Lunch Break Shopper

Most of us have spent a lunch break or two browsing the virtual racks at Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and the like. But after a while, it all starts looking the same. Ready for a revamped online shopping experience that gets you designer style at a steal of a price?

The new age of online shopping means flash sales, up-and-coming designer deals and perks for spreading the word to colleagues and friends.

Once you register, Gilt Groupe sends a daily email listing which brands are on major markdown for the next 36 hours. They offer everything from Marc Jacobs dresses

and D&G watches to luxury travel packages and even Volkswagen cars.

Swirl is Daily Candy’s sample sale online shop. Their easy-to-navigate site gives you up to 80 percent off “buzzworthy fashion-world newbies.” Plus, if you invite friends to join, they’ll credit you $25 each time one makes her first purchase.

From the team behind Net-a-Porter.com, The Outnet is famous for its “flash sales.” Once you sign up, take advantage of pop-up sales, which last about three days, or “going, going, gone” sales, which according to their site “are a type of reverse auction – once the sale clock starts counting the price drops – and will only run for a very short amount of time.”

New ways to shop aren’t just on your computer. The SWAGG app lets you receive, send and use mobile gift cards straight from your phone. Pick a certain store or let your recipient choose. It works at more than 200 retailers and store clerks can scan it right from your phone’s screen.

Bonus PINK Link: Find out what fashion-focused apps you need on your Smartphone (and be on the lookout for PINK’s app – coming soon!)

By Caroline Cox

“I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.” Tammy Faye Bakker