Up-market department store Selfridges has unveiled a new augmented reality mirror that allows female customers to try on luxury underwear from the designer brand Triumph’s new ‘Essence Collection‘, without actually getting undressed. The mirror, developed by augmented reality specialists Holition, is an innovation in fashion retail.

So how does it work? Basically, a customer will stand in front of a specially designed screen that has a motion sensor camera attached. The camera will then scan the person’s body using infra-red and ...]]>

Up-market department store Selfridges has unveiled a new augmented reality mirror that allows female customers to try on luxury underwear from the designer brand Triumph’s new ‘Essence Collection‘, without actually getting undressed. The mirror, developed by augmented reality specialists Holition, is an innovation in fashion retail.

So how does it work? Basically, a customer will stand in front of a specially designed screen that has a motion sensor camera attached. The camera will then scan the person’s body using infra-red and generate a 3D silhouette which imitates the movements of the shopper in real time. This way consumers can virtually ‘try on’ pieces from the Essence Collection to see how it would fit their form without having to take off a single piece of clothing.

The CEO of Holition, Jonathan Chippindale stated: “The Fantasy Mirror demonstrates how 3D virtual reality solutions can be used to develop the consumer experience. We have integrated elegant design with innovative technology to give female shoppers something they have never seen before. The mirror is not an alternative to trying-on clothes, but an additional shopping experience. Consumer expectations are constantly changing as technology evolves and Holition is proud to support this evolution by providing complementary services.”

Holition has previously worked with many luxury brands including, TAG Heuer, Tissot, Garrard, Hannah Martin and De Beers. It seems as time progresses this innovative method of attracting consumers will only grow and who knows maybe soon the technology will be utilized as customers enter a store, enticing them to buy things they may not have even come to shop for.

Selfridges ‘Fantasy Room’ Story Highlights

• Selfridges launches augmented reality mirror
• Allows customers to try on lingerie and underwear without removing their clothing
• Customers stand in front of screen with a motion sensor camera attached
• Camera takes infra-red scan and creates 3D silhouette of customer
• Products can be seen in real-time 3D
• Mirror is developed by AR specialists Holition

Related Sites

• Selfridges – http://www.selfridges.com
• Holition – http://holition.co.uk

See Also

• Xbox Kinect (SuperStoreSearch.com)

Health and beauty retailer Superdrug is now offering shoppers a loyalty card that also serves as a compact vanity mirror in a bid to better understand shopping habits whilst rewarding customers with loyalty points which can be redeemed for discounts against new purchases.

The scheme was launched on the 11th of May and shoppers can now pick up a Beautycard in store. Presenting the loyalty card at the point of sale allows customers to earn 1 point for every £1 ...]]>

Health and beauty retailer Superdrug is now offering shoppers a loyalty card that also serves as a compact vanity mirror in a bid to better understand shopping habits whilst rewarding customers with loyalty points which can be redeemed for discounts against new purchases.

The scheme was launched on the 11th of May and shoppers can now pick up a Beautycard in store. Presenting the loyalty card at the point of sale allows customers to earn 1 point for every £1 spent, which can then be redeemed in 100-point batches which are worth a £1 discount from further purchases – equivalent to a 1% cashback rate.

Superdrug Beautycard vs Boots Advantage Card

The launch of the Superdrug reward programme has been seen as a move to rival the Boots Advantage Card loyalty scheme, which has a similar points based collection system that can be redeemed on selected products and gifts – however there are a few differences, which are as follows:

• The Boots Advantage Card scheme earns 4 points for every £1 spent, with each point worth 1p on redeemable products – equivalent to a 4% cashback rate, making it 4x times as generous as the Superdrug Beautycard.
• The Superdrug Beautycard points can be reclaimed as a discount (in multiples of 100 point batches) as part payment towards nearly any purchase with the remainder paid in cash, whereas the Boots Advantage Card requires accumulation of points to redeem the full value of the reward -  and which is restricted to those products offered by the Boots Advantage scheme.

Overall, the benefits of either loyalty card scheme should be balanced and judged on the basis of a like-for-like comparison by calculating the final purchase price minus the loyalty points discount – after performing a price check at both Superdrug and Boots stores to determine the best deal.

In perspective, the benefits of using the loyalty cards is ultimately a win for the consumer as it offers something for nothing on your purchases.  Superdrug will also learn about customer buying patterns and preferences and be able to better target promotions to card members.

The choice of name for the ‘Beautycard’ may prove to be a slight limitation or lead to a reduced uptake among male members of the population.  The Superdrug Beautycard is also trying to win its way into handbags and pockets by serving a practical function as a compact mirror.

Beautycard Promotion

As an introductory offer, the Beautycard can be used to earn 10 points for every £1 spent for a limited time only (expires 07 June 2011).

However, Superdrug will also feature the chance to earn double and triple points or more on special promotional products which are refreshed every 4 weeks.

The Beautycard “Smallprint”

Some important points to consider when committing to the Superdrug loyalty scheme, the Beautycard FAQ states that you must have used your Beautycard within the last 12 months in order to keep your account open and thus avoid losing your points – furthermore, points accrued must be spent within 24 months.

There are some exceptions as to what you can earn points from and spend points on, which includes:  “stamps, mobile top-ups, prescription medicines, infant milk formula and the purchase of gift cards.”

Related Sites

• http://www.superdrug.com/

Find great deals on fashion by the George range at the Asda Direct online store – with the mid season sale now on, shoppers can save up to 50% off across the range on George clothing and accessory items for Women, Men, Kids and Baby.

Brilliant bargains for women at Asda – accessorize with handbags from only £3.  Lots to choose from with discounts on the G21 clothing line, and more options in knitwear, lingerie and nightwear.. including 125 ...]]>

Find great deals on fashion by the George range at the Asda Direct online store – with the mid season sale now on, shoppers can save up to 50% off across the range on George clothing and accessory items for Women, Men, Kids and Baby.

George for Women

Brilliant bargains for women at Asda – accessorize with handbags from only £3.  Lots to choose from with discounts on the G21 clothing line, and more options in knitwear, lingerie and nightwear.. including 125 products in the Tops range, with cotton crew necks from £2.

George for Men

Mens scarves start from £2.50 and stylish jackets from £15.  There’s a good variety of shirts and tops, with the soft touch knitwear range from as little as £4 for v-neck soft knit jumpers.

George Kids Range

There’s colourful fun and games for children with the George at Asda range, with the Character Shop that features a Mickey Mouse fleece set for £3 and a range of fancy dress costumes for kids role play as Snow White, Cinderella and Minnie Mouse (£8).

George Baby

Baby bibs are £1 and a range of baby clothes for boys and girls are available, including the Disney Shop range with character sets from under £5.

See the full range on the George at Asda Mid Season half price sale
Visit the Asda store website now to avoid missing out with 50% off a great selection of items by George, while stocks last.

A good choice for a wooden playhouse is the multifunctional outdoor playhouse – the TP Forest Lodge.  It is raised on stilts for a heightened effect as though ...]]> A wooden playhouse can be an enchanting abode away from home, an appealing place to relax and play.  Encouraging roleplay and stimulating the imagination, a playhouse is practical and serves as a play area for the garden and provides a safe sanctuary for children to explore and fantasy play.

TP Forest Lodge Outdoor Playhouse

A good choice for a wooden playhouse is the multifunctional outdoor playhouse – the TP Forest Lodge.  It is raised on stilts for a heightened effect as though playing in a treehouse, and includes a ladder to climb up and accompanying slide for extra fun on the way down.

The TP Forest Lodge is constructed from pressure treated timber and uses a durable form of weather-resistant plastic.  It is suitable for children from 3 years old and measures 310cm in height and has a diameter of 175cm.

Walton Daisy Cottage Playhouse

An ideal choice for the smaller garden is the compact sized Walton Daisy Cottage playhouse featuring Georgian style styrene glazed windows, flower decoration on the door and roofing felt – constructed from timber and is certified according to European Toy Safety Standards.

Measures 120cm (length) x 111cm (width) x 139cm (height)

NIKKO R/C is the world’s largest radio controlled toy manufacturer.  Nikko holds licenses from the likes of Hummer, Ford and ‘The Fast and the Furious’ brands to reproduce R/C Toys in their likeness, aswell as proprietary toy designs by Nikko.

Nikko produces a range of radio controlled toys for use on the road, in the air and on water..

The Subaru Impreza rally car is a popular design choice for land based radio controlled toy cars.

Sunglasses are primarily a form of protective eyewear, protecting wearers from bright sunlight and cancelling out harmful UV rays from the sun.  However, sunglasses have also become an essential fashion accessory item, with a huge selection of trendy styles available in the designer sunglasses range.

Here are 3 of the leading designer brands for fashionable sunglasses.

Oakley produces a range of sporting equipment ranging from sport visors, ski goggles to watches and most famously for their line up of sunglasses.  With ...]]>

Sunglasses are primarily a form of protective eyewear, protecting wearers from bright sunlight and cancelling out harmful UV rays from the sun.  However, sunglasses have also become an essential fashion accessory item, with a huge selection of trendy styles available in the designer sunglasses range.

Here are 3 of the leading designer brands for fashionable sunglasses.

Oakley Sunglasses

Oakley produces a range of sporting equipment ranging from sport visors, ski goggles to watches and most famously for their line up of sunglasses.  With decades of experience, research and development – Oakley sunglasses blend smart technology, performance and style.  Oakley holds over 575 patents worldwide and its innovations include High Definition Optics® (HDO®) – a superior lens clarity that minimizes eye shift to readjust focus as it tends to happen with lower quality lenses.

Oakley sunglasses also benefit from the three-point-fit system which ensures the sunglasses only ever touch the bridge of your nose and the side temples of your head for greater comfort and convenience.

Ray Ban Sunglasses

Ray-Ban was founded by Bausch & Lomb after an adventurous Lieutenant John MacCready complained of sun damage to his eyes after a balloon flying trip.  Bausch & Lomb registered a patent in 1937 on a prototype dubbed ‘Anti-Glare’ for lenses which would filter out infrared and UV rays from the sun.

Ray Ban went on to develop their technology further for the US Air Force and today is one of the leading designer sunglasses brands, helped to its iconic status by celebrities including the Beatles and featured in a number of blockbuster movies ranging from Top Gun to Men in Black.

Ray Ban has a long history of over 70 years in the design and manufacture of sunglasses and currently produces its popular range of sunglasses  in 7 series:

• Active Lifestyle
• High Street
• Fast and Furious
• Families
• Icons
• Craft
• Tech

Police Sunglasses

The Police brand was launched in Italy in 1983 as a specialist designer sunglasses company – in later years, it launched a range of perfumes in ’97 and Police watches in 2003.  It eventually produced a range of apparel in 2008 but the Police brand has most famously been known for its stylish sunglasses that have been sported by many celebrities from the likes of David Beckham, Bruce Willis, and George Clooney to various fashion icons throughout the years.

Related Sites

• Oakley UK (Official Site)
• Ray Ban UK (Official Site)
• Police Sunglasses (Official Site)

Did You Know..?

In space, sunlight is more intense and harmful than on Earth.  During space walks, astronauts wear a special helmet that acts like a pair of sunglasses – the visor has a darker lens and a thin gold coating for extra protection from the much higher levels of Ultra Violet radiation.

Reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunglasses

Outstanding design features, functionality and class – these premium timepieces are among the finest and coolest watches for discerning men.  From simplicity to sophisticated styles, these refined watches stand out for their aesthetic design appeal, quality and time keeping.

The AR1411 is a striking gents watch from Emporio Armani, featuring a Quartz-Chrono movement, with a watch case and bracelet constructed from ceramic, set in a stylish black dial with roman numerals in rose gold.

Water ...]]>

Outstanding design features, functionality and class – these premium timepieces are among the finest and coolest watches for discerning men.  From simplicity to sophisticated styles, these refined watches stand out for their aesthetic design appeal, quality and time keeping.

Emporio Armani AR1411 Ceremica Gents Watch – £499

The AR1411 is a striking gents watch from Emporio Armani, featuring a Quartz-Chrono movement, with a watch case and bracelet constructed from ceramic, set in a stylish black dial with roman numerals in rose gold.

Water resistant to 30m and comes with a 2 year manufacturer guarantee.

• Buy Emporio Armani Gents AR1411 – £499 (via Amazon)
• Browse Emporio Armani Mens Watches UK

Omega Speedmaster Tachymeter Watch – £5,570

An impeccable bold design, the Omega 323.21.40.40.02.001 is a Speedmaster Tachymeter Watch from renowned watchmaker Omega – featuring a flawless 18kt yellow gold bezel and stainless steel case.

A refined set of luminous gold-tone hands and hour markers decorate the brilliant white dial. The chronograph consists of 3 sub-dials:

• 60 seconds
• 30 minutes
• 12 hours

Water resistant to 100 meters (330 feet), the Omega Speedmaster is powered by self winding automatic movement.  The bezel is fitted with a scratch resistant sapphire crystal.

• Buy Omega Speedmaster Automatic Mens Watch – £5,570
• Browse Omega Watches for Men
• Also see Omega Mens Gold Watches

Mondaine Evo Swiss Automatic Gents Watch – £345

A distinctive style with a highly legible display – the Mondaine EVO Swiss Automatic Gents Watch features a rounded stainless steel case with a subtle domed mineral crystal glass incorporating a magnifying effect.  Part of the EVO collection, these Mondaine Mens Watches have been inspired to capture the pristine and punctual look associated with the Swiss Federal Railways – renowned for over a 100 years for their precision and punctuality.

“Historically the train station manager used a special red Paddle to announce to passengers and train conductors that the train is about to depart. This red Paddle with its special shape is also the second hand of the Official Swiss Railways Clock.”

• Buy the Mondaine Gents Evo Swiss Automatic Watch – £345
• Also see Mens Watches with Day & Date function.

Casio Edifice Radio Controlled Analog Quartz Watch – £150

The Casio Edifice is part of the Wave Ceptor rave of Radio Controlled watches – automatically resetting the time based on your global position and the time of year.

A sophisticated look and feel is backed with an armoury of features and refinements.

• 1/100th second chronograph
• LED Lit Dial
• Water resistant to 100m
• Daily Alarm
• Date Indicator
• Time Zones

This Casio watch consists of a stainless steel case and bracelet and is supplied with a 2 year manufacturer guarantee and presentation box.

• Buy Casio Edifice EQW-500DBE-1AVER Radio Controlled Watch - £150
• Browse Radio Controlled Mens Watches

Casio G-Shock Mens Combi Watch – £65

Featuring an alarm, stop watch, and back light this Casio G-Shock watch is water resistant to 200 meters, has a Quartz movement and mineral crystal glass display.  A stainless steel and resin case, combined with a nylon band complements the superlative and powerful style of this practical watch.

• Buy the Casio G-Shock Aw-591Ms-3Aer Combi Watch – £65
• Browse Casio Watches for Men UK
• Also see shock resistant Casio G-Shock watches.

Did You Know..?

Casio created the shock resistant G-Shock watch range in 1983, changing the the perception that the watch is a fragile piece of jewellery.

Consisting of 10K white gold, this beautiful ring features a 3 round prong set of tanzanite (measuring 3mm with a total 3/8 ctw) – further accented with 2 round prong set side diamonds (H-I-J, I1-I2 totaling .018 ctw) creating a visually stunning effect on either side.

Customer reviews of ...]]> An elegantly styled white gold diamond and tanzanite ring makes a lasting impression and represents great value with this special offer – RRP £136.65 available now for £81.99 (from Amazon)

Consisting of 10K white gold, this beautiful ring features a 3 round prong set of tanzanite (measuring 3mm with a total 3/8 ctw) – further accented with 2 round prong set side diamonds (H-I-J, I1-I2 totaling .018 ctw) creating a visually stunning effect on either side.

Customer Review Summary

Customer reviews of this ring have been positive with regard to the refined style and high quality, and a common theme emerges that this jewellery item appears much more expensive than it actually is.  A luxurious design for a great value price.

See Also

• Browse White Gold Sapphire Rings

Did You Know..?

Tanzanite is an extraordinary gemstone and has only been found in one place in the world, first discovered in 1967 and appropriately named after Tanzania in Africa.

Reference

http://www.gemstone.org

In a contemporary curtain pole design is this Bloomsbury 16mm steel curtain pole, presented with a stylish barrel finial and a concealed fixing bracket with fixed eyelet rings.  Also available in ...]]> Transform the interior design of your home and add that special touch with the style of contemporary curtain poles. Curtain poles with a contemporary design include metal curtain poles in a variety of shapes and finishes, from oval and triangular forms to satin nickel and graphite finish effects.

Bloomsbury 16mm Steel Curtain Poles

In a contemporary curtain pole design is this Bloomsbury 16mm steel curtain pole, presented with a stylish barrel finial and a concealed fixing bracket with fixed eyelet rings.  Also available in an antique brass finish.

Swish Metal Block 19mm Satin Nickel Curtain Pole

For a modern look, this contemporary block style curtain pole from the Swish pole range measures 19mm and is produced in a satin nickel finish.

Contemporary Triangle 28mm Graphite Curtain Poles

The triangular finials on this polished graphite curtain pole are adjustable, enabling you to achieve a more varied and unique look.   The finials are hand made with a solid look and feel in a high gloss graphite colour but can also be ordered in a Satin Silver and Antique Brass finish effect.

Contemporary Oval 28mm Satin Silver Curtain Poles

This contemporary oval form curtain pole with a satin silver finish comes with a polished brushed steel look making it a good candidate for eyelet curtains because there is no painted finish that the eyelets could scratch.  The oval finials can be adjusted and twisted to achieve several kinds of looks with the same curtain pole.  Also available in an antique brass finish.

Did you know..?

In 1907 Charles W. Kirsch invented the first flat curtain rod

Reference

http://www.kirsch.com/about/

Blokus is a family board game for up to 4 players.  Each player takes turns strategically placing their chosen colour blocks on the board – but each new piece must touch at least one other piece of the same ...]]> Blokus is the fun and tactical strategy board game for all the family, by Mattel. Blokus stimulates players to think in terms of logic and helps develop spatial perception, while encouraging children to learn about tactics and planning ahead.

How To Play Blokus

Blokus is a family board game for up to 4 players.  Each player takes turns strategically placing their chosen colour blocks on the board – but each new piece must touch at least one other piece of the same colour, and only at the corners.

At the end of the game, when the board is full, each player counts up the number of of squares in the remaining block pieces – and the player with the least number of squares wins!

See Also

• Buy Blokus at Amazon
• Browse more Board Games

Did you know?

Senet may be the oldest board game in the world, the popular game has been found in ancient Egyptian burials, dating as far back as 3500 BC

References

Senet Game (BritishMuseum.org)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senet

For pearly white smiles and improved oral hygiene, try the innovative design of  Radius Toothbrushes.

The RADIUS Original Toothbrush features a wide oval head with 6,500 soft bristles – around 300% more premium quality bristles than your typical toothbrush, which has the beneficial effect of distributing the pressure applied during brushing, reducing erosion whilst massaging the sensitive tissue of your gums.

The Radius toothbrush design includes an ergonomic grip handle that places the popular toothbrush ...]]>

For pearly white smiles and improved oral hygiene, try the innovative design of  Radius Toothbrushes.

Size Matters

The RADIUS Original Toothbrush features a wide oval head with 6,500 soft bristles – around 300% more premium quality bristles than your typical toothbrush, which has the beneficial effect of distributing the pressure applied during brushing, reducing erosion whilst massaging the sensitive tissue of your gums.

Toothbrush Design: Colourful but Practical

The Radius toothbrush design includes an ergonomic grip handle that places the popular toothbrush at a dentist-recommended 45 degree angle.  The broad handle also features a thumb grip enabling accurate placement and a gentle brushing, plus with the large toothbrush head packed with 3x as many bristles, providing an all mouth cleaning feel.

The Radius Beach Glass Toothbrush Collection comes in 6 assorted colour styles:

• Lime
• Clear
• Pink
• Blue
• Red
• Teal

The Radius Original toothbrush is environmentally friendly and made from  a 100% sustainable wood-based cellulose bio-plastic, harvested from sustained yield forests.

See Also

• Oral Care
• Personal Care
• Health & Beauty

Did you know?

In China 1223, Japanese Zen master Dogen Kigen recorded on Shobogenzo that he saw monks clean their teeth with brushes made of horse-tail hairs attached to an ox-bone handle.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toothbrush

This double handled black mini evening Taurus handbag is made from soft leather and features an interior zipped pocket enclosure, a separate compartment pocket for a mobile phone.  ...]]> Simple and elegant handbags from Taurus, are both practical and trendy and complement virtually any style of outfit and dress when you’re looking to accessorize and can be carried on those special occasions and for casual use.  Taurus handbags are made from quality materials and designed to high standards.

Taurus Small Black Leather Handbag

This double handled black mini evening Taurus handbag is made from soft leather and features an interior zipped pocket enclosure, a separate compartment pocket for a mobile phone.  Outside, there is an exterior angle pocket on the front and a large zipped closure pocket on the back.

Measuring 17cm tall and 22cm in length with a 6cm width.

Taurus Handbag Black

A tasteful and cultured choice, this Taurus zip up double handled handbag features three internal compartments, consisting of one zipped closure pocket and two internal holding compartments – a graceful style of handbag that fits any occasion.

Apple has unveiled the latest version of its popular Tablet PC, the iPad 2 – boasting a 33% thinner and upto 15% lighter design, combined with a new dual-core A5 chip, promising improved graphics, and a faster & better user experience, with 2 cameras, HD video – the Apple iPad 2 release date has been set for 25 March 2011.

The new Apple iPad features a set of dual cameras – a front facing camera ...]]>

Apple has unveiled the latest version of its popular Tablet PC, the iPad 2 – boasting a 33% thinner and upto 15% lighter design, combined with a new dual-core A5 chip, promising improved graphics, and a faster & better user experience, with 2 cameras, HD video – the Apple iPad 2 release date has been set for 25 March 2011.

iPad 2 – Dual Cameras

The new Apple iPad features a set of dual cameras – a front facing camera lets you shoot VGA quality photos and record video at 30 fps (frames per second) and enables users to make FaceTime video calls over WiFi to other iPad 2 owners, iPhone 4 devices, the new iPod Touches and Apple Mac computers.

There is a better quality rear facing camera on the iPad 2 tablet that enables HD video recording (720p) at 30 fps with audio and the still camera features a 5x digital zoom function to get closer to your subjects.

Owning the newer iPad with 2 cameras opens up new possibilities for communication and entertainment, particularly when utilizing the wide variety of iPad applications that push the creativity and fun factor even further, such as the iPad Photo Booth app.

iPad 2 Photo Booth

The new camera photo manipulation software app Photo Booth comes built in with the latest iPad – demonstrating a slew of fun, artsy and even weird photo distorting effects live on the display – but moreover, the Photo Booth app shows off the capabilities and power of the new dual core A5 chip, enabling such improved graphics processing, as it displays a 9 panel screen preview each with a unique photo effect that updates and changes as you move in real-time.

iPad 2 Multi Touch Display

Pinch, tap and swipe on the multi-touch display that detects the movement of your fingers by sensing the electrical fields as you touch the screen.  The iPad is fully controlled by your touch, from browsing the web, to tapping out an email or reading an eBook – the iPad 2 Multi-Touch display screen is both intuitive and a joy to use.

iPad Smart Cover

The new iPad 2 and the iPad Smart Cover were designed with each other in mind – both feature built in smart magnetic technology that  enables the two to work together in clever and innovative ways.  For example, the iPad Smart Cover fits neatly over your iPad to protect the display – fold back the Smart Cover and your iPad wakes up instantly and ready to use! Close the cover again and it puts your iPad back to sleep.  What’s more, the iPad Smart Cover can be folded over itself into the perfect iPad stand for those times when you want to watch a movie, play some games or browse the web.

The iPad Smart Cover comes in 10 vibrant colour choices, including 5 of which are made in a rich, aniline-dyed Italian leather.

iPad 2 Games

With the introduction of the new dual core A5 chip on the latest iPad 2, it does twice the work, faster and with up to 9x faster graphics performance the iPad 2 is able to offer an even better gameplay experience with smoother and more improved graphics on the high resolution 9.7 inch iPad display.

Combined with the built in accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, and a compass that all work together – the iPad knows your every movement, allowing for an added dimension and sense of realism from new iPad applications and games.

Apple iPad 2 Built In Apps

iPad – 10 Hour Battery Life

The new iPad may be thinner and lighter on the weighing scale, but with the power-efficient A5 chip, the iPad 2 can still offer a generous 10 hour battery life that lets you do more of what you love, for longer.

Related Sites

• Apple iPad 2 (Official UK Site) [Apple.com]

Part of the Autograph collection, enjoy hotel style luxury in the home with this Animal Border Duvet Cover bedding from Marks and Spencer.  Featuring stylish embroidered detail and made of pure cotton in a delightful charcoal colour with a beautiful ...]]> The Marks and Spencer bedding range features elegant and beautiful designs to bring colour and life to the bedroom.   Take delight in the sumptuous feel and luxury quality of the Marks and Spencer bedding collection.

Autograph Animal Border Duvet Cover – Charcoal

Part of the Autograph collection, enjoy hotel style luxury in the home with this Animal Border Duvet Cover bedding from Marks and Spencer.  Featuring stylish embroidered detail and made of pure cotton in a delightful charcoal colour with a beautiful drape and deluxe feel.

Marks and Spencer Bedding Sizes

Comes in:

• Single (3ft)
• Double (4ft 6in)
• King Size (5ft)
• Super King Size (6ft)

Organic Seersucker Bedset

Featuring a textured striped design this cotton rich Organic Seersucker Marks and Spencer bedlinen benefits from the tactile sensation of crisp cotton whilst being easier to care for and iron, being machine washable and suitable for tumble drying.

• Composition: 98% cotton
  2% elastane
  Reverse: 100% cotton

Heritage Toile Bedset

This beautiful Heritage toile design bedding from Marks and Spencer consists of percale fabric with a 180 thread count and stylish piping detail.  The interior features a contrasting stripe pattern design.

• Composition: 50% cotton
  50% polyester

Fashion Vintage Stripe Bedset

Vintage style Marks and Spencer bedding, this vibrant and colourful stripe design is made of pure 100% cotton and was inspired by authentic vintage styles as part of the Fashion Vintage range.  Easy to care for, machine washable, tumble drying and easy iron.

Browse more styles and luxurious designs in the full Marks and Spencer Bedding range.

Filed in: Marks and Spencer blog

Pre-order the fifth instalment of the Ghost Recon game series now, the latest version – Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier is a team based 3rd person tactical shooter game featuring new and advanced prototype weapons and single & multi-player game campaign modes.

Tom Clancy‘s Ghost Recon Future Soldier is expected to have a release date sometime after April 2011 but can be pre-ordered now and delivered upon its release.  Tom Clancy’s Future Soldier will be available for the following gaming ...]]>

Pre-order the fifth instalment of the Ghost Recon game series now, the latest version – Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier is a team based 3rd person tactical shooter game featuring new and advanced prototype weapons and single & multi-player game campaign modes.

Tom Clancy‘s Ghost Recon Future Soldier is expected to have a release date sometime after April 2011 but can be pre-ordered now and delivered upon its release.  Tom Clancy’s Future Soldier will be available for the following gaming platforms:

• PC
• Xbox 360
• Sony PS3
• Nintendo Wii
• Nintendo DS

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier Game Cover

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier Game Description

In the escalating political climate of the near future where strategies on the battlefield must be delicately balanced with maneuvers at the negotiating table a new breed of soldier has arisen. Trained to be better than the best and outfitted with the most comprehensive array of high-tech gear ever assembled, the future soldier stands apart by his ability to remain undetected. He slips unseen behind enemy lines. He uses the perfect combination of diplomacy and force to achieve his objectives while remaining politically invisible. He is a Ghost.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon : Future Soldier Gameplay Images & Screenshots

See Also

• Game Consoles
• Game Shops

The Victoria Sandwich is a classic all-butter sponge cake and a teatime favourite:  filled with layers of vanilla buttercream and strawberry conserve, the Victoria Sandwich sponge ...]]>

Marks and Spencers is renowned for its high quality food range,  featuring delicious food ideas to delight your taste buds.  With so much to choose from, when you’re looking for a sweet treat of dessert or have a day to celebrate, consider these Top 5 Choices for Marks and Spencer Cakes.

Triple-Layer Victoria Sandwich Cake

The Victoria Sandwich is a classic all-butter sponge cake and a teatime favourite:  filled with layers of vanilla buttercream and strawberry conserve, the Victoria Sandwich sponge cake is dusted with icing sugar, stands 3 layers tall and weighs in at a considerable 2.1kg and is pre-cut into 14 generously sized  slices.

[Serves 14 people & Suitable for Vegetarians]

Milk & White Chocolate Three-Present Stack Cake

Visually stunning, this triple present stack cake is comprised of 3 chocolate cakes filled with chocolate ganache and coated in soft icing made of dark, milk and white chocolate – the chocolate lover’s dream.

[Serves 56 people - Weighs 3.4kg & Suitable for Vegetarians]

Add your personalized message to be iced on the cake before adding to basket.

Classic Chocolate Rose Cake

A beautiful table centrepiece, this three tiered rose cake is available as a choice of chocolate or sponge cake, and in your preference of icing colours – the classic chocolate rose cake is covered in a double layer of chocolate flavoured soft icing and adorned with a cascade of chocolate sugar-paste roses.

[Serves 144 people - Cake Weight 5.45kg & Suitable for Vegetarians]

Triple-Layer Cappuccino Cake

This triple layer chocolate and coffee cake is brimming with coffee buttercream and decorated with pieces of chocolate squares and curls and finally dusted with cocoa powder. Comes pre-cut into 14 generously portioned slices.

[Serves 14 people - Cake Weighs 1.9kg & is Suitable for Vegetarians]

Triple-Layer Carrot Cake

Experience the refined taste of 3 layers of lightly spiced carrot sponge that’s been filled with cream cheese and adorned with walnuts and mini sugar-paste carrots.

[Serves 14 people - Weight 2.4kg & Suitable for Vegetarians]

See more Marks and Spencer Food on the M&S website and browse other quality choices in the Marks and Spencer cakes section.

Filed in:  Marks and Spencer Blog

Mother’s Day is  a time to commemorate Motherhood and to show our appreciation for the hard working Mum and her tireless contribution to our lives.  Mother’s Day is also a chance to reunite and bring families closer together.

Mother’s Day is often celebrated with the giving of presents and special treats, and in this spirit we offer 6 Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gift Suggestions to show a token of our appreciation and to make her feel special this Mother’s Day.

An elegant lilac theme with vivid purple and pastel pink tones, these colourful and vibrant tulips are carefully arranged in a Hessian style gift bag. The Mother’s Day Tulip Gift Bag is delivered complete with a Happy Mother’s Day ribbon and includes a personalized greeting card with your message.

The Pretty Mum ...]]> With Mother’s Day approaching (3rd of April), here are 3 delightful hand picked Mother’s Day Gift Ideas from the Marks and Spencers Flowers collection.

Mother’s Day Tulip Gift Bag

An elegant lilac theme with vivid purple and pastel pink tones, these colourful and vibrant tulips are carefully arranged in a Hessian style gift bag. The Mother’s Day Tulip Gift Bag is delivered complete with a Happy Mother’s Day ribbon and includes a personalized greeting card with your message.

Pretty Mum Bouquet

The Pretty Mum flower Bouquet is comprised of an endearing mix of 3 Kenyan white Roses, 3 Bloom lilac chrysanthemums, a pair of cream lisianthus, a trio of blue trachelium flowers and with the finishing touch of eucalyptus foliage – an exquisite bouquet covered by the Marks and Spencers Flower Freshness guarantee:  that all flowers purchased from Marks and Spencers will stay looking beautiful for at least seven days, or your money back..

Mother’s Day Gift Bag

The Marks and Spencers  Mother’s Day Flower Gift Bag is brimming with 16 carefully picked flowers including pink hyacinths and tulips, white alstroemeria and large-headed Sweet Avalanche+™ roses (a trademark of Lex Breeders, Holland).

Delivered in a Mother’s Day gift bag, these flowers are adorned  with a re-usable rose corsage.  Marks and Spencer flowers are available for pre-order now with a delivery time frame between 29 March to 5 April 2011, including a guaranteed Mother’s Day (3 April) delivery service (£3 surcharge).

See More Marks and Spencer Flowers

Browse the full collection of flowers on the Marks and Spencer website, including the special Mothers Day Flower range.

Metal teddy bears make for a unique and thoughtful gift idea with a wide appeal for both children and adults alike – metal teddy bears are made in a variety of gift types including jewellery and collectibles,  in the form of brooches and key chains and those with more practical purposes such as money boxes.

The metal teddy bear brooch featured above shows a fine jewellery item in a polished silver colour, wearing a blue enamel crystal gem waistcoat, to complement ...]]>

Metal teddy bears make for a unique and thoughtful gift idea with a wide appeal for both children and adults alike – metal teddy bears are made in a variety of gift types including jewellery and collectibles,  in the form of brooches and key chains and those with more practical purposes such as money boxes.

The metal teddy bear brooch featured above shows a fine jewellery item in a polished silver colour, wearing a blue enamel crystal gem waistcoat, to complement your smart and fashionable outfits.

Swarovski Crystal Metal Teddy Bear Keyring

A gift to remember, this metal teddy bear keyring is covered in dazzling  Swarovski Crystals that brings a sparkle to the eyes of onlookers.  This beautifully formed platinum plated metal teddy bear has more to it than meets the eye – it is a movable teddy bear key ring with moving arms and legs.

Cute Metal Teddy Bear Money Box

An ideal gift for girls, this cute metal teddy bear moneybox features a pink insert and is provided in a pink presentation gift box.   This silver plated metal teddy bear is both sentimental and practical in purpose.

Metal Teddy Bear Pendant

A stunning piece of jewellery, this metal teddy bear pendant is a rhodium plated look-a-like designer item that impresses visually without making a drain on the bank.  A tastefully designed fashion pendant, supplied on a large 60cm chain.

Teddy Bears

Explore beyond the metal teddy bears store and see a diverse range of teddy bears including soft and cuddly plush toys.

See Also

• Jewellery Stores
• Gift Idea Shops

The Remington S7902 Hair Straightener has an RRP value of £84.99.  Save £56.99 (67%) for a limited time only and buy the Remington ...]]>

The Remington S7902 Wet 2 Straight Hair Straightener is here to make your hair care life easier – designed to work on towel dried hair, it eliminates the need to blowdry your hair first unlike other conventional hair straighteners – reducing the amount of time you spend preparing and doing up your hair.

Hair Straightener Bargain of the Day

The Remington S7902 Hair Straightener has an RRP value of £84.99.  Save £56.99 (67%) for a limited time only and buy the Remington Wet2Straight for only £28.00 in today’s Bargain of the Day (27-02-2011).

See Also

• Remington S7902 Wet2Straight User Manual [PDF Format]
• Remington Hair Straighteners
• Remington Brand Shop

Engage in fun and fast paced combat fighting action, playing the role of the popular Ben Tennyson from the Ben 10 Cartoon Network show, battling a variety of alien creatures and robots, solving puzzles along the way as you progress through the environment in Ultimate Alien: Cosmic Destruction.

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien: Cosmic Destruction is now available for a number of game consoles, including:

Ben 10 Game

If you are looking for ladies workwear check out the on trend range of  Marks and Spencers ladies suits.

Do you sometime stare into your wardrobe wondering what to wear to work? You need something smart but also want to show a bit of your individual personality and style. Wearing something that looks and feels great will not only do wonders for your confidence but also your career. Your work wear should be good quality and made to last, it should also ...]]>

If you are looking for ladies workwear check out the on trend range of  Marks and Spencers ladies suits.

Do you sometime stare into your wardrobe wondering what to wear to work? You need something smart but also want to show a bit of your individual personality and style. Wearing something that looks and feels great will not only do wonders for your confidence but also your career. Your work wear should be good quality and made to last, it should also be easy to wear and comfortable.

Classic Styles at Marks and Spencers

Building a capsule wardrobe of classic work wear staples from Marks and Spencers will not only make getting dressed in the morning much quicker and easier but it will also be a great investment that will never go out of fashion. A classic blazer or tailored jacket like this Autograph Essentials Textured Stretch Jacket is one of the most versatile work wear items that you could own.

Flattering Shapes at Marks and Spencers

Look for tailored pieces in classic cuts that complement your body shape. If you have wide hips look for straight or wide cut trousers and pay close attention to where your jacket finishes. If you want to disguise your tummy look for flat fronted trousers and if you are short avoid double breasted jackets at all cost. For those who want a slimming outfit for work, black or navy usually works best but this Autograph colour block  ribbed stripe jacket also has a very slimming fit and design and looks incredibly stylish.

Neutrals and Brights at Marks And Spencers

Neutral colours like blacks greys and browns are versatile and easy to keep clean, they also never go out of fashion. For some professions or offices it is best to stick to these basic neutrals for suits. However if you want to really stand out from the crowd or work in a creative environment a brightly coloured suit can be fun and really eye catching. This red single breasted three quarter sleeved suit is  a very bold and stylish choice of work wear.

On Trend Tops at Marks and Spencers

A loose fitting top in a comfortable jersey is the perfect choice for wearing with a suit. Look for eye catching prints or colours that complement your complexion and hair colour for maximum impact. You could also opt for a neutral or white top that fits well with the latest trend for minimalism. This Autograph scoop neck diagonal stripes top is both feminine and sophisticated for a professional look.

Statement Accessories at Marks and Spencers

Once you have found a great suit, trousers or skirt and top, you can then transform it into a number of different outfits using accessories. This is the fun part when you get to add a little of your own personality and style. Some bold jewellery is a great way to add a little glamour to your day or a bright red handbag adds instant colour to even the most neutral of outfits. A scarf like this abstract circle print light weight scarf is also a great way to brighten up your work wear.

With announcements from Nintendo and Sony this week on the release of the next generation of handheld gaming machines, namely, the Nintendo 3DS and the Sony PSP2, is upon us, but the big question on most gamers’ lips at the moment is: will the next generation of super-phones and tablets spell the end of the handheld gaming console?

Today’s super-charged Smartphones and tablets are just as powerful as any handheld gaming console on ...]]>

With announcements from Nintendo and Sony this week on the release of the next generation of handheld gaming machines, namely, the Nintendo 3DS and the Sony PSP2, is upon us, but the big question on most gamers’ lips at the moment is: will the next generation of super-phones and tablets spell the end of the handheld gaming console?

Is it Game Over for the Handheld Games Console?

Today’s super-charged Smartphones and tablets are just as powerful as any handheld gaming console on the market at the moment. And with the first dual core phones going on sale this year, your average Smartphone could very well end up packing more punch than the new offerings from Nintendo and Sony by the end of the year. Even the Smartphone’s big shortcoming, a distinct lack of controllers or joysticks, has been solved by cheap gamepad add-ons, such as the Game Gripper.

Game Gripper

Both Nintendo’s and Sony’s consoles have a long and prestigious heritage dating right back to Nintendo’s progenitory Gameboy. But with high-end processors and 3D capabilities, prices for handhelds are becoming prohibitive. And let’s face it, where else can they go from here? Has the handheld gaming device come to an evolutionary dead-end?

The Handheld Console Killers..

Without doubt, it was Apple’s iPad that struck the first nail into the coffin of the handheld gaming console. A wave of game releases over the past few months demonstrated that the iPad could play the most popular games just as well as the average home console and there’s plenty more on the way. The turning point was probably the release of Infinity Blade with graphics that were noticeably better than those on the Xbox 360 or the Playstation 3, and arguably one of the best games of 2010.

The latest big budget release for the iPad is set to take things even further. Dead Space is the prequel to the Xbox’s blockbusting sci-fi horror, Dead Space 2. But rather than being a simplified version of Xbox’s offering, it mimics every detail of the original. Likewise, Real Racing 2 is taking on Gran Turismo 5 in terms of graphic excellence. And Fifa 11 for the iPhone, despite its simplicity, is probably the best portable soccer game ever.

With all this going on, the lines between Smartphone and handheld gaming console are becoming more and more blurred. Now, with talk of a Sony PSP phone on the way, things are to set to become even more confusing. Is it a phone or is it a handheld gaming station? You decide.

Sony PSP Phone

See Also

• Video Game Consoles
• Mobile Phone Shops

At Marks and Spencer women’s wear seems to have been dominated lately by minimalistic styles. Whilst spring will see plenty of bright florals and bold patterns, there will still be plenty of minimal pieces for those who like to make an understatement.

The beauty of minimalism is that it is such an easy look to work. There is no need to co ordinate accessories, colours and patterns. You can stick to clean lines and neutral colours which are both stylish and flattering. Whilst the minimalist styles ...]]>

At Marks and Spencer women’s wear seems to have been dominated lately by minimalistic styles. Whilst spring will see plenty of bright florals and bold patterns, there will still be plenty of minimal pieces for those who like to make an understatement.

The beauty of minimalism is that it is such an easy look to work. There is no need to co ordinate accessories, colours and patterns. You can stick to clean lines and neutral colours which are both stylish and flattering. Whilst the minimalist styles of last season concentrated on the colour camel for spring and summer Marks and Spencer have a range of other neutral tones and even pieces with neutral stripes. This new minimalism is laid back, relaxed and sophisticated.

There are 4 simple rules to working the seasons new minimalism:

Marks and Spencer: Simple Tailoring

You don’t need to wear lots of accessories to make the most of the minimalist look. Instead you can invest in some really good quality tailoring. With nothing to distract the eye the quality will be instantly obvious. Marks and Spencers have a great range of well priced tailored pieces with quality that really shows. Look for simple styles that will create an elegant silhouette. A black shift dress is a really classic piece that fits in so well with the minimalist trend when worn with black court shoes. This linen blend curved seam dress at Marks and Spencers can be worn for both work and special occasions.

M & S: Clean Lines

Clean lines are another key aspect of the minimalist look. Avoid ruffles and frills, flounces and embellishment. Softly draping fabrics are the perfect way to achieve this  and jersey separates work perfectly with tailored trousers. This Marks and Spencer jersey top with wool is part of the Autograph range and would look great with some camel or taupe coloured trousers.

Marks & Spencers – Understated Palette

To break up the solid shape of a minimalist piece and give it that relaxed and understated look, try mixing a few different neutral colours black, grey, camel and taupe all work really well. Stripes or layers of these colours work best for subtle effect and are  very fashionable this year. This Marks and Spencers stripe knitted jumper is part of the Limited edition collection and gives a nod to both the minimalist and seventies fashion trends that are likely to be popular for the season ahead.

M and S: Subtle Accessories

Minimalism is about having as little fuss and distraction as possible. If you do add accessories they should be simple and clean looking like the outfit. You should only have a maximum of one or two subtle accessories. A tan leather handbag is the easiest way to carry your belongings around in understated style. It will also be a great investment as it will go with just about every piece of clothing in your wardrobe. This Autograph leather double Hobo bag at Marks and Spencers is both practical and on trend and will look amazing with your minimalist outfit.

Explore more of the minimalist women’s fashion range at the Marks and Spencer website.

The much awaited fighting game sees a cross over of game characters from Capcom’s own games like Street Fighter and rival characters from Marvel Comics (the U.S. comic book company).  Marvel vs Capcom 3 features similar gameplay mechanics from previous versions of the game in the Marvel vs Capcom series, but also introduces ...]]> The Fate of Two Worlds is decided in Marvel vs Capcom 3, coming to the Sony PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles with an imminent release date of 18/02/2011.

The much awaited fighting game sees a cross over of game characters from Capcom’s own games like Street Fighter and rival characters from Marvel Comics (the U.S. comic book company).  Marvel vs Capcom 3 features similar gameplay mechanics from previous versions of the game in the Marvel vs Capcom series, but also introduces new modes of play aimed at making the game more accessible to new players.

The latest instalment of Marvel vs Capcom (Fate of Two Worlds) sees 3vs3 tag team fighting and Capcom is promising a robust game story plot.

Marvel vs Capcom 3 Gameplay Images & Screenshots

Marvel vs Capcom 3 Video Game Trailer

Gameplay footage introducing Akuma in this Marvel vs Capcom 3 video.

See Also

• Marvel vs Capcom (Xbox 360)
• Xbox 360 Games
• Marvel vs Capcom 3 (PS3)
• Sony PS3 Games
• Video Game Consoles
• Game Shops

Related Sites

• Marvel vs Capcom 3 (official site)
• Marvel vs Capcom Blog

Biba started as a mail order company in the early sixties before exploding into a global fashion brand in the early seventies. The store founded by Barbara Hulanicki was known for its fashion forward ...]]>
Biba relaunched exclusively at the House of Fraser last year and is the perfect opportunity for you to get your hands on a piece of clothing by one of the hottest names on fashion of the sixties and seventies, especially if you missed out on this label the first time around.

Biba started as a mail order company in the early sixties before exploding into a global fashion brand in the early seventies. The store founded by Barbara Hulanicki was known for its fashion forward clothing and was a real trendsetter of its day. It was also the first real department store and went on to shape the future of the British high street. It was a huge shock and loss to so many people when Biba closed it doors in 1975.  But now it is back at The House of Fraser just in time for a seventies revival with a modern twist.

Did you know? One of Biba’s first successful fashion trends was a gingham dresses with matching head scarf of which 17,000 were sold after it was featured in the Sunday Mirror. Biba was the place to hang out for the coolest of cool people, they sold everything from Biba Baked beans to fake fur coats.

Biba is modelled by the it girl of the noughties Daisy Lowe the perfect match for the new brand that keeps the original ethos and essence of Biba but has changed its look to work for the modern woman. The Biba look is pure glamour but the collections at the House of Fraser feature something for just about every occasion from day time with denim to evening wear with the boutique collection. The Biba collection also includes limited edition House of Fraser jewellery inspired by Art Deco and handbags.

This season the inspiration for the collection at Biba House of Fraser includes luxe, soft metals and stardust.

Biba Boutique At House of Fraser

This collection is packed full of elegant maxi dresses which exude old style Hollywood glamour. Featuring embellishment, amazing prints and beautiful Grecian draping, these dresses make the perfect evening dress for the lady who wants to turn heads for all of the right reasons. We love this Assymetric one shoulder maxi dress which is incredibly flattering and has a great slimming effect.

Biba Denim at House of Fraser

The most in trend styles including the high waisted indigo flare and the white skinny jean both feature in the Biba denim collection. There are also a range of other styles in classic blue and black to suit and flatter all body shapes. The Biba Eli bootcut jeans are also coming back into fashion and offer an incredibly flattering fit.

Biba Fine Jewellery At House of Fraser

The Biba fine jewellery collection at House of Fraser is inspired by the Hollywood glamour of the 1930′s as was the original Biba collection. These dazzling diamond and white gold earrings also fit perfectly with the current trend for sparkly chandelier earrings but anything from this collection of fine jewellery will also last a lifetime.

See the full Biba range at www.houseoffraser.co.uk

It’s official. Men aren’t keen on chocolates or flowers for Valentine’s. Give the man in your life what he really wants this Valentine’s Day. Get him a gadget. It’s almost certain to last longer than flowers or chocolates and he’ll love you all the more for it! Here’s a rundown of our top techie Valentine Gifts for Him.

Money can’t buy you love, so great gifts don’t have to be expensive. Take this MP3 audio splitter, for example. ...]]>

It’s official. Men aren’t keen on chocolates or flowers for Valentine’s. Give the man in your life what he really wants this Valentine’s Day. Get him a gadget. It’s almost certain to last longer than flowers or chocolates and he’ll love you all the more for it! Here’s a rundown of our top techie Valentine Gifts for Him.

10. Belkin RockStar Splitter

Money can’t buy you love, so great gifts don’t have to be expensive. Take this MP3 audio splitter, for example. Now the two of you can enjoy your favourite tracks together, as long as you like the same bands as he does, of course!

9. Mix Tape Flash Drive

If you’ve been together a while you may have made your man a mix tape full of your favourite songs in the past. Send him on a trip down memory lane with this novelty flash drive that can store up to 100 MP3s.

8. Cooltronics Digital Photo Frame

Brighten up his day at the office and let him relive your most loving moments with a digital photo frame for his desk. This one even comes equipped with a calendar so he has no excuse for not remembering your next date.

7. Voltaic Solar Panel Backpack

Light up his life with this solar powered bag that can charge devices, such as phones, PDA’s and MP3 players. It won’t charge his laptop, but it will protect it.

6. Nikon Coolpix L20

Has he got a photo of you in his wallet? No? Well, that’s because you haven’t bought him one of these yet. Check out this easy-to-use bargain point-and-shoot digital camera at a price that’s right.

5. Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard

Gifts don’t come more ‘James Bond’ than this. Ideal for tapping out a romantic thank you email to you!

4. Amazon Kindle

The Amazon Kindle is fast becoming the most popular e-reader out there. Why not load it with a romantic novel to get him in the mood for love?

3. Garmin Nuvi 205 GPS

He’d be lost without you, so make sure he can find you at a moment’s notice with this GPS system. Special software allows you to record your own voice commands so you pre-load it with some loving messages to send him on his way to somewhere romantic where you’ll be waiting for him.

2. Apple iPod Shuffle

This isn’t just any old iPod Shuffle. Many Apple retailers will now engrave a personalised message on the device for your loved one.

1. iPad 2.0

Okay, so what if it isn’t the most romantic gift in the world? If the rumours are true the new iPad 2.0 will be in the shops for Valentine’s Day. Buy him Apple’s latest toy and he’ll love you forever.

LG’s latest range of home appliances features a fridge with THINQ technology, which could make it one of the coolest fridges you can buy. The LG fridge includes a LCD screen that tells you what’s inside, what sell-by dates are coming up and can even connect to your phone to tell you what you need to buy when you’re at the shops. And that’s just the beginning for LG’s newest home appliance technology.

It’s ...]]>

LG’s latest range of home appliances features a fridge with THINQ technology, which could make it one of the coolest fridges you can buy. The LG fridge includes a LCD screen that tells you what’s inside, what sell-by dates are coming up and can even connect to your phone to tell you what you need to buy when you’re at the shops. And that’s just the beginning for LG’s newest home appliance technology.

Home Economics Meets Home Bionics with LG THINQ

It’s part of the LG brand’s new Smart technology, which will eventually allow users to operate household appliances wirelessly via a home network. From what was on display at this year’s CES 2011 show, it really does look like LG’s Smart technology is pioneering home appliance control.

It’s not just refrigerators that get the THINQ technology work-over, it’s ovens, washer machines & dryers and even a robot vacuum cleaner known as a HOM-BOT. That’s right, through the inclusion of a camera, infra-red sensors and ultrasonic technology, you can now vacuum your home from your Smartphone.

LG THINQ Be The Master Of Your Home

The five main features of the LG THINQ technology  system include

1. Smart Grid
2. Smart Diagnosis
3. Smart Access
4. Smart Adapt
5. Food Management

And it all comes together on a control panel known as a Smart Meter that you can connect to over your home wireless network. The Smart Meter allows you to monitor electricity consumption and cost, direct the robot vacuum cleaner and even identify what foods are running low in the fridge. All you need to do is connect to your home network from your Smartphone or tablet device while you’re out and about.

For example, Smart Diagnosis lets you know when something has gone wrong with a home appliance, instantly directing a technician or a repair-person to the source of the problem. It can even let you know that you left the fridge door opened. Downloading updates and new apps for the technology can be done at a touch of a button via the Smart Adapt function.

LG THINQ: The Future Of Your Home In Your Hands

It looks like LG’s THINQ technology could be on the market as early as this year (2011). So, in the not so distant future you should be able to vacuum your living room, put on a dinner, make ice for your drinks and even wash your clothes for the following day, before you’ve even left the office. Could it be that the clichéd 60s image of the futuristic home you can control from anywhere in the world is actually becoming reality?

Related Sites

• LG THINQ Press Release

Gaming fans have plenty to be excited about in 2011 with a whole host of eagerly anticipated releases on the horizon, but perhaps none are commanding quite so much attention as the release of the grittiest, bloodiest beat ‘em up series there is, Mortal Kombat 9.  Set to be unleashed this coming April 18th, 2011, this new release is set to be the most gruesomely exciting edition so far.

Age Warning: 18+ Only [Images of Violence & Gore Inside]

7% off all orders over £599 (excluding iPad) + Free Delivery on all orders Discount Code: CURRY7 Expiry: Thursday 10 February @ ...]]> Exclusive offers at Currys available now with these selected Currys discount codes, saving over £100 on cookers, up to 10% off microwaves and a generous 7% off all orders over £599 using these special offer voucher codes.  Currys promotional codes are valid til 8-10 February 2011 and can be used on any home delivery orders placed at the Currys online website.

7% off all orders over £599 (excluding iPad) + Free Delivery on all orders
Discount Code: CURRY7
Expiry: Thursday 10 February @ 23:59

Currys Microwaves

10% off all Microwaves over £80 + Free Delivery on all orders
Voucher Code: MICRO10
Expiry: Tuesday 8 February @ 23:59

5% off all Microwaves over £50 + Free Delivery on all orders
Promotional Code: MICRO5
Expiry: Tuesday 8 February @ 23:59

Currys Range Cookers

10% off All Range Cookers Over £1,000 + Free Delivery on all orders
Discount Code: RANGE10
Expiry: Tuesday 8 February @ 23:59

Keep up to date with all the latest Currys sales, news and hot deals at the Currys Electrical Store Blog.