Retail therapy: Shop till you drop

A new Levi's pop up store has opened on O'Connell St, Auckland. Photo / Supplied

New stores are popping up all over Auckland - Kathryn Wilson opened her shoebox shaped pop-up shop in Britomart on Saturday, with the entire spring/summer 2011 collection and styles exclusive to the store. Meanwhile Levi's has opened a pop-up shop just up the road, at 12 O'Connell St, featuring the latest men's summer range, and a new capsule collection of four modern fits, skinny, tapered, regular and straight.

Colour jock

Colour blocking is hot for summer, so get guys in on the action with bright underwear from Macpherson Men. Why be boring down below when you can be rainbow bright? Available in Euro and low-rise trunks, the underwear costs from $24.95 to $32.95 and is stocked in Bendon stores, at Farmers and speciality menswear retailers.

* For socks Viva likes the selection at Country Road, smart and muted enough for work but still in some interesting designs and colour ways.

Simply put

We are big fans of Margaret Howell's simple approach to design, so are excited that interiors e-store Everyday Needs is selling accessories and homewares from the British designer. Currently on the site are a beautiful Margaret Howell Anglepoise Type 75 lamp ($330), a reissue grey elm and European beech stacking chair in collaboration with Ercol ($795), a silk twill navy scarf ($185) and classic leather satchel ($1250).

Spa special

With a clientele that is 30 per cent male East Day Spa has developed special male treatments and is used to dealing with men's needs, be they for grooming (taming brows, nails or excess body hair) or relaxation. For the spa virgin, the Executive Foot Therapy Experience ($120 for 60 minutes) developed by a male therapist is recommended. There's no need to undress for this round of massage and reflexology. The Balinese Facial ($95 for 45 minutes) is another special treatment focusing on work-weary back and shoulders.

Style makeover

Nothing beats a little instant uplift and KMS California's Hair Play Dry Touch Up has proved the business backstage where the waterless product has helped revive dried, overworked hair without losing the previously created style. It's one of several new products included in a colourful relaunch for the KMS salon brand introduced to the industry and the public at Fashion Week. (Hair Play $32.50. For stockists ph 0800 562 465.)

Smooth mover

Viva is delighted to have two of the latest electronic tools from Remington to give away to one lucky reader. Keep him in trim with the Remington Diamond 360 Pivot & Flex Shaver (worth $249.95) and the Remington High Precision All-in-1 Rechargable Grooming System ($59.95). The shaver has three independent flexing heads and a multi-directional pivoting neck for a closer and cleaner shave. It also features an LCD display, 60 minutes of cordless shave time and a Pop Up Trimmer ideal for necklines, sideburns and moustaches. The grooming gadget has a titanium coating, self-sharpening blades that never need oiling, plus adjustable trimmers and combs as well as a linear nose, ear and eyebrow hair attachment to take care of every grooming need. Remington products, which also include a range of hair tools, are sold in leading electrical outlets.

Simply email your name, address and contact phone number to vipviva@nzherald.co.nz with Remington in the subject line. Entries close September 12. Winners announced September 14.