, what are you waiting for? Be the first one to upload content and show off your stuff to the community.

Share, learn and experience with Shopcade.

‘Tis the wedding season: Online dating expert Laurie Davis dishes secrets for singles at weddings

Posted By Brittany Burrows on Tuesday, June 11

By: Laurie Davis, author of Love @ First Click: The Ultimate Guide to Online Dating

Weddings may mean tulle, fondant and something blue in a bride’s mind, but for single guests it equates to outfit stress, arranging travel plans and unexpected “chance encounters” (wink wink!). While you may be celebrating the union of another couple, don’t worry — there is hidden potential for your single life during your BFF’s nuptials. And I do mean beyond the groomsmen: photos!

When you’re dating in the digital world, attraction begins pic-to-pic instead of face-to-face, so every snap of the camera counts. Whether you’re flirting on Facebook or a dating site, displaying a range of images emphasizing your look and personal style is what makes you clickable. Since it’s likely that you already have a lot of great casual pics online, weddings are the perfect chance to snap some more decked-out photos (though if you’re a bridesmaid, you may want to rethink posting “big day” shots to your profile — taffeta isn’t everyone’s best look. Unless you l-o-v-e your dress; then take advantage of the professional hair and makeup for photos, too!)

Here’s how you can meet your love at first click with these photo tips. Cheers to wedding season, and snap away!

Wear Color. Bright hues work best on screen, so make sure you wear a dress in a bold shade. Color helps you pop off the page when everyone else online is donning neutrals. If you’re shopping for a new dress, keep in mind that research shows that red is clicked on most often. For more wedding guest ensemble inspiration, check out my collection on Shopcade.

Tis the wedding season: Online dating expert Laurie Davis dishes secrets for singles at weddings — Shop Laurie’s picks that include these red hot looks from ASOS, Tadashi Shoji, and Monique Lhullier.

Take Shots With Friends. No, not shots at the open bar! Cozy up to a pal and have him or her snap some pics of you alone. Trust me, photos of you — and only you — work best in profiles. (I know that it’s natural to want to post pics with pals, but you’re creating competition for attention when you do this!) Bonus: swap cameras with a fellow single pal so you can both get great shots of yourselves.

Use The Scenery. Natural scenery abounds at weddings. Use it to your advantage for gorgeous backgrounds in photos, but think sunsets, not flower arrangements. Anything that’s too “wedding” should be avoided, especially for women, since a guy might assume you’re in a rush to get down the aisle. No chuppah, trellis or gazebos allowed!

Book It To The Photo Booth. The wedding day photo booth trend can and should be used to your advantage. Consider placement when heading into the booth with friends; stand on the end in your group (and don’t smush your face next to your gal pal’s cheek) so it’s croppable. Skip any funny accessories so it’s a flattering shot, and make sure the final image is full color versus black and white.

Search For Candids. Photos of singles caught in motion (like a laughing shot) are my favorite. Natural body language can be digitally alluring! Comb through guests’ Facebook and Instagram uploads post-event to see if there are flattering candids of you. It’s likely that your friends tagged you in some (which you may want to untag if they’re not your best shot). You can also head to the bride or groom’s Facebook pages to check out additional pics from other guests. These days, some weddings have hashtags you can follow on Instagram to review other options. Don’t forget to check out the couple’s wedding photographer’s page to see if there are pro shots of you on the dance floor that might make the cut!

So even if the DJ bombed, the food was bleh and you didn’t meet your true love on the dance floor, you’ll still have a fantastic take-away from your friend’s big day. You might not have met someone at the wedding, but someone might just meet you because of it.

What Is Shopcade?

Posted By Sanjeela Pahl on Tuesday, June 4

Top Trends. Best Deals.

Shopcade, your personal shopping app, is the place where you can discover quirky products, create lists and find the best deals! Bored of trailing through different retailer websites to find that one perfect dress? Well, Shopcade has them all in one place! From huge brands like ASOS and Adidas to smaller ones like Cath Kidston and Free People, whatever, you’re looking for, Shopcade is sure to have it.

Over 40,000 products are ‘Wanted’ on Shopcade every week by our 400,000 users, Shopcade is a social shopping experience that you will soon be addicted to! So what are you waiting for? Win rewards, find deals and trail the retail web with us now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbgQraOTRCU

Father’s Day Gift Ideas and Fun Facts For You

Posted By Sanjeela Pahl on Monday, June 3

It’s June. This means Father’s Day is fast approaching and I bet you’re still stuck on what to get for Daddy dearest. Fear not! We have a few things that Dad is SURE to like…

Our Top Father’s Day Picks:
Father’s Day Gift Ideas and Fun Facts For You

Let Dad kick back and relax with this Back To The Future Trilogy DVD Set
Add a dash of color to Dad’s work wardrobe with this Gradient Zig Zag Woven Silk Tie
Wow, Dad will love to show off this brand new Fossil Nate Chronograph Watch
Make the most of the Summer sun with a Charcoal BBQ
These Silver Bicycle Cufflinks are both smart and quirky
Turn Dad into a professional photographer with this Olloclip iPhone Camera Lens
Dad’s music choices? Best buy him these Beats Headphones…
Keep Dad looking dapper with this Superdry Challenger Henley

You can find all of the above (and more!) here:

So, how did it all begin?

Father’s Day was invented in the US by Sonora Smart Dodd just over a century ago who was brought up by her Father after her Mom died at a young age. This meant her Dad, William Smart, was left to bring up their six children on his own. When Sonora grew to have her own children, she realized what an amazing job her Father did.

So when Sonora’s Pastor gave a sermon in their local church, in 1909, introducing the newly established Mother’s Day, she insisted that there should also be a day to celebrate and appreciate Fathers. It was then decided that Father’s Day should be held on the third Sunday of June each year and the first Father’s Day was celebrated the following year.

In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the special day.

It was then made a permanent law by President Richard Nixon in 1972, and thus we have Father’s Day!

Father’s Day Gift Ideas and Fun Facts For You

Five Fun Facts About Father’s Day:

Common presents in the 1900s included a necktie or flowers, the number one gift is still a greeting card (normally humorous ones, too!)
The official flower for Father’s Day is a rose – red indicates a living father, white signifies a deceased father
Women spend more time shopping for gifts for Dad than men
Recently, we’ve gone digital and now around a quarter of shoppers prefer to research and/or buy gifts using their smartphones or tablets
Hit single “Something Stupid” by Frank & Nancy Sinatra is the only father-daughter duet to hit to top of the Billboard pop music chart in 1967!

Shopcade nominated for Rakuten LinkShare “Best New Publisher”

Posted By Brittany Burrows on Sunday, May 26

After a year of tremendous growth and innovation London-based social e-Commerce startup Shopcade is a finalist for a Golden Link Award for “Best New Publisher.”

Shopcade is among the five finalists for Rakuten LinkShare Golden Link Award for “Best New Publisher,” a category that honors new publishers that have shown strong growth and created significant buzz in the last year.

In the last year Shopcade has made significant progress with the introduction of its first mobile app offering its more than 300,000 users the opportunity to get their unique and personalized shopping experience on the go.

Most recently Shopcade launched a ‘Deals Revolution’ that directly connects users with deals on the products and brands they love.

The Golden Link Awards will be awarded on Monday, June 17 in New York City as part of the annual LinkShare Symposium East, an event that attracts more than 500 partners within the LinkShare performance-marketing network.

Getting Graphic: How to style your Design By Humans tee

Posted By Brittany Burrows on Thursday, May 23

A great graphic tee can be a versatile piece of your wardrobe in any season.

One of Shopcade’s favorite brands of wearable art is Design By Humans: a community of designers, artists, and t-shirt lovers that creates and curates a collection of colorful and innovative designs.

Though pairing your tee with jeans and flats is always a great look, there are many other ways to wear your favorite Design By Humans tee to achieve a number of styles.

Getting Graphic: How to style your Design By Humans tee — The Design by Humans “Two Worlds” tee looks great with this classic denim jacket from the Gap, raspberry skinnies from Old Navy, tan gladiator sandals from Shoedazzle, and a great coral messenger bag from Cambridge Satchel Company.

This season is all about denim and color. A great way to incorporate both trends is to wear them with a graphic tee.

Pair your tee with a simple cropped denim jacket and a colorful pair of skinny pants. Make sure you choose pieces of two different colors – no one wants to wear a denim suit.

Add to the outfit by wearing a pair of great strappy or embellished sandals and a colorful bag. This look is a little more casual-chic than just jeans and a tee. Wear this for a weekend of shopping and lunching.

You may be surprised to learn that you can also make your graphic tee look pretty feminine! Try wearing your tee with an a-line or flared skirt in a solid color. The most important thing to remember is to tuck the shirt in! Always! Creating that waistline is what makes the look so feminine.

Accent that look with a great short statement necklace like a fun and sparkly peter pan collar necklace. Finish off the look with some flats, ones with an ankle strap are super chic, or some heels!

This look is fun and feminine. Wear some bright colors for a light look or darker ones, like the outfit pictured above, for an edgy look. Leather skirts also look great paired with graphic tees.

For a more bohemian look try a chambray skirt with strappy sandals and a bohemian woven necklace.

With summer rolling in you are going to want to dress light, and bright. Rock a bright look by wearing your graphic tee with some distressed denim shorts and colorful accessories!

The “Bright Like a Lion” tee looks great with some denim shorts, tucked in the front, and some cool sneakers like classic neon Chuck Taylors.

Try this look on a beach day with some fun sandals or flip flops and some cool colored wayfarer shades.

The ideas are endless! Try your graphic tee under a blazer, with some funky pants, tucked into a long maxi skirt with a chunky belt and as a layering piece with a collared shirt.

This weekend is a great time to add to your collection with 30% off t-shirts at Design By Humans with the coupon code: DBHfreedom.

Check out Design By Humans entire collection on Shopcade and discover ways to work every piece into your wardrobe!

The Great Gatsby – Style Guide On Twenties Glamour

Posted By Sanjeela Pahl on Monday, May 20

We’re going Gatsby Glam here at Shopcade! The 1920s set has given us so much inspiration we can’t hold it in any longer and must share it with you.

It’s all about fringes, jewels, cocktails and dark red lips. (Not to mention, the sleek , classic suits for men! *swoon*)

I bet we’re not the only ones looking forward to seeing Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan sparkle their way into this adventure and watch the razzle and dazzle of all things from the roaring 1920s.

The Gatsby trend is one worth watching out for, especially if you want to work it into your weekend with a touch of the twenties into your everyday wardrobe by wearing a statement necklace or carrying a fringe bag. Whatever your style, we have something that you just won’t be able to say ‘no’ to!

Stuck for ideas on how to use the gorgeous ‘oh so’ Gatsby theme? Here are a few tips just for you:

A dash of red lipstick to add colour to your work wear (MakeOver International in Artist Intense, from Zolando)
A slight sparkle for that Saturday night out like this jewelled clutch bag (Abigail clutch, from Aftershock London) or these crystal ball earrings (9ct Gold Crystal Ball Stud Earrings, from F&F)
A pair of ankle strap court shoes for popping down to the shops (Taupe Cedarwood Slingback Court Shoes, from Debenhams)
A midi dress for that your friend’s garden party (Jolie Moi Button Front Pleated Midi Dress, from House Of Fraser) or this lace one for a more elegant affair (Navy Lace Overlay Dress, from Dorothy Perkins)
Wedding coming up? How about a 1920s themed hen party? (LSA International Coro Cocktail Glasses, from mydeco.com)
And finally, red nails…for just about every occasion! (Nails Inc. Tate Nail Polish, from Very)

Check out our list on all things Gatsby here – it’s a trend worth investing in.

Bold, Bright, and Bronze: Summer beauty with Shopcade

Posted By Brittany Burrows on Monday, May 20

With the incoming warm weather your beauty routine is about to change just as much as your wardrobe. For spring and summer 2013 beauty is all about color and clarity with bright matte lip colors and dewey bronzers all over fashion editorials and runways.

For all the latest products and looks check out Shopcade favorite Beauty.com where you can also save 20 percent on your purchase during their friends and family event ending Friday, May 17.

Bright matte lips are your best accessory this summer! (Image via Go Runway)[/caption]

If you are going to carry one thing in your purse this season make sure it’s a tube of bright, matte lipstick!

Let the bold color have all the attention this season by minimizing shine. Bright lips look good on everyone as long as you find a color that best compliments your skin tone. The most universally complimentary color is a bright pink but don’t be afraid to go for a great coral, light red, purple, or my favorite – a mandarin orange!

Nars and Smashbox have some great matte shades but if you are looking for a less expensive option check out Maybelline’s ‘Vivids‘ collection that will only set you back a few dollars.

To make the most of the bright lip keep the rest of your face natural and neutral with minimal color.

Go for the bronze without ruining your skin! (Image via GoRunway)[/caption]

In the season of sunshine and bikinis we all want to get that sun-kissed glow. There are a number of products available to get that bronzed look without doing permanent damage to your skin in the process.

For your face bronzer is a key part of summer. After you have applied sunscreen (preferably a moisturizer with SPF) and your base sweep on a bronze powder along your cheekbones, forehead, and lightly on the nose and chin. Use the bronzer wherever the sun would naturally touch your face. Try a variety with some pink hues mixed in to give you that natural, flushed look.

For the rest of your body focus on a gradual self-tan product like a great gradual moisturizer by St. Tropez or the even application of Tan Towels. While you can use a spray to expedite the process the easiest way to avoid streaking is to build up the tanned look.

Bold, Bright, and Bronze: Summer beauty with Shopcade — A bright manicure goes with all your summer looks! (Image via bellasugar.com)

Retire your spring pastels and dare to be bold! This summer eye-catching manicures in bright colors go with everything.

The big color for summer is all shades of pink so a great go-to shade would be a bright watermelon or coral. But don’t be afraid to think outside the box with a trendy tangerine hue.

Brands with some great bold colors include Essie and Deborah Lippman but if you have a favorite brand chances are they have some bright shades of their own!

So get going! The weather is only getting warmer! Start your summer beauty list now on Shopcade with products from Beauty.com and save!

Step into Spring with shoes by Stuart Weitzman

Posted By Brittany Burrows on Monday, May 20

Put a little spring in your step with some fabulous looks from Stuart Weitzman.

This month Shopcade has partnered with the brand to offer a chance to win a $200 gift card to get your feet moving in some of the hottest looks.

American designer Stuart Weitzman has been rocking the walkways and runways since he started designing shoes in the 1960′s. Now his designs are world renowned and worn by some of the most fabulous people including brand spokesmodel Kate Moss and Beyonce on her “Mrs. Carter” world tour this summer.

Though Weitzman’s shoes are worn by some of the biggest supermodels and celebrities you don’t have to be one to wear one of his spring looks. All it takes is a desire for style!

For Spring and Summer 2013 Weitzman has designed a line of shoes to bring you back to nature. The looks feature some classic shapes like oxfords, thong sandals, wedges, and chunky heels made of materials straight from the earth.

The twine, cork, and wood looks are easy to wear all season. The twine oxfords would look great paired with some cuffed skinny jeans or slouchy jean crops! The lightness of the woven twine looks great with pale colors or white and easy fabrics with a lot of movement like sundresses.

The natural sandals are super versatile and would be a great replacement for pairs made of thick plastic or leather.

Stuart Weitzman’s natural collection shoes “Reins” and “Stringapart” pictured with outfits from Donna Ricco and Alice + Olivia[/caption]

The natural line looks great with an easy style: jeans, casual dresses and other everyday wear. Wear these when you are out running errands in the sunshine or playing horseshoes at a summer BBQ.

For the Spring and Summer season Weitzman has also launched a line of deliciously dazzling metallic looks. Whether you choose a classic gold or silver strappy look or a sandal in a pop of color a little shine goes a long way.

Metallic looks are more versatile than many think with golds, silvers, pewters, bronzes, and brass tones going with just about everything; like jewelry.

Weitzman looks “Metalmania” and “Pantheon” would go great with looks like this coral dress by Nanette Lepore and this white shirt-dress by Halston Heritage.[/caption]

A metallic sandal looks great paired casually with jeans or a beachy maxi dress but can also be worn when you hit the town or attend an event.

Think of a metallic sandal as jewelry. A silver sandal is like a silver necklace – it can complement any color, fabric, or print without having to match it. Metallic shoes are great for those outfits that you can never find shoes for like navy and white. An investment your wardrobe will thank you for!

Black and white will take you from day to night!

The classic contrast of black and white is one of the springs hottest trends in sportswear, resort wear, and footwear. A great black and white shoe is classic yet unique on its own and can complement a work look just as well as a funky party dress.

Weitzman’s black and white menswear inspired loafers are a great casual look with cuffed ankle jeans or some bright crops!

Wear black and white to work or out running errands with the “Sweepstakes” pump paired with an Alice + Olivia dress and “Guything” loafers with skinnies and a casual crew sweatshirt from T by Alexander Wang.[/caption]

The collection of heels are great transitional pieces that can get take you right from the office to the party. These looks are timeless and will always be in style. These pieces are classic, not vampy!

So get to it and start shopping! The deals are waiting for you!

Win For Your Home!

Posted By Brittany Burrows on Monday, May 20

Spring is in full swing and here at Shopcade HQ we’re all about revamping your space to make it that little bit more refreshing. We’ve teamed up with Not On The High Street and JCPenney to give you just that!

For our UK Shopcaders, YOU could be the lucky winner to receive a £500 gift card to spend at notonthehighstreet.com. Just invite your friends and if they successfully join Shopcade then you’ll be in with a chance of winning! Enter here to add that extra va-va-voom to your room! What would you spend it on? Closes 6th May.

For our US Shopcaders , YOU could be in with a chance of winning a whopping $250 to spend at JCPenney! (Wowzers.)

All you need to do is successfully invite a friend to Shopcade! Simple as! So what are you waiting for?! Enter here to splurge on linen, lamps and lavish living accessories! Closes 3rd May.