The EasyShare M853 is one of Kodak’s so-called “point-and-shoot” digital camera models.

It’s affordably priced but the trade off is its basic features, making the Kodak EasyShare M853 more suitable for newcomers to the world of digital cameras.

The EasyShare M853’s lack of features can be good when you’re just starting out with digital cameras - after all, all those buttons, symbols and modes can be hard to decipher without your handbook, and consulting your handbook can be frustrating if you’re keen to get snapping and sharing your digital photos.

On the other hand, if you’re already au fait with digital camera operation and are interested in tweaking your photos, the EasyShare M853 will simply not be enough of a digital camera for you, and you should probably look at something with a few more features.

Click here to find offers on Kodak digital cameras near you.

By Caroline Warnes

The F10 was a recent introduction to Navman’s line-up of portable navigation (GPS) units, and is an update to the popular entry-level F20 model.

Navman is one of the most popular choices when it comes to satellite navigation, and that’s for a good reason. Generally, Navman’s units tend to be reliable, comprehensive, portable and easy-to-use.

The F10 is no different, and being the entry-level model in the range, it’s a good option for anyone who is looking to purchase their first GPS unit. If you do a lot of driving, GPS is almost a necessity these days, so you can get directions for wherever you’re going quickly and easily.

Sat nav devices make driving a lot safer, particularly when they have features such as voice guidance (the F10 has support for both male and female voices). That means you can simply type in your destination and the device will offer spoken instructions as you go - telling you when to turn and so on. Otherwise, you can get your directions visually on the 3.5-inch LCD screen.

The F10 features the latest 2007 mapping, so you won’t find yourself driving down a dead-end street or lost in one of your city’s newer suburbs. It can tell you where your landmarks such as petrol and parking stations are located as well, which is always handy.

Last but not least, the Navman F10 can be moved easily from car to car and is ready to use out-of-the-box in moments.

Click here to find offers on Navman GPS units near you.

By Caroline Warnes

Many people seem to be have the idea that the more expensive the beauty product, the better results wil be on your skin.

This is something of a controversial issue, and one to which there is no right or wrong answer. I’ve tried many products, right through from the very expensive (Creme de la Mer) right through to your cheap and cheerful options that you can find at your local supermarket. The results from all of them have been mixed, and naturally it all depends on an individual’s skin.

But I can honestly say that some of the best beauty treatments I’ve tried have been ones I’ve whipped up at home, proving that sometimes, the simple things in life can be the best. These can also be a godsend when you’re down to your last few dollars and payday is still a way off.

Apple cider vinegar

If I had to be stuck on a desert island with just one thing, it would most likely be a bottle of apple cider vinegar. Well, maybe not quite, but I seriously use this stuff for just about everything. You can make it into a solution to clean floors, to freshen cut flowers, kill weeds and more. According to the Internet, you can also use it to remove skunk odour from a dog, which is always handy to know.

But my all-time favourite use for apple cider vinegar is on my hair. It’s a fantastic method of removing product build-up from your hair and adding shine. It’s also good for any flaky skin on the scalp.

Once a week, I make up a solution of one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to one cup of warm water in a bowl. Don’t be too heavy-handed with the vinegar, or else you’ll smell like a salad is growing on your head. After wetting your hair, you dip the ends of your hair into the solution for a few seconds, then pour it over the rest of your hair, avoiding your eyes. Leave it on for a few more seconds, then rinse it off. I promise, your hair will be the shiniest it’s ever been.

I gave up shampoo and conditioner long ago in favour of natural cleansing agents, but you could also try mixing a little bit in with your bottle of conditioner for easier use.

Asprin mask

Another el cheapo beauty remedy of mine is an asprin mask for your face. This is a tried-and-true mask for exfoliating your face.

You simply take three or four asprins (note, this must be asprin, not Panadol or anything else!) and grind them up into a powder with the back of a spoon. Add a few drops of water, then a tablespoon of honey (which is a natural moisturiser) to make into a creamy mask. Apply to your face, leave for 10 minutes then rinse. This leaves your skin feeling so smooth.

Egg

If you’re looking for a deeply moisturising mask, you can’t go past the humble egg (raw, of course).

Simply separate the yolk and the white of the egg. Apply the white to your face and neck, then leave it for around 15 minutes while it dries on your face. Wash it off with warm water and pat your skin dry.

Next, stir the yolk with a fork and apply that to your face and neck. This provides the moisture to your face, so leave it for as long as you possibly can - at least 15 minutes. Wash the egg yolk off and dry your skin. It should feel soft and deeply moisturised.

Note: try to avoid doing this one in front of housemates as you can look rather stupid.

There are plenty of websites out there that have heaps of suggestions for other at-home beauty treatments. I like Make Your Cosmetics. And don’t forget if you’re having a specific skin condition that’s causing you trouble, you should seek advice from a dermatologist or other skincare professional.

By Caroline Warnes

The rise of the “smartphone” over the past few years has been meteoric, so how does one of the newer contenders - the i-Mate JASJAM - stack up against the competition?

For starters, the i-Mate JASJAM is a Next G phone. That means you can access Telstra’s super-fast wireless network from the handset. That’s great news for anyone who needs instant access to the Internet from their mobile phone or PDA so you can surf the web, check your email, download content and so on.

Like most smartphones, the JASJAM is aimed at business users. It’s a little bulkier than your typical mobile phone, though it’s still compact enough to fit into most pockets. It comes with Microsoft Word, Excel and Internet Explorer so you can view and edit documents on the 2.8-inch display while you’re out and about.

In terms of connectivity, this unit comes with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, quad-band GSM, 3G, EDGE and HSDPA (so you can access the Next G network).

Click here to find offers on mobile phones near you.

By Caroline Warnes

The Samsung BD-P1000 is a good entry-level Blu-ray player… however that being said, it’s not as cheap as some HD DVD players from Toshiba (HD DVD being the competing high-definition format: think VHS and Beta).

As is to be expected, the image and sound output from the BD-P1000 are top-notch: this is high-definition, after all. However to get the most from your new player, you do need a high-definition screen. If you’re still using an old CRT television and aren’t willing to upgrade, forget about it - you’re wasting your money upgrading to a Blu-ray player without upgrading your TV, too.

The Samsung BD-P1000 isn’t just a Blu-ray player. It also plays back CDs and standard DVDs (though not HD DVDs - more on that later). You can virtually use this machine to replace your existing players in your home theatre setup.

A big question many people ask when investing in high-definition technology is ‘Blu-ray or HD DVD’? At first it looked like Blu-ray technology had the lion’s share of support from technology manufacturers and movie houses and that it was a shoe-in to be the dominant format, with the probability being that it would squeeze HD DVD out of the market, leaving HD DVD equipment owners with redundant technology.

However it has since become apparent that the matter is far more complicated than that. HD DVD has made some significant gains and is nowhere near to being squeezed out yet. In fact, at this point in time it’s safe to say that you’re better off investing in the technology that is more suited to your budget and any existing technology you have in your lounge room: for example, if you have a PlayStation 3 (PS3), you’re more likely to be in the Blu-ray camp, and if you have an Xbox 360, HD DVD is likely to be your poison (for that is what each console is compatible with).

Click here to find offers on DVD players and recorders near you.

By Caroline Warnes

Up until recent times, David Jones used to be my favourite department store for clothing and accessories.

It used to boast the best range of local Australian designers as well as an unbeatable range of international footwear labels.

However recently Myer has really stepped up to the plate and has since taken over from DJs as my favourite place for clothes shopping, particularly when it comes to local designers.

Myer also recently made several exciting announcements, which should cement the department store giant as my favourite shopping mecca. The biggest of these is the news that Myer will now stock Australian label Mad Cortes, having scooped the rights to stock it off David Jones. Mad Cortes is billed as offering pieces that are “edgy and sophisticated”, including a range of knitwear and tailored pieces. Mad Cortes will be available in eight of Myer’s city stores around the country. Pictured here is a look from the label’s Spring/Summer ‘07 collection.

Other big launches due early in 2008 include the diffusion labels by local Australasian designers Karen Walker and Nicola Finetti, known as Hi There and Nylon Flocks respectively. Each offers more affordable interpretations of the designers’ main lines.

On the international front, Myer has also announced it will stock Moschino Cheap and Chic, Theory and Paule Ka.

Myer is also promising further announcements in the near future… so stay tuned. I can’t wait for next year’s big Myer sales!

The latest version of the Apple iPod shuffle is a unique beast indeed.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs famously declared it the world’s smallest MP3 player when it was launched at the end of 2007, and that claim can’t be far from the truth.

The iPod shuffle is truly tiny. It’s much smaller and slimmer than a box of matches, and comes with a clip design so you can easily attach it to your clothes when you’re exercising, your pocket, bag or anywhere else you want to stash it.

Naturally, because of its smaller size, the shuffle holds less music than its big brothers in the iPod family, including the ever-popular nano. It holds just 1GB of music only (no video or pictures because there is no display screen).

If you’re a hardcore music fan who likes to have a multitude of songs and albums stored on your MP3 player, then this isn’t the device for you. But if you only want to have up to approximately 100 or so tracks at any one time, it’s an affordable option. You might also like the shuffle as a second MP3 player for exercise or the gym.

Some users may find it a little difficult to use, given that there is no screen, just a few (small) buttons. This can be hard to get used to if you’ve previously used a fully fledged player. But you don’t actually need the screen here as you can’t select songs - you can skip, reverse, play in order or shuffle and that’s it.

To make it additionally appealing, the iPod shuffle comes in a range of eye-catching hues so you can make a fashion statement when it’s clipped onto your clothes.

Click here to find offers on Apple iPods near you.

By Caroline Warnes

The stylish design of Tefal products has made them a winner with appliance connoisseurs for years - and the Tefal Avanti series of toasters is no exception.

The Avanti series features two models, the two-slice TT7085 and the four-slice TT7485. Both feature the same silver slanted front complete with easy-to-read levers and dials.

A high lift lever has also been included so you can remove the toast easily with one hand. It even has a reheat and defrost function, which works very well without making bread soggy.

Another bonus is the extra-wide slots of the Tefal Avanti. These days it’s not just standard slices of bread that many of us want to toast - often you want to brown gourmet loaves and thickly sliced bread. With the Avanti, all that is possible. The slanted front lets you easily keep an eye on your bread as you’re toasting it.

Overall, the Tefal Avanti is a solidly built toaster with great design and attractive, modern looks. The stainless steel exterior is easy to clean, as is the crumb tray, which you simply remove and clean then re-insert.

Click here to find offers on Tefal products near you.

By Caroline Warnes