While I was away on holiday, I tried in our hot weather to take much better care of my skin than I normally would. But sometimes I fall into the classic mother trap where I slip, slop slap, everybody else in the family and then either run out of time for me and think I’ll do when I get down to the beach or forget altogether.

I did however manage to put moisturiser on my face every morning before I ventured out into the sun. As luck would have it, this moisturiser also doubles as a sunscreen and it is fantastic.

It is the brainchild of two Aussie woman who when looking couldn’t find the ideal moisturiser and sunscreen, so decided to create their own.

So what makes this one so special, well it is the latest in coloured moisturises which also double as a sunscreen because it protects you from UVA and UVB rays.  It is water resistant and contains natural anti aging ingredients like Green Tea, Pomegranate and Australian Daisy. 

So why is this so great, well Australian Daisy has been used by the Aboriginal Tribes for it exceptional cell renewal and anti- inflammatory properties and I must say it does feel pretty amazing when you put on.  I didn’t get sun burnt once during my holiday and that’s really saying something as I was at the beach for all of January.  This without a doubt has become my new favourite moisturiser to wear in summer and it’s amazing how many people comment on how good my skin looks when I am wearing it.  Truly it’s hard to explain but you really do look tanned, youthful and relaxed with it on.

It comes in a range of seven shades to match your colour and although may seem a little on the pricey side, it you think about you are getting two products in one.

Now who doesn’t want that.  Check out their website as they other products and if they are where near as good as this one it will be worth giving them a go.  Their site is great and lists all stockist’s of their products in Australia and New Zealand.  www.hissyfit.com

Available:Kirks, selected life pharmacies (check out website as well for stockist’s)

Price:$69.95

   In the last minute rush to Christmas if you are still hunting for that Wow gift,  check this site out.  It’s called Montgomery Road and has some great products for some of those hard to buy for people, or if you are just simply looking to upstage everyone else with fantastic pressies at Christmas.

Montgomery Road searches the globe for high quality electronic equipment and retails them for very competitive prices.

One of their products is the Nu Dolphin swimmer MP3 player, yes you did read that correctly, an MP3 player you can swim with.  Now that is cool.  It’s 100% waterproof and is designed especially for swimming, using in the spa and other water sports.  Doing those lengths in the pool  just got a whole pile more interesting.

Another great gift idea is the Ez’ech Music Showcase, which is a waterproof iPod speaker case.  Just pop your iPod into the Showcase and boggie your day away.   The Showcase is waterproof to depth of 1 metre or up to 30 minutes, it floats in water and doesn’t corrode or rust.  It has a clear, shatter-proof body, bumper guards and a big sound.  I can just see myself parked up on my lounger, with a good book and listening to my sounds on my Ez’ech Music Showcase.  Bring on the holidays.

So go and check this site out, I love the products they sell and you might just find that special gift you were looking for.

Available at:www.montgomeryroad.com                  Price:depends on which product

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

  Christmas Countdown:30 days.  My Christmas list will be posted near the end of this week so look out for that, there will be some great gift ideas.

I just had the most fantastic weekend away in Christchurch with husband and our lovely friends.  So not only did I discover how hospitable the South Islanders are, I also discovered what I think is one of the very best spray tans I have ever had.  I went to The Salon at Ballentynes, where I had the most fabulous experience and recommend anyone should visit if you are in Christchurch and have any spare time on your hands.   The staff there are fantastic, very obliging and very good at what they do.

I have had many spray tans over the years but this one is definitely one of the best, it’s called Aviva Labs and I was so surprised how good it was.  I had none of the issues that I would normally have with other spray tans, so this is why it’s so good:

it drys in minutes after being applied, so you can put your clothes including bra etc straight back on (which was essential as I really didn’t think as nice as they all were in the South Island, they were ready for me to appear braless on their streets);

it was very even, no patches and I hadn’t even had time to exfoliate before I had it done;

a fantastic colour and very natural;

didn’t come off on my sheets overnight;

faded very evenly;

lasted well over a week and I wasn’t even looking after it, so it could possibly last longer; and

it’s all natural ingredients, oil free, alcohol free, fragrance free, and hypoallergenic.

All in all I would say it was very good and this would be my pick at the moment of spray tans, the added bonus would have to that it’s all natural.  So my guess is that if you currently react to other spray tans, then this could be the one for you.  Also with it being natural it means you can have it done as often as you like without any worries, since it’s natural.

But here’s the only downside, you can only get at Ballentynes in Christchurch, so next time you go to your beautician ask them about it or if they can get it for you. You can buy their self tanners in a bottle which you can do yourself and I know you could order this from Ballentynes and they would ship it to you.  Or go to www.avivalabs.com.au and order the Sunless Tanning Gel which won the Gold Medal in Cleo Magazines Glammie Awards for best Self Tanning Product, directly from them.

Available: Ballentynes Christchurch                           Price:$50.00    Full Body Spray Tan

  For those of you that are avid fitness fanatics and for all the rest of us who just pretend to be, help is at hand.   The first edition of Women’s Health magazine has hit the stands in October, here in New Zealand.  Women’s Health has been around in Australia for years and has always been a great source of information on anything from fitness to health.  It has sections on leading a healthy lifestyle, relationship advice, product tips on the best buys and so much more.

Their aim is simply this to inspire us all with innovative and interesting stories, advice from a great panel of New Zealand experts like Sara Chatwin -Psychologist,  Sharon Carey - Weight Loss and Dr Jodie O’Sullivan - Health, just to name a few.

They are keen for us to have a work life balance, not to think life begins and ends with the treadmill at the local gym.  The October issue had an interview with ex-Shortland Street star Claire Chitham and how she lives with Crohn’s disease.  One of my favourites was the product test on a variety of running shoes and the comments back from all of the testers were really interesting.  It certainly helped me in choosing my next pair of running shoes, maybe that will also inspire me to get back out there and pound the pavement.

There are great exercise tips and if you are ready for your big comeback to exercise, what and how should you expect to feel.

I could go on and on about this magazine so judge for yourself… but as always I am saving the best hot tip for last, the really exiting part about this magazine is the special deal price out now as they are launching into New Zealand.  For only $39.95 you get, wait for it, 8 issues if you subscribe now, that’s  fantastic value for such a quality magazine.  You are saving 33% and it effectively gives you 2 issues for free, or you can go the whole hog and get two friends to subscribe as well and you get four free issues.

To get this great deal go to www.subscribetoday.co.nz/whnz/4015 and remember to quote when asked the number 4015 to receive the special discount price, or simply call 0800 630 112.

If you are feeling really adventurous you could always offer to become one of their panelists for product testing which would be alot of fun. 

Available:  all magazine shops nationwide

Price:  $7.50 per issue 

  The count down to my most favourite time of the year is now on.  Christmas is ten weeks away and this year like all the previous ones I will make the grand statement I normally make and that is I am going to be more organised. Yes even I can leave some of my present buying to the last minute, but in order to make great buying decisions and get the biggest bang for my buck this year more than ever, we all need to start early.

I will include my great finds and I’ve found some great budget ideas which is always helpful, so look out for this years Christmas gift ideas.   The Christmas list is coming soon.

So this is the perfect time to chill out and prepare yourself with the upcoming Christmas stress.  I had the privilege recently to be asked to visit at Spa Horrobin and Hodge which is located at Manakau in the Horowhenua.  The Spa has been set up as a place you can retreat to from the city, to be pampered away from all the noise, a place where you can unwind and relax.

Upon arriving I was greeted by the lovely Jackie and led down to the lounge where I sat down to unwind and gaze at the breath taking view of the lovely countryside, all while sitting in front of a lovely open fire.  After having my cup of tea I was led into a treatment room, where I was given the most fantastic massage using the amazing Sodashi oils from the Sodashi Organic Skincare Range.  I am relatively certain I didn’t go to sleep and if I did then I am pretty sure I didn’t snore.  I think.

You can choose from their extensive range of treatments including the fabulous exclusive Hema Facial which has been tutored by Margaret Hema to her exacting standards and using her famous hand blended oils.  You can try the Ilcsi facials which are individually tailored to suit your skin or have a body scrub and spray tan.  Whatever you choose you will leave here feeling unwound and in a very happy place.

Whilst you do have to make the effort to drive there, it is certainly worth it and you will leave feeling relaxed as though you can in fact face another day.

Get a bunch of girlfriends together or just simply escape away from the rest of the world, either way its well worth the trip.

Available:  Spa Horrobin and Hodge

Price:  varies on what treatment you choose

  Oh, you are all really going to laugh about this one.  Yesterday I finally got around to using this supposedly “must have” marine bath soak from Thalgo.  I bought it awhile ago on the advice of the very sincere beautician who told me ”this is the best bath soak and you will really love it”.  I was just waiting for a quiet time to be able to relax and enjoy it, it has just taken awhile to find that time.

Now it’s called Micronized Marine Algae by Thalgo and it is a re-mineralizing, refining product - I know you have already gone to your happy place and have absolutely no idea what I am talking about.  This only seems to prove that my husband is correct - I will try anything once and they don’t call me the Shopping Queen for nothing.

So I opened this precious sachet, to pour it into the bath which is supposed to be either: toning 36 degrees, relaxing 37 degrees or refining 38 degrees.  It’s all a bit complicated for me since I just wanted to have a bath, but anyway I tore open the top to smell the lovely aroma and thought oh, that’s just awful.  It’s brown and smells like a stagnant rock pool and looks like dried up poo. 

Ok it’s at this point when I am about to pour it into my bath you say “why bother if it’s so awful” and I say no, I am adventurous, how bad can this really be, and it costs $12.50, I shouldn’t waste it.

So I pour it into the bath and not only does it look like poo, it smells like poo.   I have to get in, fantastic.  So I got in and to be really honest it didn’t get any better, it was just awful and there really isn’t anything remotely relaxing about soaking in a bath that looks and smells like poo.

So to sum up, it’s a big zero from me and they can say what they like about it’s wonderful effects it has on the body, surely they can make a product nicer than this.

This does in fact now prove I can be sold just about anything, even possibly poo.

Available:  all Thalgo stockist’s                       Price:$12.50

  I bought the Wondercap from my local pharmacy ages ago, with the view to being able to give my hair (since I’m really hard on it) a deep conditioning treatment at home.  At the time I thought, gosh this is a good idea.  You buy this Wondercap which is a thermal heatcap you pop in the microwave heat it up, put your treatment in your hair and then put the cap on your head. It sat around for a long time as I could never really find the time to use it.

The product is well presented and conceptually sounds like a good idea. The heat comes from a wheat pack that goes inside the cap before you put it on your head. All good? Well, coupled with the fact that I really did not enjoy using it,  I’ve found a couple of more serious problems.

The first problem I found is that despite following the instructions, I know its hard to believe but I did follow the instructions, the cap melted. When I pulled the wheat pack out of the towel so I could wash it and noticed a hole in it where it had melted.

The second problem is with 500g pot of "Feral Organic Hair Conditioning Treatment" included in the pack. I’m no chemist but its ingredients; Cetrimonium Chloride, Stearalkonium Chloride and DMDH Hydrantoin don’t sound all that organic. A little research shows that:

• * Cetrimonium Chloride is "used in hair conditioners, but originated from the paper and fabric industries as softeners and anti-static agents. In the long run they cause the hair to become dry and brittle. They are synthetic, irritating, allergenic and toxic, and oral intake of them can be lethal."
• * Stearalkonium Chloride is, "A chemical used in hair conditioners and creams. Causes allergic reactions. Stearalkonium chloride was developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, and is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which do help hair health. Toxic."
• * DMDH Hydrantoin (which is listed on the package as "natural preservative") contains Formaldehyde which is "a known carcinogen (causes cancer). Causes allergic, irritant and contact dermatitis, headaches and chronic fatigue. The vapour is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose and throat (mucous membranes)."

My conclusion, a heat treatment might be a good thing for your hair but if you are going to give it a try, buy a good quality conditioner and steer clear of the Feral Organic stuff especially if you are susceptible to allergic reactions.

Available: Rodney Wayne, selected pharmacies or online www.wondercap.co.nz

Price: $45.00

  Well I did it, after years of talking about it I finally did it.  On Saturday I went to Fashion Week and more importantly to the Designer Selection show.

I entered the venue for the first time, you know what it’s like when you see all these events on TV and in magazines,  somehow they just seem to look glamorous and exciting, well it just wasn’t.  The entrance is relatively plain and then you just carry on though what seems like a large tent.  We headed straight for the Designer Garage Sale which was held in a big shed around the back. This is where the designers are selling off any samples and end of lines, so great for those in search of a designer bargain.  It definitely had that garage sale feel to it and you need to take your time to really have a good look through.   So to be fair,  given that we were there late Saturday afternoon, and it had started on Monday, I guess you could say that things had pretty much been picked over.  It could be worthwhile if you went earlier in the week, but I am sorry to report that even the Shopping Queen herself walked away empty handed.

The Designer Show started at 5.30 which showcases the hot favourites from all the designers who have shown at Fashion Week.  This for the public is the best show to go to, as you get a little taste of what each designer’s style is like.  Just being there is a fabulous experience, the music starts blasting and the next thing you know you are transported away to a catwalk and really you could be anywhere, New York, Paris.

There is something to be said for seeing this show for the first time and it is a great thing to do if you get a bunch of your friends together to go.  The show itself was a bit like a buffet, some bits you want more of and some you wont.  Chelsea Thorp stood out to me with her beautiful detailing and you certainly could overlook Yvonne Bennetti with her amazing colour for summer.  The obvious favourites didn’t disappoint with Trelise Cooper pulling out all the stops with her skirts and capes.  I will say however I may struggle to get my husband to wear the really short shorts form the mens section and the outfit that resembled a straight jacket may not be on my hot ticket list for summer either.  Even the model wearing it, had trouble keeping a straight face.

One of my favourite places at the venue would have to have been Beauty Zone, where they had Aromaspa, Accupucture Facial Renewal, Cut Above Beauty Therapy, Dermologica, You Photography just to name a few.  There were seminars you could go and listen to which would have been really interesting and a visit to the Rumpus Room where they had Glassons Breast Cancer Research Trust T-Shirt design competition, Nova Model search and much more.

So, as they say in the fashion world, that’s a wrap and my advice would certainly be to put it on your things to do list, but maybe not just not right at the top.

Available:  tickets can be bought through ticketek.co.nz  general admission$30 and children under 12 are free

Designer Selection Show tickets are $90 also can be purchased through ticketek.co.nz

   Could this product be any more stupid?  I think not.  I bought the Define-a-lash Lengthening Mascara by Maybelline the other day because it’s supposed to be their great answer to great lashes.

They say it has zero clumps, sleek definition and wait for it, sensuous length. Are they sure they are talking about this mascara?  Nevertheless I have got one and tried and tried to use it, but with very little success.  At first I thought, damn it’s broken.  The end of the wand wobbles around and there’s nothing for your lashes to push against when you roll it past them, it’s too floppy.

But I asked my girlfriend who bought hers at the same time and, like me, thought this can’t be right, it must be broken.  Ah no.  Just useless.

It’s a total waste of money, there are much better mascaras on the market, my advice is just don’t bother with this one.

Available at: New World Supermarket and major pharmacies