Retail therapy: Barbie girl

Just like fashion itself, Barbie is going back to basics. Photo / Supplied

Just like fashion itself, Barbie is going back to basics with a new collection that celebrates the power and sophistication of the Little Black Dress. The Barbie Basics doll line features 12 dolls in various LBD styles, each of which can be personalised and customised with accessories. As Karl Lagerfeld once said, "a woman never looks bad in a little black dress". Get playing now; dolls are $49.99 and accessory packs are $34.99.

Mama mia
Put the mama-to-be firmly in the Mother's Day picture with a special beauty treatment designed to relax her before she's swept off her feet by all things baby. East Day Spa is offering a special treatment that combines a gentle body massage to ease the pressures of pregnancy with a hydrating lip treatment guaranteed to bring a smile to her face. The 75-minute package costs $165.

There's also a mother and daughter treatment combining champagne, high tea and a manicure or pedicure, plus a gift for Mum, all for $205. East at SkyCity Grand also offers packages combining treatments with a trip up the SkyTower to Orbit restaurant. Check out the website, www.eastdayspa.co.nz.

Fashion exhibition
If you haven't already, we suggest you point those designer shoes of yours in the direction of Deus ex Machina, at 90 Wellesley St, and check out The Brief - an exhibition by some of New Zealand's leading fashion photographers which runs until May 9 before heading to Matakana Gallery and Design. From Russ Flatt's haunting girl with a moko to Carolyn Haslett's ethereal images of beauty's imperfections, the limited edition images are all for sale with funds raised going to Canteen. For more info go to www.the-brief.com

Tote Trelise
It's a crafty move, tempting us to buy a set of haircare products by offering a free bonus patchwork-look bag designed by Trelise Cooper. "It was a treat to indulge my inner bohemian while sifting through an eclectic array of beautiful florals and rich colours to create the perfect patchwork print," said Cooper. Her colourful carry-all is available while stocks last with the purchase of any three L'Oreal Professionel Serie Expert products. So you can get shampooed and styled and be in step with the folkloric influences behind L'Oreal's seasonal colour collections.

Added extra
Candle company Ecoya is selling its much hyped soy wax candles with the bonus of a velvet gift bag. They're the ones 42 Below's Geoff Ross is behind, even though this time the company is Australian-based. Like his vodka, the candles are an interesting mix, with full-on fragrances. Find them - and the drawstring bag - at Farmers stores.

Rainbow tongs
Ghds are going colour crazy, with limited edition versions of the popular hair irons going on sale next week in four hot fashion colours. The Colour Collection range is part of the buildup to new month's release of Sex and the City 2, for which the hair company has a commercial cinema advertising hookup. The theory is a Charlotte would choose tranquility with Blue Serenity, luxury for Carrie with Purple Indulgence, desire for Samantha with Red Lust or go all Miranda with Green with Envy. The special ghds cost $369 from salons, or for stockists call 0800 424 744 or see www.ghdhair.com.au.

Get entering
Entries for the Westfield Style Pasifika New Zealand Fashion Awards 2010 are now open. The competition aims to give new and emerging designers a platform to showcase garments inspired by Pasifika, and can include those with no previous design experience to more accomplished emerging designers. Finalists across 10 categories are given the chance to win up to $15,000 in prizes, as well as mentorships, professional photography and credentials for portfolios. This year's judges include fashion designers Denise L'Estrange-Corbet and Francis Hooper from World and Liz Mitchell. The show is set to take place at Auckland's Vector Arena on Friday September 3 (tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster).

To enter your creation into the awards, get an entry form from Westfield Malls, fashion, and textile design schools, or download one from www.stylepasifika.co.nz. Forms must be received by July 9, with garments to follow on July 29.

Paint it red
Botany Town Centre is hosting the "A Splash of Red" VIP night tomorrow evening, to help raise awareness about the risk of heart disease among Kiwi women, while supporting the National Heart Foundation. The centre will be alive from 6-10pm with a charity auction in support of the National Heart Foundation, live entertainment and free giveaways. Each person who makes a purchase on the night will go into the draw to win a $2000 shopping spree.

Shop it
WeSC, local footwear label Chaos & Harmony and Keep Shoes have joined forces and opened a pop-up shop in Takapuna until May 20. Samples and end of line stock are discounted up to half the normal retail price. Visit "The Last Place" store at 35 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna.

A Mother's Day option
If you have left your Mother's Day shopping to the last minute, www.optionsliving.co.nz could be your saviour. The website sells homewares, gifts, kitchenware, bathware and body products from brands like French Country and Citta - with free giftwrapping and delivery in New Zealand. They also try to get the product to you within 72 hours. Or if you're in Tauranga, visit Options Living's physical store in Bethlehem Town Centre.

Mummy dearest
If you're after glamorous maternity wear you can wear after baby is born, check out Stephanie Schell Maternity, available through online boutique Pregoli. The range is designed to be worn during pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond, with dresses, jackets and pants made from luxurious fabrics like pure silk, velvet and even with sequins. Visit the website for more, www.pregoli.co.nz.

Cute and cuddly
For the next two weeks, Bo Concept stores in Auckand and Wellington will donate $5 from each fluffy Citta Design toy purchased to PAW Justice. The organisation aims to help deal with problems of animal abuse and neglect. Visit www.pawjustice.co.nz for more information, and buy a Herringbone teddy for $24.90 or Red Crochet teddy for $43.90 and help cats and dogs in need.