I’m a bit of a Dermalogica girl normally, but with the growing awareness of all things natural versus chemicals and synthetics, it was not difficult to be convinced to try the stunning new range of manuka honey-based skincare products developed by Bay of Plenty company Comvita, aptly branded HUNI.  

This gorgeous new range with its unique and clever packaging, has already secured a number of prestigious international packaging awards.

The huni containers are hexagonal shaped to imitate the shapes of the beehive, while the gold and yellow colours were chosen to evoke the colours of honey. 

The UMF® 20+ Manuka honey used in Huni is supplied by Comvita beekeepers from New Zealand’s North Island. UMF® (Unique Manuka Factor) is a scientific measure of the special properties found in active Manuka honey. This type of honey was chosen for moisturising properties.  All of the natural ingredients used in Huni are from sustainable sources and free from parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate detergents, artificial colours and genetically-modified plant materials.

I tried a sample of the Every Day Moisturiser and the Every Night Moisturiser.  The Every Night Moisturiser has Myrrh and Keratin in it, giving this moisturiser an unusual but pleasant smell.  It was decadent on my skin and upon waking my skin felt incredibly smooth, plumped and soft.  I felt the Every Day Moisturiser with Kawakawa and Macadamia was a little bit “sticky” on my skin and wasn’t the best make-up base I have used – especially under mineral powder foundation – but was very nourishing when used without make-up. 

If you want to try these uniquely New-Zealand products for yourself, click here to receive a free sample.

 


Hair straighteners have become just as important in a girl’s grooming kit as her mascara and lipstick!  Many of today’s fashion hairstyles demand the trademark sleek look that can only be achieved with straighteners and arguably the most fabulous straighteners ever are ghds.

I bought my first pair of ghds about 5 years ago and they’re still going strong. Up until now, I’ve resisted the temptation to purchase a new pair of the limited edition ghd Pink stylers released each year, and i’m so pleased I did because ghd have just released these divine glossy black and white limited edition dark vixen (black) and pure angel (white) versions.

With a nod to 60’s monochrome styles and a salute to high patent futuristic-looking fashion, the two brand new ghd IV gloss stylers pose the ultimate temptation to fashion lovers. Each ghd IV gloss styler comes with an on-trend sunglass-style case and offers improvements on previous models including:

 

  • Rounder barrel for curls, flicks, waves and straight
  • Limited edition heat proof styler case
  • Now with universal voltage
  • Advanced ceramic heaters
  • New sleep mode
  • How-to DVD
  • To accommodate the rush for this limited edition heat styling icon, a waiting list is available at salons until product arrives this month, satisfying the deep-rooted desires of dark vixens and pure angels to add a ghd IV gloss styler to their collection.

    The ghd IV gloss stylers are available for $369 at approved ghd salons. To find your nearest stockist call 0800 HAIR GHD (0800 424 744). 

    I definitely want one of those! Hmmmmm now to decide…….dark or pure……….can’t decide……so it will have to be both!


    Stack ‘em

    13Jun08

    In this electronic world where kids are constantly lured by the latest digital device – Wii, PSP, PS3, X-box, iPod touch – it’s heartening to see the latest fad doesn’t involve anything digital. In fact, you could almost call it old-fashioned fun….almost like the rubik’s cube. Kids are taking to it by storm and it is now available in New Zealand.

    It’s called Sport Stacking or Speed Stacking and there is even a Speed Stacks World Cup! It was held in April in Denver, Colorado in the USA.

    Sport Stacking is an exciting individual or team sport where participants stack and unstack 12 specially designed plastic cups in pre-determined sequence.

    I bought a set of speed stacks for my 12-year for his birthday last month at his request.  And he has had hours of fun practicing and trying to better his times.  It is not just restricted to older kids, my 9-year old and even my four-year old can do speed stacking and have great fun challenging each other.

    What is so fantastic about speed stacking is not only is it fun, it is actually great for kids development. To do speed stacking you must use both hands. When you use both hands, you’re using both sides of your brain and promoting right brain development which houses things like awareness, focus, creativity and rhythm. I have tried it, and I have to admit defeat. 

    You can visit the tutorials on speed stacking at the Speed Stacks US site for stacking tips and tutorials.  The stack packs are only available in New Zealand through the Speed Stacks (NZ) Store.  There are lots of different coloured cups and stacking mats to choose from.

     

    To watch just how incredibly fast these kids are – check out this video of the World Record Holder Emily Fox.


    Oh crumbs!

    11Jun08

    I hate housework.  It’s a never ending cycle of clean, dirty, clean, dirty and clean again.  Especially with four boys.  If its not bread crumbs, it’s grass clippings, or dry dirt that I am forever cleaning up.

    So I am all for any new device that’s going to make cleaning just that little bit more pleasurable and make me look fabulous at the same time!  Meet the Electrolux Ergo Rapido!  

    My boys treated me to one of these on Mother’s Day.  I have to say my initial response to being given a vacuum cleaner was less than favourable – bless their hearts – but now I am totally in love with it! My Ergo is Tangerine but for the domestic goddess purist it also comes in pink (or Magenta according to Electrolux), Diamond Sand, and Havana Brown for the more colour-sensitive. 

    Electrolux have done themselves proud with this little honey. It is the most fantastic and stylish 2 in 1 cyclonic portable vacuum cleaner ever. It’s a super powerful mini upright vacuum and hand-held all in one.  You just press the buttons on the side of the stick to release the hand-held to use it on work surfaces, in hard-to-reach corners, furniture or in the car. Snap the hand-held back into place and you have a stick vacuum cleaner that can handle up to 4 rooms (80m2).

    And it is super effective. By combining cyclonic suction with a motorised brush, the Ergo Rapido 2 in 1 picks up hair and fibres, dust and crumbs from hard floors and carpets with ease. And thanks to the double jointed floor nozzle, it is really easy to manoeuvre. You can steer around furniture with a light twist of the handle.

    My boys fight over who gets to clean up the messes now.  I am certain they make more on purpose just to give the Ergo a whirl.  

    They retail for $199 at most major department and electrical stores, although you can pick them up for slightly less than this on special. I can’t recommend them highly enough.  In fact, is that a crumb I spot on the floor?…….


    I have a confession to make.  I am an addict. I’m addicted to energy drinks.There…..I’ve said it and I really do feel much better now that it’s out in the open. I’m addicted to sugarfree V to be exact.  Well that was until I discovered the most angellic energy drink available in New Zealand.

    Angel Energy comes in a sleek, slender 300ml slimline can giving you 20% more than normal sized energy drinks. It is also sugarfree with a heavenly hit of Taurine and Guarana. 

    It is produced by the same company that produces the Demon energy drink and according to their website, Angel Energy is guiltfree and gorgeous.  Phew….I am feeling much better about my addiction now.

    The back of the can says that as perfect angels, life is sooo busy. You work and play hard while all the time having to keep up your angelic appearances. So when you need that little pick me up, Angel Energy is there to put the sparkle back in your eye and the spring in your heels. And since it’s sugar free, your halo will still shine…even after what you did last night.

    The drink sells for $2.60 in all Caltex, Mobil, Pak n’ Save, New World, 4 Squares & Dairies. Although I find Angels quite difficult to find when I really need them.

    It is divinely gorgeous and if you want to know more or have the chance to win lots of angellic prizes in their current competition, visit www.angelenergy.co.nz

    Little chance of ever breaking my energy drink addiction now!


    Pramadonna!

    10Jun08

    It seems fashion and style is no longer the exclusive domain of clothes and accessories.  It pretty much applies to everything these days and if you wanna be a chic stylish mamma then you can’t go past Phil&Teds range of fantastic baby accessories.

    New Zealand-based company phil&teds sell their products around the world, and have just released their latest range of fabulous baby buggies.

    Three new buggy styles – the inline classic, inline dash and inline vibe, partner the company’s phenomenally successful inline sport. 

    The inline buggies are designed to take two children from a single newborn through to 2 toddlers, with one child riding behind the other, but they are barely bigger than a single buggy and are incredibly light and easy to manoeuvre.  They range in price from $629 for a single inline sport to $1100 for a double inline vibe.

    According to phil&teds website, the inline classic provides simplicity and value, the inline sport compliments active lifestyles, the inline dash is premium form and function for the active urbanite and the inline vibe ultimate style and function for consumers looking for “uptown” aesthetics and sleek, ergonomic comfort.  Loved by Hollywood Mummies and Daddies, Jennifer Garner is the most recent celeb spotted pushing daughter Violet in a phil&teds  buggy.

    It is their design-led ethos that sees phil&teds produce new products that are innovative, fun, stylish and extremely functional. As a mum of four boys,  phil&teds fantastic new buggies are almost worth having another baby for!!!


    Hi and welcome to “I want one of those!”.  I love new stuff …who doesn’t? This is going to be the place where you find out about the coolest new products available in New Zealand. Whether its the latest gadget, gorgeous new cosmetics, or even car….we will be featuring it because I want one of those and I know once you’ve seen it, you will too!

    Pink iPhone

    What better way to start out than by profiling a must-have for every style conscious purse.  It’s the pink iPhone!  Yes you read it right….a pink iPhone and its available right now in New Zealand.  This is a 100% genuine 16gb Apple iPhone that has been customised by a specialist electronics company in the States and it’s just gorgeous!  There has been rumours abound in America that Apple plan to release a pink version of its highly popular iPhone but there are no signs of one yet, and I have to say the original iPhone is very masculine, not that I’m biased or anything.

    It retails for $1299.  But if you are really nice to the guys at www.kiwiiphone.co.nz they just might give you a discount.  

    The pink iPhone is custom painted with advanced metallic paint specially formulated for electronics and coated with a scratch resistant liquid plastic coating that is applied as a final step in the proprietary coatings process. This coating is applied to a product in a custom atmospheric chamber in its liquid form, and then cured with ultra violet light to achieve superior scratch resistance and clarity. 

    The phone comes with a full 12 month replacement warranty, full back-up support and service, full set-up service including Vodafone New Zealand network setup and e-mail configuration. New Zealand weather and map configuration. Unlock of contacts from your SIM card. Installer for additional programs such as games and even personal training either in person (Auckland or Boston, USA only) or via the phone.

    How fortuitous that its my birthday at the end of this month.  I don’t think I have ever looked forward to my birthday so much.  I’m off to www.kiwiiphone.co.nz to place my order for one of these divalicious phones right now.  Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me………