In Today’s Tough Economy, Girlawhirl.com Finds New Ways to Help Readers Spend Smart and Win a Prize or Two

With the low-down on some of the best sales on the web, great wardrobe planning advice and information about contests to win big, girlawhirl.com is finding plenty of ways to keep readers spirits high while economic woes are all over the news.

(EMWNews) August 21, 2008 — While the evening news is full of dire information about an economy in peril, and the financial pressures of the average American family continue to mount, girlawhirl.com, an online e-zine geared towards busy fashion conscious women ages 24-45, continues to feed readers information that puts a smile on their faces.

“Girlawhirl.com is about a quick shot of information, or idea that’s relevant to a busy woman’s lifestyle,” says co-founder and Editor-in-Chief Linda LaSala. “While we’ve always been cost conscious – we never recommend handbags with super high price tags – we still mix in a bit of the fantastical; maybe an article here and there about shopping in a European city. Now, we’re focusing on more information about contests readers can enter to win big and pulling forward all our usual information about web sales and discounts so it’s easier for readers to access.”

Saving readers time and money is the big idea behind the Girlawhirl Goodies article, a new feature on the girlawhirl.com homepage. Updated throughout the week, “Girlawhirl Goodies” features some of the best deals on the web. A few – like handbag designer Helena de Natalio’s standing 30% off discount on buttery soft leather bags made in Argentina – are exclusive to girlawhirl.com. Others – like the current 20% off at nike.com and shopbop.com’s gift with purchase – are selected by the editors as they cull the web looking for the best in fashion, food, home, eco friendly products and more. Readers who sign up for girlawhirl.com newsletters also receive this article as an email on Friday mornings.

In addition, girlawhirl.com is featuring more articles calling out special sales and limited time discounts. “It’s all about putting the information at the fingertips of our readers. As readers start to shop for fall fashions, we’re working on special discounts with fashion and beauty e-tailers that will continue through September.” says LaSala.

Contests are becoming a regular part of the editorial offering at girlawhirl.com. “There’s been a flurry of contest activity throughout the summer,” says LaSala. Sponsored by well known companies, from Celestial Seasonings to French’s Mustard, and eBay and Family Circle magazine, there are real opportunities for readers to win – with multiple prizes ranging from spa days for the winner and a friend to a $5,000 savings bond for a child’s education, and even a wardrobe worth $3,000.

Since its launch in September, 2005, Girlawhirl’s always shared her secrets with readers in the form of weekly Girlawhirl Giveaways and special offers on many of the products featured. This summer, girlawhirl.com added super-sized Monthly Giveaways full of summertime essentials like FitFlops, Origins Organics Skincare items, Clinique sun protection, and more.

Last holiday, girlawhirl.com introduced Girlawhirl Group-ons™: a fun way to share special holiday web deals and discounts from sites ranging from the fashionable, beautyhabit.com and saks.com, to the more practical, kingarthurflour.com. “It’s the sharing of information that grabs the readers,” adds LaSala. “The idea behind the character of Girlawhirl is that there really is a little bit of her in all of us. She’s become a virtual best friend to our readers – so this type of sharing comes naturally. We’re just doing more now to facilitate it than we ever have before.”

About Girlawhirl.com

A lifestyle e-zine for busy women ages 24-45, Girlawhirl.com was founded in 2005 by fashion industry executives, Marlen Horn and Linda LaSala. As LaSala’s alter ego, Girlawhirl’s become an internet friend women can count on to share her fabulous finds with readers. Girlawhirl.com offers fresh, upbeat editorial content to a global network of hundreds of thousands of hungry fashionistas whose interests naturally migrate from fashion into all kinds of lifestyle trends. Girlawhirl.com covers a wide range of topics, from fun and functional – but never outrageously priced – fall fashion trends and fall beauty products to friendship tips, eco friendly ideas and work-life balance, to fitness and healthy eating, home design and, of course, travel. There’s even an online shopping mall and computer based to do lists, grocery lists, shopping lists, outfit planning lists and itinerary tracking lists at girlawhirl.com to keep readers organized and to make online shopping fast and easy. And, each year, she prides herself on having the very best giveaways and charity promotions, including this year’s Super Summertime Giveaways and Girlawhirl’s charity: water challenge. This summer, girlawhirl.com is donating $1 for each new registered user (up to $2,000) to charity: water, to help build a clean-water well in a community in a developing nation that currently does not have access to fresh water. For more: go to www.girlawhirl.com.