Britney Spears helps promote a healthy body image with her new campaign for Candies for Kohls.

Britney Spears, spokesperson for Candies for Kohl’s campaign recently released campaign pictures, before and after airbrushing, to dispel body image issues and promote a healthy body image for her young fans.

There have been significant gains in the last few years in regards to promoting healthy and realistic body shapes and a backlash to unrealistic models being used in fashion magazines and advertising.

Another celebrity to jump on the bandwagon includes Jennifer Hawkins, Myer spokesperson and ex Miss Universe who posed for the February 2010 issue of marie claire magazine sans clothes and airbrushing. This also provided a mixed response from critics who felt it was more of a publicity stunt than trying to promote a healthy body image.

In marie claire’s exclusive interview, Jennifer Hawkins confesses that she never could have done a shoot like this two years ago.

“I would have been worried about what people thought, whether it was the right decision – a thousand different things… But over the past year and a half I’ve grown into myself, and I’m more confident and comfortable within the modelling industry. I did it for the experience… It felt quite sensual and sexy. I felt empowered”.

Bianca Dye who appeared nude in the November 2009 issue of marie claire slammed the magazine and said that pushing a 26-year-old Miss Universe winner as the pin-up for female body confidence is “just not right”.

“She was born beautiful. She has not had to go through any stress to look like that,” Dye told Confidential.

“Jackie Frank is one of the most respected editors in the country and I am in shock that they would say Jennifer Hawkins is a natural role model. It’s like we’ve taken 20 steps backwards.”

In a more positive direction, Sarah Murdoch appeared on the cover of Australian’s Woman’s Weekly last year in an untouched photograph, saying women should be able to embrace the beauty of ageing. The magazine photo shoot coincides with the release of a report by the Federal Government’s body image advisory group.

The Federal Government jumped on the positive body image bandwagon and late last year introduced a new National Advisory Group on Body Image. The Advisory Group will be chaired by former ACP magazine editor Mia Freedman who championed the ‘Body Love’ section in Cosmo magazine.

Members of the advisory group include model and media identity Sarah Murdoch, Girlfriend magazine editor Sarah Cornish, founder of the Butterfly Foundation, Claire Vickery and body image researcher Susan Paxton.

Last year the Government allocated $125,000 to establish the Code of Conduct, which will include consideration of the following issues:

• Clearer notification of altered or enhanced images, including digital alterations.
• Better representation of diverse body shapes and sizes.
• Appropriate industry age limits.

“The Government is committed to tackling negative body image from a national perspective, by helping young Australians to build confidence and resilience against the body image pressures that they face.

“Body image affects the lives of young Australians in very powerful ways and the Government is determined to make a difference over the long term,” said Kate Ellis.

But critics say that Kate Ellis put a four-inch heel wrong and sent mixed messages when she appeared in in Grazia magazine’s annual “Body Image Special”. The young politician donned a pair of killer $1,790 Gucci heels and curve-hugging $695 leather Karen Millen dress that looked more catwalk model than state figure.

Like successful plus-size model Crystal Renn who appeared on the cover of Sunday Life in mid April 2010, only to be upstaged by a stick-thin model a few pages away in the Fashion section, it seems to be a case of one step forward, one step back with designers and fashion editors doing a reluctance dance around the issue of positive body image.

With some designers only providing samples in size six or smaller for photo shoots, magazines can only use models who fit into those sizes.

But with the luxury clothing market taking a major hit in revenue in the Global Financial Crisis while mainstayers like Target and Kmart capitalised on providing affordable clothing, are the elitist designers starting to see the business sense of adding kilos and thus dollar figures to their clothing ranges?

Influential designer Karl Lagerfeld who famously said “No one wants to see curvy women,” seems to have finally embraced plus-sized models and did a photo shoot with the voluptuous burlesque dancer Miss Dirty Martini for V magazine.

Perhaps the tide is finally turning and the fashion industry will do more than pay lip service to promoting a healthy body image.

The Nintendo Wii and Wii Gadgets herald the beginning of an era … here are some of the coolest Wii gadgets for all ages.

The Nintendo Wii was only launched in only 2006 but it has quickly become one of the biggest selling console systems in the world and there are many Nintendo Wii gadgets to go with it. The console offers some very fun games for both the young, and young at heart! The Nintendo Wii is one of the most innovative games consoles we’ve seen in the past decade – here are some of the equally innovative Wii gadgets that you buy as optional extras.

Wii Remote controller

This Nintendo Wii gadget isn’t exactly an optional extra … but it is very cool nevertheless! It contains accelerometers that measure movement in any direction, and  also translate the speed. The Wii remote controller is  called a Wiimote (even though that sounds a lot like toddler talk!), and is what makes it possible to perform such life-like activities with a Wii.

Wii Nunchuck controller

The Wii nunchuck controller is used in conjunction with the main Wiimote. You plug it into the bottom of the Wiimote and (if you’re right handed) use your left hand on the nunchucks, and your right hand on the main Wiimote. Heeee-YA!

Wii MotionPlus

The MotionPlus add-on for your Wiimote makes it more sensitive to the slight wrist movements that are needed for some games. If you want to play tennis, golf, or the Sports Resort games, you’ll need a MotionPlus add-on. This Nintendo Wii gadget doesn’t require as much learning and thinking as the nunchucks, but does require greater precision than you might be used to if you’ve been using the standard Wiimote extensively.

Wii Wheel

It makes sense on paper, but try to say ‘Wii Wheel’ without sounding like you’re talking to a baby! For fans of the original Mario Kart (we’re old enough to buy our own consoles now!), the Wii Wheel is specifically designed for use with car racing games. Some reviewers find that the nunchuck-Wiimote combo works better for particular games, however … even reviewers that never played Mario Kart on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)!

Wii Balance Board

The Nintendo Wii Balance Board is included with the Fit Plus game pack, and it lets you do some pretty awesome things. Skateboard without fear of smashed kneecaps, evade flying cannonballs, hula hoop, throw snowballs … this pack’s main feature is the workout and fitness tracker, but it definitely has something for every taste.

Wii 5-in-1 Fitness Bundle

For grownups who love using the Nintendo Wii as a portable gym, the 5-in-1 fitness bundle is a must have Nintendo Wii gadget. These are all ease-of-use accessories rather than extra controllers (hence the ultra-low price for a 5-pack). The following is included:

• Textured foot socks for traction;
• Travel Bag;
• Jeli Sleeve for the Wii Balance Board;
• Fitness Mat;
• Rechargeable Battery Pack and USB cable.

Nintendo Wii represents value for money – not only will it amuse the kids from three years up but it also has a lot of games and optional extras for adults that will have you fighting over the controllers. The Nintendo Wii has great games available but also has some great Nintendo Wii gadgets and add-ons and doubles up as an exercise and fitness tool making it a worthwhile investment for the whole family.

Easter school holidays are the perfect time to seek out some local activities organised within your community during the term break. School holiday camps and programs are offered by local city councils, art and dance studios, sport organisations, nearby farms and zoos and parks. Here are some tips and ideas to keep children happy and busy during their Easter school holidays…

Activities for home

When you factor the sugar-buzz of all that available chocolate into the mix, Easter school holidays without a set plan can be a trying time! If you put a little time and effort into doing activities with your kids, you’ll often find that the payback is several hours where they’ll play quietly by themselves. There are a lot of Easter school holiday activities that can be done at home at little cost.

Making bunny footprints

If you have younger children, they’ll love creating decorated ‘bunny footprints’ that will lead to the locations of their hidden Easter Eggs on Easter Sunday! Alternatively, make the footprints yourself and set them out to lead to the hidden egg locations.

Making coloured Easter eggs

There are several ways you can do this. For a no-calorie activity, blow real eggs by making a pinprick in either end and gently blowing through the top hole until the white and yolk has all dribbled out the bottom. You could also melt white chocolate in a double-boiler; add different colours of food dye to different batches, and set them in Easter egg moulds to make your own coloured chocolate eggs.

Painting blown egg shells and filling with liquid chocolate

Combine two wonderful activities by first blowing your eggs, then filling with liquid chocolate. Make sure you rinse the blown eggs well for this activity – a small syringe (with a needle – grown-up help needed!) is ideal for getting water into that tiny hole for rinsing, and then for getting the liquid chocolate in. If you’ve used the two-hole blowing method, plug up the bottom of the egg with Blu-tac, and wait til the chocolate is set before removing the plug and painting.

School holiday programs and camps

Some kids just crave the company of many other kids – these early social butterflies can be best occupied by an Easter school holiday program. These may be run by a local library, a council, or a sporting organisation. Your kids might enjoy movie days, try-a-sport days, craft days, etc.

Sometimes there is a charge associated with the programs … sometimes you just need to book really, really early! Check with your program that you don’t have to remain with your kids for the activities – this might be required if they are under a certain age. It would kind of defeat the purpose, too for Easter holiday fun activities.

Balancing work and family during the school holidays

Even once kids are well past the stage of wanting to stick things in powerpoints and the VCR, there is a lot of trouble they can get into while home alone. While it is temptingly easy to leave older children at home alone while you go to work, it isn’t always safe … for your carpets, your kitchen, or your kids! The general advice is to wait until your child is 12 before you consider assessing whether they are able to stay at home alone.

Make sure you book your Easter school holidays’ annual leave well in advance as it is always a popular time to have holidays.  If you cannot take annual leave and the children are not old enough to stay at home, arrange for the children to be looked after by a responsible friend or relative or send them to a school holiday camp (see above) to be looked after in a fun, safe and nuturing environment.

Easter school holidays can be an opportunity to have fun with your kids, for them to make new friends and try new activities, and even for them to start establishing their independence. Book your annual leave early and prepare activities in advance to give them a safe and enjoyable school vacation.

Versace, Gucci, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Roberto Cavalli were some of the big names at Milan Fashion Week 2010 showcasing the latest fashion styles and trends for Autumn and Winter 2010/2011 with fur, leather and wool dominating the runway.

From models and stylists to electricians and photographers, some 8,000 people were involved in over 80 catwalk shows in the Fashion Week held February 24 – March 1, according to Italy’s National Chamber of Fashion, which organises the event.

Designing a collection and organising a show may take months of work and preparation but designers only have a little over ten minutes to impress the buyers, fashion editors, stylists and now influential fashion bloggers who write about the latest fashion styles generated by the Fashion Week.

As the economic downturn hit the luxury sector, several fashion houses collaborated together to put on fashion shows, cut back on their expenses or didn’t show at all but the fashion chamber’s director Giulia Pirovano told Reuters that there was a stronger showing in 2010.

“There were (cost) cuts last year but there is more investment in 2010. Investing in a show is a production investment because of the returns it brings,”

“The value of all the publicity that comes from fashion publications is 10 times the investment put into a show and this is important. That is why all the designers want all the top models, the best stylists, the best makeup artists,” Giulia Pirovano said.

Whether it was answering the customer’s call or a response to the tightening of the economic belt, designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Sportmax and Max Mara ticked all the boxes with a collection of jackets, dresses and corsets with traditional tailoring and very wearable silhouettes.

Latest fashion styles from the Milan Fashion Week 2010 were military inspired jackets by Burberry Prorsum, biker chic by Gucci, boho deluxe by Roberto Cavalli, cheerful prints from Missoni and Fendi had an underlying 40’s theme with voluminous swing coats and full skirts.

Young and old designers alike seem to be embracing fur and stepping away from the political correctness of 1980s and 1990s when PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) campaigned heavily against the use of fur.

Off the catwalk, the fur flew as Anna Wintour, the director of American Vogue, announced she would be cutting her Milan Fashion Week 2010 stay short to attend Paris Fashion Week and the Oscars. This meant that the major designers had to show their collections in the first four days of the show.

The changed scheduled angered local Italian designers and businessmen who felt the show should go on ‘Wintour’ or without her and felt that it would diminish the strength of the fashion industry in Italy.

“No one, not even if she is called Anna Wintour, can allow themselves to make or unmake our fashion calendar,” Milan Mayor Letizia Moratti was quoted as saying in Italian newspapers.

Wintour affect aside, according to the Fashion Chamber, the industry’s turnover fell 15 percent to 56.5 billion euros ($76.76 billion) last year. It has forecast a 6.5 percent growth this year hoping that Milan Fashion Week 2010 predictions about the latest fashion styles will translate into tangible sales.

The best family beach vacations come in a range of offerings from renting a beachside condo or sharing a plush holiday villa. Or they could include staying in an all-inclusive family-orientated beach resort with all the luxurious facilities and amenities one would expect from a lavish resort. Family vacations vary depending on your taste, budget and length of stay and many choose to enjoy family vacations in hotels with a kids club on site to ensure the children never get restless or bored.

Beach Resorts

All inclusive properties at beach resorts provide some of the best family beach vacations and fun for the whole family is a top priority with this well established company. Age-appropriate activities are on offer and you can spend time relaxing on the beach while your children play with qualified staff or you can take the whole family to a water park for a day out.

Family resort holidays are effortless with beach resorts and you can find all inclusive properties around the Caribbean including:

• Beaches Negril – One of the best family beach vacations is located in Jamaica, where guests can enjoy a range of children’s programs, amenities and activities during their stay.
• Beaches Boscobel Waterpark – This Jamaican wonderland of water offers its visitors a multitude of splashing fun with a wide selection of water rides and activities to enjoy.
• Beaches Sandy Bay – Guests can enjoy world-class amenities and facilities and children of all ages are catered for at this luxurious Jamaican beachfront resort.
• Turks and Caicos – The beaches here are powdery white and the seas are crystal blue making this one of the most tranquil family resort getaways in the Caribbean.

Club Med

Club Med proudly offer their exclusive customers all inclusive family resorts that are ideal for the best family beach vacations and they boast great deals and offers for all the family throughout the year.

Those traveling with children can enjoy spacious properties in prime locations around the world as well as various children’s programs that cater for all ages and unbeatable deals for those visiting with children. All of the Club Med resorts provide their own unique tropical twist to make your family travel a memory to truly treasure.

Caribbean getaways

Some of the world’s best family beach vacations are found in the Caribbean where families spend time enjoying watersports in the turquoise waters and the exploring the numerous water parks and kids programs.

Discover the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands

Cheap family getaways can be enjoyed on the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and they are the ideal place to stay if you wish to explore the Great Barrier Reef in all its natural glory with the whole family.

Chill out in California

The infamous Golden State has something to suit all tastes and budgets from all inclusive hotels with a kids club through to luxury resorts, cabins and motels; all with fantastic amenities and facilities to cater for families.

Unwind in Hawaii

Luxurious beach resorts abound in Hawaii. Various programs aimed at children are widely available at the plush resorts and the beautiful beaches provide the perfect setting to enjoy idyllic family vacations.

Beachside holidays with all the family vary from action-packed breaks at waterparks with endless children’s programs filled with fun activities through to relaxing on the beach and swimming in the ocean while soaking up the tranquil surroundings. Wherever you want to go to in the world and whatever you want from your break, you can guarantee there is a holiday out there to suit your needs and the best family beach vacations make for memories that last a lifetime.

Exploring and enjoying the great outdoors at adventure travel destinations is the ideal way for many to let loose of our fears and inhibitions and push our limits to the max…

Planning an outdoor adventure holiday this year? We’re researched some of the best adventure travel destinations all over the globe so if its adventure you want, it’s adventure you’ll get.

African Safari

Safari outdoor adventures can be enjoyed in Africa and witnessing the so-called ‘big five’ in their natural habitats is as thrilling as it gets. See a pack of lions up close and personal in the Serengeti or a herd of wild elephants in the Kruger National Park with adventure travel in Africa.

Rock Climbing

Got a head for heights? Why not see the world from a different angle as rock climbing gets the adrenaline pumping and can be done in destinations around the world such as Krabi in Thailand; one of the ultimate adventure travel destinations.

Sailing and Cruise Destinations

Sailing or cruising your way around the world is a unique experience and one that can be done by anyone. The feel of the fresh sea air is unbeatable and you will find a new zest for life in the warm seas around the Caribbean and Asia. All aboard!

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling

Clean your face mask and flap your flippers; it’s time to explore the underwater world in all its natural glory! Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Thailand’s south coast boast unbeatable chances to see beautiful corals and colourful fish and both are considered to be two of the best adventure travel destinations.

Adventure Travel Tours

Tours promising their customers an adventure offer a wide choice of activities from jungle trekking in the Amazon to kayaking ay Niagara Falls. Enjoy a true adventure as part of an exploration or relax with some family fun!

White-water Rafting and Kayaking

Feeling the full force and power of a river with white water rafting is unmatched for those seeking adventure! Adventure travel destinations offering kayaking is another great way to experience the African Zambezi and South American travel on the Chilean Futaleufu River is ideal for those seeking water-based fun.

Hiking

Polish off your walking boots and throw on a rucksack; it’s time to go hiking! Get a 100% natural rush from conquering a peak with hiking holidays that can be enjoyed around the world from the mountainous Himalayas in Nepal to the varied landscapes of New Zealand.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Taking to the powdery white slopes with skis or a snowboard is an awesome feeling and the views alone are worth the odd slip and slide. Visit Val-d’Isere in France and Aspen in the USA if you enjoy extreme sports.

Fishing and Hunting

Hunting and fishing are enjoyed by more than 800 million people worldwide and relaxing while reeling in a frisky salmon in Canada is a great outdoor activity. If you prefer to hunt down your prey then take a trip with a hunting ranch in Texas and make it a holiday to really remember.

Swim with the dolphins, conquer a mountain or take to the piste; whatever type of adventure travel destinations you are looking for, there will be one to suit you at a budget you can afford. Speak to your travel agent, look on the internet or through travel magazines to find your next outdoor adventure.

Are you always sitting in the nosebleed section of a concert or you do you try and buy event tickets to a festival and find they are all sold out? Here is a sure fire guide to buying the best concert seats in the house and not be left out in the cold.

Subscribe and save

Buying a subscription to frequently held events will ensure that you always have priority in regards to seat selection and you save on the regular price of tickets.  Regular events and venues like The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, The Australian Ballet and sporting events like AFL teams all offer paid subscriptions. Your subscriber card will give you priority seating, exclusive offers and discounts.

Become a member of the fan club

Fan club members may sometimes be offered premium tickets or offered presale tickets. You may find that you have to be a member of the fan club for a certain amount of time or you may not be eligible or pay a membership fee. Popular Dublin band U2 offers a subscriber service on the U2 website  for fans which gives them a chance to buy presale tickets, special offers and the latest information about tours.

Buy tickets with your credit card

Your credit company may have an association with ticketing venues which allows their customers to buy tickets at a discounted rate or have seat priority. Ticketek for example has exclusive offers for Visa cardholders. This may include access to presale and preferred tickets, box seats at select venues, premium seats, exclusive merchandise and a variety of unique VIP experiences. Check with your credit card company for more details.

Do an all-nighter

For popular concerts, devoted fans have been known to sleep at the ticket booking office and wait for the doors to open. Your best bet is to find a booking office that is located in a less populated area and bypass the crowds. This may be a better way than booking online as it will be easier to pick out your seats. Most online ticket outlets only offer pre-selected seats on a “best-available” basis, which may not be your preferred choice.

Buy tickets online

Specific venues, ticket agencies or promoters may sell tickets online. Subscribe to their newsletter for personal event preferences, exclusive member special offers and regular updates on upcoming events on sale. Ticketek offers a premium service called Privilege Club  which costs $95 a year and an express booking line that jumps the queue. Benefits include priority access, VIP offers, waitlisting and offers to special packages.

Gone are the days where camping out in front of the ticketing office was the only option to secure good seats to shows, concerts and entertainment. The Internet has brought a realm of new opportunities so by signing up to venues, ticket agencies, promoters or fan club’s newsletters, you will be in the best position to find out about presale offers and secure the best seats available.

Buying fashion and beauty products online is an attractive option for a savvy or time poor consumer with attractive discounts on offer and an opportunity to buy products not available in Australia. Here are five of the best Australian and international fashion and beauty online boutiques.

www.net-a-porter.com

NET-A-PORTER.COM is one of the world’s premier online luxury fashion retailer and online boutiques offering both Australian labels such as Sass & Bide, Nicola Finetti, Alice McCall, Willow, Tigerlily and international labels such as Stella McCartney, Lanvin, Christian Louboutin, Prada  and Marc Jacobs. NET-A-PORTER.COM is based in London and ships worldwide at a cost of £20 pounds plus tax or a flat £30 pounds if you live in the Americas. Sign up to their VIP newsletter to be one of the first to find about sales, new designers or new products instore.

www.diva.net.au

diva is a leading fashion retailer of women’s fashion jewellery accessories and draw its inspiration from catwalk trends from London, New York, Paris and Tokyo. Their range is updated regularly to reflect seasonal trends and are offered at very competitive prices. Diva currently ships to Australia and New Zealand and charges a flat rate of $13 for shipping or $3 for gift cards to Australia or a flat rate of $13 for New Zealand and $5.50 for gift cards. diva has a very attractive returns policy and will allow a return within a month of purchase (conditions apply). Sign up to their newsletter to keep abreast of sales, competitions and VIP offers.

www.strawberrynet.com

StrawberryNET is an online website that sells discounted cosmetics, perfumes and haircare. They stock famous makeup brands such as Christian Dior, Lancome, MAC and Clinique, hair care brands such as Redken, Tigi, Bumble and Bumble and Aveda as well as a large range of perfumes. The website has a great loyalty scheme so each time you buy products starting from your first order, you are entitled to a discount of up to a maximum of 10%. StrawberryNET also has free shipping and delivers internationally to 40 countries including Australia.

www.etsy.com

Etsy is a huge online marketplace where buyers and sellers from more than 150 countries come together to sell and buy handmade goods. Fashion sold on the website includes clothing, bags and purses and accessories. This is a great website to buy a unique item of clothing from up and coming designers and independent and undiscovered artists and a cheap and quirky alternative to mass-produced fashion. Each seller will specify what countries they ship to, what their shipping cost is and their return policies. Like eBay, remember to check each seller’s feedback to verify you are dealing with a reputable seller.   

www.bookdepository.co.uk

The Book Depository is an international online bookstore based in the UK and can provide all your fashion bibles and makeup book needs at a discounted price. Choose from a range of books such as The Sartorialist, The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia of Project Runway fame, A to Zoe by noted stylist Rachel Zoe or Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me by self proclaimed Cosmetic Cop Paula Begoun. The Book Depository ships books free of charge, worldwide, to nearly 90 countries.

Remember to always shop online securely and safely online. Buying from overseas websites may be cheaper but always take note of shipping policies. It may be better to try and buy products with friends or family and share the shipping costs to take advantage of cheap goods and products purchased online.

Avoid the crowds in the post Christmas sales and shop online for women’s and men’s fashion in the comfort of your own home. While sales on international websites may seem enticing, you may run the risk of credit card fraud. Here are five tips to shop online securely and safely.

Only shop on secure sites

Web browsers such as Internet Explorer and Firefox display a padlock icon to indicate that the website is secure and it also displays https:// in the address bar. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says that some scammers may be able to reproduce symbols to give you the impression that a fake website is secure. If you have doubts, it is safer not to proceed. It is much safer to pay by a system like PayPal or pay by credit card as most credit cards insure you against fraudulent credit card use.

Make sure your computer is protected

Before you shop online, make sure that you are using a computer that has updated security software installed that includes an anti-virus and anti-spyware program. If you’re not sure whether the computer you are using is adequately protected, do not enter your credit card details online. Even if you are buying a product or service from a legitimate vendor, you may be at the risk of your credit card details being stolen.

Read the terms and conditions

When shopping online, it is important to be fluent with the website’s returns, refunds and shipping policy especially if you are shopping on an international website. Be aware of the full cost of your purchase, including currency conversion, taxes, delivery fees, packaging and postage. After adding these costs, it may be cheaper to buy locally. With any online shopping website, make sure there they have a physical address, phone number and fax number so you can contact them if you have any enquiries or you’re not happy with your purchase.

Know your size

Buying clothes and shoes online particular from overseas websites can be very daunting if you do not understand all the shipping, size conversions, and return policies. Most credible websites will have conversion tables available and may specify whether the item of clothing or shoes is a small or big make. If you’re not sure, email the website owner and ask them any specifics about your intended purchase.

Keep accurate records

Most websites will email you a confirmation of your purchase but make sure you also print out an online version and take note of any reference numbers in case the email is lost or accidentally deleted. This is the online version of a sales receipt so make you keep it on file in case you need to return or exchange the product. Make sure you also keep a record of their shipping and returns policy as well in case you need it.

Make sure you keep a vigilant check on your credit card statement to make sure that there are no fraudulent purchases and follow these tips to make your online experience is a pleasant one. Your perfect dress or pair of 4 inch heels is only a few clicks away.

Want to manage your business on the fly? Here are five of the best business Apple iPhone apps for road warriors who want to make every minute count.

Salesforce Mobile for the iPhone

Salesforce, a popular customer relationship management system is available on the iPhone in a lite version and premium version. Thanks to streamlined navigation, you can quickly perform tasks or find what you need in Salesforce CRM right from your mobile device. This Apple iPhone app is perfect for salespeople to update their records on the fly after a client meeting or responding immediately to leads, cases, and requests. The lite version is available for free to Professional Edition, Enterprise Edition and Unlimited Edition customers and the premium version is free for Unlimited Edition customers and available to Professional Edition and Enterprise Edition for a small fee.

Analytics App

Want to optimise your website in transit? The Analytics app gives you access to over 40 Google Analytics reports and even the ability to customise your own reports. The “Today” report is just like the Dashboard Report, but it always defaults to Today so you can see the most recent data that Google Analytics can show without changing the date range. The apple iPhone app supports multiple accounts and multiple websites. You can monitor your traffic, top ranking keywords, top landing pages and the number of visitors to your website and analyse your website statistics whether you’re in a meeting, on the road or in the back of a taxi and is available to download for $US5.99.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a business social networking tool used by millions of people around the world. Download the app for free and stay connected when you’re out and about and add people directly into your LinkedIn account rather than exchanging physical business cards. It’s a more efficient and professional way of staying in touch with people. You also send updates by the LinkedIn app so people know what projects you’re working on and where you are and connect with professionals or friends when you’re mobile.

Shoeboxed

From the creators of Shoeboxed.com (a unique bookkeeping service that sends shoeboxes to their clients to collect their paperwork and receipts) has produced an Apple iPhone app. Available for free, Shoeboxed digitalizes your receipts and lets you generate an expense report all on your phone. Great for business people who are travelling or on the go and want to organise their receipts and expenses. Features include expense reports, email, phone support and being able to export expenses to bookkeeping software such as Quickbooks, Quicken, CSV, Freshbooks, and more.

The Wall Street Journal

Read the Wall Street Journal on your mobile while you’re in transit and keep up to date with finance market insights and current affairs as well as content from WSJ Digital Network sites including MarketWatch.com, Barrons.com and AllThingsD.com to keep you ahead of the game. Features include exclusive videos, radio podcasts, a customised navigation which allows you personalise your WSJ app to your liking with your favourite content and sharing articles. This app is currently free but this may not always be the case as the Wall Street Journal charges for its online content.

To find out more information about these apps or find more cool apps for your Apple iPhone, visit the Apple website.