We rarely write two posts in a row about food but I thought this Fruit Combo Rack deserved a mention! It’s a fun alternative to a standard fruit bowl and may even encourage the kids to eat more fruit – they won’t be able to walk past without touching this, it looks too tempting to play with! Not only does it look more interesting, but it also means the fruit’s more accessible and prevents it becoming easily bruised (as it often does at the bottom of the fruit bowl).

Pop it on the worktop to add a splash of colour to your kitchen too – it’s thin enough to not take up much space. At $19.98 it’s a tad more expensive than you’d expect to pay for a fruit holder, but worth it if you’re into kitchen gadgets that your friends and relatives aren’t likely to have!

Via Random Good Stuff

Ok, all you cooks out there! In the past few years it can’t have escaped you that Chefs like Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey seem to have taken over on the TV. New cook books are advertised and on sale every few months and kitchen cupboards are packed full of interesting herbs and spices and wonderful gadgets.

Take a look at www.pamperedchef.com for loads of really useful ideas. My favourites are the food chopper which chops onions, veggies, herbs, in fact anything that needs chopping, in seconds. Also, the Microplane adjustable grater is fantastic for finely grating hard cheese, citrus rind, ginger, garlic etc. which comes with a slider attachment to avoid grating fingernails and the end of your finger along with the cheese which we’ve all done at some time!! Both are dishwasher safe which is an added bonus.

They also do some great stonewear which distributes heat uniformly for even baking and browning leaving pizzas crispier and roasts more succulent. There are many different shapes and sizes to choose from and Pampered Chef are so confident with their product that all products carry at least 1-year guarantee; some products even have a lifetime guarantee, so you really can’t go wrong. Get cooking!!

Abercrombie & Fitch the American casual luxury clothing company is scheduled to open its first ever London store this Thursday, 22nd March. The store is in classy Burlington Gardens, Saville Row; well known for its high-quality tailored suits where English gentlemen can pay about £2500 for a bespoke two-piece suit!

A & F is already well known to young people of all nationalities and visitors return from America with countless denim bargains! The company has restored a 282-year-old building in London and it is hoped that the new store has the feel of The Fifth Avenue emporium, complete with pounding dance beats and sexy sales staff.

Can’t wait to go and have a browse!

For ages I have been searching for a lipstick that stays on as long as it says it will and keeps you looking gorgeous day and night … or at least day or night!! So when I saw an advert for L’Oreal Kiss Proof Lipstick and on the box it said “tattoo effect lipstick”, I thought must give this a go.

It is quite expensive at £9.99, but I thought if it works it would be well worth it. It comes in two parts; one lip colour and one gloss. The testers in our local Boots were in a bit of a mess; out of about 10, there were only four colours available and of those 4, three were broken and the other completely used. I broke open the new pack of the colour I liked (Crystal Chocolate 303) and took out a new one. I applied the colour to the back of my hand and tried to rub it off which was really difficult; I thought that a good sign and brought it.

When I got home, I put it on hoping it would not be another waste of money. The colour was great and has a lovely shimmer effect too which I hadn’t noticed under the shop lights. It actually stayed on for the rest of the day even after having lunch and dinner, although did fade a little, but soon came back to life after applying the gloss again. Even after drinking it didn’t come off or leave a mark on the glass, but I must confess I haven’t tried the kissing test yet, must find a willing candidate now!!

All in all, a great buy and would highly recommend it.

Today we look back on our ancestors and wonder how much harder their lives must have been without modern day appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers – just imagine having to wash all your dirty clothes by hand – it’s unthinkable now. Well with this new Trilobite Robotic Vacuum future generations will probably look back on us and be amazed that we wasted so many hours of our time hoovering the house.

This amazing gadget is the new improved version of the first design presented to the public in 1997 on ‘Tomorrow’s World’. It’s had extensive research and development and apparently it will soon be available in shops. The vacuum uses ultrasound to navigate its way through your home and is able to detect stairs and potential roadblocks. Special magnetic strips can also be used as “virtual walls” to keep the vacuum confined in certain boundaries.

Impressively, the robotic cleaner can also find its own way back to the charger – once cleaning has been completed it will simply return and charge itself automatically. A full charge lasts for 1 hour, but if the cleaning hasn’t been completed in that time, the vacuum will charge itself up and then finish the job.

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This season celebs seem to love chunky platforms with peep toe fronts that are either sling backs or have a delicate strap around the ankle. This print from Life & Style Magazine shows Beyonce, Eva and Penelope all looking fabulous in this style of shoe. It also seems that the bigger the platform the better so if you’re quite short then this will be great for you.

I think the group of red shoes are my favourite and Beyonce looks so stunning in that red dress. The strap around the ankle makes her look so elegant and tall. These are definitely a must have of spring 2007, see more It Shoe Styles over at Life & Style Weekly.

If you enjoyed last year’s series of The Apprentice but were left wondering how a checkout girl from Hull managed to turn her life around so dramatically, I’d recommend reading Michelle Dewberry’s autobiography. Titled ‘Anything is Possible’, it really makes you believe well.., anything is possible.

I didn’t realise just how hard Michelle’s life had been – with the loss of her sister, a violent and abusive dad, her battle with depression and bulimia – but somehow she decided she would not be a victim, rather she would believe in herself and reach her unbelievably tough personal goals. I found myself inspired by her story – if you work hard enough and believe you deserve just the same as anyone else then you can turn your life around.

Michelle believes you can be anything you want to be, never give up and you will succeed! In the back of her book are 10 tips to success – if you’re lacking motivation or want to make a career move but are too scared, give this book a read.

Available from Amazon for £8.99

I absolutely love rings and have just bought this one for only £17.90 (inc. packaging). It is called the Epiphany Platinum Clad Diamonique SS Princess Anniversary Ring from QVC which is fantastic as you get a 30 day money back guarantee, so if for some reason you don’t like it (which I can’t imagine you won’t) just pop it back in the box and follow the easy return instructions.

It’s made from sterling silver but clad in Platinum with 5 diamonique sparklers, so looks really impressive on your finger. Sizes range from I – V and it comes in a lovely box so it’s great for a gift if you can bear to part with it! For more info go to www.qvcuk.com and see item no: 658204.

I have just been over to the Vogue website for my weekly dose of the latest fashion news and saw these very unusual platforms in the Spring/Summer 2007 Collection. I think they’re fantastic, not sure if I’d have the confidence to wear them out in front of other human beings but if you want to make a statement then this style is definitely in.

The shoes were designed by Christian Lacroix, a French fashion designer, for his summer collection, they have wonderful jagged edge heals and pom poms and tassels on the top. With a pair of dark cropped trousers and matching big beads you’ll be the centre of attention for sure.

Photograph source: Vogue

I just saw this deal over on Prezzybox and had to give it a mention, I think it would make an absolutely fantastic Mothers’ Day gift or a nice birthday pressie for a close friend.

The makeover offer involves Bucks Fizz on arrival, a hair consultation, cut or colour, blow-dry and style, a beauty consultation, skin refresh, makeover and then a photo-shoot of you afterwards looking glamorous. One 7” x 5” photograph is included in the price but you will have to pay for any other’s you want to take home.

The makeover’s are available in London’s West End, Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester City Centres and take place at a leading hair salon called Burlington’s.

The offer is ‘buy one activity day and get another free’ and is available until Sunday 18th March 2007. The package costs just £44.95 for the two activity days – an absolute bargain if you ask me.

I recently discovered Graffiti Pink; a website dedicated to selling top quality lingerie, sleepwear and accessories for women. They have a great selection of items and really do have something for everyone. I purchased some sleepwear from their Cotton Candy range and was really impressed with the presentation and delivery of the product.

The garment is baby pink and comes packaged in a cute pink bag with the words Graffiti Pink embroidered on the front. The sleepwear is extremely soft and very comfortable and also reasonably priced. If you have a raunchier side then check out their Carol Malony Range, to view all their lingerie items click here.

If you’re looking for a special gift for your Mum this Mother’s Day, there could be something that interests you over on the Champneys Website. They have a large variety of luxurious gifts from small body care collections to large premier gift hampers.

Champneys are well known for their luxury health spa’s and quality products so your Mum will know that you’ve chosen her present carefully. The products range from about £20 to as much as £150 depending on what you’re after. My personal favourite is this Special Occasion Hamper that costs £80 which I think would be perfect for my Mum. See the full collection at the Champneys Website.

Soon there will be no professions of actress, singer, model, presenters, there will just be one single job of “Celebrity”, which is a bit sad I think. Scarlett Johansson has been the latest victim of “I want it all syndrome” by stepping into the growing industry of celebrity modelling. She is not only appearing in Reebok’s campaign but has designed her own line of the sports wear called “Scarlet Hearts RBK”.

According to Scarlett her range is designed as more than just gym wear - something you can slip on to go and meet your friends for coffee. Her designs feature plenty of neon colours which are seen all over the catwalks this season, and feminine cut hoodies baseball t-shrits and leggings as well as sneakers. Reebok are thrilled to have Scarlett on board, Paul Harrington, president and CEO of Canton, Mass.-based Reebok commented “Scarlett embodies the pulse points of our brand—individuality, authenticity and a life lived to the fullest in perpetual motion.”

The first Alton Towers Adrenalin Week will run from Monday 19th March to Friday 23rd March and apparently you are guaranteed to get on the four most popular rides three times. That means three goes on Air, Rita, Oblivion or Nemesis if you can fit that many in. Personally I think I’d be feeling a bit ill after all that time being hurled in the air but I’m sure there’s many of you who will love it.

Last Minute currently have a great offer on tickets, £20 for adults reduced from £32 normal entrance fee and £16 for children (usually £22). If you haven’t been to Alton Towers before then this is a great chance to see what all the fuss is about.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has pleaded guilty to assaulting her housekeeper and has been punished with five days worth of community service. Naomi threw a mobile phone at her maid in anger and will begin the community service later in March.

The job will involve cleaning the floors of a sanitation warehouse, if that doesn’t bring her back down to Earth, I don’t think anything will. She has also been advised to take some anger management classes, I do actually feel quite sorry for her. Read more over at BBC News.