• Pip’s A to J Shopping Tips for Christmas

I hate to admit it, but shopping is one of my favourite things. And I am not talking groceries. I am one of those people who find a real high is found in hallowed department stores and boutiques…and by pressing the ‘buy it now’ button on my keyboard. That said, I derive the greatest pleasure buying gifts for my family (starting with the four kids) and friends.

With Christmas looming, the pressure is on. If you haven’t started, don’t worry, here are some tips (ABC_ to help you hunt and gather with success – translation – smiles on dials.

A: Avoid shopping centre car parks

Why drive around in circles and risk denting the car when you can park out front and pay for the pleasure….

B: Beat the budget

Plan, Plan, Plan. Write your list and work out in advance a ball park figure for each person on your Christmas list.

Shop around. Be it the web, the phone or good old-fashioned browse. Keep in perspective, if you can buy something now, why trek across town for a $10 dollar saving?

Don’t be afraid to ask a retailer for their best price – you will be surprised how many are willing to drop their price or value add to secure a sale.

C: Creativity Counts

The longer you give yourself to Christmas shop, the more time you have to find the perfect gift. Throughout the year, use your ears and listen for hints….write them down for the future or really think about the person in question. What would ‘they’ like?

When all else fails, a personalized gift is a great fall back – be it framed photograph, album or canvas, t-shirt, cushion or jigsaw puzzle (www.bepuzzled.com.au)

Gift boxes of assorted goodies also have great wow factor.

D: Department Store Loyalty Cards

Shop and earn points, enjoy added discounts and recognition. Think Myer One….it is free to join and offers a plethora of great savings, value-adds, exclusive shopping nights and you even get a free mag…

E: Exercise your body and mind

Well, it is fair to say, shopping can be great exercise for the body and mind (thinking of those perfect gifts). Make sure you wear flat shoes and walk briskly between shops.

F: Fashionistas dress down – the secret to a good shopping mission – cool, comfortable clothing.

G: Gift giving is one of life’s greatest rewards….so enjoy the process….don’t do it all at once and leave until last minute – chop up into smaller bite size pieces or shopping trips. Start with a coffee, end with a glass of wine….

On that note, take care with your wrapping….add a bow, a card or some gorgeous cellophane.

H: Think with your Head and your Heart…..if you see something you like for a special person and Christmas is nowhere in sight – buy it there and then on the spot….because like all givens, it will arrive sooner than expected. And then, if something else comes along in the meantime, you are covered…no pressure! Also, don’t forget to check out the store’s refund policy if you are unsure if the item – and very important, keep all your receipts….number one no-no is leaving in bag – I always put in wallet at time of purchase.

I: Internet, Interflora – don’t diss the world wide web when it comes to shopping. Ebay is a great place to start if hunting for a bargain – but remember, refund policies and postage can be dangerous traps if you don’t fully inform yourself before you buy. For the overseas rellies, buying something on the net and having it delivered is a godsend – think Amazon.com, Ebay.com; Interflora.com.au etc….

J: Junk – don’t buy it….buy the best you can afford…..especially when it comes to gifts for your nearest and dearest….if you have to fall back on a gift voucher, nothing wrong with that….after all, plastic is fantastic!

Pip's Christmas Wrap Up of Shopping Tips

I hate to admit it, but shopping is one of my favourite things. And I am not talking groceries. I am one of those people who find a real high is found in hallowed department stores and boutiques…and by pressing the ‘buy it now’ button on my keyboard. That said, I derive the greatest pleasure buying gifts for my family (starting with the four kids) and friends.

With Christmas looming, the pressure is on. If you haven’t started, don’t worry, here are some tips (ABC_ to help you hunt and gather with success – translation – smiles on dials.

A: Avoid shopping centre car parks

Why drive around in circles and risk denting the car when you can park out front and pay for the pleasure….

B: Beat the budget

Plan, Plan, Plan. Write your list and work out in advance a ball park figure for each person on your Christmas list.

Shop around. Be it the web, the phone or good old-fashioned browse. Keep in perspective, if you can buy something now, why trek across town for a $10 dollar saving?

Don’t be afraid to ask a retailer for their best price – you will be surprised how many are willing to drop their price or value add to secure a sale.

C: Creativity Counts

The longer you give yourself to Christmas shop, the more time you have to find the perfect gift. Throughout the year, use your ears and listen for hints….write them down for the future or really think about the person in question. What would ‘they’ like?

When all else fails, a personalized gift is a great fall back – be it framed photograph, album or canvas, t-shirt, cushion or jigsaw puzzle (www.bepuzzled.com.au)

Gift boxes of assorted goodies also have great wow factor.

D: Department Store Loyalty Cards

Shop and earn points, enjoy added discounts and recognition. Think Myer One….it is free to join and offers a plethora of great savings, value-adds, exclusive shopping nights and you even get a free mag…

E: Exercise your body and mind

Well, it is fair to say, shopping can be great exercise for the body and mind (thinking of those perfect gifts). Make sure you wear flat shoes and walk briskly between shops.

F: Fashionistas dress down – the secret to a good shopping mission – cool, comfortable clothing.

G: Gift giving is one of life’s greatest rewards….so enjoy the process….don’t do it all at once and leave until last minute – chop up into smaller bite size pieces or shopping trips. Start with a coffee, end with a glass of wine….

On that note, take care with your wrapping….add a bow, a card or some gorgeous cellophane.

H: Think with your Head and your Heart…..if you see something you like for a special person and Christmas is nowhere in sight – buy it there and then on the spot….because like all givens, it will arrive sooner than expected. And then, if something else comes along in the meantime, you are covered…no pressure!

I: Internet, Interflora – don’t diss the world wide web when it comes to shopping. Ebay is a great place to start if hunting for a bargain – but remember, refund policies and postage can be dangerous traps if you don’t fully inform yourself before you buy. For the overseas rellies, buying something on the net and having it delivered is a godsend – think Amazon.com, Ebay.com; Interflora.com.au etc….

J: Junk – don’t buy it….buy the best you can afford…..especially when it comes to gifts for your nearest and dearest….if you have to fall back on a gift voucher, nothing wrong with that….after all, plastic is fantastic!

Bumpity Bump

Sneek a peek!! Come and celebrate my first and last baby shower / should be a cyclone!

Saturday – December 13th – 3-5 pm.

359 Pease Street , Edge Hill – RSVP pip@pipmillerpr.com.au
Wear some pink, bring a pink plate – be it the food or the plate – and something to drink – champers

and wine and loads of fun will be provided…..

Pip's Head

Zoe and Mum

This is a preview of a photo shoot we had at home one Thursday night recently – the very gorgeous Veronica Sagredo came and took these photos as a gift – aren’t we lucky – and just in time for Xmas!

To promote The Pier’s involvement and also the distribution of the program in this Friday’s Cairns Post – a special photo shoot was held today featuring none other than the entertainment group above and my two youngest children, India and Felix….

Have a look at the special pictures taken on my i-phone…and clipping in Saturday 23 August Cairns Post!

The judging was a tough assignment, but one which I relished and enjoyed immensely – being able to witness such great talent. Watch this space for the Grace, Meghan and Imogens….of this world – whose designs could very well be the next big thing on Australian catwalks of the future.

Here are some pictures:::and the winners below::::

Envy Category: Meghan Young – Senior; Clair Geerlings – Junior
Evolve Category: Imogen Gilchrist – Senior; Stella Grossman and Miriam McBride – Junior
Energy: Chloe Young
Ethereal: Grace An – Senior; Cecilia Cole and Gabi Wall – Junior

Supreme Designer Award – Imogen Gilchrist.

On Friday night we were thoroughly entertained at the opening night of JUTE (Just Us Theatre Ensemble’s) new play, Tiptoe.

Featuring a wonderful cast (including JUTE’s creative director, Suellen Maunder and Carol Burns of Prisoner cell block h fame), this was a joyous piece of theatre. And definitely a gothic tale by Cairns playwright, Michael Beresford…and before I stop crowing, must acknowledge the talent of Dominie Hooper who created the set – a masterful, multi-dimensional creation – to be admire.

To anyone who reads this blog, mes amies – would strongly recommend you get along to JUTE before the season ends on Saturday 19 July 2008.

Headaches, heartaches – alas, the end of the fin year is nigh….

Another busy week in the land of Festival Cairns 2008 – meetings with a Pandora’s Box of passionate event partners – namely The Leukaemia Foundation and their fabulous initiative, Festival Cairns Ambassador Quest – more about that later – The Tanks and their great program comprising everything from poetry slamming to kinky cabaret, king of rock Dave Graney and South Australian band with the mostest, The Audreys….checked into a meeting at BDO Kendalls to discuss the party of the program, the coveted VIP finale – very exciting to think we are focussing on the end already…what else is there – oh yeah, how could I forget about the DUCK RACE – Calanna Rotary Duck Race plus Crikey Catch a Croc and way more.

What else has been on this week’s agenda – well rather aptly, have been working on Horizon Financial’s brochure – so ask me anything about home loans, personal loans and finance in general from a broker’s perspective and I could tell ya a tale or two.

Then there is the guest list for Movenpick’s new ice-cream galleria that opens on 11 July – been playing my part there in between writing pressers, pressers and more pressers for all my lovely clients.

Last week was a break from convention when I was the Cairns media liaison for CSIRO’s big sub-marine volcano discovery off north east coast of FIJI – lots of media interest and a great one to work on – as was the Make a Wish Foundation’s inaugural I Wish My Boss Was Day…see pics – funny stuff.

On a personal front – family has been shining its competitive streak with the big kids tickling the ivories in Cairns Eisteddfod and running their hardest in today’s sports carnival – and they did a grand job too….