That is the item guide, it have previews of all the monthlies, rigs, and event items.
If you mean in shop you can type in a color so you only see the items in that color. Like type in Lilac in the search bar you will only see items in lilac from that shop.
Just enjoy the site, I have for 1.5 years now and new people are pretty much spoiled with gifts at times. Don't forget to make a welcome thread so people know you are here, and a quest thread so we know what to get you!
Yes it does, unfortunately a lot of people are in America so the time for us is in the AM hours. XD many of who probably just went to bed. I am not sure where you are from but in a few hours it should start to pick up.