Well I hope you have all had a Merry Christmas, mine has been very busy and not nearly enough time spent blogging lately.  So I aim to lift my game and dedicate more time to more posts, more often, so check in regularly for all on what’s new and cool for 2008.

So what were my big finds in the build-up for Christmas, what did I give away as presents and what are my must haves for summer.  Stay tuned and all will be revealed.

I am currently reviewing a huge range of products, the latest book, a new wrinkle cream, new kids toys, a PSP, a Zune only to name a few and will blog these as soon as the reviews are finished. 

The first one out of the starting blocks is Richard Hammond’s new book ON THE EDGE: MY STORY, which I have just finished reading and it’s the account of his life before and after the high speed crash which nearly killed him.  Being married to a motor sport nut and who’s favourite program is Top Gear and it’s mine as well, it was of course a must have for Christmas.   He tells the story of his life as an adrenalin junkie, his role as one of the Top gear presenters and his wife Mindy tells the story of his recovery.

I had very high hopes before starting and I was particularly interested in the part which Mindy told and this turned out to be the best bit of the whole book from my perspective.  I did find it was padded out and was boring in some parts, there was too much fluff on what he was thinking as he was recovering.  Mindy’s account is easier to read and much more interesting.

His account of the accident was good and my husband enjoyed that part as he is more interested in the racing side, of the book.  The earlier years were interesting but overall it’s a pretty average read.  The most I got out of the book was how hard it is to recover from a brain injury and that it changes you forever, which is very hard on all those around you. 

In my husbands words "It’s an interesting story but a bit fluffy".

Avaliable at:  all leading book stores

Price:$39.99

  Stuck for a great gift to buy a child aged around 2-7, well try the Freedom children’s tent.  They are just fantastic and I wish they had been around when the girls were younger.  It’s not to say that my seven year old daughter,  wouldn’t still want one now.   It just she would out grow it faster than if I had bought it for her when she was two, but there is still lots of room for her to play inside.

Every child needs to have their special place to play, a place where magical things can happen, a place to put the things that are important to them and what better place than a tent.  Better still a tent that you can put up and down, you can move from room to room and it wont even scratch the walls if pushed into a corner.  Take it outside and you have just created another playground for some great make-believe fun and games.

There are two different types you can choose from and they are a Princess Castle for girls or a Pirate Hideout for boys.  You can just imagine the look on their faces as they see the tent pop up for the first time, you would be very popular with this gift.

Available at:  Freedom

Price:            $44.95

  I just love the new ‘Royale Pet Range’ by Freedom and haven’t been able to resist buying just about everything ready for the impending new arrival into our house around March next year. Now you may say that’s a bit early isn’t it? Shouldn’t you be Christmas shopping and not spending money on something you don’t need right now?

And yes you would be 100% correct in assuming I have better things to do than buy accessories for a pet we don’t even have, but we are getting one I promise, really I do. Well I hope so anyway. I have placed an order for one next year, we just don’t have him yet.

It is all so cute! The bed for starters is great because it’s black, sensible choice for a doggie daybed, black doggie jumper, which once again is a sensible choice, see a pattern emerging of very sensible things to buy your pet. How can you resist? How could I? Have I justified my impulsive purchase to you yet? Well think about this then.

What great gifts they make for all your friends who have dogs and cats. The bowls are in a choice of two different sizes and are very stylish. As for the bling collar how can you go wrong buying that for someone who has a pet. It’s the ultimate gift for those who have everything, you know the hard to buy for ones at Christmas. If they have a pet, this could be your answer.

We do however have to be a little bit sensible and not get to carried away as to what friend would appreciate this as a present. For example the friend who has the Pitbull or Rottweiler, it could be a bit of a stretch. However the Dalmation could maybe pull it off.

The range consists of small and larger bowls, doggie jumpers which come in two different sizes, one of the best bling collars I’ve seen, not to mention the fantastic daybed for all you animal lovers.

A very stylish range for very stylish people.

Available: Freedom Furniture

Price: range form $14.95 to $99.00