Retail Therapy: Shop till you drop

New Zealand's Next Top Cat Model. Photo / Supplied

Trelise Cooper is holding her famous sample sale at her Newmarket head office. The sale, which starts today and runs until Sunday June 21, will feature samples, prototypes, production over-runs and more from all Cooper's ranges - including Trelise Cooper Kids. Get shopping at 8 Lion Place, Newmarket. Wednesday 9am-9pm, Thursday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-4pm.

Ready set sale

Attention preppies: Polo Ralph Lauren is holding an end of season sale, and it starts today. The Newmarket store will have up to 50 per cent off clothes and accessories. The sale is on for a limited time; visit the store at 277 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland, ph 0800 765 675. And boutique Verranda Young is now on sale too, with up to 50 per cent off Alice McCall, Zambesi, Nom.d, Life With Bird and more great labels. Visit at 6 Rugby Road, Birkenhead Point, ph (09) 4180 052.

Portable heaters

In the weird but interesting category of things that cross the Viva desk are Hotteeze, little self-adhesive pads that stick inside the outer layer of clothes and heat up to act like a mobile hot water bottle. The slim pads can be placed on achy places, a sore tummy or stiff shoulder for instance, and worn without anyone knowing for up to 12 hours of heat. Made in Japan, where it is believed that keeping the solar plexus and kidneys warm is health giving, the eco-friendly pad costs $3 or $23.95 for a pack of 10, available from selected health food stores, pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide. It works when the iron filling is exposed to oxygen and the contents can be disposed off into soil afterward. See www.hotteeze.com to find out more about the product or for your local stockist call 0800 118 331.

Next top cat model

Having withdrawals now that the winner of New Zealand's Next Top Model has been announced? Well today is your lucky day - the SPCA and Lonely Miaow have launched a fundraiser, cutely called New Zealand's Next Top Cat Model. New Zealanders are being encouraged to enter their cats online, where they'll be in the running towards becoming New Zealand's next top cat model. You can also donate to the SPCA, and from September 1, vote for your favourite model puss. The judging panel includes NZNTM's Colin Mathura-Jeffree and SPCA CEO Robyn Kippenberger. For more information about the competition, visit www.topcatmodel.co.nz. Entries close July 31, and the winner will be chosen on October 1.

Fast fix

Coloriste 10 is a new range of home hair dye from Schwarzkopf that takes just 10 minutes to process. It's the second speedy solution to market after the recent release of L'Oreal's Excell10 product. Coloriste is available in 10 colours, works on greys and has hair strengthening ingredients and a new-style comb applicator. It costs $19.99 and is available widely from pharmacies, supermarkets and variety stores. Other new to New Zealand hair ranges we've noticed are Pureology, the much lauded organic shampoo range from America, which leaves hair feeling soft and has a reputation for maintaining the depth of coloured hair and an English line called Organic Colour systems which includes ammonia-free dye options.