eBay’s Israel social center

Published on January 23, 2013

Online auctioneer eBay’s hot new social commerce platforms aren’t coming from the giant Internet marketplace’s California headquarters. They’re conceptualized and launched by a team of 14 young Israeli geeks (and Marti, their “inspiration dog”) on Tel Aviv’s yuppified Rothschild Boulevard.

Grocery Store Etiquette

By Ilana Angel
Published on July 17, 2012

Trader Joe’s comes up against some tough cookies

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on May 17, 2012

Trader Joe’s got slammed last week by a combination of hysteria and hoarding by kosher bakers when word leaked out that its semisweet chocolate chips were going from pareve to dairy.

20 Minutes in Hell

By Ilana Angel
Published on February 22, 2012

Does Loud & Greasy = Old?

By Ilana Angel
Published on January 17, 2012

Opinion: In defense of acquiring material things

By Dennis Prager
Published on December 22, 2011

Every year around Christmas and Chanukah time, writers, commentators, pundits and many rabbis, priests and ministers exhort Americans against spending money on things. We are too materialistic, we are told every year. Happiness, not to mention a meaningful life, depends on our having non-material things, not material things.

Shopping malls get in Chanukah spirit

Published on December 19, 2011

Westfield, the world’s largest shopping mall empire founded by Holocaust survivor Frank Lowy, will welcome in Chanukah on three continents.

Splurge-tastic Chanukah gifts

Published on November 18, 2011

The great gifting season is upon us, so why not treat our loved ones (and ourselves) to something outrageous, something splurge-tastic that will be treasured, and remembered, for years to come.

Shop for you, shop for the world

Published on October 21, 2011

Consumerism is often dubbed the antithesis of all that is good, but that doesn’t have to be so. More and more, businesses are adopting ethical labor practices, Earth-friendly materials and altruistic causes. We found a few ways for you to flex your consumer power — with a conscience.

Turning a Shopping Addiction into Income

By Annie Korzen
Published on October 19, 2011

The skin under skinny jeans

Published on September 16, 2011

Those once-coveted outfits in your closet now elicit sighs of “I have nothing to wear” as last year’s trends take their inevitable plunge.

Bargain Sites: Not Your Mother’s Coupons

By Annie Korzen
Published on September 12, 2011

Labels: I Don’t Promote Them – And I Don’t Believe Them

By Annie Korzen
Published on August 31, 2011

High Hosting by Adler

Published on August 19, 2011

Shopping

Just how expensive is it to live in Israel?

Published on August 16, 2011

What began in Israel in June as a Facebook-driven rebellion against the rising cost of cottage cheese, then morphed in July into tent encampments protesting soaring real estate costs, has since turned into a full-scale Israeli social movement against the high cost of living in the Jewish state.

A fast last getaway

Published on July 21, 2011

Shopping

NEGOTIATING PRICES

By Annie Korzen
Published on July 11, 2011

Northern Israel’s boutique mystique

Published on July 5, 2011

When Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Jesse Spencer and Amber Tamblyn paid a visit to Northern Israel with “House” creator David Shore as part of a weeklong trip sponsored by America’s Voices in Israel, the stars of the hit Fox series admired the tranquil beauty of the Galilee region.

Vintage Stores and the big Dilemma…

By Julia Bendis
Published on June 20, 2011

Noshing in the Grass

Published on May 19, 2011

Take a bold chance this summer by ditching the frigid shopping malls for the natural breeze and oak-tree shade of a gorgeous outdoor picnic. Your al fresco dining guests will marvel at these bright summertime items that capture the fun of the season. And to help you actually locate the great outdoors from amid the surrounding urbanity, check out the Valley-area parks mentioned below (all of which feature picnic spaces and tables).

Bargain Fashionista Part Six: The church, school, or charity rummage sale

By Annie Korzen
Published on May 3, 2011

Bargain Fashionista Part Five: The Schmooze Factor

By Annie Korzen
Published on May 1, 2011

Bargain Fashionista Part Four: My Husband and Mrs. Garrison Keillor

By Annie Korzen
Published on April 28, 2011

Shopping: Only by Israel

Published on April 25, 2011

Dive into all things Israeli this month in support of the country’s 63rd birthday. From the unique and creative beauty of Israeli fashion designers’ lines to Israel-based organizations that have made it their mission to help the less fortunate, these pieces reflect the Jewish state’s enduring and innovative spirit.

Bargainista Fashionista: Part One

By Annie Korzen
Published on March 30, 2011

Live large, but pay little!

By Annie Korzen
Published on March 28, 2011

About

By Annie Korzen
Published on March 22, 2011

Pretty for Passover

Published on March 16, 2011

Quickly approaching are those festive spring nights marked by a plethora of matzah, reclining comfortably in your chair and — just maybe — hitting your neighbor over the head with stalks of green onion during the “Dayenu” (an Afghani and Iranian Passover tradition). Whether you’re hosting a Passover seder this year or joining one, you won’t want to be without these beautiful essentials that are sure to remind you and the rest of your table that those once enslaved have now become like kings.

Good Blog, Bad Analysis—Misrepresenting Reality

Published on February 23, 2011

The deal maker

Published on February 15, 2011

Rob Jaffe was 47 and working in advertising on a product he described as a hard sell. He was looking for something new, when his sister forwarded him a “deal of the day” e-mail and suggested he find a way to get involved in this new concept. Deal of the day sites like Groupon and Living Social, now a major trend, negotiate special rates with businesses in exchange for marketing their service or product to an opt-in database of users. Users are incentivized to spread the word through social networking by requiring a minimum number of buyers for each deal to activate, and the site splits the proceeds with the vendor.

Virtual gifting

Published on February 15, 2011

Tally Oliveau loves gift cards so much that she hopes to do away with them altogether — in their physical form anyway. The Woodland Hills entrepreneur last month launched iCardMall, a service specializing in virtual gift cards and e-greeting cards. More than 80 brands are available through her Web site, covering everything from Chili’s to Sears. It was a natural fit for Oliveau, 41, since gift cards are among her favorite things to give and receive.

Fabulous friends, fabulous gifts

By Mihal Levy
Published on January 27, 2011

They planned your bachelorette party, brought you soup when you were sick, baby-sat your kids, rescued you from a bad date and jump-started your car when you got stuck. Thank the remarkable friends in your life with a unique, personal gift.

Vests and other useless articles of clothing!

By Julia Bendis
Published on January 3, 2011

VideoJew’s VideoGuide to L.A. #3—Jewish Los Angeles

Published on October 16, 2008

Dining, shopping, living, praying -- VideoJew Jay Firestone shows you how it's done Los Angeles-style.

Lighter me, lighter wallet

By Mrs. Shoshana F
Published on August 22, 2008

Missing Matzah? It’s a Chain Store Problem

By Adam Wills
Published on April 24, 2008

The hunt for matzah stretched beyond the afikomen this year. A matzah shortage this week left many Southern California shoppers driving to multiple supermarkets in search of the unleavened bread, which plays a leading role during Passover seders and is used throughout the week.

Twas the week before Passover

By Mrs. Shoshana F
Published on April 16, 2008

Linens and things II: A bright idea

By Mrs. Shoshana F
Published on March 24, 2008

Linens and things

By Mrs. Shoshana F
Published on March 17, 2008

Walking down the (grocery) aisle

By Mrs. Shoshana F
Published on March 3, 2008

VIDEO: Shopping in Israel can get intense

Published on January 30, 2008

Things are a little tense in Israel these days -- even when you're just shopping!

Saying ‘I do’ when you’re not a size 2

By Paula Ganzi Licata
Published on October 11, 2007

For most brides-to-be, the pursuit of the dress is the shopping spree of a lifetime. Full-figured women with confidence and self-esteem won't allow Hollywood's skeletal star system of skinny chic to compromise the thrill of finding the perfect gown.

History and trends blend in Jerusalem as deluxe mixed-use center opens in historic area

By Orit Arfa
Published on June 7, 2007

With style, fanfare and fireworks, the $400 million Mamilla Alrov commercial and residential quarter opened its Jerusalem stone doors to the public on May 28. The only completed portion is a small section of the outdoor mall, but among its anticipated 138 stores are Israeli fashion chains and boutique shops, as well as high-end retail outfits like Tommy Hilfiger, MAC, Bebe, H. Stern and Ralph Lauren. To use a Los Angeles analogy, it may be fair to say that the Holy City has just welcomed its equivalent of The Grove.

Has your gift list got game?

By Adam Wills
Published on December 7, 2006

Demand for PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii is outstripping the available supply, and analysts predict the shortage could lead to increased demand for Microsoft's Xbox 360.

But how will you know which system is the right fit for your family?

Sheinkin Street meets superhighway

By Orit Arfa
Published on October 5, 2006

Michael Simkin, CEO of C-Do Networks, believes that Sheinkin still retains enough of its eccentricity and bustle to perpetuate its mythic status.

Shopping for Jews? Clean Up on Aisle 5

By Sue Fishkoff
Published on April 13, 2006

Margie Pomerantz and her fellow volunteers from Congregation Beth David, a nearby Conservative synagogue, were out looking for Jews. In a supermarket. Unaffiliated Jews, if possible, but they weren't being picky.

Home Pampering Easy as 1, 2, Ahhhhh

By Beth Gilbert
Published on February 16, 2006

No one deserves a spa experience more than you do. Just picture it -- warm tubs scented with essential oils, invigorating body scrubs, refreshing botanical blend face masks smoothed on in soothing circular massaging motions and misty showers with luscious gels.

Boutique Teaches Brides Love Lessons

By Carin Davis
Published on February 9, 2006

The Love Boutique sells everything from massage oils to lingerie and romantic board games to self-help books. In keeping with the store's philosophy, these items are merely tools to help women feel elegant, sexy and self-confident.

Skip the Tsuris of Chanukah Shopping

By Lisa Alcalay Klug
Published on December 15, 2005

With Chanukah coinciding with the rush for the "other holiday," why spend unnecessary time hunting for parking at the mall or waiting in line? We've surveyed some of the hottest catalogs and Web sites for eight nights of creative gifts. Best of all, you can order in a hurry online or by phone.

Gifts for Your Honey Too Large to Wrap

By Carin Davis
Published on December 15, 2005

Those eight crazy nights are coming up fast. Still stumped what to get your sweetie? Think outside the giftbox and give your loved one a gift certificate for an experience.

A Funny Present Happened Here

By Shoshana Lewin-Fischer
Published on December 15, 2005

Lighten up your Chanukah without striking a match. Yes, we fought, we won, we ate -- but we can also laugh. While gift-buying is sometimes lumped in the same category as root canals and traffic on the 101, the humorous books, music and DVDs below will make the whole process a lot more fun.

A Jewish Spin On Gift-Giving

By Shoshana Lewin-Fischer
Published on December 15, 2005

Everyone has the same shopping countdown this year: Dec. 25th is also the first night of Chanukah. With holiday-season commercialism rising exponentially each year, the plethora of items for purchase can be blindingly confusing for even the savviest shopper.

Give Some Honey to Apples of Your Eye

By Sharon Duke Estroff
Published on September 22, 2005

It starts with a tireless trek to the mall in search of that stylish synagogue suit. Next comes the culinary juggling act, simultaneously preparing Aunt Sophie's tzimmes, Bubbe's killer kugel and a 22-pound turkey, dressed and trimmed. The last step is grooming an entire family and shuffling the whole gang out the door and into the synagogue in under an hour.

Bachelorettes Just Wanna Have Fun

By Lisa Alcalay Klug
Published on July 7, 2005

Your best friend is soon to wed. You're in charge of the prenuptial ladies fete but your buddy is an iconoclast and so are you. If you're looking for bachelorette parties that score points for originality, you might consider these unusual substitutes.

Get ‘Wicked’ in the Windy City

By Shoshana Lewin-Fischer
Published on June 2, 2005

More than 2.77 million Chicagoans work, live and play in nearly 100 distinctive neighborhoods, divided by ethnicity, class and geography.

Prices Too Low to Be Kosher

By Stanley David
Published on April 21, 2005

It happens every year, said Daryl Schwarz -- who opened this 100 percent-kosher market in 1989 -- only lately it's been getting worse. Large supermarket and discount chains are able to undersell kosher specialty markets on the very products that, traditionally, have been the Jewish stores' lifeblood.

Resorting to Passover at Home

By Judy Gruen
Published on April 7, 2005

My friend Rhonda asked me nonchalantly, "Where are you going for Pesach this year?"

Envisioning the whirlwind travels ahead, my head began to spin. "I'll begin at Target for new shelf paper, sponges, paper goods, cleansers and a new broom. Then I'll dock briefly at Ralphs for the special deal on shmura matzah and whatever else they've got for Pesach that's on sale. Next I'll bully my way in to the kosher market for meat, wine and enough matzah meal to plug up the Hoover Dam. Then I'll get over to Stan's Produce for fruits and vegetables. By that time, I'll have thought of dozens of other things I need, and start the whole thing over again. How about you?"

Buenos Aires Let Me Dance to Your Beat

By Anthea Gerrie
Published on March 3, 2005

In Buenos Aires you wouldn't know about the Argentine economy's disastrous crash -- except, perhaps, by chatting with your taxi driver and discovering he was a former tycoon.

BA, as old hands call it, has retained its prosperous appearance and cosmopolitan cool, and it remains one of the world's most fabulous cities. In fact, given the peso devaluation, the once-pricey Argentine capital should be visited soon, while its delectable cuisine and shopping, some of the finest in South America, are a relative bargain.

No wonder this glittering capital was so inviting to the upwardly mobile Evita in the early 20th century -- this huge but green city boasts a level of European-style opulence and elegance equal to anything in Europe, and most closely recalls the finest residential neighborhoods of Paris.

Perfect Gadgets for Jetsetter, Homebody

By Lisa Alcalay Klug
Published on December 2, 2004

When it comes Chanukah, you've got eight nights to get your gift giving right. Our Gift Guide points you toward a cornucopia of categories for every evening of the Festival of Lights.

Web Links Your Wallet to Gifts From Israel

By Lauren Korduner
Published on December 2, 2004

Presents from the Holy Land have resonance for both the recipient and for Israel, whose economy could use a little boost from American consumers.