When I was growing up, my sister and I always had a steady supply of what we used to call “slipper socks” each winter.

They were those calf-length heavy knitted socks with a tougher sole, so you could schlep around the house with them (and sometimes even outside on brief excursions) without wearing through the bottoms.

I had completely forgotten about our old slipper socks until I saw the winter range from Simon DeWinter, complete with the full-length slipper sock, featured here (although Simon DeWinter’s name for it is Mixed Stripe Knit Mukluk knee hi sock).

The stripe pattern is really eye-catching and the socks look oh-so-warm (and goodness knows your feet are the first part of you to freeze during the colder months). They retail for $19.95.

The range also consists of similarly-priced knitted slippers and shorter booty-style mukluks, so there are plenty of options for you to stay warm.

The Simon DeWinter range is available at Myer stores around the country.

By Caroline Warnes

I was at my hairdresser this weekend just gone when I found a leaflet for Rudolf Cersovsky shoes at the front counter. I’d never heard of this label before so was quite intrigued.

I checked out the website and was really impressed with what I saw. I am especially in love with the ballet flats, which are a low-cut style made in soft leather.

A well-made ballet flat can really be the epitome of understated elegance (see Audrey Hepburn if you don’t believe me).

Rudolf Cersovsky designer Kristina Condous (she named the label after her Czech grandfather) also makes a range of jewel-encrusted sandals, which once again are finished in natural leather.

Condous is a local designer and at this stage you can only buy her shoes online at the website.

By Caroline Warnes

Sony came late to the digital SLR (dSLR) camera market, launching the A100 in mid-2006.

However, it was a case of better late than never - the A100 was a fantastic first SLR for beginners making the step up from digital compact models.

The Sony A200 was introduced at the start of this year as a replacement model to the A100, and it’s designed to be faster and lighter.

New and improved features include a wider LCD screen (up to 2.7-inches), a simpler functon menu, improved image quality and longer battery life.

It boasts a 10.2-megapixel image sensor and support for both JPEG and RAW file formats as well as image stabilisation technology.

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

By Caroline Warnes