Valentine’s Day is around the corner and this celebration of love is a day that divides us all. For some, it is a day of hope, that ignites a burst of excitement that expressions of love will be sent in their direction…. for others it’s just plain, outright… disappointing.

But Valentine’s Day isn’t just for the love up couples of the world….  Here  is our guide for ensuring your Valentine’s Day is a special one no matter what stage of life you are in:

Throw a house party-   If you are single and ready to mingle- why not throw a Valentine’s Day party and invite friends over for a great night in.

Have some fun decorating your home with oversized hearts, red and pink themed decor and mood lighting to match.

Hinting your way to the gift you really want-  If you still feel it challenges your masculinity having teddy bears and flowers delivered to your office- now’s the time let her know.

And if you have your eye out on a piece of jewellery you can always hint by sharing the item to your Facebook from Lasoo. A simple “wow… I really love this!” on a Facebook post will  ensure he gets the hint… or one of your Facebook friends will certainly let him know!

Spend some quality time- Don’t want to pay higher prices on Valentine’s Day but still want to enjoy a romantic dinner? Grab an iPod dock and put on your favourite tunes, and use the money you would have spent going out on a nice bottle of your favourite bubbly or wine.

Do you love or loathe Valentine’s Day? What are your plans?

If no amount of scrubbing is going to make your shabby kitchen chic, there are plenty of cost-effective ways to cover up the cracks.

· Kitchen islands: installing a custom-made work station is a huge expense but you can do it for far less by opting for modular free-standing versions. Ikea have a great range for less than $250.

· Coloured cookware and accessories: Create a stylish modern look with brightly coloured cookware that is available in fun primary colours as well as understated neutrals. Similarly, investing in kitchen utensils and crockery in bold colours will update your workspace in a flash. Fruit bowls are another way of adding a touch of style. Opt for a nice big one that draws attention away from less attractive features of the room and keep it filled with a colourful array of fruit.

· Splashbacks: Glass splashbacks are currently a piping hot kitchen trend but a funky glass version will generally set you back four times more than tiles. However, you can still have the splashback look you want, as Perspex will achieve the same effect for far less.

· Stainless steel appliances add instant sophistication and needn’t cost the Earth. Shop around using a comparison site such as this one to get the best deal on everything from coffee machines to toasters, and kettles.

· If your kitchen table has seen better days, cover up the dints, Texta marks and scratches with modern and stylish table linen such as placemats or tablecloths.

· Can’t afford to rip out the cupboards and get the ones you want just yet? Give your tired cupboards and drawers a mini makeover by simply investing in new handles. You can get them from hardware stores in endless shapes, materials and styles for as little as $2 each.

· Get organised with storage solutions that will keep the clutter either at bay or out of sight, out of mind. Well-designed dish racks, wire baskets, canisters, spice racks and shelving can be both useful and decorative.

As with any cost-cutting exercise, you have to do your research. Decide on which style you want to create (French country, rustic, minimalist modern, Mediterranean, English cottage, vintage or retro) and find affordable interpretations that won’t break the budget.

Shoes are one of the most expensive items when it comes to kitting your kids out for the new school year but getting it right is an investment in your child’s wellbeing and can save you money in the long run.

You get what you pay for

When it comes to school shoes, price is usually a good indicator of quality. Not taking a growth spurt into account, you should reasonably expect to get around nine months out of a pair of school shoes. Quality indicators include rubber soles for even stability, double stitching around the toes for prolonged lifespan, good cushioning for comfort.

Made to measure

Make sure the salesperson measures both feet as many of us have one foot slightly bigger than the other, and you will need a size that comfortably fits the larger/linger/wider foot. The gap between the end of the shoe and the longest toe should be no more than a child’s thumb width and the widest part of the shoe should be in line with the widest part of the foot. If the toes can’t wiggle comfortably, they’re the wrong size. Similarly, make sure the heel doesn’t slip up and down the heel, as this will cause blisters.

Size matters

Buying a size too small is an obvious one, but trying to economise by getting school shoes a size too big can be a health hazard as they can cause tripping and may slip off during running. Some brands don’t offer half sizes, which may be what your child needs. Problems that can occur as a result of poor fitting include corns, bunions and ingrown toenails.

Ask your child

If your child says the shoe hurts, listen. Discomfort is not limited to the feet so ask if their heel, knees or legs feel okay. Try on as many pairs as necessary to get the right response.

Avoid hand-me-downs

School shoes are not the place to skimp on back to school costs. Pre-owned school shoes will have been pre-molded to their original owner’s foot and will not fit properly – even if the children are the same size.

It’s a no for slip-ons

Podiatrists agree that slip on shoes are not beneficial for supporting growing bones and advise on lace-ups, Velcro or buckles.

Pay attention to problems

If your child has a specific problem with his or her feet make sure mention it when you’re having them measured as some brands cater better for various issues. Issues can include:

· Wide feet

· Prominent ankle bones

· High arches

· Pronating

· Narrow feet

· Flat feet

School shoes by numbers

· After the age of three, the average child’s foot grows about half a size every six months

· Your child spends around 30 hours per week in school shoes – that’s 15,000 hours by the time they finish Year 12

· Throughout 11 years of schooling, you will need to buy around 17 pairs

· Around half of kids will have flat feet and a fifth may have high arches.

There’s an ever-growing fervor about Australia Day these days. Friends and families take to the streets, pubs, beaches an parklands wrapped in the Australian flag and smothered in zinc cream. However you choose to celebrate, here are some tips for hosting the perfect Australia day bash.

Have a Barbie!

The humble barbecue remains the truest example of our national cuisine. Aside from plenty of food and drink, you will need Aussie thongs, a barbecue apron, stubby coolers and a hat. As for the food, incorporate marinades and flavours from different international cuisines such as Asian and Mediterranean in a nod to Australia’s thriving multi-cultural heritage. If it weren’t for the divine intervention of these two continents, we’d all be doomed to Oz day fare of burnt snags and salad made of iceberg lettuce unceremoniously mingled with tinned beetroot and corn kernels. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Hit the beach

Short of  hoisting a large Australian flag, there is no more Australian way to celebrate the national day than to head to your favourite beach. You’re in for the long haul though so make it comfortable with a canopy, plenty of Eskys, beach chairs, sun shades, Aussie beach towels and beach cricket equipment.

Have a street party!

Invite the neighbours – even the one who hasn’t returned your stepladder yet – and take it to the streets. This kind of come-one-come-all affair can make for great bonding between people who’ve shared the same street for years. Everyone can contribute food and drinks and the kids can run amok, just as the First Settlers intended. If you’re lucky enough to have multiple nationalities living in your street, get everyone to bring food from their homeland. Finally, dress up in Aussie regalia – even if it makes your bum look big.

Go to the pub

Anyone who’s seen the YouTube footage of 82-year-old former PM Bob Hawke sculling a beer at a recent cricket match, cheered on by an army of well wishers, knows that raising a cold beer on special occasions is still as much of an Aussie tradition as lawn envy, blow flies and hosing your driveway.

State by state

For a list of events in your state, visit:

NSW http://www.australiaday.com.au/

WA www.australiaday.org.au/wa.aspx

SA www.australiaday.org.au/sa.aspx

TAS www.australiaday.org.au/tasmania.aspx

QLD www.australiaday.org.au/qld.aspx

NT www.australiaday.org.au/nt.aspx

VIC www.australiaday.vic.gov.au/

You walk into the cinema, find your allocated seat and you are ready to watch the highly anticipated, super, action-packed, latest release movie!

And then you realise….

…. you’ve forgotten to buy the popcorn!

Well a solution is ready to be launched this month across Hoyts cinemas around Australia thanks to Mastercard’s new technology ‘QkR‘ which will let you order cinema food & drinks from your seat using your smart phone!

This is a world first for this technology and it is interesting to see how new mobile payment systems are being used to create new shopping experiences.

To read more follow this link: http://newsroom.mastercard.com/press-releases/9737/

Are you excited about this new technology? What are your ideas for changing the way people shop?

A warm summer’s day, drinks by the pool, steaks and snags on the barbeque (or lamb if you are Sam Kekovich), and the kids running around playing backyard cricket… ahhh… the perfect way to spend Australia Day!

According to an article in the Sydney morning Hearld, many brands and supermarket Coles- we can do more to celebrate our great national holiday by purchasing Australia Day themed products!

From Aussie Shapes, to Beetroot, Australian flag printed Huggies nappies and even former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s ‘Australian Afternoon Tea’ Australia Day tea from Twinings!

Will you be purchasing Australia Day products to help you celebrate?

Exhausted parents all over the country are heaving a sigh of relief as the holidays end and school resumes. But for those in need of new backpacks, here’s how to choose the right one:

Opt for a bag that is as lightweight as possible. A good rule of thumb is, that, when you’re child’s backpack is packed, it should not exceed 10 percent of the their body weight.

Frozen drink bottles can be messy if kept inside the bag. Find one with a side component, preferably net, to prevent books being ruined by condensation.

An external pocket for bus passes, keys, phones and other must haves is also convenient.

To keep backpack clutter to a minimum, try and limit contents to a lunchbox, pencil case and two to three books.

Durable, waterproof materials will last longer and protect books and other academic perishables.

Buy the right size bag for your child. Younger children shouldn’t be lugging around the same size bag as Year 12 student.

Bags that sling over one shoulder or those on wheels are not recommended. A backpack that leaves the arms and hands free is the best back-safe option. Look for bags endorsed by an organisation such as the Australian Physiotherapy Association or the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia.

Lasoo are giving away a $500 EFTPOS gift card to help you get ready for Back 2 School!

All you need to do is:

1) Log into your Lasoo Profile (or create one)

2) Create your Back 2 School Shopping List with 10 or more items

3) Share it with your friends!

Time to get creative!

Competitions ends 3rd Feb, 2012!

For full Terms & Conditions please see our Facebook page www.facebook.com/lasoo.com.au or click here

Does the concept of a baby drinking the breast milk of a stranger make you feel uncomfortable?

Hospitals around the world are beginning to seek donors to donate their breast milk and this is proven vital for the health of some newborn babies.

The donated breast milk is then pasteurised and and frozen until required and is used for babies who need it throughout Australian hospitals. This is becoming vital for hospitals who need breast milk to help feed premature babies, giving them a great start to life.

Often mothers who suffer trauma during childbirth are unable to product milk to feed their baby. According to an article by Nikki Haynes from Nine months, the benefits of breast milk include:
• Babies in the Special Care Nursery or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit who are fed breastmilk progress to normal health 25% faster than if they were fed formula.
• The protein in breastmilk is more easily digested than that of formula.
• Babies fed breastmilk are better equipped to fight infections because breastmilk enhances immunological development.
• Premature babies fed breastmilk are six times less likely to suffer a life threatening gastro-intestinal condition called necrotising enterocolitis.

Although the practice of producing human milk for distribution is becoming more and more accepted by society, we are a long way from seeing breast milk being sold in our local grocery store.  However, when you stop and think about it, society and our cultural norms are a little bit puzzling- where we think it is socially acceptable for us to drink milk from a cow and are shocked about the concept of drinking milk from a human.

With more women returning to the workforce soon after the birth of their child forcing children to be fed using formula, and the evidence of the benefits of breast feeding becoming more apparent, there may be an increased desire to be able to purchase breast milk in a more convenient way.

Did you breast feed your baby? Would you have bought it from the grocery store if it was available?

Ever found yourself in a bit of a pickle?

Have you gone shopping and bought something only to find that when you have an issue with the product you can’t find the receipt?

Having the receipt is always good when you are seeking a replacement, refund or a resolution for a product but it isn’t the end of the world if you can’t seem to find it. All you need to do is to prove that you obtain the goods or services from that supplier or manufacturer.

So how do you do that?

Other forms of evidence are also generally acceptable including:

· a lay by agreement

· a confirmation or receipt number provided for a telephone or internet transaction

· a credit card statement

· a warranty card showing the supplier’s or manufacturer’s details and the date or amount of the purchase

· a serial or production number linked with the purchase on the supplier’s or manufacturer’s database.

Some retailers may require more than one of the above to support your claim that you bought the goods from a particular supplier but it is definitely worth a try.

Another interesting aspect is that if you are returning goods because of a problem with the item, a business cannot refuse to give a refund or reduce the amount of the  refund because you didn’t return it in the original packaging or wrapping.

For more information check out the following ACCC link: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/961843

Did you know about these alternatives? Share your shopping tips with us!