Amazing brand Pinterest pages

Is there anyone in the wide world that hasn't spent a few days hours ahem, minutes on Pinterest, the online "inspiration board" that now serves as a way for people to share their likes, loves, wants, and needs with a slew of other viewers? Pinterest's claim to fame isn't just acting as a website to host users likes, but instead serves as a hybrid of sorts; one part magazine, one part forum, one part instruction manual. Pinterest's function is simply to inspire, which is does by connecting users who urge each other to expand their creative horizons. It is, after all, much easier to get started on a project - be it a clothing DIY or a recipe - when you see (via her pictures posted to her Pinterest board, of course) the success your best friend had with it, as opposed to seeing the project in the pages of Martha Stewart Living, where impossibly perfect projects scare away all but the most experienced crafters.

Brands have caught on to the amazing opportunities Pinterest presents for engaging with consumers. Some have expanded onto the site by pinning pictures of their upcoming releases (example: LOFT) while other brands prefer to pin photos that represent the way that they want their consumers to view them (example: Neiman Marcus) using their brand USP.

Pinterest, like Instagram, is about whetting the customer's whistle to buy or do. Whether it's by taking LOFT's approach and showcasing upcoming designs so as to increase excitement for a launch, or by surrounding consumers with images of what the brand "represents" so that said consumer will buy the product/service in an attempt to gain the same connotations associated with the brand.

Let's break Pinterest down by interests.
Are you a foodie? Why not check out Kraft, Rachael Ray Mag, America's Test Kitchen,
or Nestle?

Kraft

Rachael Ray Mag

America's Test Kitchen

Nestle Kitchens

Interested in magazines? Hop on over to Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, New Beauty, Details, or Womens Wear Daily.

Glamour

Harper's Bazaar

New Beauty

Details

WWD

Some stellar clothing brand pages: Topshop, Marc Jacobs, Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Todd Snyder.

Topshop

Marc Jacobs

Urban Outfitters

Free People

Todd Snyder

How about some beauty brands? Julep, Too Faced, Tarte, and Sephora make the goings-on within this industry very fun to watch.

Julep

Too Faced

Tarte

Sephora

Summertime frocks

Dresses : Summer :: Water :: Fish

Near my birthday, I spend time creating the ideal wish list. Anything that I see and like goes onto my make-believe list. I'm essentially doing that thing we all do when we wonder how we would spend the hoards of  lottery money we are certain is going to come along with our $1 tickets. It's as though I believe a birthday Santa is sitting in the South Pole somewhere, diligently taking notes as to my every internal wish, getting ready to surprise ship to me on my birthday all of the things I've been imagining would appear (has anyone else done this type of imagining? I'm not the only one, am I?). Despite the fact that two decades plus have passed without this happening hasn't deterred me in the least. The latest series of birthday daydreams has revolved around dresses - the pretty, summery kind. Here is a visual compilation of some of the fun dresses that have made their way onto my fictional, imaginary birthday list. (all photos c/o stores they are listed under)

Harrods Perfect 10 Leather Fit and Flare Dress

Anthropologie Cendrillon Dress

Delia's Open Back Floral Dress

Farfetch features Maison Rabih Kayrouz from L'Eclaireur

 Free People Sleeveless Miles of Lace Dress

Madewell Sundial Dress

Modcloth Sipping Champagne Dress

Piperlime features Rebecca Taylor Floral Silk Jacquard Stunning Dress

Revolve Clothing features Mason by Michelle Mason Open Back Dress

Shopbop features Addison Contrast Cage Dress

Shopbop features Kimberly Taylor Ella Dress

Urban Outfitters features Sparkle & FadeAudrey Peplum Dress

Asos features Splendid Maxi Dress with Woven Full Skirt

Dear Birthday List-granting Santa,
Quite a well-curated list, am I right? Amiright? I will leave out cookies, cake, milk and candy should you decide to stop by on my birthday eve.

Sincerely,
Chelsea