I am often asked ‘what are your favourite  things?’ and believe it or not,  I do have a list.  They are the things that I can’t live without, my ‘I spy the best buy’ things, or in some cases the most useful thing I’ve found.

So I am going to share some of these over the next few months.  I am always trying out new products and services,  which is probably why I have been dubbed the Shopping Queen.  But over the years I definitely found some favourites and this is one that has made it onto my list.

So this is number one of my most favourite things.  It’s so great that I have it shipped out from the States every year because I just can’t be without it and it’s my WhoMi.

What is a WhoMi you ask, well it’s my diary, my everyday organiser which I just can’t be without.  Now for those of you that use an electronic daily organiser you may say, Andrea try stepping into the new millennium.    But I am a mum and I have to run and track the schedules of 3 others in my household,  as well as myself.     Whilst some of you don’t have the need to do all that, I do and it’s made so much easier by my WhoMi.

Why?  Well a Whomi is a colour-coded calendar to help woman manage their busy schedules.   WhoMi was invented by two mums who felt they needed something that could enable them in one glance,  to see business appointments, personal appointments and their childrens’ whereabouts.  Very handy for us busy Mums who often have to make decisions on the run and this gives me a small feeling of control that I know what everyone in the family is up to.

I order online from the States and it arrives here in under 10 days, which I think is very efficient.  This is my third year of ordering one off their website and I have had no problems at all.  So go to www.whomi.com or just click on the link here.

I just love my Whomi and can’t do without it, it really does make my life easier and every year I go and look at all the new diaries which come into store but nothing measures up to the Whomi.

Now it comes in two sizes and I have tried both.  I first bought the original but have now changed to the compact.  The compact fits easily into my handbag and isn’t heavy or bulky.  The original is quite a bit larger and I did find it harder to lug around.  There are various different covers you can buy for them so have a good look on the website before you buy.

"The calendar that lets mothers view their crazy schedules along side their crazy kids schedules."

Avaliable:  www.whomi.com                        Price:$25.00 US  (this price is dependant  on exchange rates when you convert to NZ dollars)

  Don’t think I have laughed out loud as much as I did when I heard the new MAMMA MIA cd which has been released along side the movie.  I guess I should have thought about it, really, shouldn’t I!  Really, I am just asking to be called stupid when I buy a cd with Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep singing ABBA in the hope that it will be good.  I don’t think good even gets there, but funny it certainly is.

He was James Bond and he was really good at that, no, actually great, he was one of my favourite James Bonds.   But him singing, no, he really shouldn’t.  To make matters worse I thought, because of the movie, I could cope with Meryl and the cast singing ABBA but the truth of the matter is I can’t.  When you are away from seeing them on the big screen and listening to them in the morning in the car, you really just have to laugh because they don’t even come close to measuring up to the real thing.

Even my husband laughed the other day and he doesn’t usually comment much on the music we listen too.  I think the words he used were "this was a big waste of money, wasn’t it. This is rubbish".

There are, to be fair, some better songs sung by other cast members, which don’t make you want to stick your fingers in your ears and go "la la la".  But Pierce really has ruined SOS for me and so has Meryl with Mamma Mia.

ABBA is an icon and should remain that way.   I grew up with them being a part of my childhood and I can still recite most of the lyrics to their popular songs.  So don’t mess with my memories, I want them to stay that way, good memories.

I guess its like watching Donny Osmond return to the spotlight, and him doing a heavy metal number.  It just isn’t right, don’t change our history, it’s part of who we are.

So save your pennies. Go see the movie by all means but when it comes to the music, go and buy the real thing and you then won’t be disappointed.

Avalaible at:all major CD stores                       Price:$29.95

  I just love these bags, what a fantastic idea.  I found them in Woolworths a while ago and I use it nearly everyday.  It is hardy, easy to pack down when you don’t need it and the fact that it looks great and designed by Trelise Cooper just makes it that much cooler.

The polypropylene bags, which sport roses and a pink heart, are a welcome change from the usual green eco reusable supermarket bags we are use to.  The fact that I don’t use it for my supermarket shopping probably doesn’t help Woolworths and Foodtown in their quest to reduce the number of plastic bags we use, so sorry about that boys, but man your bag is cool.

So next time you are at either Foodtown or Woolworths Supermarkets pick up one, or two, for only $4.95 each, you can’t go wrong.  As I said, you can use it for almost anything and it certainly doesn’t look like a supermarket bag.

Available:Foodtown and Woolworths Supermarkets               Price:     $4.95

  It’s such a small price to pay for a different perspective on life.   I picked up a book a while ago when I was in Whitcoulls, it’s called ‘Change the World for fifteen bucks’.  It was one of those impulse purchases and was stacked up at the front counter for all those people who have no self control, or who just need to buy one more thing.  Me, so I bought it and took it back to my desk which is where it sat for months before I actually found the time to look at it.  You can tell I really needed it, can’t you.

But all my impulse purchasing aside, it has turned out to be a great find and I really like it.  It is filled with inspiring ideas on how to live a great life, how to give back and simply how to be better at everything we do.  Just the smallest of things we do in our everyday can make a difference.

We Are What We Do creates a new way to inspire people and to help them to feel a part of something bigger than themselves.  To make us aware that simple shift in attitudes and day-to-day behaviour can make a difference.  For example, what about learning CPR, or reading a story with your child, how about fitting at least one energy saving light bulb, or it may be as simple as giving someone a smile.  See these really are simple everyday things we don’t think about that can make a difference.

There is a list of related websites and organisations you can visit at the back of the book, titled Learn More Do More, you can also email them at changetheworld@wearewhatwedo.org.nz or go to their website www.wearewhatwedo.org.nz.

Think about this “Be the change you want to see in the world”

Be one of those who sets a good example, in other words We Are What We Do.

Change the World for Fifteen Bucks, 50 actions to change the world and make you feel great.

Available at: Whitcoulls                                         Price:$15.00

                           

   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

  The Revolution is here and it is very exciting.  The Warehouse have partnered up with two of New Zealand’s leading designers to bring you a whole new range of homeware.  Peter Reid and Graham Dickie owners of the famed stores, Republic Home have put together a range called Republic Revolution to be sold in selected Warehouse stores throughout New Zealand.

Their philosophy is ‘good style never goes out of fashion, a stylish home need not cost the earth and striking design is not just for those who have big budgets,’ hence Republic Revolution was formed.

This marriage of a kind has resulted in the designers travelling to China, Japan and more recently to London and the US to source product for the range and if what’s in their catalogue is anything to go buy, we are all in for a treat.  Whether it’s in the dining room, bedroom or bathroom they have something you will like for your home. 

There are two ranges called Cosmopolitan which has a focus of big city sophistication and style, where as the Lodge range has more of a nature slant to it with bold animal prints and is rustic inspired.

The product on a whole seems to be very stylish and there is without a doubt something worth having a look at if not for your home , then you are bound to find great gift ideas for others.  The ranges are very reasonably priced.

I like this concept and think it is definitely worth looking at for a number of reasons.  I believe that you don’t always have to spend the earth in order to have stylish things and that some of the basic things we use everyday need not cost the earth.  Spending your money on your wow pieces is far more important, as that is often what gets noticed.

Republic Revolution is available exclusively at selected Warehouse stores form 20 May.  If you would like to know which store near you is stocking the product go to www.thewarehouse.co.nz and search under Republic Revolution, there is a detailed list of all stores carrying the range.

Check this out before you go to more expensive stores. Lets face it with costs rising the way they are, we need all the help we can get.

Available at:  selected Warehouse store                                   Price:varies

  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

                                                                                                                    

   I was in the supermarket yesterday and picked up a new magazine aptly named “Mind Food” It has just been launched on the NZ market complete with web site. It is supposed to be a “multi-media” publication with both printed and online content. It claims to cover all of the things in our everyday life.

It has a section on wellness, the environment, society, culture, food and travel, just to name a few. On the surface it appears to be very retro and cool, a new way of delivering product and other information to us. But all it has succeeded in doing is frustrate me.

When I buy a magazine I buy it for specific reasons. I buy a fashion magazine to see the latest trends in fashion for the winter. When I buy House & Garden it is for ideas for my home. Mind Food appears as if it is trying to be all things to all people. In doing so it just does not hit the mark on anything. I guess this is only issue one but it’s hard to see how it will ever develop a personality. It just has too much disconnected content.

Maybe there are really sophisticated readers out there who have such a diverse range of interests that they desperately want to read about biodynamic wines , whaling and Sandra Slater’s Pilgrimage to Santiago. I’m guessing the same person will be really interested in the article on obsessive compulsive disorder. What they need is an article on schizophrenia as I can’t help feel like I need multiple personalities just to be able to enjoy the magazine.

Frankly it drives me nuts and makes me wonder why you ever buy the magazine when you can go to the website.   As a near forty something woman who isn’t concerned about how much she pays for magazines, if I’m not interested in this who on earth is their target audience, clearly it’s not me.

Availability: Supermarkets and Magazine shops

Price: $9.90, Subscription $85 saving 28% of cover price. Included is a free Jo Malone scented Tea candle.