I feel I need to start today with an apology because lately all I seem to do is find fault with a lot of our magazines currently on sale in NZ.  But in my defence some of them at the moment are just plain rubbish.   Magazines are my thing, I can’t help but buy them.  I love to look at the pictures, see what’s new, they are so much easier to just pick up and put down than a book when you are busy.

So I was really pleased to see that on sale this weekend is the May issue of NZ House and Garden magazine and splashed across the front cover is ‘Our fresh new look’.  Yes is all I can say.  I have been complaining about this magazine for such a long time, they have been ’so last year’ for ages.  As you can imagine I was very excited, someone there has heard my complaining, they have finally decided to have a change.

Damn they have got it wrong again.  Really, is this as good as it gets? If so, then it’s definitely time for a change at the top.   Michal McKay is the Editorial Director of the magazine and she couldn’t be more out of touch with New Zealanders if she tried.  After seeing her own uninspiring home a few issues back, I fast realised we were fighting a loosing battle with her and she needs to go.

Ok so what’s wrong with it, well where do I start.  I found that there are too many sections and they seem to just merge into each other.  Each section should start on a right hand page when there is this much information, it makes it easier for us to follow.  What I did find was the advertising, advertising, some advertising and more advertising.  They must be making so much money out of the advertising, that the magazine should be free.  Half the time I thought the ad belonged to an article.

The homes they have in this issue are not overly inspirational and are definitely more unusual than inspiring.  It’s more of a showcase of how different New Zealand is than helpful.  The sections they have aren’t exactly exciting either, they are what’s instore, art deco, focus (still not sure what this is) and architectural icon, just to name a few.

They also have a page on ‘my favourite room’ - this month is James Griffin and all I see is a big mess with a guy standing there without all of his shirt tucked in??  I don’t get why we need to see this.

As you can see I am annoyed and very disappointed and could go on for ages.  So to sum up, this is definitely not a reference for you to use for your home and really this mag would, in my eyes, now fall into the arty type publication more than anything else these days.

What a pity, it has been such an icon for home design for many years.  Try out their website, it’s much more useful and free.

Available: supermarkets, dairies, booksellers etc                          Price:$8.90

  Ok so we all by now know winter is well and truly on it’s way, so reluctantly I am dusting off the jackets, pulling out the boots and reassessing the winter make-up look.

So today I popped into Farmers to have a mini facial and new make-up look done and I have to say I am impressed.   I have seen all the new products Revlon have brought out lately and really wanted to give them a try.  I normally need to extend the mortgage when I buy beauty products as I have always subscribed to the "more expensive is best" policy.  But these days lots of the mid-priced beauty houses have come along way with their products and the new technology they are using is very good.

Revlon had launched a new range they are calling the 2008 Limited Edition Collection and there are some great buys in it.

I love their new Blush called ‘A Floral Affair’.  I have bought the Peachy Keen one which is just stunning and at $33.99 you can’t go wrong, a bargain.

They also have great eyebrow pencils, lip liners, eyeliners all priced around $23 - $27 which is very reasonably priced and their new Mineral make-up is romping out the door.  I also bought for the second time their new ColourStay eye shadows which I find really good and easy to carry around in my make-up purse.  The one I bought is ‘Sterling Rose’ and it is stunning.

Farmers run specials regularly with their instore consultants and have their own make-up artists who will give you a whole new look for the upcoming season.  I have to say I walked out looking a whole lot better than when I walked in.  Now if only there was somewhere that you could walk in have a make-over to loose a few pounds and leave the store, what a coo that would be.

So go in and chat to the Revlon consultants, ask them when their promotions are going to be and get a make-up done to zoosh yourself up for winter.

Available at: all leading department stores and selected pharmacies.

Price: ranges from $23 onwards, but even their four block eye shadow is only $33.99

  As a women who has a black-belt in shopping, it’s comforting to know I keep good company.

So when the latest issue of Simply You comes out, I get really excited. On sale now is Winter 2008 and for $10 you can spend hours pouring over one of my favourite magazines.  Started originally by fashion guru Paula Ryan, Simply You is published every March and September and is now overseen by her daughter Bridget Hope.  Simply You is useful for keeping you in touch on what is hip, cool and groovy for winter.

It’s 320 pages full of new seasons clothes, accessories and helpful tips on how to make the most of your wardrobe for the upcoming season.  You will find a comprehensive list of stockist’s and great photos of outfits they have put together.  They tell you what’s hot in terms of new season directions, including the latest in beauty products, who stocks what and so much more useful information.

But there is a down side to all of this and that is you need to have won lotto in the last few weeks or not want to eat for most of June, July and August so you can afford to buy what they suggest.  I have to say when they first started producing this magazine it wasn’t always targeted at the higher end, but it appears that it is now.   Their belief is that we should only buy investment pieces (translated means expensive) to build a timeless wardrobe.  My only problem with this theory,  is that it doesn’t work for me as I get bored with my wardrobe and like to add pieces regularly not just a couple of times a year.  So If I was to buy a $1200 coat for example  and didn’t like it next season it wasn’t much of an investment then was it.

So my advise to you is this, buy the magazine if for nothing else other than to get some great ideas and to help you build your own winter wardrobe.  You may also find those few special pieces that jump out at you, but will also still have to go and find your usual basics and the odd bargain like you do every season.

Also for the latest fashion information you can go to their website  www.simplyyou.co.nz 

Available: all major stationery stores                      Price:$10.00