'THE BEER FOR THE NOCTURNAL MIGRATION'

Are you like me? Switch off as soon as the boring ads come on.... make the most of those precious minutes doing a spot of exercise - like walking briskly around the house, doing jumping jacks, standing lotuses, tummy crunches - perhaps a brb break, or a trot to the pantry to grab a bag of chips.

Now, if all ads were as clever as this, I would not budge from my bed. No sirree.

How they managed to manage those deer is quite beyond me but it is a sight.

Their perfect swagger, their elegant stance. Their run through the city at night. It is a real boys' night out. Great stuff.

Toohey's Extra Dry isn't too bad, either!

'Christmas Gift Ideas from Littlewoods'

Tug at the heartstrings, bring a smile to a face, make it cute - Christmas is about families, giving and receiving, and, of course, children.

Tinsel, baubles, Christmas trees, must-have gifts to make everyone's dream come true are overflowing in all the stores.

I can't wait for the carols and the hustle-bustle feel that is extra special at that time of the year.

Singapore is definitely one of my favourite places for Christmas. Carols filter out of stores onto the pavements. Fairy lights and the most amazing street decorations. Orchard Road especially.

Then there's London and all the fantastic cities and towns throughout the West where Christmas is a much-cherished tradition.

By the way, hats off to Littlewoods for a great little skit full of fantastic little people. They so make you want to make their dreams come true.

'Motorised Toilet - ICE BREAK: Add A Motor To It '

We all know that we bring out the best in us when we're in the bathroom - we are great rockers, serenaders, rappers, crooners - with our top fan staring back at us in the mirror.

But if you believe Dan and Leon, it is common knowledge that the best ideas always come when we're on the toilet. Penicillin - on the toilet. Ninja stars - on the toilet. The wheel, growing human ear on rats, dynamite, bikinis - yes, you got it ... the toilet.

So, it makes sense that this bloke Rick, who lives on the Gold Coast, must have been on the toilet when he came up with a royal flush of an idea. Add a motor to a toilet.

This is just too hilarious. You have to watch it. And if you want more 'Add A Motor To It' episodes, tune in to the ICE BREAK YouTube Channel.

'Wardrobe Essentials for a new you - A Westfield Fashion Makeover'

Westfield is on a roll....

I guess if you are on the road to recovery after an illness, being pampered (even for a day) is a wonderful treat.

Kelly certainly looks like she had the time of her life, being transformed into a head-turner recently courtesy of Westfield and stylist Trish Murray.

If you are not sure about your body shape, give the new Westfield Body Shape Calculator available online) a go. All you need are your three vital stats.

Using the calculator, Trish helps Kelly dress for her body shape in time to surprise her partner, who has rocked up to welcome the "new" love of his life. Sweet.

To find out more about the body calculator, visit http://www.westfield.com.au where you can also take a peek at their new Spring/Summer collection.

'Turning heads with Colour - A Westfield Fashion Makeover'

I remember this girl.... Alyce Cowell won what many young women (or fashion-conscious men) would consider their dream job when she beat a field of hopefuls to be named the Westfield Insider.

Well, Alyce has been busy....

Lately, she has been putting her talents to work to make sure some lovelies turn heads this Spring/Summer down under.

Alyce helps lucky lass Belinda in this makeover. Watch it to see how she is transformed from plain Jane into be-autiful Belinda. Of course, she had lovely features to start with. This is all about dressing for her body shape using block colour on a budget.

There is no big drum roll at the unveiling of the new look but ample amounts of oohs and aahs as Belinda's sister meets this madeover miss.

If you want to know more, visit them at http://www.westfield.com.au for the latest collection.

'How to Dress for Your Age - Free Fashion Style Session'

I used to love to shop till I dropped. Not so much nowadays (having passed the baton to my daughter Aimee, who is such a clever shopper than I ever was) but I still enjoy browsing and I still love my bags, shoes and outfits. It is just that I don't bother pounding the floors of a shopping centre in search of bargains as much as I used to.

Of course, it is nice to keep up with trends and just a tip: don't go overboard in throwing out stuff simply because it's no longer in fashion. Fashion does not really evolve, rather, it recycles itself every so often, don't you think?

In this little clip, it is all about dressing one's age ....

Westfield stylist Jo Blankfield gives Facebook fan Natasha Granzien a personal tour of the shops to help her dress for her age using the latest graphic stripes and patterns.

I am sure countless women would love to have an expert eye with them, making sure they got stuff that flattered their best features and as this makeover shows, Natasha came out looking quite the knock-out. Now, is she the same Natasha Granzien in the Weight Watchers campaign??? If yes, good on her.

Visit them at http://www.westfield.com.au for our new Spring/Summer collection.

'[GALAXY Tab 10.1] Dinner Party in London'

Galaxy's Street Squad reporter Alex prepares for a dinner party with her BFFs - the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and kitchen whiz Charlie.

They whip up a storm and are the perfect hosts, all with the help of the Galaxy - ordering food ingredients on line and emailing map with hand-drawn directions to guests. Then with the help of a Galaxy Tab dock, Alex is able to watch a recipe video on YouTube, leaving her hands free to whip up a mouth-watering chocolate cheesecake!

It is such a nifty gadget, letting you explore everything everywhere .... Dear Santa, I really really want one please.

"Inspiring Journeys"

Holidays are different things to different people ....

There is the do-nothing-but-sip-cocktails-by-the-poolside holiday. Shop-shop-shop-till-you-drop holiday. Snap-snap-snap-thanking-whoever-invented-digital-cameras holiday. Eat-like-a-pig holiday. A combination of some/any/or all of the above holiday.

How about a Getting-to-know-your-inner-self holiday? Or an Eat-pray-love holiday.

Then there's the Oh-Gosh-do-we-have-to-meet-ALL-the-rellies holiday.

Hopefully-I-won't-break-my-leg adventure holiday.

Let's-get-to-know-the-natives holiday.

What else? Heaps but that's enough for now.

If you have done the eat/shop/drink till you drop vacation, want another experience but don't quite know how to go about it (because you are too busy - read: maybe even lazy? - to Google it), I say go with the experts.

Travel Corporation has launched a new brand, Inspiring Journeys, that apparently specialises in small group experiential touring in Australia.

This clip is not your average book-with-us-coz-we're-so-darn-good kind of ad. Is it clever? Not too shabby actually...

Bottom line is, you will most probably get the advice and help you need to create your holiday of a lifetime... so, no harm in giving them a go.

Rice Krispies Recipes

It all must be part of the big Kellogg's master plan...

Creating a cereal that appeals to children is all part and parcel of the business. But create a cereal that, with the wave of Mum's invisible magic wand, becomes a really yummy confection... well, that is a great way of making sure those boxes empty out quickly

Corn flakes, coco pops, rice krispies - all make rather more-ish sweets that even the big kids in all of us love.

For the children, well, what can be more fun than getting all gooey helping your yummy mummy bake.

Here's Kellogg's latest recipe for ankle biters and mums who don't mind cleaning up.

It's their version of putting some snap and crackle into Pop art and promises to be fun fun fun as they have a go at making mum's face.... or better still, dad's face.

All you will need is a box of Kelloggs Rice Krispies and your imagination. But to get you started, why not try raisins for freckles and moles, bootlace sweets for the hair, round dolly mixtures for coloured eyes, and little marshmallows or sliced almonds for big toothy grins.

You will need:
45g butter or margarine
300g (about 40) marshmallows
180g Kelloggs Rice Krispies
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
Assorted sprinkles/sweets/dried fruits/nuts

Put the butter in a large saucepan and melt over a low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until the mixture is completely melted, then remove from the heat. Next add the Rice Krispies and the vanilla and stir until well coated. Shape your mixture however you like to make some great faces. Try cutting out circles with a shape cutter or mug, or get creative with your hands. Decorate the face with whatever you fancy.

For more recipe ideas, pop into http://www.kelloggs.co.uk/whatson/ricekrispies/

have fun!

I AM BACK

Hello Blog,

Long time no see....

Are you like me? Stop doing something for a while and it's a bugger getting into the swing of things again.

Well, I am back and, hopefully, a tad inspired.

My baby girl got married, so that is definitely something to rave about.

I got to spend time with my son and daughter AT THE SAME TIME, which is the first time in a long time since I have had that pleasure. *Sigh* but they have gone back to their lives in Dubai and Perth, respectively, so have to count sleeps till I see one of them again.

Bangkok is not the place I want to be right now. While many rave about the country's first woman prime minister (and perhaps that is a good thing for the status of women in this country), I wonder ... is there any Bangkok-based foreign news journalist with the guts to ask the hard questions? to get to the real issues at stake and to give an unbiased account of them?

For Thai reporters with a smidge of ethics, life is even harder. Yes, yes, there are many who openly support the government for its policies or lack of them. But if you even dare to ask the hard questions, beware. I feel for the Channel 7 woman reporter who dared to ask a question of the PM for which she could get no answer. The fallout left her positively quaking. Implied threats from the brazen red shirts, the call for the station to sack the woman etc etc for what? For doing her job.

I had better stop before I reach a point when I cannot.

I love Thailand. I pray that the road taken now does no irreparable harm to it.

'Determined to give you expert advice.'

Some things are definitely worth repeating... like this clip that gives Aussies expert advice on property buying.

After all, what every investor, renovator, first-home buyer and young couple embarking on a journey of a lifetime needs is helpful advice and tips on putting their money where it will reap the most rewards, turning a house into a home or buying their dream home ...

Whether you are a potential property investor, first-home buyer or would-be renovator, this Commonwealth Bank-sponsored series of videos gives you loads of helpful tips and advice from people in the know.

Here, you will meet Michael who is thinking of investing in property, Nathan who must be quite excited about the thought of owning his first home and Naomi who wants to renovate. The experts range from a money magazine editor to a real estate agent to a mobile lender to a property investment solicitor to a builder and more.

Of course, each and every case is different so it is always best to carefully consider one's own circumstances and if in doubt, seek expert advice from a neutral party.

'[GALAXY Tab 10.1] Extreme Retreat - Birthday Party '

What do you get when a cross a birthday party for a six-year-old ankle-biter with an annual corporate retreat?

Watch this clip - yet another in Samsung's extreme series - to find out.

Fortunately (at least I think so), not all of us are thus financially endowed to spoil our child this rotten.

Here we have Mitch Manikowski, CEO of Manikowski Worldwide, who decides to combine his annual corporate retreat with his 6-year-old son's birthday bash. All kinds of mischief happen, including a chase by a pack of screaming children armed with plastic swords.

Apparently, the employees of Manikowski Worldwide were fortunate to have brought along the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Watch how they survive in some chaotic situations.

'Borg & McEnroe play doubles on YouTube'

The year was somewhere in the early 80s. It was early evening and I was on my way to the Oriental Hotel to attend a cocktail party.

Not just any cocktail party, mind you.

It was a toast to visiting Bjorn Borg, the enigmatic, legendary "Ice Man" of tennis. And I was sooooo excited.

After being glued to the telly for all his matches, I was going to meet him in person and he did not disappoint. I cannot for the life of me remember what we chatted about (it was brief but friendly) but who cares?

And then there's McEnroe - the brat, the bad boy of tennis, the one so many loved to hate.... at least on centre court.

This clip certainly brings back memories and it is certainly true - Alone they were good, Together they were great.

Visit http://bjornlovesjohn.com

'The Mumsnet Rules'

Ask me how I managed to end up with two gorgeous, thoughtful, loving children and for the life of me, I would not be able to tell you.

Coming from a big family (growing up with five brothers, four sisters most definitely counts as big), it was not easy for either my mother or father. Just putting food on the table, clothing and educating us was a challenge in itself. Times were hard but looking back, I have incredible memories of the simplest things making us happy.

With Allan and Aimee, things were much easier on the material side. But we all know that material things count for nought when it comes to moulding children in decent young people.

While we may have given them some guidance, rules, limits as well as hugs, cuddles and love as they were growing up, I know that who they are today stems from what they were and are inside. Lucky me.

Nowadays, there are so many help avenues available to parents along every step of the way.

There are counselling centres, self-help groups, websites as well as books galore on parenting.

The Mumsnet Rules is one such gem. This "survival guide" is filled with (according to UK celebrity Davina McCall) non-judgmental golden nuggets to empower us while making us smile.

The Mumsnet Rules is the book parents everywhere have been crying out for - provocative, funny, indispensable, inimitable, and a triumph of commonsense over hysteria.

The Mumsnet rule app is available free for iPhones and Android. Also, be sure to visit mumsnet.com on Facebook or www.mumsnet.com

Hats off to Justine Roberts, founder of mumsnet.

'Blackberry Brand Engagement'

I'm sitting in a cafe in Bangkok. I'm standing in the Skytrain. I'm just one of thousands in a mall. And every other man and his dog (correction: young girls, business types, nerds and hunks, as well as chunks) has his (her) eyes glued to a BB. A BB Torch; a BB Curve; a BB Bold

Conversations have been known to centre on where they got theirs from, oohs and aahs over the latest model and all its accompanying apps, and short bursts of silence as everyone reads the latest Tweet or whatever from a mate.

I must admit that when it comes to stuff like this, I'm about three steps behind the rest. It's not that I don't like snazzy-looking gadgets but eight-ninths of the time, I don't even scroll through the apps on my very modest phone.

But that has all changed. I now have my very own BB, courtesy of my son, Allan. Watch out BB people, here I come.

'Determined to give you expert advice.'

What every investor, renovator, first-home buyer and young couple embarking on a journey of a lifetime needs ... helpful advice and tips on putting their money where it will reap the most rewards, turning a house into a home or buying their dream home ...

Whether you are a potential property investor, first-home buyer or would-be renovator, this Commonwealth Bank-sponsored series of videos gives you loads of helpful tips and advice from people in the know.

Here, you will meet Michael who is thinking of investing in property, Nathan who must be quite excited about the thought of owning his first home and Naomi who wants to renovate. The experts range from a money magazine editor to a real estate agent to a mobile lender to a property investment solicitor to a builder and more.

Of course, each and every case is different so it is always best to carefully consider one's own circumstances and if in doubt, seek expert advice from a neutral party.

'Heineken The Date'

One of my favourite memories of my early days in Bangkok was sipping on a cold beer on a warm day in the family room, watching Allan and Aimee (then just ankle-biters) play. Beer never tasted so good.

It is no longer my favourite drink but I still enjoy downing one in a pub, by the beach or on a hot day.

Beer ads range from corny to slick and I have to say that Heineken's new ad, The Date, is slick and stylish. Second in the Open Your World campaign from Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam, it features the 'Heineken legend' (Guillaume Dolmans)showing off to his date (Samantha Rex, lead sing of The Attic Ends.

In between his antics in the kitchen of an Asian restaurant, we're treated to clips from inside the restaurant where a band has the crowd rockin' rollin' n jivin'.

Lots of Chinese in the ad, LA-stype showgirls, a Heineken "magic trick" and (almost) something of everything but funnily enough, it is a popular 1960s Indian song, "Jaan Pehechan Ho", that has the crowd dance dance dancing away.

It's fast-paced, cleverly choreographed and definitely entertaining. And, of course, the beer is great.

'Heineken The Date'

One of my favourite memories of my early days in Bangkok was sipping on a cold beer on a warm day in the family room, watching Allan and Aimee (then just ankle-biters) play. Beer never tasted so good.

It is no longer my favourite drink but I still enjoy downing one in a pub, by the beach or on a hot day.

Beer ads range from corny to slick and I have to say that Heineken's new ad, The Date, is slick and stylish. Second in the Open Your World campaign from Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam, it features the 'Heineken legend' (Guillaume Dolmans)showing off to his date (Samantha Rex, lead sing of The Attic Ends.

In between his antics in the kitchen of an Asian restaurant, we're treated to clips from inside the restaurant where a band has the crowd rockin' rollin' n jivin'.

Lots of Chinese in the ad, LA-stype showgirls, a Heineken "magic trick" and (almost) something of everything but funnily enough, it is a popular 1960s Indian song, "Jaan Pehechan Ho", that has the crowd dance dance dancing away.

It's fast-paced, cleverly choreographed and definitely entertaining. And, of course, the beer is great.

'Couple reveals surprising cause of domestic disharmony '

I love it.

In typical English fashion, the double entendre (the English are the masters of it) is so well done. It kicks off thus:

Says he: she always wants to do it in the evening... at night. I'd prefer it if we did it in the mornin'.

She: But we don't have time in the mornin'...... He thinks I'm barmy coz I always like to finish up with ..... spoons.

She: So, what.....

He: Well, it just takes longer.

And on it goes ....

She: What is wrong with doing it straight after Sunday lunch.... nobody bothering us, no work to go to....

There is role playing, she finally having to finish it off herself (because he does such a bad job of it) and ending up with her bent over the sink!!!!

Laughter will be forthcoming even if you promise yourself otherwise.

And the punchline? The root causes of domestic disagreements are not always what you'd expect.

This is a great campaign.

C'mon, if you are in Britain, this is your chance to win a dishwasher every week. Just click on the link.

'St George Bank: Home Loans'

St George Bank has come up with a pretty good campaign to promote its home loans division.

Making good use of local experts, they're giving people interested in property (whether as a family home or an investment) a snapshot of various people-friendly areas, including helpful information on how things have been moving i.e. buying/selling/auction clearance rates, etc and what makes these areas tick.

In this clip, property reporter Biance Hartge explores the multicultural mecca of Hurstsville, in Sydney's south with the help Domenic Papaluca of St George Bank.

Hmmmm, have to check out whether they have done this for Perth. Aimee will be interested, I am sure.

'Whatever It Takes! Hilarious new web series'

How far have you gone - or would you go - to get what you want?

“Whatever it takes”, a hilarious new web series, shows you how far a bloke would go to get a telly in the bedroom, for example.

The series, sponsored by Haier UK(a white goods brand) is full of typical English humour and also offers viewers a chance to win some big prizes by playing the game. Simply like the Haier UK Facebook page and for the prizes, play the game!

'Blackberry Brand Engagement'

I'm sitting in a cafe in Bangkok. I'm standing in the Skytrain. I'm just one of thousands in a mall. And every other man and his dog (correction: young girls, business types, nerds and hunks, as well as chunks) has his (her) eyes glued to a BB. A BB Torch; a BB Curve; a BB Bold

Conversations have been known to centre on where they got theirs from, oohs and aahs over the latest model and all its accompanying apps, and short bursts of silence as everyone reads the latest Tweet or whatever from a mate.

I must admit that when it comes to stuff like this, I'm about three steps behind the rest. It's not that I don't like snazzy-looking gadgets but eight-ninths of the time, I don't even scroll through the apps on my very modest phone.

But that has all changed. I now have my very own BB, courtesy of my son, Allan. Watch out BB people, here I come.

'Inspired to Perform - Team GB by adidas by Stella McCartney'

I wonder whether Stella McCartney, as a little girl, ever dreamt that one day she would be known the world over not only as the daughter of her famous Beatle dad but as a leading young designer?

Or become a leading young designer who would join forces with a sportswear giant to create a "performance range that was both functional and luxurious"?

In a space of only a few years, this clever cookie's brand of style has given Adidas a range of contemporary activewear collections covering running, yoga and tennis outfits.

Well, now she has added another feather in her Adidas cap, by designing the Adidas Team GB collection.

According to Adidas, McCartney's appointment as Creative Director for Team GB "was with the vision to produce an inspirational range of products that unites the nation. The collaboration brings together the sporting technology and innovation that only adidas can bring with the unique style and creative direction of Stella McCartney".

"This limited edition lifestyle collection is inspired by Team GB athletes and by an array of Olympic Sports including Running, Sailing and Boxing. There is also a gold story running through the collection with foil print appearing across tanks, tees, hoodies and accessories."

You can discover, and purchase, any of the Team GB outfits by clicking the hotspot areas as they appear throughout the film.

It is a pretty impressive clip, definitely worth watching.

And yes, McCartney still comes up with her own fantastic non-sporty "feminine, delicate, romantic yet chic and rocker influenced designs".

'The Jammie Dodger monkey dance-off'

Have you ever treated your tastebuds to a Jammie Dodger?

If you haven't, then you are definitely missing something.

These shortbread biscuits with jam, toffee and choc flavours are a treat.

So, how do you promote them?

Make monkeys of them, of course.

So, come on, watch the Jammie Dodger monkeys - Jammie, Toffee and Choccie - doing their thing in their down time during the launch of their new biscuit.

Jammie Dodgers aren't the only yummy edibles produced by Burton Foods (a bit of trivia - according to Wikipedia, Jammie Dodgers are produced in their factory in Cwmbran - try pronouncing that!!). They also make Cadbury chocolates, Cadbury Fingers & Digestives, Wagon Wheels, and a couple more I've not had the pleasure of sampling.

But if you want more monkey mischief, get stuck into it on the YouTube channel.

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil. Just jam the night away as you get stuck into those Dodgers.

'AEG Grassroots Rugby Campaign Video'

Sport is always great publicity... which is why the big guns are happy to pump big bucks into campaigns, national and international.

Take this AEG campaign for example.

England rugby legends Will Greenwood & Austin Healey lend their speaking talents to AEG's latest campaign aimed apparently at rugby buffs and mums!

The AEG Ultimate Kit & Laundry Package is there for the taking by 50 grassroots rugby teams in the UK.

Not only that, if you enter the competition (open to all clubs and schools in Britain with under-16 teams) to win one of 50 Samurai rugby kit packages and a top-of-the-range AEG washer & dryer, your mob could be in the running to claim the ultimate prize - to train with Martin Johnson's England team! Now, fancy that!

Lots of prizes to be won but the one every family would covet would have to be the all-expenses paid trip for the gang to the five-star ForteVillage in Sardinia!!!

In the meantime, you have a chance to upload a picture of your team looking scruffy and muddy on the pitch to the AEG Grassroots Facebook page!!

Have fun!

'Range Rover Evoque - Being Henry'

BEING HENRY - the latest offering from the Range Rover Evoque Pulse of the City project - is Land Rover's first ever fully interactive online film.

It is an interactive Hollywood-inspired action-love-fantasy-comedy-adventure about choices; there are nine different storylines and 32 different endings. Phew.

The story begins with our hero Henry, played by Leo Fitzpatrick from "The Wire", who is an everyman-type character forced to make various decisions during his journey that lead him into all kinds of different realities.

It is quite cleverly done with the viewer being presented with a number of life changing choices. "Will they choose to shoot rats with Granny? Or lead Henry to be kidnapped then tortured with a harpoon gun? Cleverly, the film takes the choices that the consumer makes on behalf of Henry and translates them seamlessly into their perfect Evoque. Through subtle colour, situational and emotional references the film effectively takes elements of the consumer's personality and uses them to present them with their fully personalised car."

To quote the director, "creative interactivity is the future of really engaging with and respecting consumers".

Watch the clip and see whether you agree. Also, where will you end up?

By the way, Range Rover buffs will be pleased to know that the Evoque offers more personalisation choices than any other Land Rover. Way to go.

'New 5X Mutant Gum'

Are you one of those moviegoers who just cannot get enough of the X-Men? Or perhaps (like me) just Hugh Jackman?

Well, you are going to love X-Men First Class (minus Jackman), shot in England and parts of the U.S., which charts the beginning of the mutant saga and also portrays younger versions of Marvel characters.

To view the trailer, simply visit www.x-menfirstclassmovie.com

However, you can be part of the First Class, too - in a sense.

Courtesy of Wrigley's new 5X Gum, you can discover your mutant power and create your very own mutant.

How? Just go to http://www.5xmutantgum.com/

Already, more than 6,700 mutants have been created. Are you game to join the clan?

'Watsky's G.O.A.T speed rap with special guest performance!'

If you did not know, George Watsky is this young poet and rapper from San Fransisco known for his speedy flow.

Well, Samsung decided to make the most of Watsky's pretty amazing talent by getting him to guide viewers through the features of their zippy compact SH100 digital camera.

It is without a doubt the world’s fastest HOW-TO GUIDE! So, you really have to listen carefully as this pale kid with a trigger-happy rap delivers all the features the pretty cool SH100 has to offer!

Wow, looks like those appearances on the Ellen Degeneres show are paying off.

'Woodland Bluebells'

This is blooming marvellous ....

Do you remember the days when you used to play in a nearby wood, or scrubland, creating your own make-believe world of fairies and elves and other magical beings?

I do. More than two score years ago, with a cousin several times removed, I used to climb nearby "hills" looking in nooks and crannies for "little folk" because I truly believed in them.

Peter was my knight in shining armour, battling dragons and other monsters. Those days are long gone, and Peter and I lost touch in later years but some memories, although faded, linger.

I used to love Enid Blyton's books and many years later plunged myself into the fantasy worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien, Raymond Feist, David Eddings, Eric Lustbader et al.

Growing up in Singapore, I never had the pleasure of wading knee deep in a field of bluebells or lying on a woodland carpet to gaze through mighty oaks and elms at sunbeams or a star-strewn sky.

Those of you in cooler climes and countries like England, well, if you have never done so, you should be ashamed of yourselves, especially with the abundance of nature's gifts at springtime.

So, whatever you may have planned this spring, make a date in your nearest bluebell woodland - with your family, your children, your friends or maybe just a cousin to relive figments of your childhood imagination.

In a bluebell wood, beauty is actually knee deep ...

You can download your bluebell guide simply by clicking on the video or to find your nearest bluebell wood simply enter your postcode on the link.

Go on ... you may even find an elf or two....


** This is a sponsored post.

For a magical encounter, watch the clip and click on the link woods.org.uk

'Thank You from Winalot'

Certainly would not consider meself a dog person but you would not think so, if you've had the misfortune to see me out and about for the past nearly three months.

Like clockwork at about eightish every morning, together with the most adorable toy poodle that answers to the name Peanut, I'm pounding the pavements along the Palm Jumeirah (in Dubai, of course).

Peanut never fails to amuse - like the ever-ready bunny, he's champing at the leash to prove his doghood the minute he spies another canine, big or really tiny. It lasts all of a minute at most because he does a runner as soon as he throws down the gauntlett. Even the rustle of a plastic bag can make him jump!

Well, so much for Peanut.

Here, we have all manner of dogs doing quite a lot to a delightful ditty (well, it almost could be sung) or dotty rhyme .... I especially adore the bassett at sea, ears flapping and all.

Courtesy of Purina, it's a special thank you from Winalot for dogs we love a lot!

If you're in the UK, make sure you enter the draw for the 250 pounds weekly prize by clicking on the link.

'Continental Safety'

An ad about tyres ...

Most men can spend ages just checking out any and every thing cars or have their eyes glued to the box if a motor show, rally or race is on.

OK, we women do the same but for girlier things of course and, anyway, what's hot and what's not, celebrity buzz and Gossip Girl (not MY cup of tea) ARE much more fun than, say, tyre talk. Right?

Well, this Continental ad has you, the woman, the wife, the mother, in mind. So, check it out....

'The Red Bull ads you won't see on TV'

I had Red Bull once, albeit not knowingly.

It was at a party in Dubai a year or so ago and some young man was kind enough to make me a drink.

It had me reeling and I don't reel easily from a mere two or three shots of vodka. The happy-go-lucky lad - himself quite juiced - had made me a half and half. Half a glass of vodka and half a glass of Red Bull. I could have flown all night!

Remember the weird and (some say) wonderful TV ads created by the crew over at Red Bull over the years?

The one where a man flies up and let's a bird have it from above definitely comes to mind.

To quote Unruly Media, "not surprisingly some of those ads have drawn a lot of complaints and had to be pulled down! For a very limited time we got the opportunity to snatch these off, which people have referred to as: 'disgusting', 'repulsive', 'should be banned' ads... so enjoy! And pass the word around..."

Of course we will ..... when pigs fly.

Twitter - @redbullAUS
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/redbull
URL - http://redbull.com.au

'No to AV'

On May 5, Britons vote in the AV referendum. According to news reports, tensions have been boiling over on both sides of the controversial issue.

Many say that Alternative Voting "is a divergence from the British electoral system that has served" the nation and claim that it is unfair because the person who comes in third can actually win.

So, if you are British and not sure about how to vote in the AV referendum, you really should watch this clip, sponsored by the Conservative Party, to see how AV works and why you should vote ‘No’.

'Extreme Unboxing of the Samsung GALAXY SII – Stunt Flight'

Matt Brian from Thenextweb.com swaps (as he says) the dull interior of his office for the sunny climes (England apparently has these... sometimes) of Gloucestershire to unbox the new Samsung GALAXY SII airborne in a fast-flying stunt plane.

They take off in a vertical up Immelmann (turn) with a Roll-off-the-top (half loop, according to Wikipedia).

In between stunts, Brian does manage to tell us about the features (which we know almost by heart now!) - thinnest smart phone on the market at the moment, surprisingly light to hold (battery, included), ultimately very powerful etc etc.

As the plane skims the clouds, Brian waxes lyrical about Samsung's superior quality hardware... only to be interrupted and utter "oh my word" (so English, hey...) as the plane does a half roll to inverted and he is hanging upside down!

She then goes into an erect spin, vertical up and flat spin, pulling +7G (poor fellow cannot quite remember what he has to do next!).

The stall turn stops the plane mid-air (for half a blink of an eye) before it leaves smoke trails. I think there is a swear word in there somewhere but it seems to be beeped out and this (intrepid??) flyer is left speechless as the pilot takes his baby on what appears to be a non-stop whirl.

I love it. Brian just pulls himself together and gives the phone his all in the last few seconds (although I can swear he is doing all he can not to barf).

Back on terra firma at last. Poor Brian.

'Extreme Unboxing of the Samsung GALAXY SII – Speedboat '

Meet Gareth Beavis, from Techradar.com - which offers the latest technology news/reviews of computing, home entertainment systems, gadgets and more - who takes on Samsung's invitation to do an extreme unboxing of the new Samsung Galaxy SII while travelling at high speeds on a sunny day (unusual in itself??) along the River Thames.

Beavis agrees that the SII is definitely ne of the first dual phones with the best screens just before he tries out the gadget's excellent phone video by taking in views of the concrete jungle along the banks. Of course, the SII also has WiFi, bluetooth etc etc etc.

I must say Samsung has definitely hit all the right keys with its Extreme Unboxing campaign and it seems the opportunities are endless and each clip as entertaining, if not more, than the previous one.

I've yet to decide which one I like best as there are more!!!!!

Good on ya, Samsung.

'Extreme Unboxing of the Samsung GALAXY SII – Mountain Climbing '

Hanging off a mountain, another adventure seeker cum phone buff unboxes the new Samsung Galaxy SII.

Basil Knorfli, from Phonarena.com (a website for new phone information) goes through a very detailed presentation of the smart phone. He even takes a photo of the harness that is holding him up "for dear life" .

Of course, he does not drop the phone, which is pretty incredible in itself as he juggles everything while still managing to work the phone's features for all of the five minutes of his delivery.

Well done Basil ....

'Extreme Unboxing of the Samsung GALAXY SII – Skydiving'

Yet another extreme unboxing from Samsung and they just keep getting better.

Intrepid Dan Sung, from Pocket-lint.co.uk (an independent consumer tech and gadgets site in the UK) unboxes the new Samsung GALAXY SII whilst skydiving.

Of course, there are subtitles as you can barely hear what he has to say as he tries to make his delivery of Samsung's latest highend smart phone's features from that altitude.

Dan, you must be congratulated for not dropping the darn thing, much less throwing up from up there.

And Samsung, you've done it again.

'Watsky's G.O.A.T speed rap with special guest performance!'

If you did not know, George Watsky is this young poet and rapper from San Fransisco known for his speedy flow.

Well, Samsung decided to make the most of Watsky's pretty amazing talent by getting him to guide viewers through the features of their zippy compact SH100 digital camera.

It is without a doubt the world’s fastest HOW-TO GUIDE! So, you really have to listen carefully as this pale kid with a trigger-happy rap delivers all the features the pretty cool SH100 has to offer!

Wow, looks like those appearances on the Ellen Degeneres show are paying off.

'The King's Speech'

No, no, this is not that wonderful Colin Firth in the Oscar winning film of the same name. Oooh, I love Colin Firth, great actor in every role he's played.

Instead, it is (I suppose) a parody of sorts.

Killa Kela, English multivocalist and an amazing human beat box, together with Stig of The Dump and Friends sends a message to Prince William and Kate Middleton -- it is appropriately a message to the betrothed pair from a council estate to the Royal estate.

Killa Kela gets the beat going, with the wedding march, horsey sound effects and a snatch from God Save the Queen (I think). A little bit of rap with Stig of The Dump taking a poke at the pair ("congratulations to Wil-li-am but more so to Kate coz you'll be marrying into mil-li-ons), and bonny Prince Charley ("hi ladies.... do you have my space).

Definitely worth a watch, giving the fairytale a common touch. And of course, they will celebrate because they've got the day off work.

Directed by Josh Colem sponsored by Grey London Films and distributed by Unruly Media

'Your Delft blue portrait on a real KLM plane!'

KLM, Royal Dutch Airlines, and Delft blue tiles, used for centuries to decorate homes, are as Dutch as they come.

Now the Dutch airline is having some fun with Delft in its innovative Tile & Inspire campaign.

They are inviting you to join in the fun by giving your profile picture the Delft blue treatment. Then simply add an inspirational saying, share the fun with your friends and join the contest.

Visit www.tileyourself.com for details.


If you can capture the hearts and minds of the KLM family, you may get your Delft blur portrait on a real KLM plane to make inspirational journeys around the world!

How cool is that?

So, get your creative juices flowing and aim to inspire.

'How to get rid of and protect against pests '

Ants, spiders, cockroaches, wasps .... ughh.

Pests make you sick, even the little itsy-bitsy benign-looking ants can spread disease and contaminate food (they carry samonella, strep and staph).

Cockroaches transmit dysentery, hepatitis and e coli.

Some problem areas can be easily addressed. For example:

* Seal pipes under your sinks with silicone (I learnt today that all it takes for a cockroach to enter a home is 1/16 of an inch!!!).
* Protect your exterior vents, drains etc properly.
* Look for damage to columns, and
* Avoid clutter near doors.

Stop these darn things from getting in because once they're in, your home becomes their home.

Watch this video and learn how you can have protection, satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.

Protect your home from 33 infectious diseases with Terminix's quarterly pest control plan. Schedule a FREE evaluation today.

'How to get rid of and protect against termites'

Driving down any road in Bangkok, one will notice the countless signs advertising termite inspections. In Australia, yearly termite inspections are essential and protective measures are nothing to be sniffed at or ignored.

In this video, we are told that one in 30 homes in the United States is infected and that the average cost of actually remedying the problem is more than $8,000.

So, the wise thing to do is actually have an inspection first and if you are lucky enough not to have a termite problem, seriously consider regular inspections built into a policy that would exterminate those darned pests should they ever come visiting.

This video is so helpful because it gives you great tips to help protect your home, such as:

* Avoid having woodpiles near the home or heavy vegetation close to the house that keeps you from seeing signs of infestation,
* Seal cracks in the foundation and gaps around any exterior plumbing, and * Take care of any water rot (food and drink for termites).

You also get tips on what to look for to determine if you do have termites.

So, don't take a financial risk with your home, protect yourself against the costly threat of termites. Schedule a No-Obligation Termite Inspection today and seriously consider termite protection policy.

Peace of mind, that's what you want.

'DDIY: The Thong Hotspot.'

The thong (and I am talking about the rubber slipper, not the g-string) has really only one use : slip on a pair especially during summer, to go about anywhere (except to some posh do or lunch at the country club).
.
But one Aussie bloke has found a cool alternative (or would it be dual) use for the simple thong - and it is perfect for peeps who would prefer not to have to actually carry their prepaid thingamajig everywhere they go.

This innovative Aussie says you can transform your rubber slipper, or thong, into a mobile hotspot, which means that you will always be connected (at high speed) anywhere anytime this summer - be it at the beach, a barbecue or a lazy afternoon by the pool.

All you will need is one side of a pair of thongs (although you will still need the other side to walk about), a Telstra pre-paid mobile Wi-Fi device and a box cutter. Watch the video to see how our Aussie "inventor" goes about doing it. Really cool.

And this young chappie has big plans, a real golden goose of a Wi-fi hotspot idea based solely on the thong.

Go on, check out this video.

Warning: This is strictly for fun because a mobile Wi-Fi should never be used in a thong .... of any kind.

** This is a sponsored post.

DDIY: The Thong Hotspot

The thong (and I am talking about the rubber slipper, not the g-string) has really only one use : slip a pair on, especially during summer, to go about anywhere (except to some posh do or lunch at the country club).
.
But one Aussie bloke has found a cool alternative (or would it be dual) use for the simple thong - and it is perfect for peeps who would prefer not to have to actually carry their prepaid thingamajig every where they go.

This innovative Aussie says you can transform your rubber slipper, or thong, into a mobile hotspot, which means that you will always be connected (at high speed) anywhere anytime this summer - be it at the beach, a barbecue or a lazy afternoon by the pool.

All you will need is one side of a pair of thongs (although you will still need the other side), a Wi-Fi prepaid hotspot device and a cutter.

And our Aussie "inventor" has big plans, a real golden goose of an idea.
Go on, check out this video by going to http://console.unrulymedia.com/content/video/6532

Warning: This is strictly for fun because a mobile Wi-Fi should never be used in a thong .... of any kind.

** This is a sponsored post.

'Extreme Unboxing of the Samsung GALAXY SII – Rollercoaster'

LOL. Little did I know that when I watched Chris Davies unbox the latest Samsung smartphone in a 300bhp rally car going at a god-almighty speed and likened it to a rollercoaster ride, well, Samsung had actually done that too!

In yet another extreme unboxing, Gerald Lynch from techdigest.tv accepted Samsung's invitation to unbox the new Samsung GALAXY SII while on a moving rollercoaster at Fantasy Island, a themed resort near Skegness. What a hoot!

After all, techdigest.tv is right - who wants to watch someone, celebrity or otherwise, in an unboxing video. It's really just blah blah blah.

An extreme unboxing, however, is quite another thing. You're just waiting for Lynch to drop the darn thing as he tries to concentrate on delivering the phone's fancy features while his tummy must be telling his brain to do something else extreme.

He reckons he cannot think of a more perfect place to show off the phone - a fast ride for a fast phone.

It really is a hoot.


** This is a sponsored post.

'Extreme Unboxing of the Samsung GALAXY SII – Rally Car'

On the cyber superhighway, the race to launch must-have laptops, notepads, ipads, tabs, smart phones is never-ending.

As soon as you get one gadget that seems to leave the rest in the shade, another fancy gizmo pops up.

I really liked the Samsung Galaxy tab, as well as my daughter's iPad and quite a few others.

When it comes to smart phones, well there are really so many.

To launch its latest model, the Galaxy S II, Samsung went extreme.

They invited Chris Davies from Slashgear.com to do an Extreme Unboxing --- so go ahead and watch as Davies does just that, unboxing the new Samsung GALAXY SII - the sequel to Samsung Galaxy S - at top speed in a rally car.

For more than two minutes, watch as Davies goes through the features of the device - that is larger than its predecessor but weighs less than an iPhone 4 - as the 300bhp car takes him on a roller-coaster ride on dirt roads.

According to Davies' post on slashgear.com:

"Powerful phone, powerful car, one very nervous SlashGear writer. Last week I headed out to mid-Wales and the Phil Price Rally School to be very tightly strapped into a Subaru Impreza and hurled – sideways, some of the time – around a forest gravel rally stage, all the time trying to remember everything I could about the Galaxy S II and trying not to lose my lunch.

"A couple of stats, just for fun. The rally stage is around two miles long, and Phil – getting no small amount of pleasure in listening to me squeak – took on average 1 minute 52 seconds to go round it. That’s from a standing start, and hitting up to 120mph on the few straight sections of the track. We’re not talking crisp, smooth asphalt here either: it’s crunchy, bouncy, skid-friendly grit, reaching up to the edges of some particularly steep drops.

“Phil’s only rolled the car a few times” they told me, unfortunately when I’d already been locked into place with a four-point seatbelt that, hopefully, would keep me dangling safely inside the roll-cage (the latter presenting a couple of useful places for the crew to fix 720p cameras). The fact that a huge tank of compressed gas – the fuel of choice – was right behind me was something I chose to ignore.

"You can judge for yourself how well the Samsung Galaxy S II unboxing went in the video below. Needless to say, the box and all of the accessories went quickly shooting over my shoulder, as I tried desperately to cling to one of the very few units in the UK so far. At one point I managed to shoot some video of us in motion, using the Samsung’s 1080p HD video camera, but all you could really see afterwards was bouncing Welsh hills overlaid with the sound of a bouncing SlashGear writer."

Good stuff.

**This is a sponsored post.

"No to AV"

On May 5, Britons will vote in the AV referendum. According to news reports, tensions have been boiling over on both sides of the controversial issue.

Many say that Alternative Voting "is a divergence from the British electoral system that has served" the nation and claim that it is unfair because the person who comes in third can actually win.

So, if you are British and not sure about how to vote in the AV referendum, you really should watch this clip, sponsored by the Conservative Party, to see how AV works and why you should vote ‘No’.

** This is a sponsored post.

'Woodland Bluebells'

This is blooming marvellous ....

Do you remember the days when you used to play in a nearby wood, or scrubland, creating your own make-believe world of fairies and elves and other magical beings?

I do. More than two score years ago, with a cousin several times removed, I used to climb nearby "hills" looking in nooks and crannies for "little folk" because I truly believed in them.

Peter was my knight in shining armour, battling dragons and other monsters. Those days are long gone, and Peter and I lost touch in later years but some memories, although faded, linger.

I used to love Enid Blyton's books and many years later plunged myself into the fantasy worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien, Raymond Feist, David Eddings, Eric Lustbader et al.

Growing up in Singapore, I never had the pleasure of wading knee deep in a field of bluebells or lying on a woodland carpet to gaze through mighty oaks and elms at sunbeams or a star-strewn sky.

Those of you in cooler climes and countries like England, well, if you have never done so, you should be ashamed of yourselves, especially with the abundance of nature's gifts at springtime.

So, whatever you may have planned this spring, make a date in your nearest bluebell woodland - with your family, your children, your friends or maybe just a cousin to relive figments of your childhood imagination.

In a bluebell wood, beauty is actually knee deep ...

You can download your bluebell guide simply by clicking on the video or to find your nearest bluebell wood simply enter your postcode on the link.

Go on ... you may even find an elf or two....


** This is a sponsored post.

For a magical encounter, visit woods.org.uk

'Harley Davidson Blackline'

It is a pretty spunky big boys' toy ....

And a lucky big boy could win a $10,000 Harley hospitality experience at the 2011 Australian MotoGP simpy by test-driving the latest Harley cruiser - the Blackline - or any other Harley Soft-tail.

Fans of classic bikes will agree that it is a cool-looking bike that will appeal to Harley riders. It definitely qualifies as a chick magnet.

So get in there and "test ride your new life".

** This is a sponsored post.

'Get More with Contiki'

Young people and their holidays of a lifetime....

In Australia, it is almost a rite of passage - finish studies and see as much of the world or part of it far away from home before coming back to reality, building a life at home and joining the worker bees.

Many simply buy a ticket to England, which is their stepping stone to so many wonderful European cities and towns. They get a job and cram as much travel etc into their gap year.

Others take the safer route and get an expert to suggest how they can make the best of their budget and time.

Many have used Contiki especially for shorter breaks and keep going back to the "experts in travel for 18-35s".

Their Europe tours sound absolutely fabulous, soaking in all the rich culture and letting one experience a little bit of what makes each city tick.

So, if you really really want to go, just check out Contiki first.


** This is a sponsored post.

Memories are made of this ... and this .... and this ....

What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Frogs and snails
And puppy-dogs' tails ...

Cannot quite remember anything to do with frogs and snails (thank goodness) but puppy-dogs??? Yes.

Standing outside a now-closed Metro department store a hop skip and jump away from Orchard Road, opposite Far East Plaza In Singapore.

Mum, Violet (one of my BFFs) and I were out to lunch and a spot of shopping. As we entered the store, I noticed that Allan, then about three or so, had wandered off.

A mite frantic, we went in different directions to find him. We did, just seconds later.... hugging the ceramic RSPCA donation-collection dog at the store's entrance. And he wanted to take the doggie home.

Allan displayed his dogged determination and sense of pride even at that young age. Just before leaving our then home in Bangkok, I took him aside and told him that when we got to Singapore to see his Khun Yai (maternal grandma in Thai), and all his other relatives, he would have to speak English because they could not speak Thai.

Yes, yes, said my little boy, I will.

Not two hours after arriving at my parents' home, he came strutting out of the bedroom, backpack and all, and marched out of the flat.

I found him hands behind his back, with his back to the wall in the corridor and tears rolling down his cheeks.

What's the matter?

"No one wants to talk to me."

Well, I told you in Bangkok that you have to speak English because they cannot speak Thai.

He turned to me with a disdainful look and stated: "I am Thai. I do NOT speak English."

I scooped him up, gave him one of his favourite cuddles and took him inside.

The moment passed but that memory is stored for time immemorial in that part of my brain reserved solely for my children.

The stories are countless, the memories priceless.

Aimee's Dream Day

How long have I dreamed of this day? I cannot recall.

What I do recall is this beautiful girl child who just grabbed hold of my heart strings when she came into this world and, frankly, has never let go. Not all of my heart strings, though..... my son, Allan, took ownership of some 12 months before and he still has them.

She was entrancing. She had the most gorgeous eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows, chin, everything.

She was cheeky yet so polite; untidy yet (according to my friend) there must have been some method in her madness; pouted but only for a blink of an eye.

I remember the night I got home from work and somehow she looked odd as I gazed down at her sleeping form. (Both slept in our room even though each had their own bedroom - and I have never regretted that, in fact, cherished every moment.)

But it was late (my shift at the Bangkok Post newspaper ended about 1am and it must have been about 2) and all I wanted to do was shower and crawl into bed.

I walked into my bathroom, grabbed my toothbrush and then I saw it -- tiny bits of hair littered my sink, the shaver on the side had bits of hair in it.

Then it hit me.

I went over to Aimee and there it was for all the world - or just me at that moment - to see.

Aimee, the inquisitive, had trotted into my bathroom after being put to bed by my domestic helpers. She must have been so curious about that shaver or maybe just decided she did not like her lovely thick eyebrows or that lock of hair that fell so perfectly across her brow any more. So she shaved them off!

Oh yes, about that day I have been dreaming about. In about three months or 90 sleeps, whichever comes sooner, my Aimee will be walking down the aisle in a spectacular church in Bangkok to promise to spend the rest of her life with the man she loves. It will be followed by a reception to remember at the classic Sukhothai Hotel. It is the day she has been preparing for for ever so long.

It is the day I will have to give up that little minx who stole my heart nearly 30 years ago. But that is life - and that is the way it should be.

I love you Aimee.

'The T-Mobile Royal Wedding '

So, the world of royal watchers will come to a standstill later this month when Prince William marries his Kate. Souvenir shops throughout the UK will be flooded once again with every collectible imaginable of the pair.

I remember well his lovely mother's wedding day (so full of promise then) and the day the world lost her (so full of sadness and things that were not to be). I still have a little ceramic plate of Diana and her "Prince Charming". Sad but life does go on ... and we wish William and his bride-to-be all the happiness they deserve.

This rather irreverent but very watchable clip, sponsored by T-Mobile UK features a wedding entrance dance "to all wedding entrance dances".

This is T-Mobile's contribution to wedding celebrations and features a host of royal look-alikes shaking their booty to the House of Love from East 17!

Someone had to do it.

** This is a sponsored post.

Nokia X3-02 Touch and Type

Nokia does it again .... with the new X3, you can have it both ways.

Touch or type, you have the world at your fingertips, says Nokia.

It is a mite small so will appeal to those who don't want a bulkier mobile. But offers everything you want to stay in touch with friends, family and the world.

Looks like another must-have for mobile nuts, I mean Nokia fans.

** this is a sponsored post.

'Nouvelle pub Grimbergen' - "New Grimbergen Ad"

Even if you don't understand a word, it is a treat to watch.

This Flemish beer that can trace its roots to 1128, when it was brewed at an abbey built for a communal society that became noted for its hospitality and home-brewed beer, is quite something to write home about.

According to an online translation, the ad tells how "The phoenix has marked civilizations across the ages".

From the Persians who disputed its legendary longevity to the Greeks who worshipped its mythical regeneration to the Romans its infinite power, to the people who saw in it the promise of a new life.

Like the phoenix, the abbey of Grimbergen rose from the ashes of a terrible fire in 1142, from the ravages of the wars of religion in 1566 ...

According to Grimbergen, "The phoenix became our emblem, and our inspiration... Burnt, but not consumed. A beer with a unique character was born in our country and started a legendary saga".

Of course, you have to taste it to relive it.

"Op uw gezondheid"!


** This is a sponsored post.

'Lynx Excite Fallen Angels'

Got to give it to Lynx - they have even angels falling head over heels from heaven and it's all because of their latest scent dubbed Excite.

Their provocative new TV campaign, set to the music of the Fallen Angels version of Sexy Boys, shows folks in a European town whose day is pleasantly shattered as gorgeous angels fall from the sky in search of the adonis who has unwittingly lured them from the heavens with his new Lynx Excite. Halos come crashing to the ground when they do find him ...

Now you have a chance to choose your angel - just go to http://www.facebook.com/lynx.


** This is a sponsored post.

'King & Queen of Va Va Voom - Episode 7'

Prince William makes the va va voom show with 30 points after celebrating a stag do in style last week - the only thing was (according to host Chris Martin) every time he put a note into a stripper's g-string, he had his gran staring back at him disapprovingly.

Rebecca Black garners 40 va va voom points for recording an album and releasing her debut single "Friday" on itunes despite all the flak and despite having no discernible talents. Cruel.

On the bad news sides, Playboy supremo Hugh Hefner (already 84!!!) has been defending reports that his fiancee aged 24 has been getting some on the side.

On the streets, votes go to Robert Sheehan, Shakira, Lady Gaga, Rhianna, Mama Cass (rest her soul), Cary Grant (and his) etc etc.

Visit the Va Va Voom FB page and have your say, or see what others have to say as they post their nominations.

Anyway, this week's king and queen of va va voom are ..... oh go on and watch the clip, will you. thank you xxxx

Vive Le Va Va Voom is sponsored by Renault Clio.

** And this is a sponsored post.

'Poppy King Lipgloss ECLIPSE'

I love browsing in the Boots stores and even the ones in Dubai have a pretty good range of goodies.

Among my favourites are the Soap & Glory face and body care, and of course the No. 7 range, which is pretty darn good.

Well, I could have kicked myself recently because on earlier jaunts, I purchased a good supply of Soap & Glory because of the 3-for-2 offer. It was one of those can't-go-wrong buys.

Didn't think of replenishing my stock of No. 7 till recently. Darn it.... no more special offers!

Still had to get it though.

I am looking forward to sampling their new No. 7 lipsticks now - you know, the ones that Poppy King icollaborated on.

Of course, any girl who knows her lipsticks knows this Aussie girl who started her own cosmetics company in 1991 when she was only 18 and can claim to be a queen in the lipstick jungle.

Here, she talks about her collaboration with Boots No. 7 in a campaign called The Magic of Lipstick.

The range - in shades of red, rose, flirty pink, blackberry, subtle pinkish nude, nude for a warm glow and soft peach - carries such provocative names as History, Power, Glamour, Seduction, Intrigue, Confidence, Allure.

Paint your lips with Poppy's History and you will relive every siren's long love affair with this powerful show-stopper or perhaps you don't want to come across so strong. If so, flirt a little (or a lot) with the cheeky yet flattering Glamour, or say what you have to say in a whisper with Allure. If you feel poetic, Poppy recommends Power but if it's a touch of mystery you're after, then Seduction will invite yet intrigue.

The range, including lipglosses, is available only at Boots. Poppy has heaps to say about her gorgeous lipsticks in the No. 7 range, so visit her at boots.com

** This is a sponsored post.

The Making of a Cook Extraordinaire - Tsunamiaide

I've said it once (twice, thrice) and I will say it again ....

Aimee, my darling daughter with a heart of gold, never ceases to amaze me.

Tonight, in Perth, she will be hosting a dinner to raise money for Japan's tsunami victims.

In the great scheme of things, it (the proceeds) will be a drop in the ocean compared to what Japan will need to rebuild the ruined lives of countless people.

But that is not the point. What is is Aimee's incredible sense of compassion and empathy, her morale duty as a member of the world's community that makes it impossible for her to sit back, pretend that the everything is rosy and do nothing.

So, tonight, Aimee has gathered together close friends who will no doubt enjoy their dinner but have chosen to do so in the company of others who feel that every little contribution will count.

Aimee - and I have said this before - is a fabulous cook. So far away am I yet I can almost savour the wonderful aromas that must be wafting through the house as she works non-stop to create yet another meal to remember.

I am very proud of you Aimee. Never ever change.

PS: If you are planning a private dinner or a biggish event in Perth and would love the services of a caterer who cares about her cooking, contact Aimee or her mate, Felicity, at Flames Catering. Check out their FB page as well. Make sure you have a tissue handy as you will drool.

'Domestos Zero Limescale'

Hands up all those people who actually take the time to descale their kettle every so often ...

I'm a big fan of Domestos as a household cleaner - never without at least one big bottle in the bathroom in Perth where it works wonders in the sink, along the bathroom walls and toilets. Of course, we do try to be environmentally conscious, using as much green stuff as possible but sometimes stubborn soap scum needs a dash of Domestos.

No, we cannot use the household variety in our kettles to remove that flaky deposit caused (to quote dictionary.com) by the action of heat on water containing calcium salts.

But wait .... now there is Domestos Zero Limescale, which makes it ever so easy.

But before you try it, try finding the 10 germs hiding in limescale ...

Or maybe we'll just reach for zero limescale instead.

You can find it on your supermarket shelves in the UK but I wonder if this is now available in Australia? And I so wish they would introduce it to Bangkok.

** This is a sponsored post.

'The Toblerone Ritual'

Don't you just love Toblerone .... it must be one of the all-time chocolate favourites for chocophiles.

From those teeny bars to the Toblerone monsters, one would never have a problem spotting them in a chocolate jumble - at least I wouldn't.

Now, you (if you're in the UK, that is) have a chance to actually win a prize just by a show-and-tell on how you tackle this unusually shaped (yet so familiar) chocolate bar.

It could be almost as sacred as a tea ritual (or as comically sacrilegious as this skit) or downright sexy, depending on where, when and with whom you shared it. It could be comfort food savoured in bed when you're feeling sad and sorry for yourself, or it could be a family treat on a movie night in.

So get your creative juices flowing and then simply upload your video at http://www.Simmytoblerone.co.uk for a chance to win prizes.

P.S. I have it lying down.

*** This is a sponsored post.

'Range Rover - Pulse of the City Video'

My son's pride and joy (after his partner and his mamma... oh yes, and Peanut).... this Range Rover would get any 4WD lover's pulse racing.

What is the pulse of (y)our city and if you love your city, you would be able to feel it and even describe it?

What helps to shape it - is it sound, colour, movement like in dance, shapes - any or all of the above and of course not forgetting people.

Range Rover (my son's favourite car and he happens to be driving one right now) wants to bring your city to life through the people who make it amazing. From artists and designers, musicians and bloggers, even trapeze artists - they're calling any and every one (and I am sure that also includes, cooks, cleaners, teachers, techies, garbos, you name it, they want it) who help shape the cities they live in.

Does that also mean you? Get involved at helloevoque.com and be a part of the Pulse of the City project. Click on the link and be in the running for an iPad. I want one please!!!!!


** This is a sponsored post.

'King & Queen of Va Va Voom - Episode 6'

Snoop Dogg is, according to Chris Martin, host of the Va Va Voom show (sponsored by Renault Clio), is a huge fan of Coronation Street, watches it avidly and is even considering a guest appearance. Believe it not but the rapper scores 20 Va Va Voom points.

Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl, who raised eyebrows for refusing to let Glee cover the band's songs (he reportedly also said "I watched 10 minutes and it wasn't my thing" *shame shame*), scores 40 Va Va Voom points.

On the bad news (or should that be even better news) side, Martin says Katie Price (previously known as Jordan) is set to take part in a reality TV show in Argentina with new lover Leandro Penna. The ever-so-naughty Martin declares not only will it take Price off their screens and out of the country but will be great payback for "the hand of god".

On the streets, votes for the king and queen of va va voom go to John Bishop, Russell Crowe, David Mancuso, David Beckham and the yummy George Clooney; Megan Fox and Olivia Palermo, among others.

One online fan is all for Bruce Willis (the "king of diehard) and Nicole Scherzinger, the American singer, songwriter, dancer best known as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls.

But there can only be one king and queen each week .... and the honours go to (*drum roll*) ---- not telling you because you have to watch this but the chap who nominated them says they are like "a cup of tea laced with orgasm"!!!

The weekly competition closes on midnight Tuesday, and starts all over again at 6am on Wednesday.

'Campus | 5th April | Channel 4'

I love English sitcoms with their cheeky language and adult humour...

Campus, set to make Channel 4 in the UK its home from April 5, is the hotbed of academic mediocrity that is the fictional Kirke University.

According to The British Comedy Guide, the semi-improved sitcom - which piloted on the channel's Comedy Showcase in 2009 attracting bouquets reviews and a few brickbats with the mercurial yet stubby Vice Chancellor Jonty de Wolfefor describing Stephen Hawking as a "famously disabled spastic" in the first minute - has more than shades of hit comedy Green Wing.

To quote Alice Jones of The Independent (March 25, 2011), who says it succintly: "Not before time, the creator of Smack the Pony and Green Wing, Victoria Pile, is returning with a new comedy"... "Like Green Wing, the hour-long episodes have a surreal, stop-start momentum, a woozy soundtrack from Jonathan Whitehead and a familiar cast of characters: lecherous lecturer Matt Beer and bespectacled spod Imogen Moffatt are already set to be the show's Guy and Caroline. Watch out, too, for the administrative office, staffed by rising stars Sara Pascoe and Will Adamsdale."


** This is a sponsored post.