The winners are:

B. Inturrisi, 3059; N. Hanham, 4011; B. Stimson, 3717; M. Warwick, 4575; A. Davis, 4352.

I’m pretty sure I stand alone in expressing my confusion and dislike of that Bonds ad with the girls playing patty cake in a gym in their underwear (you can watch it below).

Most other people I’ve spoken to think this ad is the best thing ever, particularly blokes, who tend to drop whatever they’re doing and run to the TV to gawk.

For some reason that I can’t quite put my finger on this ad confuses me and makes me uncomfortable. Maybe because the premise of the thing is just so damn stupid. I don’t get WHY this gaggle of young women is standing around in a gym playing patty cake. I don’t think I’ve ever played patty cake in the last couple of decades, and definitely not in my underwear. Actually I am so unnerved by this ad that whenever it comes on I have to switch the channel (or preferably leave the room to top up my glass).

Then there is my abject hatred of the underwear itself in this ad. No matter how many fashion magazines tell me that high-waisted underwear is a goer, I find the look repulsive. Weren’t we only making fun of nanna undies a few minutes ago? Well at least I still am.

Even when you’re a lithe 20-year-old like the girls in this ad there is still something slightly off about the look. All I can think of is how bad the VPL is going to be when you put pants on. And forget about it if you’re carrying any extra weight around your mid-section. Wearing these undies will only make you look like the Michelin Man.

By Caroline Warnes

Father’s Day is fast approaching and if you’re looking for a gift for your dad we are giving away an Absco shed to the value of $1000.

Absco is an Australian-owned company that manufactures quality garden sheds and other outdoor buildings, including aviaries, carports, garages, patio covers and awnings.

Absco products are easy to put together thanks to the SNAP-TiTE assembly system, which Absco claims to be the easiest to use in the world.

And now you can shop from home or work for Absco products, thanks to the launch of the Absco Delivered website (visit the site to claim a free $25 voucher to spend online).

You can select your product online then it will be delivered to an Absco dealer near you where you can either pick it up for free or have it delivered for a nominal fee.

We are giving away a $1000 credit to use at Absco Delivered to one lucky reader.

To be in the running to win, all you need to do is email competitions@lasoo.com.au with the word ABSCO in the subject line and tell us in 50 words or less why your dad needs a new Absco shed.

Entries close next Thursday.

Competition terms and conditions

School holidays are fast approaching. Or they’re already here. I’m not too sure. I don’t have any kids or know any kids.

In any case, Dreamworld and WhiteWater World on the Gold Coast are popular school holiday destinations. Actually even jaded old biddies like myself secretly dream of having some mindless fun of this nature.

Plus, don’t forget Dreamworld has the cute-as-a-button tiger cub triplets, who I’ve heard are growing rapidly by the day.

We are offering 10% off Dreamworld and WhiteWater World tickets until the end of August (that’s this Sunday!) when you book online. Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you need to use them by the end of the month - just that you need to purchase them by then.

Buy Dreamworld & WhiteWater World Tickets

By Caroline Warnes

Bike rides are a fun family activity, especially in the warmer weather.

Terry White Chemists is giving you the chance to win bikes for all the family.

To enter the competition you need to purchase any two Colgate Oral Care products from a Terry White store.

Click here to see details of this competition and click here to find offers on Colgate Oral Care products from Terry White Chemists near you.

Although the Binatone Carrera brand isn’t well known in the Australian satellite navigation market, it is a fairly reputable name in the UK and Europe.

The Binatone Carrera X430 is really an entry level unit - it has no added features except for the GPS functionality. The trade off comes in the price - its recommended retail price is just under $300, and BIG W has it for just $198 until September 6 (view the offer here).

It comes with an exceptional 4.3-inch screen, which is quite large for a cheaper GPS unit. The X430 also comes with turn-by-turn voice navigation so you don’t have to visually scan for directions when you’re driving. The battery does tend to drain very quickly so this unit may not be suitable for heavy users, however if you’re only intending to use it moderately, you won’t exeperience many problems.

The Binatone Carrera X430 also comes with a built-in antenna and pre-installed 2008 Navteq maps as well as thousands of places of interest already loaded.

Click here to find offers on GPS devices from retailers near you.

By Caroline Warnes

It’s often difficult to find the affordable basics: the right t-shirt, basic cotton skirts and dresses, socks and so on.

American Apparel is one label that gets it right with the basics for men, women and kids, producing garments made of cotton, organic cotton as well as blended and synthetic fabrics.

You used to have to order these clothes from the US online (it’s an LA-based company) however last year AA launched an Aussie online store which apparently ships from a warehouse in Sydney.

While this was good news for anyone hesitant to order from international sites, I have to say delivery was (and still is) very slow. How can a garment supposedly shipped from Sydney to another Sydney address take eight days to arrive?

Well Sydney has only just got its very first American Apparel store on Oxford Street which makes me a lot happier than using the site. I am an impatient shopper - once I get my mind set on something I need it immediately. Eight days after ordering something I am likely to have forgotten why I wanted it in the first place. Melbourne also has a Chapel Street store. For all other states, unfortunately you’ll have to order through the site.

At the moment I love the Baby Thermal Cap Sleeve t-shirt pictured here which is on sale at $22. It’s a great buy for the in-between weather of spring as the thermal material is a little warmer than your average t-shirt. And the neckline and shoulders are very flattering.

By Caroline Warnes

Winter is gradually coming to an end (very, very gradually) and it has just occurred to me that it’s almost beach season again.

Now I love going to the beach in summer however I don’t love the feeling I get at the end of winter when I realise I’ve spent three months eating, drinking, doing far less exercise than I should and… not much else.

Dieting is one of my least favourite things to do (I usually start experiencing ravenous hunger and headspins approximately one hour after my first diet breakfast) however I think it will make it all the more bearable if I give myself some inspiration - like this “Ocean Dusk” one-piece from Jets by Jessika Allen.

Jets is probably my all time favourite swimwear label. Each season features some really nice 1950s- and 60s-inspired designs (for example wider straps and one-pieces) that really appeal to me.

Plus, Jets is one of the best labels for anyone with a larger bust. Note to swimwear designers: if you have D-cup breasts, two flimsy pieces of string around your neck and back are NOT enough to keep a bikini top stable in the surf.

The Ocean Dusk one-piece is featured here in lychee, but it also comes in honeydew (presumably a green shade of some description) and pawpaw (orange).

By Caroline Warnes

The BlueAnt Z9 Bluetooth headset first arrived on the local market in 2007 amid much expectation.

It was well received at the time of launch and is still one of the better Bluetooth headsets available today, well over a year later. Given how quickly this sort of technology evolves, that’s no shabby claim to fame.

It boasts exceptional voice and sound quality, thanks to the inclusion of Voice Isolation Technology, which helps cancel environmental background noise in two modes - standard or max. Max is especially handy when you’re driving or walking through busy (and noisy) city streets.

The inclusion of dual microphones also boosts the BlueAnt Z9’s performance, so whoever you’re talking to will be able to hear your voice loud and clear.

The Z9’s design is another bonus. It’s a relatively small and compact device and looks stylish when sitting around your ear.

Last but not least, the BlueAnt Z9 is very easy to use, offering straight forward pairing (with up to three phones), voice dialling, call waiting and more.

Click here to find offers on the BlueAnt Z9 Bluetooth headset from retailers near you.

By Caroline Warnes

You know it’s not your lucky day when you find out that shoes you bought at full price just two weeks ago are likely to be slashed by up to 75%.

I literally only JUST bought the Miss Moulin Rouge booties in black suede (pictured left) from the Peep Toe Shoes boutique in Paddington at full tilt ($249 thank you very much!) and then earlier this week found out that there is going to be a massive warehouse sale for the brand this weekend.

The kicker is that I haven’t even worn the shoes yet so I really should have waited!

Anyhow, as mentioned above the Peep Toe Shoes warehouse sale is taking place this Saturday and Sunday at unit 16, 110 Bourke Road Alexandria. You’ll find savings of up to 75% on shoes, dresses, accessories and bags (plus an exclusive range of couture shoes starting from $70).

You should be pre-warned that Peep Toe Shoes are VERY high and can be difficult to walk in for novice high heel wearers. However they look incredibly sexy and that’s the most important thing.

I am in two minds about whether to go to this sale. Part of me is saying “no Caroline you need to start saving money!” and the other part is mumbling something about shutting the gate after the horse has bolted. Yes I do often experience internal banter over inane subjects like shoes and TV shows. Still waters run deep!

By Caroline Warnes