Yes before I even try to justify this latest purchase I have to admit that I was completely sucked in by my children, which is what resulted in me buying them in the first place.

You see it was a deal, but we parents should know better.

Rule no: 1 never negotiate with children and Rule no: 2 never negotiate with children, it will always end badly and always for the parents.  Do you think they teach them it at school?   Maybe it’s a class that the teachers don’t tell us about as parents, you know that secret Hey Kids Don’t tell Mum and Dad’ about this class.  The Art Of Out Smarting Your Parents. It could be every teacher’s revenge on us parents.

Seriously my ten year old will be able to forge a very successful career in International Terrorism Negotiation when she gets older and I am sure I will be immensely proud later on in life as to where she acquired her skills.  But just right now it’s very expensive.

So, what exactly, after my somewhat pathetic excuse for shelling out unnecessary money, did I buy?

Well they are called Zhu Zhu Pets and are the latest in must have toys and accessories for today’s most discerning buyers, aka our children.  According to them, these are simply ‘must haves’ and the ‘coolest toys’ I think this how they were described to me.   To be fair, they are very cool and I can go as far to say that if you did turn out to be the girl at the party to give these as a gift, you may very well be the popular one there.

They are a collection of small hamsters that once the battery is in, race around and bump into to everything, make funny noises and then change direction.  They come with a huge range of accessories as you can only imagine and you can actually build  them a place to hang out.  This includes a spiral slide and ramp, a wheel and tunnel (this is particularly cute), a fun house and there is the garage for when you aren’t using the car so you can park it. Seriously, you can put them inside the car and drive around in that, hilarious.

“Zhu Zhu Pets™ hamsters are truly unlike anything on the market,” says Jeremy Kirk-Smith, CEO, Planet Fun Ltd. “They’re smart and interactive but also have the adorable qualities of a real pet with unique personalities and comic behaviour.”

Zhu Zhu Pets™ drive around in little cars, zip up ramps and spin down slides, run in their hamster wheels, and get into all sorts of crazy situations. Their artificial intelligence even allows them to know what room of their hamster habitat they are in. They make toilet-flushing or teeth-brushing sounds when they enter the bathroom, and sleeping noises and alarm-clock sounds when they go into their bedroom.   Hard to believe I know, but they do all this, I have seen it.

Parents beware, once you start you are then on the very slippery slope to buying all the outfits and extra Zhu Zhu pets which can set you back quite a bit. But these truly some of the coolest toys I have seen lately and can highly recommend them.

Available:  Toy World, The Warehouse, Farmers, Kmart

Price: Varies from store to store, I have found however buying online at the The Warehouse they are cheaper.

Starter Set        $48.99

Outfits              $10.39

Hamsters          $19.99

  I couldn’t help it, saw it in the shop.  Got it home and then thought oh I so hope hope this doesn’t turn out to be a fizzer of a present for Christmas.  I bought, in my infinite wisdom a cupcake maker for my nine year old daughter for Christmas.

Now I can hear you saying why on earth would you bother with a cupcake maker when you can just put them in the oven.  Even my husband looked at me as if I had finally gone mad.

“Excellent another appliance we now have to find room for, wouldn’t buying her a cupcake tray be easier and cheaper”

Ah so to all you that think he’s right, wrong.  Its fantastic and will most likely turn out to be a very useful kitchen appliance.    So why is it so great?

To start with, it was multicoloured and a fun design, not like the normal appliances you can buy.  It can make big or small cupcakes, has a non stick surface and they are ready in  minutes. 

I knew she would like it because it was right up her alley of things she likes to do, but you always think they look good on the box, do they actually work ok.

Well we had our first taste of ‘Cupcakes by Maddy” at the beach at Christmas and they are fantastic.  Seriously they were so nice I wanted more and everyone else was also very surprised as to how good they were.

It has a ceramic centre and you just lift the lid spray inside to stop the sticking, put mixture in and close the lid.  Ten minutes you have perfect cupcakes, all cooked.  Even my Mum who is an amazing baker was impressed.  The best part is if they can follow a recipe on their own then they can do the whole process by themselves.

Now this gets a 5 out of 5 and you know that’s high for me, but this truly is a great product. Oh and did I mention its a piece of cake to clean.

Available: Briscoes, Moore Wilsons, Bond & Bond, Noel Lemming            Price:$129.00

                          

  

During the holidays it’s always a challenge to find something interesting and exciting to do with the kids and cooking always seems to pop up much to my concern.  You see the control freak in me likes to keep things in order and this activity scares me, as I have visions of food travelling at high speed around my kitchen.  It of course probably wont happen and I really should pay attention to the sticker my eight year stuck to my steering wheel, its very simple reads ‘chill out mummy’.

So as any well intentioned parent would do, I am rising above my children cooking fear and I have bought the girls a cookbook and I think it’s going to help them turn into the next Nigella Lawsons.  But maybe before it does that, it might just help me.  If I am now going to be completely honest, I have actually used it much more than they have. 

The recipes are quite simply fantastic for the less exciting eaters in our house and gives me great everyday ideas of what we can eat.  Seriously I bang my head on the fridge door on a regular basis trying to think of fast, easy and yummy meals which my family will love.  So as much as this is a great cookbook for the girls, it’s an even bigger help for me.

But seriously the girls also love it and has become a favourite gift for their friends as well, you can combine it with an apron or a cool chefs hat etc to make a really different birthday gift. 

You can choose from easy to prepare Nachos, Homemade Hamburgers, Rice and Chicken Kebabs, Macaroni Cheese, gosh where do you stop, um did I mention the Chocolate-dipped treats, Fudge Pudding, Little Apple Pies or Meringue Nests I could go on and on.

Pick up a copy of Edmonds Beginner’s Cookbook and add it to your cookbook library you wont be disappointed, I haven’t been.  It does take away need for me to be really hands on when the girls are using it to cook with, as it’s so simple for them to follow. 

Available:  all major bookstores                            Price:$24.95  (prices can vary)

It’s always a happy day when Trelsie has one of her sales and if you have ever coveted a piece of Treilse Cooper and couldn’t get past the price tag, now is your chance. Don’t take too long to think about it, because at 50% off it makes for great “investment piece” buying and it will definitely be “if you snooze, you lose”.

50% off both Women and Kids clothes, at all of her Auckland Stores.  Once again, you are the lucky ones if you live in Auckland.

Note to self, must email Trelise and ask her when she’s going to open a store in Wellington.  We can always live in hope.

  I would love to tell you all that yes I am in fact invincible and no I am too busy to get sick. But I would be lying as this week has seen me recovering from the flu,  along with both of my children.

So how do we stay well when all we are at the moment is surrounded by colds and winter chills.  What with one day being beautiful, clear and in double digits, the next it’s practically snowing outside our window.  It’s no wonder we can’t plan for what’s next and stay well.  So what can we do to help combat one of the worst flu infected Winters we have ever seen.

Well a tablet we can take called Iron Melts, could go along way to helping us all stay a little healthier.  Each tablet contains Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 and Iron and would you believe me if I said they are really yummy.   They taste of strawberry and simply fizz in your mouth and dissolve.  There is no after taste, gentle on your stomach, gluten free and lactose free.  I have tested this on the girls with huge success and what’s more they go in search of them, amazing.

The other big plus is the combination of the Vitamin C and Iron together helps aid the absorption of the Iron into your bloodstream, in other words it works faster and more efficiently.

Grab some of these next time you are at the Pharmacy and add them to your winter line-up of ‘keep healthy vitamins’, I think they are great .

Available: All leading Pharmacies                                               Price: $12.99

My Christmas List for 2008 is here. I hope that there is something amongst the list that is a great idea for someone special. It could be inspirational or just simply I want one of those for me so I will put it on my list for Santa.  Happy Shopping.

Cuddle Buddy for children is a must have, it’s become the ‘I can’t go to bed without it’ thing for the girls.  It is great for in the car travelling, on a plane and also to cuddles up to at night.  It is also used for injury rehabilitation, but really it’s just an all round great gift.

Available:www.cuddlebuddies.co.nz                                         Price:$30.00

This site has the biggest range and at good price. You may also find them at a stall in your local mall in the build up to Christmas.

Indoor/Outdoor Beanbag I just love this as a gift, I bought them for family a couple of years ago and they are fun.  The best part about them is their versatility in being able to use them inside and out.  They also have this year a new take on it as in the Kids Bean Chair.

Available: Ezibuy                                                                   Price:$59.95 Style 8QZ 32551 for the big one and $39.95 for the Kids one Style 8QZ 40053

Gingerbread House Kit this is a great way to keep the kids amused in the holidays and encourages their creativity while building it.

Available:Living & Giving

Price:$39.95  or you can choose one at Ezibuy which are $29.95  Style 8QZ 40164

Australian House and Garden Magazine Subscription as this is probably the best Home magazine on the market - you can’t go wrong with this as a gift subscription for Christmas.

Available: www.magshop.co.au                                                                         Price:$59.95 (Australian)      12 month subscription(12 issues)

Save $23.45 (Aus) + shipping which will be calculated at time of purchase

www.magshop.co.nz is a great place to buy magazines subscriptions, their titles include Next Magazine which you can save 35%, Boat which you can save 35% and many more.

There is just about every title you can think of here and when stuck for a gift, this is the gift that keeps on giving.

Available: www.magshop.co.nz

Kikki.K is one of my most favourite stores, it really appeals to me every time I make that desperate attempt to be more organised.  The products are just lovely, fantastic for helping to organise your life.   My all time best buy here would be the Family Calendar which helps us busy people to keep everyone on track with where they are supposed to be.  Anything from here is a great Xmas gift.

Available: Kikki.K stores   www.kikki-k.com.au  (they deliver worldwide) or their shops are all over Australia, in Newmarket and at Queensgate, Lower Hutt.

Mecca is another of one of my Favourite spots to shop at, located in Kirkcaldie and Stains in Wellington.  The staff there are just lovely and you wont walk away empty handed as there is 30 exclusive brands to choose a gift from.  Everything  they stock is lovely and would be a “wow, that’s a cool gift” for that someone special.

Available: Kirkcaldie and Stains

O’s Big Book of Happiness - it’s doom and gloom everywhere at the moment, so why not fly in the face of that and say no, I am going to be inspired and not depressed about my life.  O’s Big Book of Happiness is put together from the O magazine and interviews she has done with famous people.  Love her or hate her, you can’t deny there is something inspiring that makes us all want to live a great life.

The Best of the O Magazine, Wisdom, Wit, Interviews, and Inspiration

Available:  Bookstores                                           Price:$52.95

The Big Game Company has a range of games and leisure equipment. The giant size versions of games such as snakes and ladders, chess and pick up sticks are especially cool.

Available: www.thebiggamecompany.co.nz              Prices from $49.95 up

Logitech Harmony 525 Universal Remote Control is a great way to simplify your TV life. Now you can have one remote control that controls all your Audio Visual gear including SKY decoders. The big plus with the Logitech Harmony is how easy it is to set it up. You install software on your computer and plug the remote into the USB port. The computer software allows you to configure all the functions just as you want them. It is far easier than using complex combinations of buttons on the remote for programming.

Available: Dick Smith Electronics                            Price: $99.00

Seedling New Zealand is a niche market producer providing high quality, experience driven products for young people. They have a huge range of neatly packaged quality gifts for children. In a world of mass produced toys that either fail to hold the child’s interest for long or break as soon as they get them out of the packet. The Seedling gift sets provide good old-fashioned experiences for children with products such as: Homemade Paper Greeting Card Kit, Become a Sushi Shefu (Chef),  Multi Medium Collage Set, Outdoor Explorer kit, The Worm Farm Kit and many more.

Available: throughout New Zealand or www.seedling.co.nz   Price: Varies

Remote Control Drinks Cooler is an ingenious battery operated ice bucket that is capable of moving up to twelve bottles of beer. The RC Drinks Cooler features four sure-grip wheels exclusively intended to speed up the delivery of cold drinks to thirsty barbeque goers.  This is a really cool site with lots of other great ideas, so check it out.

Available: www.iwantthat.co.nz                        Price: $189.95

When you have to buy for a person who has everything a great idea is to buy them an experience. The Waiheke Wine Festival is held each year at Waitangi weekend and combines great wine and good music to form the perfect day out. Buying tickets for a specific event is better than an experience vouchers because they are more likely to be used as the date has been set.

Available: www.ticketek.co.nz                         Price: $65.00 Adult, under 13 Free

For those that are serious about the Weather, this is the ultimate Weather Station. It has a wireless connection between the outdoor measurement device and the touch screen display inside. Plug it in to the USB port on your computer to download the data so you can display graphs over time of rain fall, wind speed, temperature etc.  Its not cheap but it is packed with features.

Available: www.ferrit.co.nz               Price: $449.00

  I found this pen that can rub out. They are called Frixion Eraseable Pens and are available from Whitcoulls in red, black, blue, green, orange , pink and purple.

It’s quite handy because you write something in pen and when you make a mistake you can just rub it out. The pens are good quality, feel good to write with and the output looks as good as any other pen.  I want one in every colour!

                           

   Unbelievable, woke up yesterday morning and felt like I had been hit by a bus.  Not another cold, winter is definitely here and I feel like rubbish.

So while I was at the supermarket I found Vicks First Defence, they say it fights the cold virus before it takes hold.  First Defence is a nasal spray that targets the nasal cavity where the cold virus takes hold and multiplies.  Given how I was feeling, I thought it was worth a try. 

Flippin heck is all I can say, boy did I live to regret that decision.  The pain was unbelievable and apparently I have a high pain threshold.  So if it hurt me like that, look out is all I can say.

I love the statement they make on the packaging ‘it is normal to experience temporary stinging…….. and it will not last long.’  Temporary stinging,  seriously it reeaaallly hurt and I mean hurt.  I felt this immense pain went up my nose and into my sinuses, which then it carried on into my head.   It took days before I really felt that I couldn’t feel it anymore.

Maybe I was by this stage to far down the line with my cold for this to be effective but nevertheless nothing should hurt like this.

If you’re not bothered by someone shoving a cattle prodder up your nose then by all means give it a go.  But if the thought of that is a slight concern to you, then I wouldn’t recommend it.  Mine is going in the bin and thank goodness I tried it, before I used it on the girls.

Available at:Supermarkets and Pharmacies                                   Price:$16.99

  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

Only 27 days to go.

Well the countdown is now on. When you can say the days in numbers not weeks you know it’s close. My Christmas list is out this week and hopefully has some useful ideas on gifts for some of those who you have to buy for!

I’ve scoured the shops, gone over my past great pressies to bring you a list that will help you at this mad time of year.

I have put them into sections to make it easier when you are searching for that someone special.

I will also keep posting more items over the next few weeks with any other great finds.

Women

Paula Ryan Toilet and Cosmetic Bags

Just a great basic for any women. Lovely gift to give a friend.

Available: Farmers Stores, Kirks, Smith and Caughey, Ballentynes Christchurch and Selected Pharmacies

Price: There is now a huge range to choose from depending on style and size.

Sparkles by Louise Bagshawe and Glamour by Louise Bagshawe

If you are looking for an easy summer read then don’t look past Louise Bagshawe, she wrote Sparkles in 2006 and was quickly followed by Glamour in 2007. Sparkles is by far my favorite but both are great gifts and a good idea for the holidays.

Available: All leading bookstores

Price:$ (Paperback Edition)

Deluxe Chocolate Fountain

The perfect gadget has finally arrived - its delicious, exotic and totally extravagant! Dipping morsels in a fountain of free flowing chocolate lets you indulge your chocolate senses beyond your wildest dreams!

Price: $89.95

Available: www.iwanthat.co.nz

Men

V8 Kiwis- New Zealanders Making it Big in Touring Cars

This came out in 2006 but is still one of my husbands favorite books. If any men you are buying for are captivated by the smell of petrol or the thundering noise and excitement of the V8 Supercar championship, then this is a great book for them.

Available: All leading bookstores

Price: $49.95

Garmin Nuvi GPS

I was very popular with this gift for my husbands birthday this year. The Garmin Nuvi GPS is small and easy to transport, has a touch screen and is extremely easy to use. He just puts it in his laptop bag when he is driving out of town. There are now new updated models available that you can choose from but they are slightly more expensive. We love this one and it’s really useful.

Available: Dick Smith Electronics

Price: $559.00

Top Gear - Anthems CD

This has been quoted as the best ever CD for Driving and it does appear that it is very good. The first of the two CD’s has the likes of Queen, Meat Loaf, Motorhead, Deep Purple just to name a few. The second CD is clearly catering for the slightly more hip and groovy market with Coldplay, Oasis, Blur and many more. A great stocking filler.

Available: The Warehouse and all major CD stores

Price: $22.95 The Warehouse, $29.95 CD Stores

Remote Control Golf Infred-a-Ball

Golf - a good walk ruined, unless of course you have a remote-controlled golf ball, and then it’s hilarious.

Price: $49.95

Available: www.iwantthat.co.nz

Ipod Touch

I have wanted one of these since the first day I saw them. I have two male friends who own them and think they are fantastic. At only .8cm thin they were voted Tone Magazine’s Gold Award, you wont disappoint with this as a gift.

Available: All major stores which sell Ipod’s

Price: 8GB $479, 16GB $649

Life on the Edge by Richard Hammond

Anyone who has ever watched Top Gear will know who Richard Hammond is, and his latest book could be his best yet, with a very honest portrayal of his life as a petrol head. He also recounts his high speed accident which nearly killed him last year. Great summer read.

Available: All leading book sellers

Price: $39.99 (Paperplus have a special $29.95)

Boxer Shorts

Another very reasonable stocking filler are these boxer shorts I found at the Warehouse, and yes these really are a bargain, at only $7.90. They are your standard satin boxer shorts available in a huge colour range and the reason why I like them, other than the price, is what’s written on them. You can definitely have a bit of fun with these, the pair I bought had on them ‘I’M LIKE A SUPER HERO EXCEPT WITHOUT THE SUPER POWERS’. I have a friend who is just perfect for these and some of the others had me laughing so hard that the man standing by came over to see what I was laughing at! Some of the other messages are I HAVE ISSUES and IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PULL DOWN. Very funny.

Available: The Warehouse

Price: $7.90

Lightning Revenge Reaction Game

This is the ultimate in our range of reaction games.
Be the first to press the trigger switch when the light goes from red to green, if you’re the slowest person to react you’ll receive a shock.

Price: $47.90 from JayCar Electronics

A similar device is also available from The Warehouse $34.95

General

Bon Jovi Lost Highway Tour

The long wait is over - Bon Jovi is coming to New Zealand! One of the most successful, multi-award winning rock acts formed in the 80’s and still touring today, will play at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium on Sunday, January 27 to what will be a sold out audience.

Price: $125 to $265

Available: www.ticketek.co.nz

Flight Experience

Fly a 737. So realistic, airline pilots use it for practice. A great experience for anyone with even a remote interest in flying. Also great for the private pilot who wants to experience flying a Passenger Jet.

Price: Packages from $125

Available: www.flightexperience.co.nz

Bernzomatic Area Heater - Stainless Steel

The latest thing in Patio Heaters. These have much more style than the traditional ones and are more efficient. All this style and efficiency does come at a price though.

Price: $1,099.99

Available: BBQ Factory

Gourmet Meats to Your Door

A great alternative to the usual Christmas Hampers. Great selection big range of prices.

www.gourmetdirect.com

Children

Kidz Cam

Digital Camera.

Fantastic idea for all junior photographers.

Available: Toy World

Price: $49.95

High School Musical Sing It for Playstation 2

Become The Star!

Take to the stage and become a High School Musical karaoke superstar!

All the songs from both movies!

Price: $59.99

Buzz Junior Monster Rumble for Playstation 2

Following on from the hugely fun Buzz Junior Jungle Party this game is fun for all ages. My 6 year old daughter and 66 year old mother both love it.

Price: $54.99

Available: any stores stocking Play Stations

Grab-It

Make the kids work for their sweets. Use the controls to move the claw and try to capture a sweet. Irritatingly difficult.

A great gift when you are buying one present for a family.

Price: $39.95

Available: The Warehouse