I was browsing on Nordstrom's website recently and put a few items on my little wishlist. The next day, two of those items appeared in the advertising sidebar of my email! I thought at the time it was a coincidence. The next time I spent time on Nordstrom I was searching "Made in the USA" and found a stunning skirt. And it also later showed up on my email sidebar! My third proof is that I was searching leather tops that might possibly be appropriate for my life as an elementary school teacher (yeah, right!) and then the next morning, two of the ones I looked at showed up on my email sidebar! The next time I checked my email, an adorable bag I've been eye-ing at Modcloth popped up on the sidebar! What incredibly smart and totally effective advertising! I probably wouldn't have thought about those tops, skirt, or bag again, but now the image of them are practically seared into my cerebral cortex!
So now I know for sure that Hotmail, Nordstrom, and Modcloth are in some kind of cahoots. I was poking around and saw where I could opt to make it stop if I want, but it's fascinating to watch Big Brother work. But now I'm wondering: how far does this commerical conspiracy go? Has anyone else noticed anything like this? Is it just on Hotmail?
Thank you, Two Birds, for hosting Inspiration Monday!
Go to their blog to check out the other inspired outfits!
Happy Monday!
Daily Details:
- weather: very nice
- top, old, approximate current cost per wear (accpw) $2
- shorts, c/o Frenzi Thrift Store
- sandals, really old, accpw less than $1
- zebra tote, gift from great aunt
- arm candy: gifted charm bracelet, Gap blue band, AE, watch
- necklace, locally built, accpw $10
- ethical ensemble evaluation: B+
INteresting. Wonder if Nordstrom is watching your side bar :O)
ReplyDeleteCute outfit.
Beauty and Fashion in Seattle | Cheap Makeup Reviews
It's definitely not just Hotmail. It's google, yahoo, gmail, facebook, all of them really. Any time we look at something it loads cookies and other feelers out to our computers and records our use habits. You'll notice too that even when you talk about certain things in an e-mail to a friend that you get some ads that have to do with a subject you typed about. Now that's creepy. That has to do with key words we use. Shows you how easy it is to spy on someone if you wanted to and had the means to.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby laughs at me because he can always tell when I've been looking at shoes on Zappos. The ads pop up all over the place.
love your inspiration, outfit looks so cute and comfy!
ReplyDeleteCute! Love the color of your shorts.
ReplyDeleteThat's happened to me as well - I'll be browsing and will see something I've clicked on or saved in a shopping cart appear in an advertisement. It's hard to refuse something you really like/want when it appears everywhere!! :D
How cool..Looking good
ReplyDeleteNANCIEMWAI.COM
Nope, I notice it too! Especially with Modcloth it seems. It is kind of fascinating...even if it's a little creepy too.
ReplyDeleteLove your look, I wish I had a simple pair of colored shorts like that. I opted out of this week unfortunately.
oh my gosh i know it is pretty freaky isn't it!? i always say that to my bf how its is so creepy they all know exactly what you have been looking at!
ReplyDelete-Jessica
http://www.jumpintopuddles.com/
It's true that other email sites and other websites (like Facebook) will know which sites you've looked at...scary, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job with the two bird inspiration photo...you really re-created the look!
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Enter my Daisy Rae giveaway!
Gmail totally does that to me too. But not just with stuff I am looking at on websites. It also does it with stuff that I am gchatting with someone about or the topic of an email chain I am part of. I think it's creepy. They even put ads up for my sister's company's competitor when I am talking to her!
ReplyDeleteHannah
Isn't that the creepiest thing ever!?!?!? I always see divorce ads (I work in family law), wedding ads and clothing ads on my Hotmail and my Facebook and I am always like "how do they DO that????". Nonetheless, sounds like time was kind of on your side. I do love the red shorts Vivienne and that zebra bag is too cute!
ReplyDeleteOh and the puppy! Yay!
I do not have hotmail...however I am not at all surprised at big brother grabbing something. I like that USA product search though.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that several months ago while looking for an everyday tote bag. I have a yahoo! account, and every time I logged on, I was faced with ads about bags from many of the sites I'd visited. Its creep... and smart... but very creepy.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I've also noticed that already, I think that's quite scary... Hopefully nobody ever hacks my email account to see that I only have shopping adds and then knows for sure that I really love to spend hour(s) browsing through online shops!
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally agree with you (your comment on my jewelry post today) I hardly ever buy H&M jewelry, because I really don't like seeing somebody with the same necklace - or imagine the shame to see the same necklace/earrings/dress in the opera, oh my good... Well that sounds really exciting thanks for the link! I definitely need to check that out instantly ;-)
And I love your shorts, the color looks great on you!
xxx Anita
I don't have hotmail, but it does it in my google reader too I've found... creepy, but kind of awesome. I love that adorable photo of you and your dog-what a cutie!!
ReplyDeleteI notice this ALL THE TIME! It's on every browser, every retailer, etc. I did a post on Anjolee diamonds and next thing I knew, there was an Anjolee diamonds ad when I was checking the news. It's absurd. I will say though, it's very effective. It definitely keeps the item/brand in my head.
ReplyDeleteAdvertisers are scary! Love the casual, simple look!
ReplyDeletexo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
its fun and stylish!
ReplyDeletejust found your blog and love it!!! and yea, that always happens to me w/ advertisements!
ReplyDeletexo,
sandy
Sandy a la Mode
your look is very similar to ashlee simpson's! :) a few months ago, i saw a news story about target having a video camera on their shopping carts, & it reported something similar to what you experienced. they said a teen girl was buying a home pregnancy test, & then she got coupons for diapers. her dad didn't even know she was pregnant, & got mad. they said they could figure out when women were on their cycle too based on when they purchased items. instead of directly sending out coupons for what you need because it freaks people out, they will include them with other promotions, like suggestions.
ReplyDeleteYeah search engines are smart enough to do that creepy thing !!you look awesome...
ReplyDeleteFollowing you,please follow back to keep in touch through comments!
cute outfit, the doggie is a must have, he is beautiful! I like your interpretation, definitely a lot more summer friendly. The sandals are like what? less than one dollar...and the zebra bag is adorable. Great accessories too, I like the layering.
ReplyDeletemongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
the ads on my hotmail always show stuff that you've recently been looking.. makes it hard to not be a shopaholic!
ReplyDeletemyblissisthisway.blogspot.com
haha, i hate that they can use your cookies to target adds. Not fair!!
ReplyDeleteLove the red shorts, you've totally nailed this look!
Chic on the Cheap
Vivienne, that has happened to me. The first time it spooked me out! I was pinning some bags from Saks Fifth Avenue and they appeared in my side bar through an advertisement. Then I looked at some ballet flats and the same thing happened. What stores won't do! HAHAHAHA
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
I notice that too...its a bit strange, and creepy at the same time!
ReplyDeleteLove the outfit inspiration, and love your take on it. So comfy!
it's the perfect selection of colours. I love coral. oh and I hope you'll stay strong in the middle of all those temptations ;)
ReplyDeleteMaiken,
Maikeni blogi - part of me
lovely bright red shorts!
ReplyDeletewould you like to follow each other?
A
xx
epiquemoi.blogspot.com
It's to do with the cookies on your website.
ReplyDeleteIt is actually a massive privacy issue. In the UK they recently passed a law saying that sites must tell users about cookies and offer an opt-in option and information about how they are using cookies. The amount of information that you end up giving about yourself to third-party sites is terrifying. You should have an option in your web browser to opt-out of third-party cookies, those are the ones used by advertising agencies and crop up all over. The rest of them are pretty vital for web browsing which is why the cookie law has lots of other problems...
Also, you have cute shorts. :)
it happens to me on google all the time. and it's not even what i browse...it's key words from emails i have sent or received. this can get weird as my sisters and i send each other very odd emails sometimes! i often wonder what google thinks of me! i love your take on the outfit. these shorts look so great on you!
ReplyDeleteIt happens to me all the time, and not just about the clothes, and not on the Hotmail either because I don't use it. I usually have the things I looked up online (shoes, bags, vacations voyages etc) even when I'm browsing some other sites for information. I think it's connected with Google and it's also the internet browser policy. I usually use the Firefox but I'm pretty sure that Internet Explorer does this stuff too. I'll check Opera and Chrome, just to be sure that they are in the same line.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Big Brother is always with us, not leaving for a sec :)
Love your photos. <3 Follow you now.
ReplyDeleteHave a look at my blog :) if you like? and if you want follow me back :)
Greetings EMma Wunderbar
I love your purse! Awesome take on the inspiration picture. :)
ReplyDelete-Mary @ stylethatmoves.blogspot.com
You are always so with it, when it comes to the inspiration Monday looks. Great arm candy! I love how your doggie poses with you :)
ReplyDeleteI noticed this a lot with Facebook ads. I'm always surprised when they're actually relevant! Although I shouldn't be anymore because they almost always are! Big Brother for sure, but still kinda interesting...
ReplyDeleteYour dog is SO cute :)
Julia
Cup of Tea
You are always so great looking, All your looks re just so inspirational.
ReplyDeleteI am following. Please follow me back at http://allofthatgoodstuff.blogspot.ca/ It would really mean so much to me as a fan and a beginner.
popping over from Two Birds
ReplyDeletenice job with the inspiration look!
brett