We’re well and truly into the cold weather and if you haven’t already stocked up on gloves, scarves and other winter warmers, it’s time to do it.

Today was one of those mornings where I got into work and my fingers were so cold I had trouble typing for about half an hour and I was cursing myself for forgetting my gloves today.

Ah, my gloves. I love these babies. I bought them from Country Road last winter and they were truly an investment piece - long, black gloves that stop just below the elbow made of the softest leather you’ve ever felt. And they’re so warm as well.

Country Road has some more covetable accessories this season as well - you can see them at the website.

One of my favourites is the peak beanie with buttons, RRP $39.95 (pictured above left), which comes in either black, blue or grey.

I’m also loving the items pictured below, from left to right - black knitted glove, RRP $59.95; deep orange multi-coloured scarf, RRP $$59.95; and birch basket weave wrap, RRP $79.95.

By Caroline Warnes

kikki.K’s stationery and gifts are a favourite of ours here at Lasoo so we are happy to be giving away some more great kikki.K prizes!

kikki.K makes gorgeous Scandinavian designed stationery and gifts for the office and the home, offering everything from diaries and planners to storage boxes and gifts for special occasions such as Mother’s Day and Christmas.

The baby range will help you find the perfect gift for newborns and toddlers - we love the baby journal set and the baby shower invites.

We have some fantastic prizes to give away from the kikki.K baby range this week. First prize is a Baby Book, valued at $39.95 and the winner can choose from blue, pink or yellow. We also have three runner up prizes of a Baby Height Chart, valued at $19.95 each. Winners can also choose from blue pink or yellow.

To be in the running to win, all you have to do is view the kikki.K baby range here and then email competitions@lasoo.com.au with the word BABY in the subject line and tell us in 25 words or less which of the products is your favourite and why. Entries close next Wednesday.

Plus, if you like the look of what you see, don’t forget to check out our exclusive gift with purchase offer on kikki.K products for Lasoo readers here.

Competition terms and conditions

As I’ve said before, small websites are the best for sourcing unique, striking jewellery.

This is why I pounced on an email anouncing Mico Mico with glee - it’s a brand new Australian site that already has some really interesting pieces on offer.

I love, love, love the range by Jessica Kagan Cushman, consisting of chunky bangles in black and white emblazoned with some classic lines including “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn” and “Ripped off by Chanel“.

The one I want is ““I want to be the girl with the most cake“, partially because I really like cake and partially because this line is lifted from the classic teen angst song “Doll Parts” by Hole, which reminds me of my own years of teen angst, angsting it up in the school playground with my oh-so-angsty friends.

In retrospect the song is rather lame and one wonders if Courtney Love wouldn’t have been better off worrying about her various substance abuse foibles rather than cake, but in any case this bangle would still be a wonderful reminder of those halcyon days of teen angst.

By Caroline Warnes

The YP-T10 is a super-cute MP3 player that is Samsung’s latest attempt to rival the ever-popular Apple iPod nano.

At this stage, many of Apple’s competitors are simply copying what Apple is doing, particularly in terms of design (the latest iPods are sleek, cool-looking devices). However with the T10 Samsung has gone for a completely different vibe: cute.

The Samsung T10’s mascot, if you will, is an animated dog called Sammy - he dances around the screen in time to your music and is there to greet you when you start the player up. However if cute isn’t your thing, you can go into the settings and turn Sammy off. The animated menus are also really fun.

The T10 is operated using touch-sensitive keys that are only visible when the device is turned on - once again, a very cool look, but this may not be the most practical thing in the world. Features are also fairly comprehensive: there’s an on-board FM radio with recording, support for photo, video and text, a voice recorder and a controllable equaliser. Bluetooth is also built-in.

The Samsung T10 comes in three versions - 2GB, 4GB and 8GB, with prices set at $149, $199 and $289 respectively. There is also a wealth of colours to choose from.

Click here to find offers on the Samsung T10 MP3 player near you.

By Caroline Warnes

Spotlight is giving you the chance to experience the Disney magic that dreams are made of! Cruise with Mickey, Minnie and your favourite Disney friends in the Caribbean.

To enter use your VIP Club card when purchasing any Disney branded product until Monday 30th June 2008.

For every Disney purchase over $25 you make you will receive one entry to WIN this incredible trip of a lifetime.

Trip includes includes:

- Return economy airfares for 2 adults and 2 children to Miami, Florida, USA.

- 7 Nights accommodation in a family cabin with balcony on the Disney Cruise Liner and all meals included while on board.

- Shuttle service from Miami airport to the Disney Cruise Liner and port charges and taxes.

Total value of the prize is up to $20,000 AUD.

For more details click here

For terms and conditions click here.

C’est Paris! Win a trip to experience gourmet goodies in one of the world?s culinary capitals.

Purchase any Breville product and complete the entry form before May 31, 2008 and you could have the chance to win a trip to Paris.

The winner will receive:

- Return airfare for two

- Five nights accommodation

- Gourmet dinner for two

- $1000 spending money and be able to dine at the Eiffel Tower.

For more details and terms and conditions click here.

The winners of the double movie passes to “21″ are:

M. Hill, VIC; S. Oreskovic, NSW; L. Miller, VIC; L. Poulton, SA; S. Aranguiz, VIC; K. Jamieson, WA; D. McDonald, NSW; R. Marshall, QLD; J. Kottek, VIC; J. Jones, QLD; S. Weir, WA; P. Tucker; C. Fowler, ACT; C. Keren, VIC; M. Correia, WA; L. Smedley, NSW; T. Dunn, NSW; J. Constantino, QLD; Y. Young, WA; K. Gilmartin, VIC; D. Smith; I. Treagus, WA; D. Stevens, VIC; J. Maunders, VIC; W. Gill; A. van Vugt, VIC; S. Barrie, QLD; M. Shevlin, NSW; M. Leyman; L.Thomson, QLD.

Beige. White. Taupe. Pale. And even translucent are all part of my winter forecast for the season’s latest “it” colours…for your skin, that is.

I know I’m not the only one with a complexion complex. In a bottle, on the beach, or in a bed, the fake bake has become a staple for the everyday woman and Hollywood heavyweights alike.

But recreating the Oompa-Loompa faces of Victoria Beckham or Donatella Versace? I’m over it. Tanorexics need not read forward.

It is officially time to release your perma-tan and go au naturel like porcelain beauties Dita Von Teese, Nicole Kidman and Marcia Cross.

Fellow light-skinned lady, Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts has just released a makeup collection to meet the needs of the fairest of them all. The UK popstar found that cosmetic counters weren’t offering any options to these ivory angels. So she created a product that would flatter even the whitest of skin tones. Dainty Doll collection for Jelly Pong Pong is a fresh new line that caters strictly to those with milky-makeup needs.

The line features foundation, concealer, cheekbone enhancer, eye shadow, and lip gloss each with a pale and flawless finish. The foundation had me instantly scrubbing off the last layers of my spray tan.As an added bonus, the price won?t have you turning red in the face. It retails for $13 - $25 AUD. Dainty Doll is obtainable online at www.jellypongpong.com.

So this winter, as the sun and warm weather fade away, accept that your tan will probably fade too. And try to value your newfound pale luminosity. I’m going to.

Dainty Doll Must Haves:

Foundation - The pale tones of this mouse with a matte finish keep light skin feeling luminous and moisturized. Available in Porcelain, Ivory and White $25.

Concealer - Thick, heavily pigmented concealer covers those imperfections and dark circles that accompany a lighter skin tone. Available in Fair and Natural $17.

Blush & Contour ? A soft blush and shadow enhancer to give you a touch of colour without looking too fierce. Available in Blossom and Bloom $21.

By Christie Kiely

“Underbelly” is the most talked about Australian television in years - and for good reason. It makes excellent viewing.

The series is based on Melbourne’s real-life gangland wars and uses real names and events - including Carl Williams (played by Gyton Grantley) and the Moran brothers (Les Hill and Callan Mulvey).

It’s obvious the series is taking inspiration from “The Sopranos” - the US drama that followed a New Jersey crime family - and that isn’t a bad thing as “The Sopranos” is arguably one of the best series in TV history.

Aussie viewers have fallen in love with “Underbelly” and are rushing to buy the DVD in droves so don’t be surprised if you have to hunt around a bit to find a copy. “Underbelly Uncut” is a four-disc box set complete with all episodes and is definitely going to be a must-have collectors’ item for TV buffs.

Click here to find offers on “Underbelly Uncut” DVDs near you.

By Caroline Warnes

If you’re still trying to find a gift for Mother’s Day this Sunday, we’ve got the top 10 gifts that won’t break the bank.

1. Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers EDP, $17.95 at Amcal
Love this floral fragrance. I went through a phase of wearing it daily.

2. “Change of Heart” by Jodi Picoult, $19.95 at BIG W, Angus & Robertson and Borders
Save $13 on this new bestseller.

3. Kambrook rice cooker, $19.98 at Betta Electrical
If, like me, you manage to ruin rice each time you cook it, a rice cooker is the easy way to get it right.

4. Remington Big Shot hair dryer, $29.98 at Betta Electrical
I’ve always found Remington products to be reliable and $30 is a good price for a hair dryer.

5. Lavender cubic zirconia ring, $39 at Michael Hill Jeweller
This is a gorgeous looking cocktail ring.

6. Rose Bouquet gift set, $9.95 at Terry White Chemists
The set contains rose-scented hand and body lotion, body scrub and soap petals.

7. Georgia dinnerware pieces, $2.39 at Target
The separates include a side plate, mug, milk jug or bowl - you could buy a couple and put together a set.

8. Homedics Bubble Spa footbath, $39.94 at Tandy
After a rare day of wearing high heels today, this footspa is looking pretty good to me right now.

9. Snooze Zone pyjama set, $39.99 at Best & Less
$40 for PJ pants and top and a nightie? Bargain.

10. “Comfort Food” by Kate Jacobs, $21.44 at Target
Not actually a cookbook, but a fun new girly novel.

By Caroline Warnes