Mertado.com–Not Just Another Online Social Shopping Site–It is worth Checking Out… (Review and Giveaway)

Closed. Congrats to Donna!!!

What is Mertado.com?:
Mertado.com is an online social shopping site that sells top of the line home & kitchen products at up to 70% off. Membership is free.

Built on the Facebook social media platform, the Mertado site allows shoppers to recommend purchases, see what their friends are buying, and interact with their network while shopping for their favorite brands at deeply discounted prices. Mertado has tapped Food Network TV veteran Curtis Aikens to tape exclusive segments for Mertado TV -- a unique series of videos on the site that highlight recipes, tips, and tricks for using goods purchased on Mertado.com.
 
My Thoughts: 
I am a fan of online social shopping sites for children and families.  It seems like every time I turn on the computer a new social shopping site has launched.  The concept is great – sell top-of-the line products to consumers at a discounted rate.  Who doesn’t like a steal?  I sure do.  I remember shopping these social shopping site religiously while awaiting the arrival of our first daughter, Savannah.  Half of her nursery and clothing collection was brought from these sites, as deep discounted prices.
So, when I heard about Mertado.com, I had to check it out for myself and see how it compared to others out there, I have grown to love and follow daily.  What sets Mertado apart from other online social shopping sites, is the added feature of the streaming videos, featuring Curtis Aikens from the Food Network.  Since registering for this FREE shopping site, and viewing some of these quick videos, I have learned a few tips and tricks to try out in the kitchen.  
 
In regards to the product offering, Mertado.com offers products for your home and kitchen.  I was sent a lovely Coral Springs Home Plush blanket, one of the many items available for sale on Mertado.com, to review.  This gave me the perfect opportunity to see the types of products sold on this online shopping site, and rate it against other home and kitchen purchases I have made in the past few years from sites like this one.
 
As soon as I opened the package and took out the blanket, I was in heaven.  It was so soft and warm feeling.  I wanted to stop what I was doing and cozy up on the couch with it.  But, no can do, with 2 little ones at home.  So, after lunch, I used the excuse that I wanted to read to them, while cuddling on the couch.  My daughter, Savannah, loves being read to, so she didn’t object.  I just loved home this plush blanket felt.  And, my daughter couldn’t stop rubbing it against her face and saying, “soft.”  Not only was Mertado.com receiving rave reviews about this product from me, but my daughter also loved it.  Since then, I have left the blanket hanging from the back of the couch, and whenever I walk in the room, my daughter is on the couch, snuggling up with the blanket.  There have been times that she has tried to drag the blanket into the bedroom, as she wanted to sleep all wrapped up in it.
 
In addition to this blanket, Mertado.com offers everything one would need or want in the kitchen to home décor, which will make anyone who sees it in your home envious.  And, to satisfy your sweet tooth, Mertado.com also offers delectable treats that make for great gifts for family or friends, or just an excuse to pamper yourself.
 
So, what are you waiting for?  Head on over to Mertado.com and sign up to beginning saving $$$ on items you need/want for your home. Don’t forget to sign up to receive daily emails, so that you can keep track of new sale offerings, as they change daily.

---GIVEAWAY---

One reader will win a Coral Springs Home Plush blanket worth $35+ from Mertado.com.
Here are several ways to enter this giveaway:

• Counts as two entries -- Become a free member of Mertado.com by clicking on this link: https://www.mertado.com/?spact=landing and then come back and tell us you did so.
• Counts as one entry -- “Like” Mertado.com on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/mertado). Then come back here and tell me you did so.
• Counts as one entry -- “Tweet” about this giveaway on Twitter including @Mertado.com and then come back here and show us the link.
• Counts as one entry -- “Follow Mertado on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/Mertado) and then come back here and show us the link.

Contest Rules:  Open to US residents only. This contest will end at 11:59PM EST, January 6, 2012.  Winner will then be chosen using Random.org, and will have 48 hrs. to respond to my email, in order to claim prize.  If I don’t hear back within 48 hrs., another winner will be chosen.
Disclosure:  I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.