KEY POINTS:
Nom*D, Juliette Hogan and Crowded Elevator have designed special personalised MSN Messenger templates, which include backgrounds, display pics and smileys. And in return for their one-off design, each designer gets to donate $5000 to their charity of choice. Download the designs at www.msn.co.nz/designasmile.
Extreme makeover
Want to win a makeover worth $1250? Make a purchase at Stenbeck&Morse or Stephen Marr in September and you'll go in the draw to win a wardrobe from Julia Fong worth $1000 plus a Total Turnaround Treatment from Stephen Marr worth $250. Plus the designer is giving Viva readers the chance to win one of her cobalt blue silk multiwraps, worth $385. To enter, write your name, address, phone number and size preference on an envelope and send to Viva, NZ Herald, PO Box 3290, Auckland. Entries close September 10, winners announced September 17.
Shore thing
Repertoire is a newish and rather enticing clothes and giftware store in Takapuna which caters for the more mature dresser. Just in are the new spring collections. Repertoire also has plenty of gift ideas for all ages, from luxurious soaps to jewellery and homewares. We particularly liked the vintage-look decorative boxes of matches to light your candles in style.
Juliette's new baby
Juliette Hogan has added a new dimension to her brand - babywear. Juliette Hogan Baby is available exclusively from her Ponsonby Rd store, and at the moment there is a cute polka dot print sundress in store. The dress, made from 100 per cent natural fibres, is available in sizes from 0 to 12 months and is made from the same print as some of the key pieces in Hogan's mainline collection. It also comes in a sweet giftbox - a perfect present for fashionable expectant or new mums. $69 from Juliette Hogan, ph (09) 360 9347.
Karen's new fan
Attention The Hills fans: Lauren Conrad has been snapped wearing a pair of Karen Walker's Annie sunglasses. The reality TV star (and wannabe designer) has been seen out and about many times in Los Angeles wearing the oversized sunglasses. The good news is that the popular style, inspired by the film Annie Hall, has been reissued for spring/summer 08 in two new colours, tortoiseshell and cream/chocolate. Get a pair of your own from Karen Walker stores, $299.
Bye bye ladders
If you're not a fan of the grungy laddered stocking look that's big right now, try Voodoo's latest range, Ladder Control. The collection debuts this month, with clever technology to prevent the 12-denier stockings from snags. The stockings, which come in a range of styles, are priced from $17.95.
Shop for a good cause
What better incentive to shop? Dyrberg/Kern are celebrating the New Zealand launch of their Rendez-Vous collection by donating a pair of Thelma earrings, worth $79, to the Look Good Feel Better foundation for every purchase made between September 1 to 14. Look Good Feel Better is a charity that aims to help improve the quality of life of women with cancer by making them look good. So support a great cause by buying yourself a piece of Dyrberg/Kern jewellery, from Smith & Caughey's, Flying Saucers, Kirkcaldie and Stains and Quinns.