Retail Therapy: A box of birds

Annie Sandano skull greeting card from Seed Gallery. Photo / Supplied

Seed Gallery has selected some of its most popular artworks, downsized them and turned them into unique greeting cards. The cards, made in New Zealand, feature work by artists Tracey Black, Rebecca Thomson, Aroha Lewin, John Pusateri and Annie Sandano. The works will be showcased in the gallery alongside the original pieces until March 28, and sell for $6 each - an easy and affordable way to bring some art into your life. 23A Crowhurst St, Newmarket, ph (09) 522 5360.

Pin up

With all the excitement around the Auckland Horse Racing Carnival, we couldn't go past this limited edition handmade 18ct gold and diamond pin which consists of 77 brilliant cut diamonds totalling three-quarter carat. It is a replica of the handsome Auckland Cup trophy which was made in 1889 by Garrads the Crown jewellers and gifted to the Auckland Racing Club by Moss Davis in 1928. The pin comes in white or yellow gold and can be worn as a lapel pin or as a pendant around the neck. $5000 from Graeme Thomson Antique Jewellery, 259 Parnell Rd, Parnell, ph (09) 303 1912.

Go to it

Do you have your ticket to the New Zealand Fashion Festival yet? Tickets are still available for next Tuesday's show, which will showcase key pieces from current season collections from Adrian Hailwood, Andrea Moore, Annah Stretton, Barkers, Cybele, Ed Hardy, Helen Cherry/Workshop, Huffer, Juliette Hogan, Kate Sylvester, Moochi, Paula Ryan, Stolen Girlfriends Club,, The Carpenter's Daughter, Trelise Cooper and Zambesi. The show - which will act as the opening night for the inaugural event - will feature the longest catwalk Auckland has ever seen, as well as live music from George FM djs. Tickets are $45 each, and available now from www.iticket.co.nz.

French kisses

With names like Gabrielle, Mademoiselle, Camelia and Legende these black-encased lipsticks could come from only one house - Chanel. Its founder would surely enjoy Rouge Coco, a collection of 30 shades named after her, her favourite haunts and her colourful inspirations, such as the Ballet Russe. With a new noticeably more hydrating, long-lasting texture, Chanel is betting on Rouge Coco being a big launch. The company's global creative directive of Chanel makeup, Peter Philips, says: "I like the idea that women from the gloss generation who are afraid of lipstick can return to this essentially feminine beauty step with Rouge Coco."

The house certainly takes its lipsticks seriously; this latest version features the inter-linked double C on the inside of the cap and engineers have done hundreds of tests to ensure it clicks closed with a satisfying sound. And as anyone lucky enough to have a Chanel 2.55 quilted handbag knows, there's a little leather compartment inside each one especially made for a lipstick. Rouge Coco is happily launching here just as the return to lipstick is underlined in makeup collections worldwide. It will be on counter from next week for $58.

Hot spots

Fans of television twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen will know that despite a net worth estimated at US$100 million by Forbes Magazine, making them the 11th richest women in entertainment, they are renowned for their boho fashion image, often called the "ash-can" look or "homeless" chic. The pair who showed their collection The Row for the first time recently at New York Fashion Week to critical acclaim (it was snapped up by London's Harvey Nichols buyer) also produce a range called Elizabeth & James - and this you can now buy right here in Auckland at Muse boutique in Newmarket. We love this pure silk spotty blouse which has an elegant laidback ease to it. Muse, 11 Teed St, Newmarket, ph (09) 520 2911.

Hooked at The Westin

The Westin is celebrating the arrival of the Moet Hennessy and Louis Vuitton Trophy series into Auckland with a competition with a quirky twist. The hotel's indoor water feature will be filled with miniature boats, with coloured dots on the underside of each representing a spot prize or entry into the main prize draw. There are over $25,000 worth of prizes; the grand prize includes $3000 worth of Kagi Jewellery. Spot prizes include Heavenly products, Senses Spa vouchers and bottles of Moet & Chandon. To enter, buy a flute of Moet at the hotel and receive a fishing token - spot prizes will be handed out between 5pm and 6.30pm.