Lasoo Shopping and Reviews Blog

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!

Take the easy road to sticking your New Year’s resolution by investing in some home exercise equipment and changing your approach to getting fit!

You may be in denial, still clinging in vain to the last vestiges of the annual over-indulgence festival. But you promised yourself you’d get on the wagon in January and now it’s time make good.

But how? Pulling back from Christmas and holiday excessiveness and establishing healthy habits can seem like an overwhelming task but it doesn’t have to be.

Firstly, adjust your attitude to exercise. Thinking of working out as a chore, or penance for too much pudding and slovenliness will only set you up for failure. Similarly, if you think exercise is boring, too time consuming, or an obligation you’d just rather not live up to you’re unlikely to stick to any routine for an extended period.

Instead, try thinking of exercise in less negative terms:

· Time for yourself away from the kids

· A way to rid your body and mind of anger and frustration after a bad day

· A chance to do something good for yourself that offers long-term gain for a short burst of effort

· A way to improve your mood, your quality of life and your relationships

So now that you’ve made a commitment, how do you go about it? If you’re not a gym junkie there are great ways of working out at home, either indoors or outdoors. Home exercise gear now includes everything from yoga and Pilates equipment, to free weights, and cardio machines.

Here are some popular options for working out while staying in:

The Ab Circle Pro

We all love fitness machines to help us fight the flab! In spite of any number of reality stars endorsing the product, there’s a reason the Ab Circle Pro remains an infomercial stalwart. Because, if you use it as it was intended, it works. It also comes with a workout DVD and a nutritional guide to get you started. What you do need to be aware of however is that while the Ab Circle Pro’s big promise is a flat stomach – the only way you will really achieve this is to burn off the fat around your mid-section through diet, and exercise. That said, this is a cardio workout and it will help you tone up and lose weight – just don’t depend on it – or any other machine as a miracle cure!

Zumba

Much like the deep -fried potato chip, Zumba began life as an accident when Columbian fitness instructor Beto Perez forgot his usual music for an aerobics class and improvised with Latin music CD he had in his car. Now, gym timetables are full of Zumba classes but with the Zumba Fitness Bundle, you can work out where when you please. It includes a workout DVD and maraca-like toning sticks and is a fun way to drop some weight, tone your abs, butt and thighs, and feel more energised – without walking out your front door!

Home gym

It may look like something out of a torture chamber but a home weights station really is a one-stop shop to toning up. Cardio is what you need to burn fat so don’t expect to start pumping iron and suddenly drop a size. But you will dramatically change your body shape with weights. Put the two together and you’ll be saying goodbye to your fat pants before you know it!

So take heart, and take note: There is no exercise equipment in the universe that will allow you to lose weight while subsisting on a diet of drive-thru fatty foods and late night sugar binges. Exercise equipment gives you the tools to get back into your thin clothes – putting down the food and breaking a sweat – that’s up to you!

We reviewed the Kindle! And by popular demand we are now reviewing the KOBO!

The eReader debate rages on unabated as book lovers try and decide where to spend their hard-earned money. One player that has emerged as a local contender to the throne dominated by Kindle in this single-use device market is the new Kobo eReader Touch.

A step up in every way from its predecessor, the Kobo Wireless, this lightweight 6” device has an easy to use touchscreen and is elegant and streamlined.

Now, on to the really important things. How does it go? The Kobo eReader Touch is definitely feature-packed and lands top points for the following:

A micro-USB port for charging and data transfer as well as a micro-SD slot on the side.

· Built-in dictionary

· Font type and size options plus margin settings and line spacing

· Landscape orientation for PDFs

· The ability to highlight pages or paragraphs by simply holding down on a word and dragging your finger to your chosen end-point.

On an aesthetic level, the Touch has a quilted back for added comfort, available in silver, lilac or blue on the white, or black for the black option.

Oddly enough, though, there is no multiple bookmarking feature but we won’t quivel…

The new eReaders offer increasingly sophisticated web browsing options and the Kobo Touch has kept pace, although you do have type your chosen website into the Google search engine rather than the address bar.

Buying books is also a user-friendly experience. Simply make sure you’re near Wi-Fi hotspot, tap the Store link on the home page and the Kobo bookstore will appear instantly, giving you access to every category you would expect to find in a real world book store, plus offering you more than a million free titles.

The freebies are predominantly mined from the classics, ranging from Homer to Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy, as well as mysteries by Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. If you’re literary experience is lacking in the basics, the free ebooks available here will definitely whet your appetite for the classics.

But of course, what modern technology would be worth its price point without a social media application? When you’ve turned the last page on Tolstoy’s musings on Shakespeare, or downloaded the collected works of Stephen King, you can boast about it to your friends through Kobo Touch’s new social media app, Reading Life, which awards you badges you can then share on Facebook.

Similarly, for trainspotters or competitive type-A types, the Touch will tell you how much progress you’ve made in reading your book – and how long it’s taken you to get there.

The Kobo eReader touch makes reading fun, convenient and easy, and is one of the easiest of its kind to navigate. Removing the buttons and replacing them with smartphone-like touch technology makes it perfect for even the most die-hard Luddite in the family. And, if you do have any tech problems unrelated to the e-bookstore, there’s a freecall number where you can get help: 1800 064 011.

Happy ereading.

Your bedroom should be a haven away from the chaos of work, children and everyday drudgery. Giving your boudoir a makeover doesn’t have to involve major construction work or painting. It can be as easy as following these simple tips:

Declutter

Get rid of any junk you have laying around and invest in some efficient storage options for eyesores such as shoes, clothes, books and general bric and brac. Bite the bullet and divide all your clothes into three piles: keep, pack away and charity. If it doesn’t fit – and hasn’t for over a year – it needs to go. Then be brave and tackle what’s under the bed. It’s great if you can have as little as possible under your bed but, if it’s unavoidable, it’s worth investigating the great range of built-in storage beds now available.

New bedding

The easiest way to freshen up your inner sanctum is with new bedding. An updated doona or quilt cover, and plump new pillows can create a look to suit your style whether you’re modern, classic, romantic or quirky.

Choose a statement piece

Find something beautiful that will inspire you morning and night. Wall prints are effective way of creating atmosphere and distracting focus from other parts of a room.

Feng shui your furniture

Move your bedroom furniture around to not only change to appearance but also the feng shui in your sleeping area. The best configuration for a positive flow of chi (energy) is to position the bed so that you can see the door, but preferably not with your head right under or next to a window.

This will cause your chi to dissipate through the window and leave you feeling drained when you wake up. If you have an ensuite, close the door while you sleep.

If you’re in a relationship, the state of your bed is symbolic. It’s good feng shui to have your bed equidistant from walls, with a bedside table on either side. This creates balance and equality in your relationship. Bedside lamps are also a great way to jazz things up.

Beds that sag or are threatening to collapse at any moment are speak volumes about your relationship, but if you don’t want to update your entire bed, think about a new bedhead instead.

Accessorise

Finally, regardless of whether you have floorboards or carpet, a rug makes your bedroom feel nice and cosy. Make sure however that it is the right size for your space.

And bedroom accessories such as stylish laundry baskets which help keep mess at bay, funky photo frames to keep loved ones and precious memories close by, bookends for your bedside table, and blanket boxes for storing winter woolies can be as cheap or inexpensive as your heart desires!

I used to play for hours and hours with my dolls…  and I did love them!

But there was always a part of me that wanted to join my brother smashing some trucks and Transformers around!

Thankfully, the rules for toys have been blown wide open in recent years and girls are no longer limited to toy vacuum sets and shopping trolleys while the boys have all the fun with building, getting messy and making noise!

According to Psychology Today, a 2002 study from Texas A&M University and City University revealed that vervet monkeys showed the same sex-typical toy preferences as humans – in other words, the males showed greater interest in a ball and a police car, and the females were more interested a doll and a cooking pot. However, both sexes were equally drawn to the neutral toys that were provided.

Monkey’s aside, the lines between which toys are supposed to be for girls and boys have become increasingly blurred, meaning both genders can have a lot more fun. Here are some boys’ toys that are increasingly popular with the ladies.

Wooden blocks

Not just for boys, wooden blocks have unlimited outcomes to challenge young minds and will also help your little girl develop her sense of spatial awareness and cognitive abilities.

Lego

These timeless building blocks from Denmark encourage creative thinking and social skills through role play. Lego for girls is not only great for girls because it now comes in pink; stimulate your budding builder with Lego Creationary and, of course, Harry Potter Lego defies all gender boundaries.

Start your little girl’s love of Lego with Duplo and work your way up to the incredibly complex castles in the Lego Kingdom range. Everything can be built and rebuilt with endless possibilities which stimulate the imagination every time.

Science kits, Telescopes, Microscopes

Little girls should be encouraged to look towards the heavens just as much as boys, and telescopes now come in a range to suit every budget. And, rather than traditional kitchen and cooking sets, why not get your little lady a messy science kit that she can use to create bangs, smells and all manner of concoctions. Who knows, maybe a microscope will set her on a path towards curing disease?

Ride-on cars

Move over boys, the girls have started their engines! Once upon a time the girls were confined to the nursery changing pretend nappies, while their brothers had hours of fun zooming around on ride-on cars. Now, the playing field has now been leveled. Develop your little girl’s gross motor skills and independence with her very first car!

Hot Wheels

Why should the boys have all the fun? Little girls love a bit of smash ‘em up derbyn and racing games just as much as little boys. Hot Wheels toy cars and racing sets can help girls with problem solving, teach them how to get along with others and also encourage increased physical and hand-eye coordination.

So put your perceptions of gender toys aside and let the children play!