I’ve dreamt of attending the Sundance Film Festival ever since I learned of Robert Redford’s involvement. I openly drool at the sight of a Kate Spade bag. I tell myself that one day, when my mega-watt book deal comes through (of course), I’ll be able to live the life of the rich and famous. Until then, I spend lunch breaks surfing online, taunting myself with photos of items that “someday” I hope to purchase.

Enter LuckyChic.com.

It looks as if my “someday” is showing up a lot sooner than I anticipated. Tech genius Joel Fan joined forces with two other smarties and created an e-commerce site filled with all things chic – trips to St. Barts, a package to attend New York Fashion week, Fendi/Kate Spade/Louis Vuitton handbags, gift cards for Mac, Apple and any other high-end retailer you can imagine – and much more. Then, to make those rich goods accessible to those who have not yet won fame and fortune (it’s coming though, don’t worry!), they turned the site into a bidding machine. So you could spend 30 cents and receive a $50 gift card to Sephora, or spend a couple hundred dollars for a trip to St. Barts.

Now, have I got your attention?
I know, me too – I’m signing up for the site now.

Here’s how it works:

“Utilizing purchased "Lucky Chips," consumers have the ability to win exclusive once-in-a-lifetime celebrity and travel experiences and coveted retail merchandise in a variety of lifestyle verticals including fashion handbags & accessories, consumer electronics, beauty, home/design, baby, kitchen, and fine art. The minimum number of Lucky Chips that can be currently purchased is 10 (for $6 total) and consumers are given free Lucky Chips upon account activation.” (Taken from its 1.11.11 press release.)

The site is easy to navigate and the Lucky Chic team signs off their notes to customers with “Love” – which makes me love them almost more than that Kate Spade bag. Consumers are urged to “bid” responsibly, so there’s a step-by-step tutorial to help folks through the process.

And even though LuckyChic.com is still in its start-up phase, it was already chosen as one of 2010’s “Most Brilliant 100 Companies” by Entrepreneur Magazine.

I, for one, would have to agree.

What’s your take on the LuckyChic.com concept? And how are these guys making any money? Leave your thoughts here!

-Heather Strang

Newstex ID: VNU-0048-100396735