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Gloria Jean’s Coffees G-79 Duo Home Espresso Machine

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December 17, 2011 By 1 Comment

We have featured all kinds of Christmas gifts this year, and even though the big day is about a week away we haven’t quite finished yet! The following suggestion is for those of you who are looking for something that little bit special – it’s new, and it’s shiny, and it comes in red!

What has got me feeling the love? It’s the new G-79 Duo Home Espresso Machine from the coffee experts at Gloria Jeans. Imagine surprising someone with the smell of fresh hot coffee on Christmas morning? This isn’t your typical coffee machine with it’s retro design, funky temperature gauge and smooth, clean lines.

Gloria Jeans Coffee Machine

The G-79 Espresso machine is made from quality parts, with a commercial sized group head and Italian made pump.

If you have ever had a Gloria Jean’s coffee you will know that they have high standards when it comes to the perfect cup, and their reputation will remain in tact with this beautiful machine.

If you are inexperienced with making “proper” coffee like I was, the first try might not be the greatest – but once I got my head around the process (and bought some complimentary Gloria Jeans coffee) I was making creamy cappuccinos, flat whites and babycinos in no time.

Gloria Jeans Coffee Machine

The G-79 Duo Home Espresso Machine has special attachments so it can create one or two coffees at once, and a special milk “frother” which really puts the icing on the cake (you know what I mean). The steam head heats up in under three minutes however most of the time it is much faster than that.

If you are looking at purchasing an at home coffee machine, you really should consider the G-79…it makes a delicious cup every time and can even be used by those with no coffee making experience. Besides the ease of use and the delicious results, the coffee machine looks mighty cute sitting on your benchtop. For those of you who don’t want red, it also comes in silver.

The G-79 Duo will be available at Gloria Jean’s Coffees™ time for Christmas for RRP $395. Yet another reason to love GJs!

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Where’s Asterix

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December 6, 2011 By 1 Comment

It’s a very good thing I like to do a little research before I put pen to paper because I was very almost going to make a silly comment and embarrass myself. I was going to say, being a child of the 80′s I am familiar with – though I never actually read any myself – Asterix. He was all the rage with the boys my age. It actually turns out that Asterix was created in 1959! Therefore he would be familiar to a lot more people than I ever would have thought.

I had the new Asterix book in a bag next to my computer, just waiting for when I would have the time to write this. Hubby walked past earlier and spotted it in the bag “Ooh Asterix, cool!” I had to laugh, even a grown man who does not read got excited at the tiniest glimpse of Asterix.

wheres asterix

This Christmas then, it is safe to say, that every man you know would gain at least a little excitement at finding Asterix under the Christmas tree.

After the initial excitement at finding Asterix in their stocking this Christmas the boys will find that the excitement doesn’t end there. They can continue searching for Asterix in the pages of Where’s Asterix.

Think Where’s Wally combined with the distant past. The year is 50 B.C. and Gaul has been almost entirely taken over by the Romans, except for the small village home to Asterix. Your mission, if you think you’re man enough, is to scour the twelve action packed scenes inside this book to discover the hiding place of Asterix and various other characters in his entourage.

Asterix cartoons are cute yet still manly in that they are set in violent times – where it was all about clubs and swords so they are depicted here in very non-confronting violent times.

This book is bright and colourful, amusing and entertaining and sure to test the powers of observation. I predict it would be a hit with a demographic older than you would probably expect, until you get to the point where the eyesight is failing maybe, as well as with younger people. Males of all ages would get caught up in the fact that it’s Asterix I think.

Available where you get your books for an RRP of $24.99

The recommendation for this book is 9-12 year olds which sounds about right to me – but I still stand by what I said. I think this would be a hit with a much older crowd too – all the boys that remember growing up with Asterix.

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100 Gardens – Jamie Durie

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December 3, 2011 By 1 Comment

Jamie Durie pushes the boundaries on outdoor living spaces, he brings the inside out with his outdoor room designs. The new coffee table book called 100 Gardens will inspire you to step outside without losing style and comfort.

This book shows, you guessed it, 100 gardens that Jamie Durie has created in the last 10 years. I would describe it as a photobook, there isn’t much text but the pictures speak for themselves.

jamie durie

Every page is different, and you will want to jump right in there and laze around on the patio with a glass of wine. Jamie breaks all kinds of rules, but we all know he is a genius and everything he does…works. Chandeliers and cushions outside? Absolutely. A TV under the verandah? Why not.

Even kids can be catered for with cubbies and room to play.

100 Gardens is in stores in time for Christmas, and it has an RRP of 59.99

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Criminal Minds Season 6 (DVD)

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December 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Criminal Minds is a show that has been on our screens for a number of years now and it’s one that I always wanted to watch, planned to watch, but never quite made it that far.

This is an American police procedural drama following a group of profilers from the FBI’s Behavioural Analysis Unit. Criminal Minds is different to most of the shows currently running in this genre because it focuses mainly on the criminal rather than the crime.

The show is about getting to the bottom of the brain committing the crimes, deciphering who the criminal is so they can anticipate the next move and catch them before they can strike again.

Criminal Minds Season 6

Profiling is very much about the psychological makeup of these criminals and that is something I find fascinating. Criminal Minds is about a team of profilers, all of whom bring their own unique skills to the table and form an effective team.

Criminal Minds Season 6 is a 6 disc box set containing the entire season. 5 of the 6 discs have special features so there is sure to be heaps of interesting additional content. Rated MA 15+ this is not suitable for younger viewers, the team work on violent crimes so there is sure to be some graphic scenes.

Season 6 is a continuation of the series, and it does continue a storyline and timeline but that is not going to hinder anyone’s enjoyment. It is also a show that can be enjoyed when you happen to catch an episode here or there.

Criminal Minds stars a whole heap of stars that look familiar to me but I couldn’t really place… except for Thomas Gibson who I remember from his 5 years on Dharma & Greg but also starred in Chicago Hope and a string of other shows and movies.

Also starring in this season are A.J. Cook, Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, Shemar Moore, Matthew Gray Gubler, Kirsten Vangsness and Erica Messer.

This would make a great gift for crime show fans and I know I can’t wait to watch.

6-disc DVD set ($89.95)
Also available is the Season 1-6 DVD Box set (Exclusive to JB Hi-Fi)

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Delicious – Simply the Best

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November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

At first glance, the new recipe book by Delicious called Simply the Best looks like it is going to be all about desserts. That could be because on the front cover is a picture of a beautiful looking lemon meringue pie, but once you get inside you will find that there is so much more.

This book celebrates the last decade of Delicious Magazine, with 120 shiny new recipes with beautiful imagery to accompany them.

delicious

Everything is covered and you will be inspired by meats, desserts and salads with a range of ingredients to challenge and excite you. We are a nation who have embraced the art of cooking, because eating is not just a way to survive but a way to celebrate and share precious moments with family and friends.

Instead of sorting the recipes purely by course, they are in unique categories such as “Date Night” – meals for two, and “East Meets West” for Asian cuisine. This makes it interesting flicking through the pages because you never know what will turn up next!

There are so many recipes in this book that I am really looking forward to trying, and this title is really well presented and would make a lovely Christmas gift this year. RRP $39.99

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Gifterati Australia

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November 29, 2011 By 1 Comment

When I was approached to try out the new Gifterati Australia gifting website, I agreed (because who could say no to a 30 pack of Ferrero Rocher chocolates?).

Gifterati is a unique concept where the gift is sent via Facebook and posted on your friend’s wall, and then shortly after it arrives in their letterbox. One day I was notified by the social networking site that I was gifted the Ferreros and a few days later they were on my doorstep.

ferrero

This is such a fun idea and the gifts are priced from just $4.50 (which includes postage) with everything from chocolates to homewares included in the range. If you don’t know your friend’s address it doesn’t matter because they can input it themselves via the gift notification.

Don’t want to tell the world about your gift? You can still order the traditional way if you prefer.

Visit Gifterati for all your gift needs – this is especially useful for all your interstate relatives this Christmas!

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Sebastian Professional Hair Care Set

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November 14, 2011 By 3 Comments

This Christmas there is a perfect gift for children of the 80′s who love to look after their hair.

I can’t tell you that much about the actual Sebastian Professional Hair Care Set because I’m too caught up in the way it’s packaged.

The set includes three hair care products: a shampoo, a conditioner and a taming elixir. All three are full sized products and in their own boxes. The bottles are 2 white and 1 black, the boxes are triangular with sides that alternate black and white. Can  you see where I’m going with this yet?

seb hair

Remember the little black and white snake things that you could twist and turn and make into different shapes, I can’t for the life of me think what they were called now. (They were called the Rubik’s Snake – thank you to my dear friend Shelley for refreshing my memory and letting me know that they were)

So, I sit here to tell you about this gift pack and find myself playing with the box and folding it into all it’s different configurations. Such fun! So for all your children of the 80′s this Christmas take a look at the Sebastian Professional Gift Sets.

The set I have here is the Hydre moisturising shampoo and conditioner. Advertised as the Thirst Quencher these salon quality products offer intense nourishment to dry, frizzy, chemically treated hair, making it soft and silky with body and bounce. Product number three is a Taming Elixir that is a weightless smoothing creme serum that hydrates to tame frizz; making it smooth and touchable.

There are a range of different packs available to cater to all hair types and the RRP for each is $70.

Sebastian Professional is available from selected salons nationally, for your nearest stockist please phone: 1300 728 333 / www.sebastianprofessional.com

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Van Gogh: The Life

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November 13, 2011 By 4 Comments

Vincent Van Gogh was an inspirational artist who created some of the world’s most loved works of art. Under-appreciated in his own lifetime Van Gogh went on to change art forever with his new style of painting.

Lovers of Van Gogh and lovers of art are going to enjoy this comprehensive biography of Vincent Van Gogh from his birth in 1853 to his tragic death in 1890.

Penned by Steven Naitch and Gregory White Smith with the complete co-operation of the Van Gogh Museum this book contains a wealth of previously undiscovered and unpublished information that explores the genius that is Van Gogh while it sheds new light on his romantic life and the circumstances of his early death.

van gogh

There are two sections of glossy colour reproductions of Van Gogh paintings in this impressive encyclopedia. There are also black and white reproductions of his work throughout the book alongside photographic reproductions from his life. All of which adds up to a beautifully illustrated, meticulously researched, descriptive biography of one of the most important cultural figures of the western world.

Anything you want to know about Van Gogh and his tortured soul is sure to be contained in the pages of this gorgeous volume, as well as an alternate explanation for Van Gogh’s suicide.

If you know of any appreciaters of fine art, fans of Van Gogh especially, then you can be sure this definitive biography will find a well loved home under their Christmas tree this year.

Van Gogh is available for $59.99 where you buy your books, ISBN 9781846680106.

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40 Years of Queen

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November 1, 2011 By 6 Comments

Queen fans rejoice as the legacy lives on!

Allen and Unwin are set to release a book of facts and information following Queen from their early years right through to what’s happening now.

Queen are one of the world’s most loved bands and they have held a position in the hearts of millions for 40 years, their music has influenced the lives of many and they are a band with a legacy that will never grow old.

40 Years of Queen is an official publication. Every stage has been fully approved by the band to give quite a complete history of four very talented musicians who came together to create Queen.

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Harry Doherty penned the book, stating the facts as he saw them. He is a music journalist that has known them through many years and is one of very few in the industry that has earned the trust of the band.

This hard cover coffee table gift book is filled to the brim with interesting facts and history about this ground breaking band. A band who have spent decades breaking records and collecting awards, a list way too long to itemise here but suffice it to say includes many ‘Best Band’, ‘Best Album’, ‘Best Single, ‘Best Video’ and ‘Best Live Act’. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and given their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2002.

Interesting facts and little known information about the band, their career and the people they worked with in creating their show stopping albums are not all that this book has to recommend it. There are also forewords by both Brian May and Roger Taylor and a wealth of glorious photographs telling the history in imagery.

The standout additions in this all encompassing Queen history are the rare archive interview CD with the whole band on BBC Radio in 1977, the interview originally aired in two parts. There are also replica copies of 30 pieces of rare memorabilia, some of which has come from the private Queen collection. From rare concert posters, set lists, tickets, unused album art and handwritten lyrics.

This complete history is glossy full colour, beautifully boxed and is the ultimate gift idea for any Queen fan.

Published in November with an RRP of $49.99 40 years of Queen will be available where you usually get your books.

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Dr Karl’s Brain Food

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October 27, 2011 By

Dr Karl is an Australian science guru who has a fantastic sense of humour and a way with words which makes his work educational and entertaining. Reading his bio all I can say is this is one extremely clever man – he is a qualified medical doctor, engineer, physicist and mathematician who has consistently been in the list of the Top 15 Most Trusted Australians since 2005. His career also includes TV, books, newspapers, magazines, scripting, professional speaking and the net.

This latest book sees Dr Karl taking a closer look at the food industry and our bodies – and how it all comes together. He covers a range of issues that involve what we eat and how we consume food.  Dr Karl explores the inner workings of our body and has the book set out in full colour spreads.

There are so many interesting facts behind things we take for granted in our every day lives when it comes to food. Dr Karl takes us behind the scenes to explain the science of these things to us.

With interesting explanations for things like the ‘Life-Saving Poo Transplant’ which is actually more common than you would think and the reason that bodily waste fluids are the colours that they are how can you not want to check this book out.

dr karls brain food

Even more interesting than that is the science behind why some people get ice-cream headaches, the amount of calories in alcohol, the Low-GI diet and why onions make you cry.

This book is the perfect gift for that person in your life who likes to know what’s going on in their body, who hoards all of those quirky facts and who loves to do it all with a sense of humour.

I was half expecting that this would read like a science text and have me yawning in minutes but it’s filled with vivid colours and written with inherent humour. Would make a great coffee table book in any house I think, certainly some facts that would serve as great conversation starters!

The other thing I really liked is the ‘Up Close And Personal’ pics scattered through the book. They are all photos of things magnified through a microscope and the answers are in the last section of the book. Things look so cool when they are magnified hundreds or thousands of times and it’s fun to try and guess what they could be.

Dr Karl’s Brain Food has an RRP of $32.99 and is available where you get  your books.

ISBN: 978-1-7426-1039-9

Filed Under: **VIEW ALL GIFTS**, Books, For Her, For Him
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