News & Links: 11/02/2011

A semi-regular round-up of fashion and shopping-related news and links.

» Filene's Basement and its parent company, Syms, filed for bankruptcy this morning. Going out of business sales are expected to be completed by January.

» With Google Wallet, Google is attempting to turn your phone into your wallet, so to speak. They've partnered with stores so you can pay, redeem coupons, and/or earn rewards points, all with one tap of your phone. (They also have exclusive limited-time offers.) To encourage people to try out the new service, they're heading out to NYC, Chicago, DC, San Francisco, and Los Angeles; you can get $10 towards your purchase when you use a demo phone to tap and pay at one of their store demo events.

» Jon Bon Jovi has opened a new restaurant, "Soul Kitchen," in New Jersey. But it's not just any old restaurant: it aims to serve as an alternative to soup kitchens; the hungry can pay what they're able or, if they lack the ability to pay, they can "bus tables... wait tables... work in the kitchen as a dishwasher or sous chef." I have a newfound respect for Bon Jovi.

» You no longer have to wake up at the crack of dawn to battle it out for Black Friday deals: The new trend is for stores to open at midnight. Macy's is set to do so at all but 20 of its 810 stores. (Many outlets, as well as Target, will also open at midnight.)

» I love the idea of a fruit label that turns into soap when wet!

» Fashion terms are tossed around all the time on TV shows and blogs, in magazines and newspapers, but what does it all mean? Lucky has the answers.

» A new company would like to help you find the perfect fit while online shopping with the help of a webcam and a CD.

» Or, if you're shopping in person, you can just use a fancy-schmancy 3D body scanner.

» In recycling news...
- A bridge in Scotland was built from 50 tons of recycled plastic
- Lifehacker has a list of 5 easy places to recycle your old gadgets
- eBay now offers "instant sale" — you can trade in your electronics for cash, without having to wait for a buyer

» IKEA now has a MANLAND?

» If you live in the DC area, check out the dewdropDC Clothing Swap and Pop-Up Shop next Saturday, November 12. I'm really disappointed that I can't attend.